Best ‘Gilmore Girls’ Thanksgiving episodes, quotes and moments

From fried turkeys to Dragonfly dinners, a binge of the 'Gilmore Girls' Thanksgiving is a holiday must

AGENA,TRUESDALE,WEIL,BISHOP,HERRMANN,MCCARTHY,TORRES,GUNN,VENTIMIGLIA,PATTERSON,GRAHAM,BLEDEL,PADALECKI, GILMORE GIRLS : SEASON 3, 2002
(Image credit: WARNER BROS. TV/Alamy Stock Photo)

What better way to ring in the holidays than with the Gilmore girls? Thanksgiving was always a festive time for Stars Hallow's fastest-talking, coffee-obsessed duo, and these holiday episodes are as comforting as a slice of pie (which coincidentally is one of Lorelai's favorite food groups). 

Considering both Lorelai and Rory have a tremendous appetite—but a small palette that revolves around Luke's Diner and Al's Pancake World—the mother-daughter pair make the ideal dinner-table buddies. (Could you just imagine the conversation?)

Ahead of the most self-indulgent holiday of the year, we've rounded up our favorite Gilmore Girls Thanksgiving episodes and quotes that scream "autumn." (And if you want even more seasonal goodness, check out our ranking of the best Friends Thanksgiving episodes, the best fall movies and our favorite funny Thanksgiving memes.)

So grab a knit blanket, send some coffee into an IV and amp up the hygge home vibes. These Thanksgiving moments with Lorelai and Rory are not to be missed. 

The best 'Gilmore Girls' Thanksgiving episodes:

Want to catch up with the coolest chicks in Connecticut? Gilmore Girls is available on Netflix, and of course, the series' Thanksgiving episodes belong in the canon of holiday greats. 

1. “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (season 3, episode 9)

What's Thanksgiving without making the rounds? Lorelai and Rory end up having four dinners in one day, including a less-than-satisfying meal at Mrs. Kim's. Perhaps more shocking than the amount of food they consume is the fact that Rory, a wishful Harvard attendee, has applied to Yale. 

2. “He’s Slippin’ ’em Bread…Dig? (season 6, episode 10)

Better times are ahead for the Gilmore girls, who suffer a minor rift in their relationship. All is well in Stars Hallow... except for the fact that Luke has to tell Lorelai that he has a daughter. How will he break the news?

The best 'Gilmore Girls' Thanksgiving quotes:

When are the Gilmore girls not eating or talking? Let these great words of wisdom inspire you when you need one more bite of stuffing and potatoes. 

"Rory, what are we if not the world's champion eaters?"

Lorelai Gilmore

Let this mindset sink in when you are contemplating another helping of (you guessed it) pie!

"I ate tofurkey! How do you think I feel?"

Lorelai Gilmore

Lorelai is not in favor of turkey substitutes. Note to self: never go to Mrs. Kim's for Thanksgiving. 

"People don't realize it but it takes years of training to eat the way we do."

Lorelai Gilmore

Perhaps if you've trained properly, you too can eat like a Gilmore. (Good luck, though!)

"I was just working on my list of what to make for Thanksgiving and I was wishing you were going to be here and now you are! Oh my God! What if what I'm wishing for is actually coming true?"

Sookie St. James

Sookie is the forever MVP of Thanksgiving.

'Gilmore Girls' Thanksgiving moments that we love:

1. 'Stop bringing me flowers'

Lorelai and Rory graciously gift Luke flowers every year for Thanksgiving...and, as one might expect, he has a problem with this token of appreciation.

2. When Thanksgiving got a little sexy 

gilmore girls luke and lorelai

(Image credit: PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy Stock Photo)

You might recall Luke putting an end to yet another long conversation with Lorelai by saying: "I gotta get back to stuffing my turkey." (Very poor choice of words, Mr. Danes.)

"Oh, honey, do you have time to do that and prep your Thanksgiving food?" Lorelai quips. 

Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.


Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 


When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.