After 10 years of blogging, I have compiled all the recipes I need for a good Thanksgiving!
Actually- there’s only one recipe I haven’t blogged. It’s the Mark Bittman’s braised turkey recipe that I’ve been making for the past three years now. IT IS AMAZINGLY moist and flavorful and it makes sooooo much gravy (which my family LOVES). If you are looking to shake up your turkey game this year, try it! It is less daunting than roasting a whole bird in the oven.
One week away from the big day!!!!
This is the start of my list:
Here are a bunch of Thanksgiving Menu Ideas to help inspire your meal planning:
How to Make an Epic Cheese Board with Items from Trader Joe’s
This is an AMAZING way to start the big day. If you have people over at around 3pm like I do, they will need something to start with. Since I shared this post, so many people send me pictures of their epic cheese boards inspired by mine and that makes me so happy.
When I was a kid, there were always meatballs at my parent’s friend’s get-togethers. I loved it. It’s gotta be the fact that you can eat something off of a toothpick. That makes things special, right?
These can be made ahead of time for sure! If you’re looking for a warm appetizer, I would recommend them! Plus they’re portable and people don’t have to eat them with a stick.
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be thanksgiving without my mom’s Baked Artichoke squares. The best part is that you can totally make these the night before & reheat. I’m currently working on an artichoke dip recipe that taste just like these squares…it’s so good.
Gahhhhhhhh. If you’re looking for your guests, you can probably find them huddled around a bowl of this dip. Seriously. THERE’S BACON IN IT.
You could easily shape this pizza into a flatbread and serve it with your appetizer spread. People like little warm bites of pizza…especially when there’s gorgonzola involved.
APRICOTS with BASIL GOAT CHEESE & ALMONDS
Don’t they look pretty?! The colors will brighten up an appetizer assortment.
I wrote a post about Creating an Antipasti Platter if you need some help! Cheese plate! Flavored olive oil! It’s all in there.
CARROT COCONUT SOUP
I was thinking that you could make these into soup shooters & pass them around as appetizers. YUM
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP- EIGHT WAYS!
Or, you can fix up a box of soup with some really fancy toppings.
SAUSAGE JALAPEÑO HUSHPUPPIES
If I get my act together I’m gonna make these this Thanksgiving! Or maybe the day after.
Serve fresh flatbread with a cheese plater and you’re golden!
So simple yet BOLD. People will be touched at your effort…they don’t have to know it’s easy!
Let’s add a little green to your appetizer plate with guac! This one is fun. If I had my act together, I would chop up some fresh ahi tuna and serve it with this guacamole and sesame crackers.
Who doesn’t like a bowl of spiced nuts?
These might be better as sides…OR you could have a few rolls and some marinara to dip them into on your appetizer table. Either way, mushroom lovers will thank you endlessly.
Here are a bunch of simple recipes that will get you thinking of how some of your favorite snacks can pass as legit appetizers!
It’s what I make every year! I’m always on sweet potato duty!
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH & ARUGULA SALAD
If you’re looking for an awesome/unique salad, this one is your winner!
Skillet Roasted Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs
I miiiiiiiiight make this this year…. and if not, I am going to have it for dinner next week.
SWEET & SOUR ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH
One of my favorite recipes from last year. All the meat eaters are gonna be eating this vegetarian side dish. Vegans! Vegetarians! Get your fill on servings before they clean you OUT.
I mean…just DO IT.
If you have any leftover bread….or maybe you’re not even having Thanksgiving but you want the flavors of Thanksgiving….FOR BREAKFAST or BREAKFAST FOR DINNER make this recipe!
ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS & BUTTERNUT SQUASH
You’re guests will love this combo! There are cranberries up in it too! This was a real hit with my readers!
BRAISED BRUSSELS SPROUTS W/ PANCETTA
I would be so happy if a little gravy crossed paths with this dish!
Brussels Sprouts Salad with Pecorino & Oranges
A bold/flavor packed salad. So much crunch and flavor. The orange cleans the palate. It would be nice to serve this one before the big meal!
LITTLE GEM LETTUCE SALAD WITH BEETS & WALNUTS
An elegant salad that exploits beet season! I love how delicate gem lettuce is. So tender.
Roasted Carrots with Chile Yogurt + Cilantro Sauce
I’d be happy eating this for Thanksgiving…and nothing else. Well. Wait. Is there pie?
Da best. Da boss. It’s really supreme. Do it.
You could serve these milkshakes in addition to your dessert. Imagine them in mini glasses. Perfect!
Kids AND parents will get a kick out of this recipe. Sparkling apple cider AND ice cream!! What could go wrong?
It’s clove season! Let’s warm up the holidays with a nice clove/sugar rimmed cocktail.
Holiday parties should have signature cocktails, don’t ya think?
Something for the kids if you take out the bourbon and something to make your old Aunt Bessie tolerable if you feel like adding bourbon.
CRANBERRY ROSEMARY SPRITZERS
I can’t think of a better cocktail to have with turkey!
Oh wait. I found something better to go with turkey. THESE MANHATTANS.
Just keep your cool. Manhattans can bring out some interesting family dynamics. hehe
For the in between dessert & dinner time….
Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream Cake
This easy to make dessert is such a savior! It’s easy to slice (unlike pie!) and it requires no time to make. You just need a few hours in your freezer and you’re good to go.
PUMPKIN PECAN ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
They’re small…which means that people who are STUFFED will be like “Oh, I’ll just take one!”
Then their ONE turns into 4. WATCH OUT.
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to always been about pie! You can make cheesecakes!
It’s a snacking cake….for people who are over the whole pie thing….or people who can’t wait for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving.
Persimmon Bars with Lemon Glaze
These are brand new here and they are so goooooood. How about serving them warm with a little ice cream? Yes please.
Sticky Cranberry Gingerbread
Get people excite for December with this Sticky Cranberry Gingerbread. I think I ate half of this cake when I made it.
GOOD SIGN.
Burnt Butter Ginger Pear Crumble
Oh gosh. Now that I am looking at this, maybe I should make a crumble for thanksgiving??!!
Maybe I should make it and we’ll have it for breakfast.
Imagine scoops in little glasses…served with a dollop of whipped cream & some pralines. OMG.
PUMPKIN CAKE WITH BROWN BUTTER ICING
You could easily turn this recipe into cupcakes. Your guests will LOVE the brown butter icing & moist cake.
You just gotta. This one has a gingersnap crust! It’s light/ fluffy and you don’t have to bake the final pie.
Pear Cranberry Walnut Bread
If you’re one of those hosts or guests who likes to give loaves as presents, MAKE THIS BREAD.
I’m just gonna throw that one out there and remind you that you can make a little mini pumpkin pie IN A MUG. All you need is a microwave.
ALSO!!
Don’t forget to save leftovers so you can have a bonkers sandwich like this one!
TURKEY CRANBERRY BACON SANDWICH
That’s right. We add bacon to this sandwich because more is more!
