Dolly Parton Shared Her Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Dolly Parton is the sparkling southern star on the top of our United States tree. She’s one of the most beloved pop culture icons of all time for so many reasons: her music, the Dollywood Foundation and her book gifting program and, of course, her southern recipes. With November fast approaching, it’s time to take a peek at the most popular Dolly Parton Thanksgiving sides.

Dolly Parton’s Iconic Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Dolly Parton and her sister, Rachel Parton George, have shared details on their family’s most beloved side dish recipes.

Here’s what to serve for a Dolly holiday!

Skillet cornbread

First on the list is skillet cornbread. If you’ve never had proper southern cornbread, you are truly missing out. To make this recipe like Dolly, be sure to use buttermilk and bacon drippings. The most important part of this recipe is the cast-iron skillet, so make sure to have one handy. It truly is the perfect side (aside from her fluffy biscuits).

Southern green beans

Featured in her latest cookbook, Dolly and her sister mention southern green beans as a classic comfort dish. We love this side because we can make it ahead of time, and we need all the time we can get when it comes to the big day. With bacon, green beans, onion, garlic and chicken stock, you too can be an honorary Parton.

Giblet gravy and potatoes

Dolly has gone on record saying potatoes are by far the most essential vegetable in a holiday feast. We have to agree: You can’t have a proper Thanksgiving without a substantial side of mashed potatoes and gravy. Dolly mentions her love of giblet gravy, a type of turkey gravy that includes the often-discarded gizzard, heart and kidneys. Using this recipe helps reduce food waste and brings a new flavor to dinner.

Sage dressing

Also known as stuffing, Thanksgiving dressing is a mix of bread, butter, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth and herbs and spices, primarily sage. According to Dolly, this is one of her absolute favorite side dishes. It’s true, a turkey needs a hearty helping of stuffing. Some say you can only call it dressing when it’s outside the bird, but we’ll let you be the judge.

Sweet potato casserole

I would absolutely die for a piece of Dolly’s sweet potato casserole. To make this signature side, you’ll need sweet potatoes, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla and marshmallows. The official recipe is in Dolly’s cookbook, Good Lookin’ Cookin’, but we think she’d approve of our recipe for sweet potato casserole, too. You can bet I’ll be cookin’ up a whole one just for myself!

Walnut pie

This is either a side dish or a dessert, depending on how you serve Thanksgiving dinner. While Dolly has said she loves her share of pumpkin pie, we wanted a taste of her famous walnut pie. It’s simple and charming—nuttin’ quite like it!