Thanksgiving brings families together for good food and conversation. It’s a time to reflect on the year and give thanks for what you have. Many families have special Thanksgiving traditions, but Thanksgiving dinner is fairly universal. Planning a traditional Thanksgiving meal can overwhelm you. We are here to help, with some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes. Read More »
Main Dishes
The Thanksgiving turkey is the star of the show. A perfect turkey doesn’t have to be complicated, but it requires patience and preparation. This simple roast turkey recipe allows you to make additions or substitutions to suit your taste. You can keep it simple, seasoning with only salt and pepper, or add spices like mint, rosemary, or curry for a unique take on the classic dish.
Do you dream of a tender, juicy turkey that doesn’t require a full day in your oven? A deep-fried turkey could be exactly what you need. The recipe provides an option for a rub and a homemade injection marinade. It’s sure to become a holiday favorite!
If you want to provide variety, pineapple ham is an excellent classic main dish. This easy ham looks as magical as it tastes. It is topped with pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, and brown sugar. Once you pop it in the oven, you’ll just need to baste it with brown sugar every 20-30 minutes for a sweet and savory holiday dish.
Side Dishes
Dressing is a Thanksgiving staple. Some recipes use cornbread while others use a french or loaf style bread. The best dressing recipe combines both, along with ciabatta bread. This gives you all the flavors and textures of the different bread types. Add in some celery, chicken broth, and some spices, and you have the perfect recipe. You can bake it in a casserole dish as a dressing, or you can add it to your turkey as stuffing. If you prepare stuffing, be sure the stuffing, and not just the turkey itself, reaches 165 degrees. According to the USDA, this prevents the risk of foodborne illness from improperly cooked food.
I remember enjoying giblet gravy as a child without a clue what giblets were. As an adult, it’s still one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving. The giblets provide healthy nutrients, but they aren’t typically eaten in America. This recipe makes a creamy rich gravy that is perfect for your turkey and dressing. It requires about 3 hours of prep and cooking time. However, much of that time is simply letting your ingredients simmer.
This is a healthy take on traditional mashed potatoes. Most recipes call for butter or sour cream to provide a rich creamy flavor. This recipe combines potatoes with cauliflower puree, which creates a fluffy creamy side dish your guests will love. It has a lower fat content and fewer carbs than traditional versions. The cauliflower isn’t noticeable in terms of taste, but it provides the perfect texture.
This recipe substitutes pecans for the traditional marshmallow topping. It gives the casserole a slightly more adult look and flavor. Butter, brown sugar, and eggs give the dish a rich flavor that will remind you of days spent in your grandmother’s kitchen. The topping combines pecans, flour, and brown sugar for a sweet crunchy crust.
Macaroni and cheese is a must-have for Thanksgiving, and it must be made from scratch. It is an unspoken rule. This simple recipe is sure to be a hit with kids and grownups. If you’ve had a macaroni and cheese fail in the past, this recipe provides the secret to success. The key to great mac and cheese is to use the right cheese. Get a block of quality aged cheddar and shred the cheese yourself.
Green bean casserole has a reputation as infamous as fruit cake. It’s a holiday staple, but it typically isn’t a great tasting dish. Once you try this recipe, you’ll never look at green bean casserole the same way again. You’ll need fresh green beans, mushrooms, chicken broth, and half and half. Instead of the standard french fried onion topping, this recipe uses freshly chopped onion and panko bread crumbs.
These made from scratch yeast dinner rolls are simple and delicious. They take less than an hour to make from start to finish. If you haven’t experienced the joys of bread making yet, this is a great introduction. They don’t require kneading. Just activate the yeast and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then combine the ingredients, shape the dough, and put it into a cast-iron skillet to cook. They are golden brown on the outside, while the inside is buttery and fluffy.
I hate to admit it, but for many years, I thought canned cranberry sauce was ok. The taste of cranberries is a perfect complement to turkey and dressing. With all the cooking Thanksgiving requires, why waste extra effort on a condiment? I am now a convert, thanks to this recipe. The basic recipe consists of cranberries, sugar, and water. It also offers ideas for jazzing it up. I love it with orange juice and orange zest. I’ll never go back to canned cranberry sauce.
Thanksgiving Desserts
Pumpkin pie rolls are a traditional Thanksgiving. Pumpkin puree and cream cheese are the basis of the dessert. Ginger and pecans add a sweet and savory flavor to the roll. It looks impressive, but it is fairly easy to make.
This pecan pie is a traditional treat perfect for Thanksgiving. It is easy to prepare. Simply make the crust, add pecans, and then add the filling. Pop it in the oven and bake until brown on top. You can add ice cream, whip cream, or cinnamon on top before serving.
This apple pie has leave designs pressed into the crust, which makes it great a great fall dessert. The homemade crust is flaky. The recipe uses granny smith and pink lady apples. It also has hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
This unique dessert uses graham crackers, pumpkin cheesecake, and pudding. Caramel sauce and toffee give it a rich flavor. It is beautiful and looks elegant, but this no-bake dessert is easy to make the night before the big day. It’s sure to impress everyone at your table and become a new family favorite.
