Thanksgiving has always been about tradition, family, and the timeless and comforting dishes you look forward to every year. But as new recipes take center stage year after year, some of the old favorites have quietly faded into the background.
It’s time to give these classics the recognition they deserve. From creamy casseroles and buttery rolls to tangy cranberry salads and savory stuffings, these 15 vintage recipes are proof that old-fashioned doesn’t mean outdated.
Grandma’s Corn Pudding
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This classic recipe has over 850 5-star reviews. Lisa Cohen, who shared this recipe, says her Grandma’s corn pudding is “comfort food at its best!” It features both whole kernel and cream-style corn that creates a custardy pudding that will have everyone at your holiday table reaching for seconds.
“I have been making this for over 40 years, my mom taught me her recipe,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “We add crushed Ritz crackers in the mix and also on top as a crust. Always a favorite!”
Potato Rolls
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“I have been eating these potato rolls since I was a kid,” said Allrecipes member Derrick Van Hoeter, who shared this recipe. “I don’t know where the recipe came from, but I remember my grandmother making them. They freeze well and taste great when split open and toasted.”
Cheesy Creamed Spinach
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Creamed spinach is a delicious old school dish that adds some beautiful color and variety to your Thanksgiving spread. This recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare—so you can prep ahead and you can keep it warm in a small slow cooker or buffet server. Some reviewers used cream cheese instead of cream for a thicker result. Grate in a tiny bit of nutmeg for an even more nostalgic flavor.
“This is my first ever review of any recipe I have used,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “This is better than any $200 meal at a fancy steak house. My wife and I barely had leftovers. I’m doing a bone-in prime rib this weekend for the kids’ holiday meal and a double batch of this [dish] for them. Very, very good.”
Patty’s Mashed Turnips
Photographer: Jen Causey / Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
“These hot buttery mashed turnips always reminds me of the holiday season when my grandmother prepared this dish for the family,” says Patty Spencer, who shared this recipe.
“My mom had mashed turnips at almost every Sunday dinner during the cold weather,” shared an Allrecipes reviewer. “My grandmother and my mom would add a little juice from the meat from the pan to the mashed turnips—and some butter—alt and pepper. Probably my favorite veggie dish of my childhood.”
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA
Ooey, gooey, sweet and delicious, a classic sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a vintage dish that has stood the test of time. Allrecipes member Stephanie Phillips, who shared this recipe, says it’s a family favorite for the holidays. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead and heat up the day of.
“I couldn’t find my Grandma Shipley’s recipe so I used this,” said one reviewer. “My family didn’t notice it was not Grandma’s. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Chestnut Stuffing
“We have served this chestnut stuffing every Thanksgiving for my entire life—that’s a lot of stuffing. It is truly a family tradition,” said the Allrecipes member who shared this recipe. This simple-but-dynamic recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare, and works so well with all the flavors of the holiday.
“Just like I remembered when I was a kid,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “I’ll use this every time we have turkey!”
Cranberry Cheese Ball
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nothing says vintage like a cheese ball. This celebratory version features several flavors of the season, including cranberries, chives, and orange zest. You can also make this cheese ball well before the big day, and store up to one month in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Roll in coating before serving.
“I made this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “The sharp Cheddar was a great flavor paired with the cranberry and orange. I will make it again.”
Oyster Dressing (Stuffing)
Natasha Titanov
Oyster dressing (or stuffing) is a dish that consists of bread, oysters, and lots of spices and seasonings. The Thanksgiving side is popular in coastal areas, as fresh oysters are usually cheap and plentiful. While some people choose to stuff this flavorful mixture inside the bird, most people opt to enjoy it as a side dish.
“If I didn’t make this stuffing at Thanksgiving, my family would revolt,” shared one reviewer. “It deserves 10 stars!”
Pineapple Stuffing
Allrecipes/Julia Hartbeck
Allrecipes member Nancy Healy, who shared this recipe, said it makes a great side to baked ham. The pineapple adds a sweetness to a stuffing—think of it like cranberries, apples, or other sweet fruits you may find in a stuffing recipe. This recipe is extra sweet, and is described as “almost a dessert,” by some reviewers.
“I make this stuffing per the recipe, it is always in demand on Thanksgiving,” shared one reviewer. “It is definitely sweet but my family and friends love it as is! My mom had the same recipe and it was always a fave growing up! Thank you Allrecipes for having this recipe available as I misplaced my mom’s.”
Broccoli Soufflé
Soufflé is a vintage dish that deserves a major comeback! This broccoli version has been passed down through the generations and is a holiday staple, according to Heather, who shared this recipe.
“My family includes two vegetarians and I wanted something that they could enjoy with Thanksgiving dinner,” said one reviewer. “But the leftovers were enjoyed by all for breakfast the next morning! This will be a traditional dish for the holidays for sure! It was delicious and the only difference was I used a grated 4 cheese blend instead of only cheddar.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Baking Nana
While we will never turn our noses up at jarred cranberry sauce, making it fresh is surprisingly simple. There’s only two ingredients, not including water, and the whole thing comes together in 20 minutes. Your loved ones will rave about this tasty condiment—and you don’t have to tell them how easy it really was.
“Perfect tartness and much tastier than store bought,” shared one reviewer. Another said “Once you make it like this, you’ll never go back to the canned stuff. I used canned for the better part of 40 years. No more!”
Chantilly Mashed Potato Casserole
ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA
The addition of whipped cream into mashed potatoes is what makes them Chantilly mashed potatoes. Chef John, who shared this recipe calls it “one of the most outstanding alternative mashed potato recipes I’ve ever had.” The texture is light and luxurious, and it makes a great addition to any holiday table.
“Made this for the first time for Thanksgiving and the family loved it,” shared one Allrecipes member. “Keep in mind that the casserole will look dry and thick before baking, but once the cheese melts the texture will be just right. Everyone enjoyed it, but next time I think I will use cheddar instead of gruyere to give it more of a classic comfort food flavor.”
Nana’s Acorn Squash
This celebratory spin on a squash dish can convert even the most curmudgeon veggie haters. Slice into wedges for easy serving on your Thanksgiving table.
“It was an easy but a VERY tasty recipe,” said an Allrecipes member. “My husband had never eaten acorn squash in his 65+ years and he really liked it, so I will be making it again.”
Cranberry Fluff
“This is a Thanksgiving tradition, everyone gobbles it up quickly,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “You can use less cranberries to cut back on the tartness. We use pecans, instead of walnuts. We don’t cook ours. Just mix the ground cranberries, sugar and half of the marshmallows and let sit in the fridge overnight.”
Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole
Photographer: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Sammy Mila / Prop Styling: Kristen Schooley
“This green bean casserole without mushroom soup is my grandmother’s recipe that she made every Thanksgiving,” said Amy, who shared this recipe. “Instead of traditional French-fried onions, this from-scratch casserole is loaded with lots of melty Cheddar and a buttery cracker crumb topping. A homemade sour cream-based sauce adds just the right amount of tang to every bite.”