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6 Viral Thanksgiving Dishes We Can't Wait To Try This Year!

Written by Ayla Nye. Published: November 25 2025
(Photo: Toni Chapman/TikTok/@themoodyfoody)

 

Thanksgiving — a day to celebrate all the things we are thankful for with the people we cherish most, but I think we can all agree that what makes this holiday really special is the food! That’s right, Turkey Day is the dedicated cheat day for all of those who celebrate it, relishing in our favorite dishes from pumpkin pie to mash potatoes. However, sometimes the same recipes year after year can get a little boring. So, if you are hoping to impress your dinner guests this Thanksgiving, social media has all the inspo you need. From mac & cheese to caramel apple pies, here are some of our favorite viral Thanksgiving recipes that are sure to be a hit at the dinner table this November!

 

1. Tini Mac N Cheese

This first dish is one of the most viral Thanksgiving recipes on the internet — racking up 142.5 million views and 14.1 million likes on TikTok — and it is none other than the infamous Tini's Mac N Cheese. This mac & cheese recipe was created by food influencer @tinekeyounger, also known as Tini, back in 2023. After she posted a tutorial on TikTok, other food influencers quickly followed suit, filming their own videos recreating Tini’s recipe.

 
@tinekeyounger

Showing yall how to make Mac N cheese for this holiday season??

♬ original sound - Tini??‍??
 
@biteswithesther the only mac and cheese recipe you’ll need for thanksgiving ? shoutout @Tini??‍?? for the recipe!! ingredients: 1 lb pasta (cavatappi) 1 lb mozzarella 1 lb colby jack ½ lb sharp cheddar 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder 3 tbsp unsalted butter 3 tbsp flour 12 oz evaporated milk 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard #macandcheese#macandcheeserecipe#macncheese#tinismacandcheese#colbyjack#thanksgiving#thanksgivingrecipes#cookingasmr#fyp#fypシ ♬ 10 minutes! Fashionable and bright jazz piano(1127989) - nyansuke

 

2. Cajun Butter Turkey

Now let’s turn our attention to the star of the Thanksgiving dinner table, the turkey. Toni Chapman, aka @themoodyfoody on TikTok, created a Cajun butter turkey recipe that’s so juicy and flavorful it’s sure to have your guests coming back for seconds.

 
@themoodyfoody full recipe for this Cajun Butter Turkey?My cajun butter turkey went so viral last year because its juicy, delicious, and it’s absolutely amazing! happy Thanksgiving! try this out! #cajunbutterturkey#thanksgivingdinner#turkeyrecipe#thanksgivingrecipes♬ Sunday - HNNY

 

3. Caramelized Onion Dip

We can’t let the turkey take all the glory—everyone knows Thanksgiving is nothing without the side dishes. Food influencer @heresyourbite created a cheesy caramelized onion dip with crispy bacon, and it’s the perfect appetizer to tide your guests over before the main course.

 
@heresyourbite Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip with Crispy Bacon ❤️‍? It’s cozy, it’s warm, and it’s incredibly delicious. If you’re looking for a side/dip to bring to Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving, make this one. Trust me, it’ll be gone in minutes. Here’s how to make it:
1 lb thick-cut bacon, cut into small pieces 2 yellow onions, sliced 2 shallots, sliced Pinch of salt Water (for caramelizing) 8 oz cream cheese, softened 1 cup sour cream, room temp 1/2 cup mayo, room temp 4 oz sharp cheddar, shredded 4 oz mozzarella, shredded 2 oz mozzarella, shredded (to top) 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce Freshly cracked pepper, to taste 6 cloves garlic, minced 1-2 tsp fresh thyme 1-2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp brown sugar Crispy fried onions (for topping) 1. Cook the bacon in a large pot or skillet over medium/high heat until crispy. 2. Remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving 1/4 cup of the bacon grease in the pan. 3. Add the sliced onions and shallots to the pan with a pinch of salt and a splash of water. Cook over medium/high heat. 4. Continue adding splashes of water throughout the cooking process to prevent the onions from burning. Stir frequently until the onions and shallots are caramelized (about 40-50 minutes). 5. While the onions are caramelizing, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, shredded cheddar, 4oz shredded mozzarella, Worcestershire sauce, salt, freshly cracked pepper, and the crispy bacon (save some bacon for topping). Mix and set aside. 6. In the last 2–3 minutes of caramelizing, add the garlic, fresh thyme, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir until well combined. 7. Let the caramelized onions and shallots cool slightly before mixing them into the cheese mixture. 8. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with the remaining mozzarella, and sprinkle with the reserved crispy bacon. 9. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then top with crispy fried onions and finish under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, until golden and bubbly. 10. Serve with your favoritr crackers and enjoy!
#easyrecipe#sides#side#thanksgivingfood#holidayfood#holidayrecipes#thanksgiving#thanksgivingsides#friendsgiving#oniondip#dips#thanksgivingdinner♬ Stompin At The Savoy - Benny Goodman

 

4. Potato Stacks

Tired of plain old mashed potatoes? Try potato stacks, a recipe by TikTok creator @saltnpepperhere. These delightfully tasty bites are coated in a rich garlic-herb butter, layered with parmesan, and baked to a perfectly crispy golden brown.

 
@saltnpepperhere POTATO STACKS WITH GARLIC HERB BUTTER ? full recipe linked in bio or search “crispy potato stacks saltnpepperhere” ? my recipe is adapted over the years from an old @Bon Appétit Magazine mini herbed pommes anna recipe. I credit it for introducing me to mini versions of the classic French dish! #thanksgivingrecipes#holidayseason#potatoes#potato#potatostacks#pommesanna♬ Second Nature - Clairo

 

5. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts can be a controversial Thanksgiving dish, but love ’em or hate ’em, when they’re cooked right they can totally steal the show. In her Thanksgiving Series, featuring a new recipe in each video, @passme.thesalt shares an incredible idea for crispy brussels topped with bacon bits and finished with a honey-balsamic glaze. The holiday’s most hated dish just got an upgrade.

 
@passme.thesalt Day 4 of my Thanksgiving Series… Brussels Sprouts!!! All you need: • 1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts • 7 pieces of bacon • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • honey (or hot honey) • balsamic glaze Put a bare cookie sheet into the oven and preheat to 425°F. Cut your Brussels sprouts in half (also cut off a little bit of the bottom if needed). If some of the outer pieces fall off, don’t throw them out! Those pieces are crispy goodness. In a bowl mix the brussels sprouts with the olive oil. You just want to make sure each piece is coated. Once the oven is done preheating, pull out the cookie sheet and drizzle a little bit more olive oil on it immediately. Pour on the brussels sprouts right after and flip them until all the pieces are faced flat side down. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until your desired crispiness. At the end you can flip them around and broil for a minute or two if you like them eeeextra crispy. Watch closely though. While those are baking, crisp up some bacon. Pour the crispy brussels sprouts into a large bowl and sprinkle in the salt and pepper. Drizzle on some honey and balsamic glaze. I like a lot of balsamic glaze. Put the bacon in and toss! Serve hot! #brusselssprouts#holidaysides#holidayrecipes#easyrecipes#explorepage#cookwithme#foodie#cozy#roastedvegetables#bacon#christmas#thanksgiving#healthy♬ Softly, With Feeling - Count Basie And His Orchestra

 

6. Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake

Last but certainly not least — and arguably the best course of all — dessert. For the perfect satiating slice to end your Thanksgiving feast, try the viral caramel apple pie cheesecake from Stephanie Simmons, also known as @bluebowlrecipes. After a hearty holiday meal, there’s always room for something sweet.

  
@bluebowlrecipes Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake ? Creamy cinnamon cheesecake with a ripple of caramelized apple pie filling, & more apple pie filling, oat streusel, & salted caramel drizzle on top ? #applepiecheesecake#caramelapple#fypage#cheesecakerecipe#applecheesecake#thanksgivingdesserts#fallbakingrecipes#fypppppppppppp#glutenfreedesserts#applepie♬ Any Old Time - Artie Shaw