These 45 copycat Thanksgiving recipes put your favorite restaurant dishes on your own holiday table: Boston Market sweet potato casserole, Texas Roadhouse rolls with cinnamon honey butter, Ruth’s Chris corn pudding, Cheesecake Factory pumpkin cheesecake and 41 more.
Restaurant sides are the dishes people ask for by name, and most of them are simple to make at home. Many of the recipes below cook in the air fryer, slow cooker or Instant Pot, so the oven stays free for the turkey. A good number can be made a day or two ahead.
The list is grouped the way you plan a menu: side dishes first, then the bread basket, appetizers, mains for a small or turkey-free table, and desserts. Pick one or two from each group and you have a full copycat Thanksgiving dinner.
Why make copycat recipes for Thanksgiving?
- They are proven crowd-pleasers. These are dishes restaurants sell by the thousands, so you already know your guests like them.
- They cost less. A homemade pan of mac and cheese or sweet potato casserole feeds eight or more, usually for less than ordering the same dish to go.
- They free up the oven. Air fryer rolls, slow cooker creamed corn and Instant Pot dip all cook somewhere other than the oven rack the turkey needs.
- They settle the menu fast. If your family loves Cracker Barrel or Texas Roadhouse, half the planning is done.
Copycat Thanksgiving side dishes
Sides are where copycat recipes shine, so this is the longest section: 21 restaurant-style potatoes, corn, green beans, mac and cheese and more.
Sweet potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce
1. Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole. Mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon and nutmeg under a brown sugar, oat and pecan streusel. It bakes in the air fryer in ramekins or one dish, and the filling and topping can be prepped a day ahead. Get the recipe: Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole
2. Boston Market Vegetable Stuffing. Bread cubes, celery, onion, sage, thyme and dried cranberries, with optional sausage. It cooks in the Ninja Speedi in about 25 minutes. Get the recipe: Copycat Boston Market Vegetable Stuffing
3. Boston Market Cranberry Sauce. Fresh cranberries with orange zest, orange juice and maple syrup, pressure cooked for one minute in the Instant Pot. Serve it warm or chilled. Get the recipe: Copycat Boston Market Cranberry Sauce
4. Texas Roadhouse Loaded Sweet Potato. A whole sweet potato topped with honey cinnamon butter, mini marshmallows and caramel sauce. It works as a side or as dessert. Get the recipe: Texas Roadhouse Loaded Sweet Potato
5. Outback Steakhouse Sweet Potato. Baked until creamy, split open and finished with brown sugar and whipped honey cinnamon butter. The recipe gives both an oven and an air fryer method. Get the recipe: Outback Steakhouse Sweet Potato
Corn sides
6. Ruth’s Chris Corn Pudding. Canned kernel corn and cream-style corn baked with cream and eggs in a water bath until it sets like a soft custard. Assemble it up to 24 hours ahead and bake while the turkey rests. Get the recipe: Ruth’s Chris Corn Pudding
7. Slow Cooker Ruth’s Chris Creamed Corn. Frozen corn, cream cheese and butter cook on low for 3 to 4 hours with no thawing and almost no stirring. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Ruth’s Chris Creamed Corn
8. Lawry’s Creamed Corn. A lighter, silkier creamed corn with no cream cheese: frozen corn, cream and butter in the crockpot, thickened at the end. It holds on the warm setting through dinner. Get the recipe: Copycat Lawry’s Creamed Corn
9. Texas Roadhouse Buttered Corn. Frozen corn, butter and a spoonful of sugar on the stovetop, ready in under 20 minutes. This is the side to make when you are out of time. Get the recipe: Texas Roadhouse Buttered Corn
Potatoes and gravy
10. Ruth’s Chris Potatoes au Gratin. Thin-sliced russets layered with cream, cheddar and Parmesan in the slow cooker, then broiled for a golden top. Get the recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Potatoes au Gratin
11. Cracker Barrel Mashed Potatoes. Classic buttery mashed potatoes made from real potatoes in about 40 minutes. Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Mashed Potatoes
12. KFC Gravy. A butter and flour roux with beef and chicken bouillon makes a smooth brown gravy in about 15 minutes. It is a handy backup if the turkey drippings run short. Get the recipe: KFC Gravy
Green vegetables and carrots
13. Texas Roadhouse Green Beans. Green beans with bacon, onion, garlic, a little brown sugar and soy sauce, cooked in the air fryer in 10 to 12 minutes. Get the recipe: Texas Roadhouse Green Beans
14. Cracker Barrel Green Beans. Country-style green beans with bacon and onion. Fresh or canned beans both work. Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Green Beans
15. Ruth’s Chris Brussels Sprouts. Halved sprouts air fried at 375°F until the edges are crisp and caramelized. Trim and season them ahead, then cook just before serving. Get the recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Brussels Sprouts
16. Ruth’s Chris Creamed Spinach. Rich, creamy, cheesy steakhouse spinach that brings something green to a plate full of beige. Get the recipe: Ruth’s Chris Steak House Creamed Spinach
17. Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Glazed Carrots. Baby carrots tossed with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, then air fried until tender. Get the recipe: Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Glazed Carrots
18. Cracker Barrel Carrots. Baby carrots simmered on the stovetop and glazed with butter and brown sugar. Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Carrots
Mac and cheese
19. Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese. The pasta cooks right in the sharp cheddar sauce in the air fryer, so there is no separate pot to boil. Ready in about 30 minutes. Get the recipe: Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese
20. Costco Mac and Cheese. Cavatappi with sharp cheddar, Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano, baked until just set like the deli tub. Get the recipe: Copycat Costco Mac and Cheese
21. Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese. Elbow macaroni with Velveeta, sharp cheddar and half-and-half, made in the air fryer. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese
Copycat rolls, biscuits and cornbread
The bread basket empties first, and all eight of these bake in the air fryer while the oven is busy.
22. Texas Roadhouse Rolls. Soft, slightly sweet yeast rolls that air fry in 5 to 7 minutes once they have risen. The recipe also covers frozen rolls if you want the shortcut. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Texas Roadhouse Rolls
23. Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Honey Butter. Butter whipped with powdered sugar, honey, cinnamon and vanilla in about five minutes. Make it up to a week ahead, and put it on the sweet potatoes too. Get the recipe: Texas Roadhouse Butter
24. Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits. Cheesy drop biscuits brushed with garlic herb butter. One batch makes 16 and cooks in 9 minutes at 400°F. Get the recipe: Red Lobster Biscuits in the Air Fryer
25. Golden Corral Yeast Rolls. Pillowy buffet-style rolls finished with melted butter. Baked rolls freeze for up to two months, so they are an easy make-ahead. Get the recipe: Golden Corral Yeast Rolls
26. Bob Evans Dinner Rolls. The fastest bread on the list: frozen rolls brushed with herb butter and warmed in the air fryer for 5 minutes. Get the recipe: Bob Evans Dinner Rolls
27. Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Biscuits. A four-ingredient dough built on pancake mix and buttermilk, air fried for 8 to 10 minutes. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Biscuits
28. Boston Market Cornbread. Lightly sweet, from-scratch cornbread made with cornmeal, flour, eggs and milk. Bake it a few days early if you plan to turn it into cornbread stuffing. Get the recipe: Boston Market Cornbread
29. Golden Corral Cornbread. A moist, spoonable cornbread made with Jiffy mix, cream-style corn and sour cream. It cooks in about 12 minutes. Get the recipe: Golden Corral Cornbread
Copycat Thanksgiving appetizers
Two Olive Garden starters keep guests happy while the turkey finishes, and both can be prepped ahead.
30. Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip. A creamy, cheesy dip that pressure cooks for 7 minutes in the Instant Pot, with slow cooker and oven directions included. It keeps in the fridge for up to three days. Get the recipe: Instant Pot Copycat Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip
31. Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms. Mushroom caps filled with minced clams, breadcrumbs, garlic and Parmesan. Air fry at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or bake them. Get the recipe: Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms
Copycat mains for a small or turkey-free Thanksgiving
Not every table needs a whole bird. These three comfort-food mains suit a small gathering, a Friendsgiving or the night before the big meal.
32. Boston Market Meatloaf. Ground beef and pork with a tangy tomato and barbecue glaze mixed in and spread on top. Cook it in the air fryer in about 40 minutes or in the oven in about an hour. Get the recipe: Copycat Boston Market Meatloaf
33. Bob Evans Pot Roast. Tender beef with gravy, carrots and potatoes that serves eight. Get the recipe: Bob Evans Pot Roast
34. Bob Evans Chicken Pot Pie. A biscuit-topped pot pie made with cooked chicken, frozen vegetables and cream of chicken soup. Swap in leftover turkey the day after Thanksgiving. Get the recipe: Bob Evans Chicken Pot Pie
Copycat Thanksgiving desserts and sweet treats
Pumpkin and apple lead the dessert table, with a few frozen treats for anyone who would rather skip pie.
Pumpkin
35. Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake. A dense, creamy pumpkin cheesecake on a cinnamon graham cracker crust, baked in a water bath. It needs an overnight chill, so make it one or two days ahead. Get the recipe: Copycat Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake
36. Starbucks Pumpkin Bread. The spiced pumpkin loaf topped with pepitas, baked in a mini loaf pan in the air fryer. It freezes for two to three months. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
37. Starbucks Pumpkin Scones. Tender pumpkin scones with the double glaze, air fried in 12 to 15 minutes. They make a good Thanksgiving morning breakfast. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Scones
Apple, cinnamon and carrot cake
38. Olive Garden Warm Apple Crostata. Spiced apples folded into a rustic homemade crust. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Olive Garden Warm Apple Crostata
39. Hardee’s Apple Turnovers. Puff pastry triangles filled with cinnamon apples and finished with a powdered sugar glaze. Bake them or air fry them. Get the recipe: Hardee’s Apple Turnovers
40. McDonald’s Apple Pie. Hand pies with a thick cinnamon-apple filling and a crackly cinnamon sugar crust. Freeze them unbaked and air fry straight from the freezer. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Apple Pie
41. Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Roll Pie. Two cans of cinnamon rolls and a can of apple pie filling become a sliceable, iced pie in under 30 minutes. Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Roll Pie
42. Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake. A spiced carrot cake with crushed pineapple and cream cheese frosting. It freezes for up to three months. Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake
Frozen treats
43. Baskin-Robbins Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream. Pumpkin, cream cheese and pumpkin pie spice spun in the Ninja Creami, with graham cracker crumbs mixed in. The base needs 24 hours in the freezer. Get the recipe: Ninja Creami Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream
44. Dairy Queen Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. A vanilla base with a real slice of pumpkin pie blended through. It is the best use for the last piece of leftover pie. Get the recipe: Ninja Creami Pumpkin Pie Blizzard
45. Jack in the Box Pumpkin Pie Shake. A thick pumpkin-spiced shake made with real pumpkin puree and topped with whipped cream. Get the recipe: Ninja Creami Jack in the Box Pumpkin Pie Shake
Make-ahead timeline for a copycat Thanksgiving
Spread the work over the week and Thanksgiving Day becomes mostly reheating and air frying.
| When | What to make |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 months ahead | Bake and freeze Golden Corral yeast rolls, Starbucks pumpkin bread and Cracker Barrel carrot cake. Assemble and freeze McDonald’s apple pies unbaked. |
| Up to 1 week ahead | Whip the Texas Roadhouse cinnamon honey butter and refrigerate it. |
| 2 to 3 days ahead | Bake the Cheesecake Factory pumpkin cheesecake. Make the Olive Garden spinach artichoke dip. Bake Boston Market cornbread if it is going into stuffing. |
| The day before | Assemble Ruth’s Chris corn pudding and potatoes au gratin. Prep the Boston Market sweet potato casserole filling and topping. Load the creamed corn into the slow cooker insert and refrigerate. Freeze any Ninja Creami bases. |
| Thanksgiving morning | Start the slow cooker sides. Bring the cinnamon honey butter to room temperature. |
| While the turkey rests | Bake the corn pudding. Air fry the rolls, green beans, carrots and Brussels sprouts. Make the gravy. |
A sample copycat Thanksgiving menu
- Starter: Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Bread: Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Cinnamon Honey Butter
- Sides: Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole, Ruth’s Chris Corn Pudding, Cracker Barrel Mashed Potatoes with KFC Gravy, Texas Roadhouse Green Beans, Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese
- Dessert: Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake and Olive Garden Warm Apple Crostata
Tips for the best copycat Thanksgiving recipes
- Use every appliance. Put one side in the slow cooker, one in the Instant Pot and the breads in the air fryer, and save the oven for the turkey.
- Mix restaurants. Rolls from one place, sides from another and dessert from a third gives the table more variety than a single-restaurant menu.
- Shred your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly in mac and cheese and potatoes au gratin than pre-shredded.
- Use pure pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and spiced and will throw off the pumpkin recipes.
Copycat Thanksgiving recipes FAQ
What are the most popular copycat Thanksgiving side dishes? Boston Market sweet potato casserole, Texas Roadhouse rolls with cinnamon honey butter, Ruth’s Chris corn pudding and creamed corn, Cracker Barrel green beans and steakhouse mac and cheese are among the best-known restaurant sides to recreate at home.
Which copycat Thanksgiving recipes can I make ahead? The pumpkin cheesecake, cinnamon honey butter, spinach artichoke dip, corn pudding and potatoes au gratin can all be made or assembled at least a day ahead. Yeast rolls, pumpkin bread and carrot cake freeze well.
Can I make copycat Thanksgiving sides without an oven? Yes. More than half of the recipes in this list cook in the air fryer, slow cooker, Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Do copycat recipes taste like the restaurant versions? Restaurants rarely publish their recipes, so a copycat is a home version built to match the flavor and texture of the original. Follow the key technique in each recipe, such as the water bath for the corn pudding and cheesecake, for the closest result.
How many side dishes should I make for Thanksgiving? Plan on three to five sides for up to eight guests, plus one bread and one or two desserts. Add a side for every four extra guests.
More Thanksgiving and copycat recipes
- 25 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Thanksgiving Bread Recipes
- Famous Restaurant Copycat Holiday Favorites
- 15 Starbucks Fall Drinks You Can Make at Home
- 100+ Best Copycat Recipes from Your Favorite Restaurants
Which copycat Thanksgiving recipe is going on your table this year? Leave a comment and a star rating on the recipes you try.
