7 Vintage Thanksgiving Recipes That Will Remind You of Old Times
Grab your best thrifted outfit and pearl necklace: It's time for an old-school Thanksgiving dinner! This vintage Thanksgiving menu has all the delicious dishes you need to host a dinner that's a blast from the past. Making things from scratch is key for achieving the best vintage Thanksgiving food. We're sharing classic Thanksgiving recipes like green bean casserole, dinner rolls, and dressing. So stock up on the ingredients for this classic Thanksgiving menu, turn on a timeless record, and prepare a meal just like Grandma used to make. These classic Thanksgiving foods and holiday side dishes never go out of style.
Vintage Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
Serve a vintage Thanksgiving dinner with these seven Thanksgiving recipes:
Side Dish: Homemade Green Bean Casserole
Side Dish: Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
Main Dish: Simple Roast Turkey
Side Dish: Cornbread Dressing
Side Dish: Maple-Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Dessert: Pecan Pie
Drink: Old-Fashioned Cocktail
See photos and learn more about each of these vintage recipes, below.
Andy Lyons
Vegetable Side Dish: Homemade Green Bean Casserole
No other Thanksgiving dinner recipe is quite as iconic as homemade green bean casserole. It's reminiscent of days gone by—especially when it's made the old-fashioned way without shortcuts (no canned condensed soups here). Mushrooms, cheese, french fried onions, and fresh green beans will convert haters of the traditional vegetable casserole to Team Green Bean.
Get the recipe: Green Bean Casserole with French Fried Onions
Bread: Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
There's nothing like homemade bread, so why not give your family and friends the best possible rolls this Thanksgiving? Stick with the buttery yeast dough or try one of our favorite variations:
Cinnamon-Sugar Butterhorn Rolls: Sprinkle buttery dough with cinnamon-sugar before shaping into rounds.
Parmesan-Herb Rosettes: Knead in rosemary and thyme, then form into pretty knots.
Salt-and-Pepper Parker House Rolls: Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and black pepper after brushing with butter.
Whole Wheat Rolls: Use a mix of whole wheat and white flour.
Like the name suggests, you can get started on these dinner rolls a day early, no matter which variation you choose and save yourself some work on Thanksgiving day.
Get the recipe: Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
Entrée: Simple Roast Turkey
Sometimes simplicity is the key, which is the case with this roast turkey: the epitome of savory goodness. Yes, it's important to season and roast properly—but don't forget about the brine! It'll help your turkey stay nice and moist even after a long roast in the oven.
Test Kitchen Tip: For extra style and flavor, serve your turkey with roasted fruits and vegetables. The added color makes this centerpiece pop even more!
Get the recipe: Simple Roast Turkey
Stuffing: Corn Bread Dressing
This authentic stuffing recipe uses corn bread for a homemade recipe from start to finish. Celery, onion, sage, and other fall-flavor ingredients are mixed in. This easy dressing recipe would also work for a Southern Thanksgiving menu!
Make-Ahead Tip: Bake the corn bread one day in advance, crumble it into pieces, and allow it to air-dry overnight. This ensures the bread will soak up the maximum amount of broth (and flavor).
Get the recipe: Corn Bread Dressing
Sweet Potato Side Dish: Maple-Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
There are so many good things going on in this Maple-Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe. For one, there are two kinds of potatoes: sweet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes. Stir in ingredients like bourbon, maple syrup, butter, and applesauce, and you've already got a winning recipe. Then top it all off with a no-fail trick: a sprinkle of bacon. These sweet potatoes are going to be the talk of this year's Thanksgiving menu (and for years to come).
Slow Cooker Savior: Since this recipe involves cooking the potatoes in the slow cooker until they're super tender, you can focus your efforts on cooking the turkey, dressing, and other time-sensitive dishes.
Get the recipe: Maple-Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Con Poulos
Dessert: Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a vintage treat that will never go out of style. This simple pie's sweet, nutty flavor makes it a Thanksgiving classic. But we're more than willing to try delicious variations! Macadamia nuts can be substituted for pecans for a new twist. Also, chocolate makes everything better, including pecan pie. Add in chocolate chips to create a yummy Chocolate Pecan Pie, and we guarantee you won't have any leftover Thanksgiving desserts!
Get the recipe: Pecan Pie
Drink: Old-Fashioned Cocktail
Cap off the meal with a cocktail that's fitting in name and style for this vintage Thanksgiving menu: an Old-Fashioned! A splash of bitters, an orange slice, and a maraschino cherry are all you need to dress up this bourbon drink. Serve it with dessert while guests share stories about Thanksgivings past.
Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned
