Whether you're all about the turkey, you fill your plate with sides such as green bean casserole and stuffing, or you wait for months to feast on pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving is one of the best meals many of us will have all year. There's something so special about making recipes that have been passed down through generations and starting new traditions that help create new memories for the whole family.
Country stars have traditions of their own — from Garth Brooks, who praises his wife, country superstar and outstanding cook Trisha Yearwood's post-Thanksgiving casserole, to Reba McEntire, who shares a variety of family recipes in her book "Not That Fancy:
We asked some of our favorite country artists to share their go-to Thanksgiving dishes, including country singer-songwriter, TikTok favorite and Southern cook extraordinaire Hannah Dasher, who shares her recipe for sausage dressing, and McEntire, who shares a family favorite: her sister Susie's Green Bean Surprise.
Savory sides, delectable desserts — it's all here. Cook like a country star this year with these delicious Thanksgiving dishes.
Reba McEntire: Susie's Green Bean Surprise
Harper Celebrate
"I had to include this classic. It's Susie's recipe from home economics class from the '70s. Talk about a blast from the past! It was the No. 1-requested vegetable at Thanksgiving when we were growing up!"
Kris D'Amico Photography
Susie's Green Bean Surprise:
4 (14.5-ounce) cans whole green beans, drained
4 tablespoons salted butter (1/2 stick)
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup all- purpose flour
1 (16-ounce) container sour cream
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, or grease with softened.
- Drain the beans and set.
- Melt the butter in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 6 to 7 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat. Add the sour cream, salt, and a big pinch of black Whisk steadily until the mixture is heated through.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the green beans and fold until thoroughly coated.
- Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese. Transfer to the middle rack of the oven.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the dish bubbles gently at the edges.
- Remove the baking dish from oven. the Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Susie's Green Bean Surprise is featured in McEntire's book "Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots."
Taken from "Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots" by Reba McEntire. Used by permission of Harper Celebrate.
Hannah Dasher: Sausage Dressing
Courtesy of artist
Dasher says she loves this recipe because it's her own take on "the way her momma and grandma used to do it." Through her cooking journey, she's put her own spin on all of her recipes.
Hannah Dasher's Sausage Dressing:
Anne Wilson: Cranberry Salad
Courtesy of artist
"One of my favorite recipes that I make with my family every Thanksgiving is cranberry salad!" Wilson shares. "It's been in my family for over 30 years as one of my great-grandparents first shared it with us. It tastes like home and helps bring us all together."
Anne Wilson's Cranberry Salad
1 lb. chopped cranberries
2 cups sugar
(Mix the night before)
1 large pineapple reserve juice
1 large green apple
1 cup nuts
1/4 cup orange juice
1 small cherry Jell-O
Heat orange and pineapple juice. Dissolve Jell-O in juice. Cool and mix with other.
Mackenzie Carpenter: Grandma's Cornbread Dressing
Harper Smith
"My favorite go-to Thanksgiving recipe was always Grandmother's cornbread dressing," Carpenter says. "My granny would make this every year, and once she passed, Mom and I have continued the tradition to make that recipe every year!"
John Morgan: Aunty Mary's Sweet Corn Casserole
BBR Music Group
"We usually do Thanksgiving in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at my Aunt Mary's house because she might be the best cook of all time," Morgan says. "I'm a big stuffing guy. It's not Thanksgiving without it, in my opinion, but my favorite thing that she makes is her sweet corn casserole! I purposefully fast for two days before we go down for the holiday, so I can eat as much as possible."
Tiera Kennedy: Mom's Mac and Cheese
Alexa Campbell
"Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist" singer Tiera Kennedy says her go-to Thanksgiving dish is her mom's special mac and cheese.
Tanner Adell: Grandma's Orange Rolls
Daniel Chaney
TikTok breakout and "Buckle Bunny" and "Love You a Little Bit" singer Tanner Adell makes one of her grandma's recipes each year.
"My favorite thing to make for Thanksgiving: my grandma's orange rolls," she says. "Made from scratch and yummy every single time!"
