15 Vintage Thanksgiving Side Dishes Worth Making a Comeback

grandma’s corn pudding

This classic recipe has over 850 5-star reviews. Lisa Cohen, who shared this recipe, says Grandma’s corn pudding is “the ultimate comfort food.” Featuring both whole kernels and creamed corn, it creates a custard pudding that everyone at your holiday table will be reaching for.

“I’ve been making this for over 40 years. My mom gave me the recipe,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “I add crushed Ritz crackers to the mix and also on top as a batter. It’s always a favorite!”

potato roll

“I’ve been eating these potato rolls since I was a kid,” said Derrick Van Hoeter, an Allrecipes member who shared this recipe. “I don’t know where the recipe came from, but I remember my grandmother making it for me. It freezes well and is delicious when opened and toasted.”

Stewed spinach with cream cheese

Creamed spinach is a delicious old-fashioned dish that adds beautiful color and variety to your Thanksgiving spread. This recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare. So you can prepare it in advance and keep it warm in a small slow cooker or buffet server. Some reviewers have used cream cheese instead of cream for a richer result. Add a little grated nutmeg for an even more nostalgic flavor.

“This is my first review of a recipe I’ve used,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “This is better than a $200 meal at a fancy steakhouse. My wife and I barely had any leftovers. I made bone-in prime rib for my kids’ holiday meal this weekend and will be making two batches of this (dish) for them. It’s very, very good.”

patty mashed turnip

“Eating these piping hot butter-mashed turnips always reminds me of the holidays when my grandmother would make this dish for my family,” says Patti Spencer, who shared this recipe.

“During the cold months, my mom would mash turnips for dinner almost every Sunday,” shared an Allrecipe reviewer. “My grandmother and mother used to mashed turnips with a little bit of the juices from the meat in the pan, some butter and a little alto pepper. It was probably my favorite vegetable dish as a child.”

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows

Melty, sweet and savory, this 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 of time and can be heated the same day.

One reviewer said, “I couldn’t find Grandma Shipley’s recipe, so I used this.” “The family didn’t realize it wasn’t grandma’s. They take that as a compliment.”

stuffed chestnuts

“We’ve been serving this stuffed chestnut every Thanksgiving ever. It’s a lot of stuffing. It’s really a family tradition,” said the Allrecipes member who shared this recipe. This simple yet dynamic recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare and pairs well with all holiday flavors.

“It’s just like I remembered from my childhood,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “I use this every time I have turkey!”

cranberry cheese balls

Nothing says vintage like a cheese ball. This festive version includes several seasonal flavors, including cranberry, chives, and orange zest. You can also make these cheese balls well in advance of the big day and keep them in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Roll up the coating before serving.

“I made this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious,” said one Allrecipe reviewer. “The sharp cheddar cheese combined with the cranberries and orange was very delicious. I will make it again.”

Oyster dressing (stuffing)

Oyster dressing (or stuffing) is a dish consisting of bread, oysters, and lots of spices and seasonings. The Thanksgiving side is popular in coastal areas because fresh oysters are cheap and plentiful. Some choose to stuff this flavorful mixture inside the bird, but most choose to enjoy it as a side dish.

One reviewer said, “My family will revolt if I don’t make this stuffing for Thanksgiving.” “Deserves 10 stars!”

pineapple stuffing

Allrecipes member Nancy Healy, who shared this recipe, said it’s the perfect accompaniment to baked ham. Pineapple adds sweetness to the filling. Think of it the same way you would include cranberries, apples, or other sweet fruits in a stuffing recipe. This recipe is very sweet, and some reviewers have described it as “almost a dessert.”

“I make this stuffing exactly as per the recipe and it’s always in demand for Thanksgiving,” one reviewer shared. “It’s definitely sweet, but my family and friends love it just the way it is! My mom has the same recipe and it’s been my favorite ever since I was a kid! I lost my mom’s recipe, so thank you to Allrecipes for getting this recipe.”

broccoli soufflé

Soufflé is a vintage dish that deserves a major revival. According to Heather, who shared this recipe, this broccoli version has been passed down through generations and has become a holiday staple.

“There are two vegetarians in my family, so I wanted something they could enjoy with their Thanksgiving dinner,” said one reviewer. “But we all enjoyed the leftovers for breakfast the next morning! This will definitely become a holiday tradition! It was delicious. The only difference is that I used a crushed four-cheese blend instead of just cheddar cheese.”

fresh cranberry sauce

You’ll never turn your nose up at bottled cranberry sauce, but it’s surprisingly easy to make fresh. There are only two ingredients other than water, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes. Your loved ones will rave about this delicious condiment. And I don’t need to tell you that it was really easy.

One reviewer shared, “Perfect sourness and so much better than store-bought.” One person said, “Once you make it this way, you’ll never go back to canning. I’ve been using canned food for most of my 40 years. No more!”

chantilly mashed potato casserole

Adding whipped cream to mashed potatoes makes Chantilly mashed potatoes. Chef John, who shared this recipe, calls it “one of the best mashed potato alternative recipes I’ve ever had.” The light and luxurious texture is perfect for your holiday table.

“I made this for Thanksgiving for the first time and my family loved it,” one Allrecipes member shared. “Note that the casserole looks dry and dense before baking, but once the cheese has melted it has just the right texture. They all tasted great, but next time I think I’ll use cheddar cheese instead of Gruyère for a more classic comfort food flavor.”

Nana’s Acorn Squash

This festive twist on pumpkin dishes can convert even the pickiest of vegetable haters. Slice into wedges for easy serving on your Thanksgiving table.

“This was a simple but delicious recipe,” said an Allrecipes member. “My husband has never eaten acorn squash in over 65 years, but he liked it so much that he plans to make it again.”

cranberry fluff

“This is a Thanksgiving tradition. Everyone eats it up quickly,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “You can also reduce the amount of cranberries to reduce the acidity. We use pecans instead of walnuts. We don’t cook them at home. We just mix cranberry flour, sugar, and half the marshmallows and let them sit in the fridge overnight.”

grandma’s green bean casserole

“This green bean casserole (without mushroom soup) is a recipe my grandmother used to make every Thanksgiving,” said Amy, who shared the recipe. “Instead of traditional French-fried onions, this made-from-scratch casserole is packed with a topping of melted cheddar cheese and buttery cracker crumbs. A homemade sour cream-based sauce adds just the right amount of tang to every bite.”