55+ Southern Thanksgiving Recipes – Simply Meat Smoking

Sharing is caring!

If you’re planning a Southern Thanksgiving menu this year, this collection of traditional recipes has everything you need. From tender turkey and cornbread dressing to green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, buttery biscuits, and pecan pie, these dishes represent the flavors that make the holiday memorable.

Each recipe uses straightforward techniques and ingredients that deliver the comfort food taste families expect. Whether you’re hosting for the first time or sticking with tried-and-true favorites, this menu covers all the essentials for a traditional Southern Thanksgiving feast.

No time to read all the recipes? Pin it to read later ⤵️

Growing up, Thanksgiving was always about the people gathered around our table and the recipes that connected us to generations before. This southern Thanksgiving menu captures those same familiar flavors that make the holiday meaningful.

Each recipe is straightforward enough for busy hosts but special enough to create memorable moments. From make-ahead sides to classic desserts, these dishes work together for the kind of feast that brings families closer.

Smoked Sweet Potatoes

A Southern favorite made even better! These sweet potatoes are smoked to bring out their natural sugars and enhanced with rich, savory flavors—perfect for your Thanksgiving table.
Recipe: 🍠 Smoked Sweet Potatoes

Glazed and Grilled Spiral Ham

This show-stopping ham is grilled to crispy perfection and glazed with sweet, sticky goodness—an irresistible Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Recipe: 🍖 Glazed and grilled spiral ham

Grilled Cornbread

Classic Southern cornbread with a smoky twist—grilled for a crisp edge and soft, buttery inside. The ideal companion to your holiday spread.
Recipe: 🌽 Grilled cornbread

Baked Sweet Potato

Soft, caramelized, and soul-warming—these baked sweet potatoes are a must-have for your Southern Thanksgiving feast.
Recipe: 🥔 Baked sweet potato

Smoked Ham

A hearty, smoky ham that’s full of bold Southern flavor. This is a standout choice for your Thanksgiving main course.
Recipe: 🐖 Smoked ham on Pit Boss

Smoked Pork Butt

This fall-apart tender pork butt is packed with deep, smoky flavor—serve it Southern-style with cornbread and sweet tea.
Recipe: 🍂 Smoked pork butt

Mashed Potatoes Casserole

Recipe: 🧄 Mashed Potatoes Casserole

Baked Meatloaf

Recipe: 🍬 Baked Meatloaf

Succotash – A Thanksgiving Classic

A colorful, hearty blend of corn, lima beans, and other vegetables, this classic succotash by Alpana Beiser brings timeless tradition and comfort to your holiday table.
Recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Ann Smith’s sweet potato casserole delivers creamy, spiced sweetness topped with marshmallows or pecans—perfect for your festive spread.
Recipe

Sourdough Honey Cornbread

Brandon Cochran’s take on cornbread is subtly sweet, moist, and rich with honey—a dreamy, from-scratch alternative to boxed mixes.
Recipe

The Softest Sourdough Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

These pillowy-soft dinner rolls from Brandon Cochran combine sweet potatoes and sourdough for a unique, tangy twist on a holiday favorite.
Recipe

Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast

Jessica Pinney adds Southern flair to your turkey with a sweet tea brine that infuses the meat with flavor and tenderness.
Recipe

Cornbread Dressing

Bring warmth and comfort to your Thanksgiving table with this buttery, moist Cornbread Dressing—complete with a crispy golden crust. Made with homemade sweet cornbread, Italian sausage, celery, onion, and fresh herbs, it’s an easy and irresistible holiday side everyone will love.
Recipe

Southern Corn Pudding Recipe with Brown Butter

Karen Reinsberg’s twist on corn pudding uses nutty brown butter for an ultra-rich, irresistible take on this cozy side dish.
Recipe

Air Fryer Apples – Easy Vegan Dessert in 15 Minutes

Priya Lakshminarayan brings you a warm, spiced, and guilt-free dessert with tender air-fried apples—ready in just 15 minutes.
Recipe

Easy Green Bean Casserole

Shanna Jones shares a quick, creamy green bean casserole that hits all the nostalgic notes with modern ease.
Recipe

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

Creamy, cheesy, and bubbling with goodness—Shanna Jones’ broccoli casserole is a holiday essential.
Recipe

Creamy Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Shanna Jones adds richness and flair to mashed potatoes with sharp cheddar and plenty of cream.
Recipe

Corn Succotash

Terri Gilson’s gluten-free version of succotash is colorful, fresh, and packed with sweet corn flavor.
Recipe

Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

Tiffany Welsh combines tender green beans with buttery potatoes for a true Southern comfort classic.
Recipe

Easy Gluten Free Corn Casserole

Tiffany Welsh’s creamy, cheesy, gluten-free corn casserole is simple to make and guaranteed to please.
Recipe

Old Fashioned Cornbread Dressing

Cynthia McCloud Woodman’s traditional dressing is made with savory cornbread, herbs, and aromatics—ideal for soaking up all the holiday flavors.
Recipe

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Decadent, gooey, and with a chocolatey crunch—Cynthia McCloud Woodman’s pie adds rich elegance to the dessert table.
Recipe

Giblet Gravy

Dan Zee’s giblet gravy brings classic depth and richness, made from pan drippings, giblets, and savory seasonings.
Recipe

Southern Cornbread Dressing

A Southern favorite from Dan Zee, this dressing is soft, herby, and loaded with flavor—perfect as a comforting side dish.
Recipe

Smoke On!

Charlie

Hungry For More?