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From roast turkey to potato recipes to endless side-dishes and mouthwatering Thanksgiving pies, there's no shortage of choices when it comes to planning your Thanksgiving menu. It might even seem a little intimidating, especially if you're hosting your first Thanksgiving. But don't worry. We've put together a collection of traditional Thanksgiving menu ideas with everything you need to pull off an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner. Not to mention some inspiration for what to eat after the holiday, with a few turkey leftover recipes that go beyond your average sandwich. Ready to dive in?
Roast turkey
We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. But have you chosen your Thanksgiving turkey recipe yet? Here's a simple roast turkey recipe that's delicious and easy to make so that your bird is cooked perfectly. You'll need just a handful of ingredients: butter, salt, pepper and turkey. The mixture is rubbed over the turkey and under its skin. Then, the bird is trussed and cooked at 325°F, 160°C (140°C in a fan oven) for about 4 hours.
Stuffing
Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. At its simplest, stuffing is seasoned bread cubes mixed with onions and herbs. The stuffing is traditionally baked inside the bird but can also be baked in a separate baking dish. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out one of these three easy stuffing recipes made with pecan, cornbread or chestnut.
Mashed potatoes
Is there anything more comforting than enjoying a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes? Making the perfect mashed potatoes is essential to a holiday meal, especially if you want to impress your guests. To make sure everything goes as planned this holiday season, we've put together some simple tips and tricks for making the ultimate mashed potatoes. You can rest assured you'll be digging into the most perfect mashed potatoes of your life.
This Thanksgiving, try this easy recipe to prepare mashed potatoes with cream cheese, a classic side dish made even softer using cream cheese together with butter.
You can also serve these beautiful mashed potatoes with pumpkin and sage, sure to delight your family and guests.
Green bean casserole
If you want to keep things traditional, you can’t go wrong with this classic green bean casserole – the quintessential Thanksgiving side. You can use either fresh or frozen green beans in this beautiful recipe.
If you have any leftover casserole from your Thanksgiving dinner, you can store it in an airtight container or cover it with storage wrap before refrigerating. This side dish will last up to four days in the fridge – but it's doubtful you will let it sit there that long – and it can be reheated in the microwave or oven. Take a look at our recipes for using leftover green beans for some creative ideas.
Corn casserole
No Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without a generous helping of your favourite sides. This decadent take on a classic Southern corn casserole will be the perfect side for your holiday feast. Packed with veggies, herbs, spices and flavourful corn kernels, this creamy bake is a wonderful side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas and can even stand alone as a vegetarian main dish. This hassle-free recipe can be prepared in one pot from start to finish, and if you use a cast-iron skillet, it will stay warm for up to an hour, so you can make it a little early according to your schedule.
Sweet potato casserole
Sweet potato casserole is one of the most anticipated holiday season recipes. This dessert-like side dish can be prepared with or without marshmallows. This recipe from Add a Pinch hits the spot for those who prefer their casserole without the extra sweet and gooey component. Instead of the fluffy addition, there's a buttery pecan topping that's still indulgent, thanks to the brown sugar, without being overly sweet.
But if you believe marshmallows are a must, try this creamy and delicious masterpiece from Delish.
Need more Thanksgiving sweet potato ideas? Check out our 5 sweet potato side dishes everyone will love.
Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts
This Brussels sprouts recipe from The Kitchn will become a staple on your Thanksgiving dinner table once you try it. It hits all the right notes thanks to perfectly charred vegetables dressed in smooth honey and tangy balsamic vinegar.
Another delicious option is this Brussels sprouts with chestnuts recipe – a classic American side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
You can also follow our simple and delectable recipe for perfect honey-roasted parsnips. The earthy, nutty taste of roast parsnips, crisp on the outside and sweet and chewy on the inside, makes them the perfect partner for roasted dishes and rich stuffings.
Cranberry sauce
Cranberry sauce is an essential component of every holiday meal. It’s fresh, it’s vibrant, and actually pretty healthy. This sauce – a harmonious combination of sweet and tart – is perfect with Thanksgiving turkey. The flavours just seem to be made for each other. And the sauce is excellent to spread over turkey in your leftover turkey sandwiches.
Try out our cranberry sauce recipe – it's simple and easy, and it takes about 30 minutes to prepare, from start to finish. But if you’re looking for an interesting twist on this holiday classic, check out this sour and spicy cranberry and apple sauce from Gordon Ramsay and this cranberry and orange sauce from Tyler Florence.
Pecan pie
Homemade pecan pie is always a winner. With its buttery, rich taste, the classic pecan pie has earned its place on the Thanksgiving table. Crunchy and sweet autumn flavours come together in a luxurious dessert without which no Thanksgiving is complete.
This is a fantastic dish to make ahead of time since it needs to cool for several hours before serving. Dollop with freshly whipped and lightly sweetened cream to balance the pie's sweetness. Looking for a vegan and gluten-free version of this Thanksgiving mainstay? We've got the perfect pecan pie recipe made with maple syrup.
Pecans are a nice addition to many North American bakes. They are not only used for mouth-watering pies but also for cakes and cookies – pretty much anything you bake can be topped with pecans.
Pumpkin pie
The pumpkin is an autumn squash and a symbol of both Thanksgiving and Halloween.
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a generous slice of pumpkin pie. Bursting with flavour, this pumpkin pie recipe is velvety, moist, and tastes incredible. The pie filling is creamy, rich, and just sweet enough to balance some spice from cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This classic pumpkin pie is garnished with cranberries but can also be topped with a dollop of softly whipped cream. Because pumpkin pie has to be stored in the fridge, it makes an excellent make-ahead dessert.
Thanksgiving is synonymous with pumpkin pie, so pumpkin pie spice is everywhere this time of year. Doughnuts, pancakes and waffles, you name it, there's always a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice in there. Instead of purchasing ready-made pumpkin pie spice mix, why not consider making your own?
Looking for more delicious ideas? Take a look at these mouthwatering pumpkin recipes.
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