The Top Thanksgiving Recipe from Every State

Thanksgiving menus vary from coast to coast, and these top-rated recipes prove it. We found the best-loved and most-reviewed Thanksgiving recipe in every state. From appetizers to desserts, we guarantee you’ll find a dish to share at this year’s feast. Find our best tips and recipes in our Thanksgiving hosting handbook.

Alabama: Pressure-Cooker Turkey with Berry Compote

This delicious dish gives you a way to get all that yummy turkey flavor without heating up the house, and the berries make the perfect summer sauce. For a browner turkey, just broil it for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama

Still hungry? These are our all-time favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

Alaska: Festive Cranberry Cake

Each fall here in Alaska, an abundant crop of wild cranberries is ripe for cooking. This cake, a favorite in my family, makes good use of the harvest. What’s more, since you can prepare it the night before your Thanksgiving celebration, this recipe is a real time-saver at a hectic time of year. —Gladys Wilson, Anchorage, Alaska

Arizona: Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie

You'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona

Arkansas: Rice Dressing

This yummy rice mixture is a delightful change from our traditional corn bread dressing. To make it a meal in itself, I sometimes add finely chopped cooked chicken and a little more broth before baking. —Linda Emery, Bearden, Arkansas

Find more favorite Thanksgiving cheesecakes.

California: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds

We had left over roasted butternut squash one night, so I threw it on a salad and topped it with cheese. My family loved it! Since then we added caramelized pumpkin seeds (my brother’s idea) and a homemade dressing. —Nicole Sadowsky, Rancho Santa Fe, California

Colorado: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

I discovered this wonderful pumpkin cupcake recipe and changed a bit to suit my taste. I love the flavor of pumpkin and the cinnamon makes ordinary cream cheese frosting extra special. When I made a batch for my husband to take to work, he said they disappeared in record time. —Debbie Wiggins, Longmont, Colorado

Connecticut: Sweet Potato & Marshmallow Swirl Cheesecake

I make a sweet potato souffle that I’ve always thought tastes like a dessert. I finally decided to use that idea for an actual dessert, and the result was a smooth, rich cheesecake.

Delaware: Turkey & Spinach Stuffing Casserole

I know dried cranberries may seem like an odd ingredient to include in this dish, but they add just a hint of sweetness that makes an easy casserole so special. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

Florida: Granny’s Apple Scalloped Potatoes

This scalloped potatoes with apples dish is delicious with breaded baked pork chops, which you could cook at the same time in another cast-iron pan. We are retired and it’s just the two of us, but you could easily double the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida

Check out our best Thanksgiving recipes for your slow cooker.

Georgia: Southern Sweet Potato Tart

We love sweet potatoes, so I try to incorporate them in as many dishes as I can. My secret ingredient in this sweet potato tart is the bourbon—it’s what makes it so delicious. —Marie Bruno, Greensboro, Georgia

Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey

My family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

Warm, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely irresistible. I save time and use a stand mixer to make my dough. —Jennifer Patterson, Shoshone, Idaho

Illinois: Triple Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry fans will ask for this sauce again and again. It’s loaded with their favorite fruit—in fresh, dried and juice form. Orange and allspice make it awesome. —Arlene Smulski, Lyons, Illinois

Indiana: Butter & Herb Turkey

My kids love a turkey meal, and this one falls off the bone. It’s the ideal recipe for special family times and holidays. —Rochelle Popovic, South Bend, Indiana

Apple Crumble Pie

The crumb topping of this apple crumble pie recipe is awesome, which may explain why dessert always disappears fast. Or maybe it's the chunky apple filling. Either way, it's a family tradition. —Vera Brouwer, Maurice, Iowa

Kansas: Orange Pumpkin Chiffon Dessert

When pumpkin season rolls around, I like to find new ways to enjoy it in almost all my cooking. This creamy dessert feels so festive this time of year—;it gives you classic pumpkin pie flavor with just a kiss of orange. —Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas

Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan

I couldn’t shake my mashed potato habit—until I tried mashed cauliflower with a similar consistency. I started making my own, and my family loves it. —Meredith Howard, Franklin, Kentucky

Herbed Turkey Breast

Like many of you, I always serve turkey for our family's Thanksgiving meal. But instead of roasting a whole bird, I opt for a turkey breast since most of us prefer white meat. The herb butter basting sauce keeps it so moist, and it's easy to carve. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

Buttercup Squash Coffee Cake

My father grows a large buttercup squash patch, so each fall, I get an ample amount of his harvest. I make this treat to share with my co-workers. They rave about the moist cake, the crunchy streusel and the applesauce between the layers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine

Maryland: Sweet Potato Coconut Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

My grandmother’s sweet potato casserole contains coconut and marshmallows. I thought it would be even better as a pie. —Simone Bazos, Baltimore, Maryland

Deep-Dish Apple Pie

This deep-dish apple pie is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts

Michigan: Cranberry Pecan Stuffing

While I love stuffing, my family wasn’t that fond of it—that is, until I found this recipe. I added a few touches of my own and now they gobble it up. Cranberries and pork really make it something special. —Robin Lang, Muskegon, Michigan

Minnesota: Gingerbread-Spiced Pumpkin Pie

The first time I made this was for Christmas a couple of years ago. The following year, I received a gift with all the ingredients for the pie in it and a note asking me to make it again as soon as possible. Make extra pastry if you want to decorate the top.—Rod Dombek, Mazeppa, Minnesota

Mississippi: Walnut-Cranberry Pie

After this ruby red pie got rave reviews on Thanksgiving, I was happy to bake it again for Christmas dinner. The naturally tart cranberries are perfectly sweetened and accented with walnuts, raisins and lemon. —Shirley Glaab, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Sour cream and cream cheese give richness to these smooth make-ahead potatoes. They are wonderful for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner since there's no last-minute mashing required. —Trudy Vincent, Valles Mines, Missouri

Learn how to make gravy from scratch—perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

Montana: BBQ Turkey

I don’t remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it’s the best Thanksgiving turkey I’ve ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana

Sweet Potato Crescents

My family agrees that our Thanksgiving feast would not be complete without these light-as-air crescent rolls. They're a nice accompaniment to any menu. Baking them always puts me in the holiday spirit. —Rebecca Bailey, Fairbury, Nebraska

Nevada: Pressure-Cooker Rosemary Beets

We’re a family of beet eaters. For a simple side, I use a one-dish cooker and let the beets mellow with rosemary and thyme. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

New Hampshire: Maple-Sage Brined Turkey

When the leaves start turning, it’s turkey time at our house. We use maple-sage brine to help brown the bird and make the meat incredibly juicy. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire

Pumpkin Pie Custard

Instead of pumpkin pie, try this flavorful light holiday dessert. My husband’s aunt shared the recipe after she brought this treat to a family party. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

New Mexico: Molded Cranberry-Orange Salad

When I take this dish to potlucks during the holidays, people always ooh and aah. Feel free to top with whipped cream for added appeal. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico

New York: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It’s also a smart way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York

North Carolina: Sourdough Dressing

While we love our traditional Thanksgiving recipes, sometimes we want to change things up. This sourdough stuffing is a fun twist on an old favorite. Whenever we make it after the big feast, we like to add a cup or more of leftover cubed turkey. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, North Carolina

North Dakota: Cranberry Fluff

This fluffy fruit salad gets its sweet-tart flavor from cranberries and whipped cream. We like it because it’s not as sweet as many other “fluffs.” I’m often asked for the secret to this luscious holiday salad. —Lavonne Hartel, Williston, North Dakota

Ohio: Herbed Roast Turkey Breast

When learning how to cook turkey breast for my first formal dinner party as a newlywed, I came across this particular recipe. It was such a success that this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio

Oklahoma: Apricot-Glazed Ham

Glaze a bone-in ham with apricot jam for a entree that’s beautiful and delicious. Any leftovers will make meal planning a breeze later in the week. —Galelah Dowell, Fairland, Oklahoma

Oregon: Apple-Sage Roasted Turkey

A hint of apple flavor gives a slightly sweet spin to a holiday dinner’s main event. The lovely aroma wafting from your kitchen as this turkey cooks will have everybody talking. —Suzy Horvath, Milwaukie, Oregon

Pennsylvania: Mini Sweet Potato Pies

My 2-year-old son, Levi, helped me create this delicious recipe one day and it was the first day he told me “I love you”! I will always remember making these with him. —Emily Butler, South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Rhode Island: Air-Fryer Apple Fritters

These easy air-fryer apple fritters with brown butter glaze are healthier than old-fashioned fritters, yet they are still as delicious. Plus they’re made in under 30 minutes for a quick and easy air-fryer dessert! — Alyssa Castriotta, North Scituate, Rhode Island

Sour Cream Apple Pie

A cool, creamy version of the original, this delicious dessert is the perfect finish to a satisfying summer meal. Its crumbly topping and smooth apple filling are crowd-pleasers! Be prepared to serve seconds. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

Squash Apple Soup

Here is a great first course! Rich, creamy squash soup with a hint of apple is truly special and worthy of being on your holiday menu. —Holly Wilhelm, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Tennessee: Autumn Harvest Mashed Potatoes

I first made these scrumptious potatoes as a surprise for my daughter during her freshman year of college. Canned pumpkin and a medley of root vegetables take ordinary mashed potatoes to extraordinary. —Susan Sutphin, Sevierville, Tennessee

Texas: Cranberry Apple Crisp

Apple cranberry crisp is a wonderful dessert for fall, when both cranberries and apples are in season. The fruits are quite compatible in flavor and color, and they help make any table look festive and inviting. —Martha Sue Stroud, Clarksville, Texas

Utah: Air-Fryer Garlic-Rosemary Brussels Sprouts

This is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish—healthy, easy and very quick to make. I usually season my turkey with fresh rosemary, then use leftover herbs for this standout. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Maple Sugar Pumpkin Pie

We make our own maple syrup, and that's what gives this pie its special taste. You might want to bake this for your Thanksgiving meal. —Martha Boudah, Essex Center, Vermont

Virginia: Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie

My husband and I are not big fans of traditional pumpkin pie, but my mother and others are, so we must have pumpkin pie as one of the desserts at Thanksgiving. I decided to meet everyone halfway with this pumpkin pecan pie recipe and it was a hit. Now I bring it to Thanksgiving every year. My mother doesn't even feel the need to bake her own pumpkin pie! —Emily Reese, Glade Hill, Virginia

Green Bean Casserole

This easy green bean casserole recipe has always been one of my favorite dishes. You can make it before any guests arrive and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington

West Virginia: Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

My improved dessert combines two things I love: pumpkin and cheesecake. This better-for-you version is the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Visit my blog at www.HealthifiedMom.com for more great recipes like this one! Top with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or whatever your little heart desires!—Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia

Wisconsin: The Best Sweet Potato Pie

Wild Rice Stuffing

Since trying this stuffing recipe from my sister, I haven't made any other kind. It's so moist and tasty. When a big bowlful starts circulating around the table, happy holiday smiles get even bigger! —Connie Olson, Green River, Wyoming