Creating a Thanksgiving Menu and game plan is a great way to tackle your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving meal. After years of experience hosting and planning, this post includes my best recipes, tips and tricks to help you create your own traditions for your annual gathering.
Our Original Thanksgiving Menu…
It all started with my now tattered copy of The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins. My brother and sister-in-law and my now husband and I would trade off Thanksgiving hosting and we always made The Silver Palate turkey and stuffing. Over the years, Thanksgiving became an annual affair in our home and my brother and SIL now host Hanukkah. The recipes have evolved but are still rooted in the originals. Sage sausage in the stuffing, orange flavor with the turkey and a day when calories don’t count and seconds are a must.
A Mostly Make-Ahead Stress-Free Thanksgiving Menu with a Vegetarian Option!
Hosting Thanksgiving can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. Even if you are an experienced host, having a menu plan will take all the stress out of the preparation. My recipes, tips, tools and tricks will give you confidence so you’re all set to enjoy family and friends on Thanksgiving day.
We even run/walk a 5K race the morning of Turkey Day and still have everything ready to go by mid afternoon. And you can too!
Here’s my general planning calendar that gets me through the process with ease every single year. Sub in your specific recipes and planning details and you’ll reach the Thanksgiving finish line with ease! (double click on the calendar for a printable pdf)
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
From a fantastic vegetarian entree to a fool proof dry brine turkey to all the sides and desserts, my recipes will help you create the Thanksgiving gathering that you want without the stress.
Turkey, Trimmings and a Vegetarian Menu Idea!
Everything you need to know about stock, stuffing, turkey plus a main course for the non-turkey eaters!
Homemade Stuffing Cubes -- A Simple Way to Elevate your Thanksgiving Meal
Preparing your stuffing cubes couldn't be easier and will make your stuffing taste the best ever!
Sage Sausage Stuffing with Cornbread and Challah
We have been making a variation of this stuffing forever! I give you all the instructions you need to have it ready to go the day before so all you have to do is heat on Thanksgiving day.
How to Make Turkey Stock for your Thanksgiving Feast
Making your own turkey stock can be done weeks in advance and adds so much flavor to your gravy, stuffing and leftover turkey soup creations!
How to Dry Brine Turkey for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
We tried so many methods - dry brining is the only one that works every time. No mess - by Thanksgiving day, all you have to do is roast the turkey.
An Elegant Vegetarian Entree for your Holiday Meals
This Vegetable Wellington will wow your vegetarian guests but your meat-eating diners will love it as well.
Thanksgiving Shepherd's Pie with Stuffing Crust
This super creative shepherd's pie with a stuffing crust will be your favorite way to use up leftovers or an unusual main course on Thanksgiving Day.
Side Dishes
So many ideas of seasonal side dishes to accent your turkey and stuffing.
How to Cook Green Cauliflower – Roast your Way to Success
Roasted cauliflower - green, purple, yellow or white - is a simple side dish easily accented with pomegranate seeds to brighten up the table. Can even be made a day ahead and served room temperature.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower with Pomegranate Two Ways
Make this with or without the extra yogurt sauce - pop a few pomegranate seeds on top and it will look stunning on your table!
Roasted Delicata Squash with Pomegranate Molasses and Date Syrup
Another make-ahead marvel and remember - you don't have to peel delicata squash!
Squash Soup Shooters to Toast the Arrival of Fall
Don't want to serve a soup course? Serve this in little shot glasses as an appetizer. Your guests will think you're brilliant.
Cranberry Orange Jam: A Simple Staple for the Holiday Season
This is a simple refrigerator jam you can make ahead - serve with the turkey or the day after on sandwiches.
Pomegranate-Glazed Hasselback Butternut Squash
This creative dish can serve as a side dish or a main for vegetarians and vegans.
The Best Dinner Roll Recipe for Thanksgiving (or Whenever)
If you love to make bread, Jenni's dinner roll recipe will be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving feast.
Crazy Good Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese
At our house, no matter how many carbs are on the menu, mashed potatoes are a must. This recipe uses cream cheese for an extra level of velvety goodness.
Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce
And you all know my love for pomegranates, this cranberry sauce uses pomegranate juice and arils in a simple and delicious version of cranberry sauce.
The Finishing Touch
Even though we are all usually too full, dessert is a must and it always includes pie.
Pie Dough for Dummies -- Top Tips for the Doughaphobic
Once you master pie crust, you can make any kind of pie you want from pumpkin to pecan to apple. And if I can do it, anyone can.
The Now Famous Key Lime Pie Recipe -- Perfect Addition to your Holiday Menu
Sometimes it's nice to make a new tradition. This key lime pie is now a must every year, even though it's not rooted in traditional Thanksgiving fare - it's our family tradition.
Cranberry Orange Rugelach for Aunt Marilyn
I created this recipe the year that Thanksgiving and Hanukkah overlapped - it's a great way to use that cranberry jam or get ready for holiday cookie parties.
James Beard's Persimmon Bread: A Perfect Way to Use Hachiya Persimmons
This persimmon bread came about because I had a plethora of hachiya persimmons. It's a wonderful addition to fall and Thanksgiving flavors. Give it a try!
My Favorite Thanksgiving Supplies
Turkey Brining Bags
These brining bags are perfect to hold your turkey while it dry brines. I've put a 20+ pound turkey in them - sturdy and large. Two to a package.
All-Clad Stainless Steel 13-Inch x 16-Inch Roaster
I love my All Clad kitchen products (they are not paying me) - durable, even heating and clean up well. This roaster will work for your stock prep and turkey roasting (and so much more all year long.)
Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Instant Read Meat Thermometer are the best - I use it all the time and it comes in so handy when you are cooking your turkey. Takes the guesswork out of the process.
Cuisinart 12-Quart Pasta/Steamer/Stock Pot Set
I have an 8 quart pot like this - so versatile. Soups, pasta, steaming veggies, and making stock. If you like to make big batches of stock, I suggest this 12 quart size.
Nordic Ware Commercial Baker's Half Sheet (2 Pack)
I use my half sheet pans almost daily - to bake and to roast. You'll love these for making your stuffing cubes, baking cookies, roasting vegetables and so much more.
Pyrex Glass Pie Plate (9.5-Inch, 2-Pack)
Versatile glass pie plates to use at the holidays and all year long. These are deep dish so plan your dough and filling accordingly.
Polished Marble Rolling Pin with Wooden Cradle, 10-Inch, White
I love my marble rolling pin because it stays cool, which is really helpful for rolling out rugelach dough and pie dough.
200 Pcs Unbleached Parchment Paper100 Pcs 12x16 Inches Rectangle 100 Pcs 9 Inches Round
One of my favorite tools all year in the kitchen is parchment - these pre-cut ones pop right into your sheet pans and the round ones right into your cake or pie pans.
Oval Turkey Platter
We love our inexpensive slightly cheesy turkey platter for serving our turkey - it's just part of our tradition!
Oval Serving Plates for Parties, 12 Inches, 14 Inches, 15.5 Inches, Set of 3, White
I keep it simple and have almost all white plates and serveware. Food looks good on white and it all matches, no matter what color my table setting is.
The OMG! Yummy Thanksgiving Hotline is open for all of your questions. You can reach me:
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