Homemade Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving can be stressful especially if you are cooking for a large group of guests. But, with proper planning and the right preparations, there's no need to slave away in the kitchen. Give these time-tested thanksgiving recipes a try. Included are easy to prep menus, as well as tips for success.

I love entertaining, but it also is quite stressful because I am alone. And, the only reason I manage everything successfully is that I plan ahead. In addition, I also choose make-ahead dishes, as much as I can. And, most important, pick tried and tested recipes that I know I can do. No experiments!

Today, I want to share with you a few tips that I have learned from my own experience. I hope you will find them useful.

Table of Content

• Tips for planning the best Thanksgiving dinner
• Popular ingredients to shop for Thanksgiving 
• Thanksgiving Menus
• 1. Thanksgiving drinks recipes
• 2. Thanksgiving appetizers
• 3. Thanksgiving salads
• 4. Thanksgiving main courses
• 5. Thanksgiving side dishes
• 6. Thanksgiving bread
• 7. Thanksgiving desserts
• 8. Individual thanksgiving desserts
• 9. After dinner drinks - Aperitif
• What do you take with you to a thanksgiving dinner?
• 10. Back to basics
• You may also like
• Join the conversation

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Tips for planning the best Thanksgiving dinner

• Plan your thanksgiving menu before you start shopping that way you avoid overshopping or forgetting to buy the necessary items. 
• Decide how many people are going to be at the dinner table so you don't have to recalculate your menu over and over again. In addition, plan for at least 2 extra servings, so you don't run short. It's always better to have a few leftovers than to run short at dinner
• Then, choose a theme or style that is not too contrasting. For example, if you choose to make a Middle Eastern style main course, don't make a French-style side dish or appetizer. Because, while they may be absolutely delicious on their own, often these flavors don't complement each other.
• Also, choose dishes that look pretty, colorful, and offer a variety of textures and tastes.
• And, make a few classics for those who are more conservative, and try a few new recipes so people get something different. As a result, they will remember it a long time later.
• Don't repeat the main ingredients. For example,
  • if you are making one main-course lamb (red meat), make the other turkey, chicken, or fish.
  • Or, if you choose one pumpkin pie, don't make the second dessert with pumpkin or pie. Instead, try an apple cake, brownies, etc.
• Also, give a mix of different textures. For example, if you make mashed potatoes don't make mashed peas. Rather, try oven-baked casseroles or roasted asparagus or sautéed carrots.
• Try to use as many make-ahead dishes as you can such as desserts, side dishes, and appetizers. That way, you can concentrate on the main course and set the table.
• Most importantly, make sure to take into account those in the family with special dietary needs, and allergies, such as vegan, or egg and dairy allergies.
• And, if you are new to cooking, choose recipes that are easy and you are confident making or have tried before. And, if you are a seasoned cook, choose 70% tried and tested recipes, in addition, choose two to three that will stretch your cooking skills.
• Don't skip salads, bread, and condiments. In fact, bread is easy to make or buy ahead. And, salads add color and texture to the dinner table. Also, condiments are often what people need to add a little something to their main dishes, like cranberry sauce with roast turkey or chicken.
• Lastly, make sure to offer your guests drinks and appetizers that will encourage mingling. This is especially important when you have guests that don't know each other. For example, pre-snacks such as chips with salsa, cheese, and crackers are a great way to build an appetite, but too much of that can also become unnecessary fillers.
• If you have guests that like to keep things healthy try substituting some of the dishes with healthier options - instead of making mashed potatoes make skinny mashed potato or a sweet potato casserole. Try rosted squash salad or green bean casserole. When possible use yogurt instead of sour cream, or maple and honey instead of sugar. Try cranberries instead of raisins. 
• If you are a small family making turkey breast instead of the whole roast turkey. Or make a roast chicken or roast beef. 

Popular ingredients to shop for Thanksgiving 

• Butter - I think you must use butter to flavor and keep that turkey or chicken moist. Butter also gives the whole bird that wonderful color that looks wonderful on the holiday table.
• Of course, add a little butter to that gravy too! after all, it's a Thanksgiving feast. 
• Onion, garlic, ginger, and fresh herbs such as fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and parsley are essential to flavoring your main course and vegetables. 
• Use spices that give the warmth of fall such as earthy cinnamon, pumpkin spice, gingerbread spice, 
• While vanilla extracts are the most popular in most desserts try using citrus flavors such as orange, lemon,
• Buy extra bread if you plan to make stuffing and cornmeal if you plan to make cornbread 
• Potatoes and sweet potatoes to make mashed or roast potatoes 
• Vegetables for your side dish - fresh green beans, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, mushrooms, cauliflower, 
• Pumpkin puree to if you plan to make a pumpkin pie or pumpkin desserts. 
• Pecans to make a pecan pie or tart and apples to make an apple pie or tart.  Of course, walnuts, almonds, macadamia are a great addition for those who do not like pecans. 

Thanksgiving Menus

Menu 1

1. Thanksgiving drinks recipes

Cocktails are a great way to start before dinner. Then, move on to wine for dinner. Most importantly, choose wines that will complement the main course you are cooking. Often, the wine seller will be able to guide you on what wine is best to serve with your course. That is why planning becomes very critical.

2. Thanksgiving appetizers

When choosing appetizers, pick things that are light as compared to filling. Also, avoid spicy, or very strong flavors that will contradict the meal.

3. Thanksgiving salads

Personally, I choose salads that I can make ahead of time and ones that will stay well as leftovers. That way, there is less to do and things don't get wasted.

4. Thanksgiving main courses

In one of my tips above, I mentioned paying attention to variety and textures but also avoiding repetition. For example:

• Don't make two lamb dishes. Instead, make one lamb and one chicken or turkey.
• Also, don't make two roast dishes make one roast and the second a slow-cooked, braised, or stewed.
• And, don't forget to accommodate the people with allergies and special diets like vegetarians, vegans, etc.

5. Thanksgiving side dishes

Some side dishes are great to make ahead of time. For example, quiches. And, some can be made a few hours ahead like the patties and fritters. So, if possible, choose a mix of both so you are not overwhelmed at the last hour.

6. Thanksgiving bread

Of course, you can easily buy bread. And yet, if you are a seasoned cook like me, then you want to show your baking skills. In addition, a great thing about bread is that you can make it a few hours ahead of time. Also, I like to add a seasonal touch to my bread, such as pumpkin in fall, which is also perfect for Thanksgiving.

7. Thanksgiving desserts

First, you can never have enough desserts. In fact, I usually make at least two. Also, it is important to know your guests and take into account any nut, dairy, or egg allergies.

• Make two different dishes - for example, instead of making two pies, make one pie and one cake or panna cotta.
• And, use different main ingredients. Avoid two fruits. For example, if you use pumpkin in one dessert, make the second with chocolate or vanilla.

8. Individual thanksgiving desserts

Mini treats mean you don't need to cut and serve. Just leave them on the table so people can help themselves. Also, you can buy the tartlet shells readymade or make them yourself.

9. After dinner drinks - Aperitif

I like to choose liquors that are delicate and help calm you down rather than strong alcohol. Of course, these are great when accompanied by hot beverages.

What do you take with you to a thanksgiving dinner?

I thought it was important to give you a few options that would be perfect to take with you if you are invited to Thanksgiving dinner. Many people take wine along with a dessert.

• Choose something that travels wells.
• Choose a dessert that will stay well the next day in case of leftovers.

10. Back to basics

Here are a few basic recipes you may need to create some of the dishes above.

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