18 Thanksgiving Dishes Often Forgotten — But Worth Putting on the Table

Lately I’ve been thinking about all those Thanksgiving moments when a few beloved dishes slipped my mind and I forgot they even existed. It’s wild how many classics we probably overlook, even though you and I both need them back on the table to keep the tradition feeling right. When we chat about holiday cooking, it’s always the big stars we mention, but the little gems deserve love too. So consider this a cozy reminder to bring those under-appreciated favorites on the menu again.

Forgotten Carrot Raisin Salad Classic

A bowl of carrot raisin salad with a serving spoon. — Old Fashioned Carrot Salad With Raisins. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This nostalgic carrot-raisin mix brings back old-school holiday flavor with a sweet crunch you may have forgotten to serve at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Carrot Salad With Raisins

Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing

A baked cornbread stuffing. — Sweet And Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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This old-time cornbread dressing blends herbs and tender crumbs into a Thanksgiving staple many families overlook but absolutely need back.
Get the Recipe: Sweet And Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing

Retro Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy bacon-ranch throwback delivers bold flavor in every bite—an easy, forgotten side that adds fun to any Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Green Bean & Potato Throwback Salad

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This crisp bean-and-potato combo with a hint of sweetness brings back a side dish that once ruled holiday tables—and deserves a comeback.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

Old-School Red Cabbage Slaw

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy, colorful slaw adds crunch and tang to your table—a forgotten but vibrant side that pairs perfectly with rich Thanksgiving mains.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

Vintage Sour Cream Dinner Rolls

Sour cream rolls in a basket — Sour Cream Yeast Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These tender, knot-shaped rolls bring back the homemade bread nostalgia that Thanksgiving tables used to celebrate every year.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Yeast Rolls

Gruyere Scalloped Potato Favorite

A baking dish of homemade scalloped potatoes. — Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This rich, layered potato dish offers creamy comfort that once defined holiday meals—a forgotten classic worth revisiting.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

Cranberry Broccoli Holiday Salad

A bowl of broccoli salad on a serving tray. — Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This sweet-tart broccoli salad adds bright flavor and crunch—a once-popular table addition that deserves a spot at Thanksgiving again.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

Classic Stovetop Candied Yams

A round baking dish filled with glazed sweet potatoes, coated in a shiny caramelized sauce and sprinkled with chopped pecans. — Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These buttery, caramel-coated sweet potatoes revive an old-fashioned Thanksgiving side that once brought warmth to every table.
Get the Recipe: Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes

Pimento Mac & Cheese Revival

Two plates of pimento mac and cheese. — Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy, zesty mac and cheese brings Southern comfort with a retro twist that fits right into a nostalgic Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos

Brown Butter Cauliflower Throwback

Roasted cauliflower with brown butter in a serving bowl. — Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Browned butter and spice transform this simple veggie into the kind of forgotten side that once surprised guests at the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Old-Time Creamy Macaroni Salad

Creamy macaroni salad with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cool, creamy macaroni salad brings back the potluck favorite your Thanksgiving lineup may be missing—simple, hearty, and nostalgic.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

Holiday Challah Dinner Rolls

Individual challah buns on a wooden board. — Challah Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These light, glossy rolls bring back a bakery-style holiday favorite once cherished for Thanksgiving feasts and family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Challah Rolls

Soft Brioche Rolls to Rediscover

A basket filled with freshly baked golden brown rolls, lined with a light gray cloth. — Fluffy Brioche Rolls Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, buttery, and irresistibly soft, these brioche rolls revive a holiday bread tradition that’s too delicious to forget.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Brioche Rolls Recipe

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham Throwback

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Hearty and comforting, this creamy potato-and-ham bake brings back a rustic, forgotten favorite perfect for post-turkey feasting.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

A glass bowl of roasted potato salad — No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This warm Roasted Potato Salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice

A baking dish filled with twelve golden-brown, fluffy dinner rolls arranged closely together on a dark countertop. — Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Hawaiian Rolls have just a hint of sweetness from pineapple juice. They are so fluffy. and EASY to make for your holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice

Southern Keto Collard Greens Recipe

A white plate filled with cooked collard greens and chopped onions, with two serving spoons placed on either side of the dish. The plate rests on a textured cloth. — Southern Keto Collard Greens Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Southern Keto Collard Greens Recipe has a hint of maple sweetness & a punch of vinegar sourness for delicious collards.
Get the Recipe: Southern Keto Collard Greens Recipe

27 Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Wishes They Had Thought Of First

A collage of four Thanksgiving side dishes: stuffed acorn squash, baked cheesy casserole, savory bread pudding with a serving spoon, and a basket of golden brown dinner rolls—plus cranberry creations that brighten every Thanksgiving plate.

Every year, when Thanksgiving rolls around, someone shows up with a dish so good it makes everyone at the table wonder why they didn’t come up with it first. From creative twists on classics to brand-new flavor mashups, these dishes have a way of stealing the spotlight.
Grab it here: 27 Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Wishes They Had Thought Of First

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