Thanksgiving

The 10 Most-Searched Thanksgiving Recipes, and the Best Version of Each

We ranked the dishes America searches for most, compared the top-rated version of each, and read the reviews so you don’t have to.

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Every November, the same ten dishes dominate what America searches for. We pulled the most-searched Thanksgiving recipes from Google Trends and Google search data reported by USA Today, then compared the top-rated versions on the biggest recipe sites and read the reviews so you don’t have to. Each page shows you which version wins, the tweaks thousands of home cooks swear by, and our own streamlined recipe.

The list

• 
  Main DishesRoast Turkey: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared9,858 ratings · 5 fixes

  The centerpiece, and the source of most “how do I…” searches (brine, smoke, spatchcock).

• 
  Side DishesStuffing: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared5,694 ratings · 5 fixes

  The most-searched side in 42 states.

• 
  Side DishesGreen Bean Casserole: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared7,304 ratings · 5 fixes

  The #1 trending Thanksgiving recipe on Google Trends.

• 
  Side DishesMashed Potatoes: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared6,740 ratings · 5 fixes

  The side nobody skips.

• 
  Sauces and CondimentsCranberry Sauce: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared8,657 ratings · 5 fixes

  #2 trending on Google Trends.

• 
  Side DishesSweet Potato Casserole: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared10,413 ratings · 5 fixes

  Google’s top-searched side dish.

• 
  DessertsPumpkin Pie: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared8,382 ratings · 5 fixes

  The most-searched pie in 29 states.

• 
  Sauces and CondimentsTurkey Gravy: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared4,765 ratings · 5 fixes

  Goes on almost every plate, and it can be made weeks ahead.

• 
  DessertsPecan Pie: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared8,138 ratings · 5 fixes

  #4 trending on Google Trends, and the top pie in 5 states.

• 
  Side DishesCorn Casserole: 3 Top-Rated Versions Compared3,898 ratings · 5 fixes

  #5 trending on Google Trends.

How we rank

We don’t invent search numbers. The order comes from Google Trends’ Thanksgiving page and Google search data reported by news outlets. For each dish we compare the highest-rated versions (rating and number of ratings, with the date we checked them; ratings on pages 1 to 5 were last checked Nov 1, 2026, and on pages 6 to 10 on Nov 2, 2026) and summarize what reviewers changed, in our own words, with a link back to every original recipe.

Thanksgiving countdown (quick version)

• 1 week out: buy the turkey (allow 1 day of fridge thawing per 4 to 5 lb), make and freeze gravy.
• 3 days out: make cranberry sauce (it keeps a week in the fridge).
• 2 days out: dry-brine the turkey; dry bread cubes for stuffing.
• 1 day out: assemble green bean casserole (no topping) and stuffing; make mashed potatoes if using the slow-cooker method.
• Thanksgiving: roast the turkey, bake sides while it rests, reheat gravy.