27 Southern Recipes That Always Win the Thanksgiving Potluck

When the holidays roll around, everyone’s got that one dish they secretly hope shows up on the table. Down South, folks know how to make comfort food that turns a regular meal into a full-on celebration. From buttery biscuits to smoky casseroles, these Southern favorites have a way of stealing the spotlight at any Thanksgiving potluck. Get ready for recipes that don’t just show up—they win hearts (and empty plates) every single time.

Fluffy Potato Rolls for the Thanksgiving Win

mashed potato rolls in a white towel. — Fluffy Potato Rolls for the Thanksgiving Win. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These buttery, light mashed potato rolls make every potluck plate better. Soft, golden, and perfect for soaking up gravy or slathering with butter.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Potato Rolls for the Thanksgiving Win

Honey Glazed Sweet Potatoes with a Twist

Hasselback sweet potatoes on a black platter with honey on the side. — Honey Glazed Sweet Potatoes with a Twist. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

These Hasselback sweet potatoes with honey and pecans steal the show—crispy edges, tender centers, and just the right touch of Southern sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Sweet Potatoes with a Twist

Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

A bowl of crock pot mac n cheese in a bowl next to a spoon. — Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Skip the oven—this slow cooker mac and cheese comes out perfectly creamy and golden every time, no boiling needed. A Southern potluck favorite!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Pudding

Sweet potato pudding in a casserole dish next to serving spoons. — Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy, baked sweet potato pudding tastes like nostalgia—spiced, silky, and made for sharing at the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Pudding

Southern Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions. — Southern Bacon Ranch Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy bacon ranch potato salad brings all the flavor—smoky, tangy, and totally crowd-approved for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Southern Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Baked Mac and Cheese with a Green Twist

A spoon full of baked mac and cheese with spinach. — Baked Mac and Cheese with a Green Twist. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Add a Southern spin to your Thanksgiving with this cheesy mac made richer with gruyere, cheddar, and a fresh pop of spinach.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese with a Green Twist

Southern Green Beans with Bacon Magic

A bowl of Green Beans with Bacon and Onions, topped with crispy bacon pieces and caramelized onions, sits on a light cloth napkin with serving utensils. A small dish of extra bacon crumbles is nearby for added flavor. — Southern Green Beans with Bacon Magic. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Smoky, tender, and bursting with flavor—these Southern green beans with bacon are the kind everyone asks the recipe for.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans with Bacon Magic

Cranberry Sauce with a Southern Spark

A bowl of homemade cranberry sauce with walnuts sits on a beige napkin on a dark plate, with a silver spoon and extra walnut pieces beside it on a blue and gray background. — Cranberry Sauce with a Southern Spark. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This homemade cranberry sauce gets a Southern upgrade with walnuts and Grand Marnier—sweet, tangy, and simply irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with a Southern Spark

Creamy Southern Cornbread Pudding

A spoonful of cornbread corn pudding. — Creamy Southern Cornbread Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy, cheesy cornbread pudding brings comfort and nostalgia to every bite—a true Southern favorite at the potluck table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Southern Cornbread Pudding

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pears

Balsamic vinegar being poured over roasted sweet potatoes. — Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pears. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted sweet potatoes meet juicy pears for a balance of sweet and savory that fits right in with the best Southern side dishes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Pears

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pretzel Crunch

A large spoon full of sweet potato casserole. — Sweet Potato Casserole with Pretzel Crunch. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This sweet potato casserole with buttery pecan-pretzel topping is the crunchy-creamy showstopper every Thanksgiving table needs.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Pretzel Crunch

Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dressing

A close-up of creamy chicken casserole—a southern Thanksgiving recipe—topped with golden, crunchy breadcrumbs, served on a dark plate with a fork and garnished with fresh herbs. — Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dressing. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Just four ingredients and a slow cooker make this classic chicken and dressing the easiest (and tastiest) way to feed a Thanksgiving crowd.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dressing

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Everyone Craves

A bowl of glazed sweet potatoes garnished with chopped pecans. The sweet potatoes are caramelized and served in a rustic, white ceramic bowl placed on a gray cloth. A spoon is partially visible in the bowl. — Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Everyone Craves. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These stovetop sweet potatoes simmer in butter and brown sugar for that classic Southern caramelized flavor that steals the show at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes Everyone Craves

Fluffy Southern Dinner Rolls You’ll Keep Reaching For

Soft, buttery, and irresistible—these homemade Southern yeast rolls are the kind everyone fights over at the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Southern Dinner Rolls You’ll Keep Reaching For

Old-Fashioned Kentucky Spoon Bread Magic

A serving spoon full of spoon bread. — Old-Fashioned Kentucky Spoon Bread Magic. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy, custardy Kentucky favorite blends cornbread and pudding textures for a buttery, comforting Southern side dish everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Kentucky Spoon Bread Magic

Southern Apple Waldorf Salad That Wows Guests

A bowl of apple salad with a serving spoon. — Southern Apple Waldorf Salad That Wows Guests. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crunchy apples, sweet raisins, and walnuts in a creamy dressing—this refreshing Southern twist on Waldorf salad balances out rich potluck plates.
Get the Recipe: Southern Apple Waldorf Salad That Wows Guests

Butternut Squash Casserole That Steals the Spotlight

A serving spoon in a baking dish of butternut squash casserole. — Butternut Squash Casserole That Steals the Spotlight. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy Southern casserole blends butternut squash, wild rice, and parmesan for a golden, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole That Steals the Spotlight

Southern Cranberry Sauce With Port and Figs

Cranberry sauce in a bowl with fresh cranberries — Southern Cranberry Sauce With Port and Figs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet, tart, and full of Southern flair—this cranberry sauce with port wine and figs adds elegance and flavor to any potluck spread.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cranberry Sauce With Port and Figs

Layered Apple & Sweet Potato Bake With a Twist

A close-up of a freshly baked apple crumble pie in a white dish, with a golden-brown crumb topping—perfect for Thanksgiving Apple Desserts. Whole apples and a towel are in the background. — Layered Apple & Sweet Potato Bake With a Twist. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet apples and tender sweet potatoes come together in this Southern-style casserole that balances cozy sweetness with a savory touch.
Get the Recipe: Layered Apple & Sweet Potato Bake With a Twist

Sweet Potato Casserole with Dreamy Marshmallow Top

A spoon dipping out a portion of sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping. — Sweet Potato Casserole with Dreamy Marshmallow Top. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Skip store-bought marshmallows—this homemade Southern sweet potato casserole with meringue topping melts hearts and wins potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Dreamy Marshmallow Top

Southern Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Bake

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Southern Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cheesy, creamy, and hearty—this Southern scalloped potato and ham casserole is comfort food perfection for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Southern Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Bake

Broccoli Rice Casserole Like Grandma Made

A skillet of chicken rice and broccoli casserole. — Broccoli Rice Casserole Like Grandma Made. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This homemade Southern broccoli rice casserole skips canned soup but keeps the creamy, cheesy comfort everyone expects at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole Like Grandma Made

Tall, Flaky Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Square biscuits baked on parchment paper. — Tall, Flaky Southern Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Golden, buttery layers make these easy Southern biscuits the perfect side dish to soak up gravy or accompany any potluck plate.
Get the Recipe: Tall, Flaky Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Southern-Style Hawaiian Rolls With a Sweet Touch

A baking dish of Hawaiian rolls. — Southern-Style Hawaiian Rolls With a Sweet Touch. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fluffy, lightly sweetened with pineapple juice—these rolls bring a tropical twist to your classic Southern Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Southern-Style Hawaiian Rolls With a Sweet Touch

Cheesy Southern Broccoli Bake in Minutes

A spoon full of cheesy broccoli casserole in a baking dish. — Cheesy Southern Broccoli Bake in Minutes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Quick, creamy, and crowd-pleasing—this cheesy broccoli casserole delivers that comforting Southern flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Southern Broccoli Bake in Minutes

Southern Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Supreme

Layered with rich cream and a hint of sweetness, these scalloped sweet potatoes are a show-stopping Southern side dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Supreme

Cheesy Southern Scalloped Potatoes Deluxe

A close-up of homemade scalloped potatoes with a golden, bubbly cheese and cream topping, sprinkled with black pepper. A serving spoon rests in the dish, and a small bowl of grated cheese is visible in the background. — Cheesy Southern Scalloped Potatoes Deluxe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Golden and gooey with layers of potatoes and gruyere, this Southern scalloped potato casserole is the comfort dish no potluck can skip.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Southern Scalloped Potatoes Deluxe

27 Thanksgiving Dishes Guests Secretly Want More Than Turkey

A collage of four images showcases dishes that smell like Thanksgiving morning: pumpkin pie with whipped cream, a bowl of cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes, and a lattice-topped mixed berry pie with a slice removed.

Let’s be honest, when the big feast rolls around, turkey might get all the spotlight, but it’s those irresistible side dishes and desserts that everyone secretly craves. From creamy casseroles to perfectly baked pies, guests often pile their plates high before the bird even makes its way around.
Grab it here: 27 Thanksgiving Dishes Guests Secretly Want More Than Turkey

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows