It’s hard to believe the holidays are just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about our Thanksgiving menu. Every Thanksgiving, I look forward to cooking my soul food menu for my family and friends. Soul Food for the holidays is a tradition that I have experienced my entire life and if you haven’t had a soul food Thanksgiving holiday meal then this should be your year. I love cooking Thanksgiving dinner because it’s more than just a meal. It’s a way to show my loved ones how much I care and enjoy a day of quality time together along with good food. Below I share twenty two must have recipes for your Thanksgiving feast.

1. Thanksgiving Ham

No Thanksgiving table is complete without a delicious baked ham. Honey glazed ham is so delicious with the sweetness of the glaze and the tender juicy meat. Baked ham can serve as a great addition to your holiday dinner or an alternative to the tradition turkey.

2. Cornbread Dressing

I really look forward to cornbread dressing during the holidays. There is something about this dressing that solidifies that it’s the holiday season for me. This dressing is made with homemade bread crumbs, spicy sausage and the best homemade cornbread. Your family is going to love it.

3. Collard Greens

Every soul food Thanksgiving menu will have Collard Greens at the top of the list. Collard greens are flavorful and is an essential side dish on your soul food plate.

4. Classic Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie is a delicious and easy to make dessert that is the essence of the holiday season. Made with sweet potatoes, cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s the perfect blend of that familiar holiday taste.

5. Mixed Greens

If you want to make your collard greens even more delicious, then add more greens. Mixed Greens are a great variant to simple collard greens. Any combination of kale, turnip or mustard green will yield a tasty side dish everyone will love.

6. Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken is a great addition to or substitution for your traditional Thanksgiving turkey. If your guest list is small then opting for a roasted chicken over a turkey dinner may be a great decision.

7. The Best Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a must for my Thanksgiving menu. I hate to brag but it is usually the star of the show on my holiday dinner table. Everyone loves mac and cheese!

8. Thanksgiving Turkey

The most intimidating dish on any Thanksgiving menu is the turkey. After all the turkey is the center of attention. We all want our turkey to be great tasting and esthetically pleasing as well. I have mastered a recipe that is easy to follow and it give me a great turkey every time.

9. Fried Chicken

Since I was a kid, fried chicken has been on my holiday menu. Yes there was turkey and ham, but in my family fried chicken was equally as essential.

10. Green Beans and Potatoes

Green bean and potatoes are a perfect side dish. During the holidays you may serve it in addition to or in place of collard greens.

11. The Best Peach Cobbler

The desert of choice during the holidays in my home is homemade peach cobbler. It is usually the first to go on the dessert table. Nothing taste better that peach cobbler with a side of vanilla ice cream. Oh so good!

12. Candied Yams

Candied yams are the perfect sweet addition to any soul food dinner plate.

13. Homemade Cranberry Sauce

For years I ate the wonderful cranberry sauce in the can until I decided to make homemade cranberry sauce. If you haven’t had homemade sauce then you are truly missing a treat. It is fresh and delicious.

14. Chessmen Banana Pudding

Chessmen banana pudding is a great twist on classic banana pudding. By replacing the vanilla wafers with sweet shortbread cookies, it gives a whole new taste to the tradition dessert.

15. Seven Up Pound Cake

Seven up pound cake is a classic soul food dessert that is a must have for the holidays.

16. Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

This cornbread recipe is simple, easy to follow and makes the best cornbread you will ever have.

17. Cranberry Apple Cider

This cranberry apple cider drink embodies all that is the holidays. It’s warm and cozy and it will make your home smell like the holidays!

18. Pecan Pie

 Pecan pie has a rich, sweet, and nutty flavor that is irresistible. The pecans add a nice crunch to the pie, and the filling is smooth and creamy. It is a holiday favor in my home.

19. Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Gumbo is a tradition in many homes doing the holidays. This is a recipe for shrimp and sausage gumbo. It can be served as a main or side dish.

20. Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake is a decedent dessert. The moist cake paired with the creamy cream cheese icing makes it the perfect dessert.

21. Classic Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs can serve as a side dish or appetizer during your holiday gathering. This is a classic recipe for deviled eggs but it’s easy to be creative with these so don’t be afraid to try something new.

22. Classic Banana Pudding

Banana pudding is another classic soul food dessert that everyone love. This recipe is made with homemade pudding, vanilla wafers and sweet fresh bananas.