Host the ultimate holiday soiree with these recipes for delicious drinks, savory sides, and a few classic and modern desserts.
More people than ever will be hosting small gatherings this Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean dinner can’t be a show-stopper. Here are 10 of our all-time favorites from local chefs, foodies, and beverage experts.
Old Whistler
Extended periods of time with extended family members calls for an extended cocktail hour. Enter this whiskey-maple drink with bourbon-soaked cherries. You can thank us later.

Harvest Celebration Soup
Leslie Lampert’s velvety fall soup lives up to its name, featuring butternut squash, sweet potato, and apple. Plus, it’s easy AF.
Classic Stuffing
Rumor has it one of our dining editors has been making this stuffing for 15 years (and it never disappoints).

String Beans with Caramelized Onions and Toasted Almonds
Save some valuable oven space by making this stovetop string bean dish that’s lighter than that gloopy green bean casserole.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts and Parmesan
Because parm makes everything better (even Brussels sprouts).

Cranberry-Apple Compote
For those people who think can-imprinted ridges don’t belong on cranberry sauce.
Chess Pie
No disrespect to pumpkin and pecan, but Editor John Turiano’s famed chess pie is guaranteed to be the sleeper hit on your dessert buffet.
Sweet Potato Cranberry Tart with Maple-Pecan Crumble
Don’t let their pretty presentation fool you, these individual tarts are a cinch, featuring an easy-to-assemble crumble topping and store-bought tart shells.

Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake
This caramelized, warmly spiced pear stunner is the ideal alternative to another apple pie.

Turkey Hash with Baked Eggs
Ditch the turkey tetrazzini for this breakfast (or breakfast-for-dinner) hash that’s reinvigorating your leftover stuffing, vegetables, and turkey with crispy edges and runny egg yolks.