31 Thanksgiving Recipes That Are Way Too Good to Only Make Once a Year
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Thanksgiving recipes are simply too delicious to save for just one holiday, and honestly, why should we? These dishes bring comfort, flavor, and a little extra joy to any table, no matter the season. Keep them in your back pocket, and you’ll have easy, crowd-pleasing favorites that turn any dinner into a celebration.
Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Slow cooker spinach and artichoke dip is one of those timeless recipes that never fails to impress, which is why you need to keep it on repeat long after the holidays. It bubbles away into creamy, cheesy perfection with almost no effort, making it just as great for a random night movie as it is for a Thanksgiving spread. Having a warm, crowd-pleasing dip like this ready feels like a secret trick to stress-free entertaining all year round.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is one of those irresistible recipes that belongs at every celebration, not just Thanksgiving. The golden loaf stuffed with gooey cheese and garlic butter has a fun, hands-on element that makes it perfect for family dinners year-round. Every pull-apart bite feels like comfort you can grab with your hands, which is exactly why it deserves more than one appearance a year.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Chili’s Baked Potato Soup

Chili’s baked potato soup brings all the cozy vibes of comfort food, with tender potatoes, bacon, cheese, and chives layered into one hearty bowl. It’s so good you’ll find yourself craving it in the dead of winter just as much as on a Thanksgiving table. Recipes like this remind you that the best comfort classics should never be boxed into one season.
Get the Recipe: Chili’s Baked Potato Soup
Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin brownies are fudgy, chocolatey, and swirled with warm pumpkin spice, basically fall baked into a square. They’re a hit on Thanksgiving dessert tables, but let’s be honest, brownies this good deserve to be baked in January, July, or anytime the craving hits. Think of them as your little reminder that holiday flavors should never be limited to one season.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Brownies
Cranberry Chicken Salad

Cranberry chicken salad is a tasty mix of savory chicken, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy dressing, comforting yet a little fancy. It’s great on a Thanksgiving table, in sandwiches for lunch, or over greens for a quick dinner. Recipes like this show how holiday flavors can make everyday meals feel special.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Honey Mustard Salmon

Honey mustard salmon is elegant yet fuss-free, with flaky salmon glazed in a tangy-sweet sauce that looks straight out of a restaurant. It’s a recipe you want to make on special occasions, but realize it’s so easy you’ll add it to your weeknight rotation too. Once you taste that golden glaze, it’s hard to imagine saving it for just once a year.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

Puff pastry apple pie pockets are little hand-held desserts that deliver all the cozy nostalgia of apple pie with half the effort. They’re buttery, flaky, and packed with spiced apples, making them a natural fit for Thanksgiving but also a delightful treat with coffee any time of year. Once you see how easy they are, you’ll start making excuses to bake them beyond the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Parmesan roasted green beans take a humble bag of frozen veggies and turn them into a side dish that feels holiday-worthy. They’re crisp, garlicky, and cheesy in all the right ways, but simple enough that you’ll want them alongside weeknight chicken or pasta, too. Recipes that make veggies feel indulgent are the ones you find yourself repeating again and again.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

Cheese and bacon cob loaf has that “center of the table” energy that turns any get-together into something festive. It’s cheesy, smoky, and baked right inside a crusty loaf of bread that’s made for sharing, making it impossible to save just for holidays. Once you try it, you’ll want to pull it out for birthdays, game days, or even a Friday night at home.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf
Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and loaded with just the right amount of garlicky richness that makes every bite unforgettable. While they shine on holiday tables, I’ve found they’re too good not to serve with weeknight roasts or grilled chicken. Once you make them this way, it’s hard to settle for plain mashed potatoes ever again.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pumpkin dump cake layers creamy pumpkin filling with a buttery crumble topping that tastes like the essence of fall in dessert form. It’s a cozy dish you crave long after Thanksgiving has passed, especially since it comes together in less than an hour. A recipe that is easy and comforting deserves a spot in your year-round baking rotation.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake
Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey-glazed carrots bring a glossy, golden sweetness to the table, with a buttery garlic sauce that makes even picky eaters take notice. They’re easy enough for an everyday side but colorful and delicious enough to feel holiday-worthy. Dishes like this will remind you that the simplest ingredients can deliver the biggest wow factor.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Bacon Cheddar Dip

Bacon cheddar dip is the party starter that always disappears first, thanks to its creamy, cheesy base loaded with ranch seasoning and crispy bacon. Serve it cold with crackers or warm it up for chips and veggie sticks, either way, it’s a winner. A dip this good isn’t just for game day or Thanksgiving, it’s a keeper for any time you want instant crowd-pleasing energy.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip
Pineapple Cheese Ball

Pineapple cheese ball rolls sweet pineapple, crunchy pecans, and savory cheese into one addictive holiday centerpiece. It’s creamy, tangy, and a little tropical, the kind of appetizer that instantly livens up any table. Once you make it, you’ll realize it’s too fun and flavorful to save for only Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball
Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Bruschetta al pomodoro keeps things simple with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and toasted bread that crackles under each bite. It may sound humble, but the freshness makes it feel like a special treat, whether at a holiday spread or a quick snack on a random day. Recipes that deliver this much flavor with so little effort are ones you’ll keep coming back to all year.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
Baked Ham

Baked ham with pineapple and brown sugar delivers salty, sweet, and tangy notes in every slice, making it a natural showpiece for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Yet it’s shockingly simple to pull together, which makes it a smart option for Sunday dinners or even meal prep for the week. A centerpiece this tasty shouldn’t wait for just one or two holidays a year.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ham
Potato Skins

Potato skins come out of the oven crispy, cheesy, and loaded with bacon and green onions, the a comfort food you can’t help but reach for. They feel right at home on a Thanksgiving appetizer table, but they’re equally perfect for game day or casual Friday nights. A recipe this easy and craveable deserves way more than a once-a-year spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins
Cheese Curds

Cheese curds are the ultimate bite-sized indulgence, whether you pan-fry them until golden or bake them for an easier twist. They’re gooey, crispy, and ready in just minutes, making them perfect for both holiday platters and last-minute snack attacks. Once you taste homemade curds, you’ll find yourself craving them long after the holidays wrap up.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Curds
Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan potatoes bake into little golden bites that are buttery inside and crispy on the outside, showered with cheesy goodness. They’re the side dish everyone crowds around during the holidays, but honestly, they work just as well next to burgers or roasted chicken any day of the week. Simple, crave-worthy comfort food like this deserves to be on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits

Bacon and cheddar biscuits bake up golden and fluffy, each bite packed with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and a touch of ranch seasoning. They bring a comforting, cheesy aroma to the table that works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for holiday feasts. These rolls are so flavorful that they make any meal feel a little more special, no matter the season.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Bacon-wrapped filet mignon is a crowd-pleaser that looks fancy but comes together with surprising ease. Juicy beef tenderloin sears beautifully before finishing in the oven, while the bacon crisps up into the perfect savory wrap. It’s a dish that transforms both holidays and weeknights into something memorable without requiring a steakhouse bill.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes

Mashed cauliflower potatoes are light, fluffy, and flavorful enough to rival the classic spuds but with fewer carbs. They work beautifully for holiday spreads but also make an easy weeknight side when you want something wholesome without losing that creamy comfort. It’s a recipe that bridges the gap between healthy and cozy, so you can keep it in rotation well beyond November.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Crock pot sweet potato casserole combines tender sweet potatoes, warm brown sugar, fluffy marshmallows, and crunchy pecans into a cozy holiday classic. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving hands free for other dishes while this one simmers away. It’s a timeless recipe that deserves a place on more than just the Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Stuffed Dates

Stuffed dates bring together sticky-sweet fruit, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts in a bite-sized package that disappears fast. They’re no-cook, elegant, and easy, making them a go-to choice for parties or last-minute snacks. A platter of these little gems adds a sweet-and-savory touch that feels festive year-round.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates
Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Cheesy loaded twice-baked potatoes are rich, hearty, and packed with melty cheese, crispy bacon, and fluffy potato filling. Each bite delivers indulgent comfort that works just as well on a Thanksgiving table as it does for casual family dinners. Simple ingredients transform into a dish that feels like a treat every time it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Herb Cheese Ball

Herb cheese ball is creamy, flavorful, and rolled in fresh herbs for a simple yet impressive appetizer. Ready in just minutes, it’s a low-effort dish that works perfectly for potlucks, game nights, or holiday spreads. A recipe this easy to prepare quickly becomes a staple, no matter the occasion.
Get the Recipe: Herb Cheese Ball
Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Easy scalloped potatoes layer tender slices in a creamy, savory sauce that bakes into bubbling perfection. It’s a classic side dish that pairs with everything from roasted meats to veggie mains, making it versatile for holidays or weeknight meals. A pan of these potatoes never lasts long once it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with garlic butter are bright, crisp, and coated in a savory buttery glaze that elevates the simplest vegetable. The dish is simple and easy to prepare, yet delivers a flavor that feels right at home at big celebrations or everyday dinners. A bowl of these beans brings balance and freshness to any spread.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Faux Potato Salad

Faux potato salad uses turnip radish in place of traditional potatoes, creating a light, flavorful twist on a beloved classic. Tossed in creamy yogurt mayonnaise with crunchy add-ins, it offers a refreshing light option for gatherings. A recipe like this keeps the comfort of potato salad alive while adding a new spin worth making anytime.
Get the Recipe: Faux Potato Salad
Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry brie bites deliver creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry, and crunchy pecans all nestled in flaky puff pastry. They look elegant yet take just minutes to prep, making them ideal for both holiday gatherings and casual get-togethers. With only five ingredients, they offer big flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
Fried Cheese Balls

Fried cheese balls come out crisp on the outside with gooey cheddar centers, making them an irresistible snack for any crowd. They’re easy to make, and perfect for game day spreads or holiday appetizer tables. Bites this cheesy and crunchy tend to disappear faster than anything else on the tray.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cheese Balls
