There’s a Thanksgiving Menu, Just For You
Thanksgiving might not be a traditionally British holiday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace (and taste) it. This long-standing tradition is mainly celebrated in North America and falls on the last Thursday of the month (in the US, the Canadian Thanksgiving is on the second weekend in October), meaning this year’s event takes place on 25th November.
Although the main idea of this holiday is in the name, food – and lots of it – plays a very important role too. Family and friends generally sit down together to enjoy a big meal with all sorts of soul-warming dishes, like mashed potato, gravy and brussel sprouts, not to mention roasted turkey with cranberry sauce. So if you fancy a feast of the grateful kind (perhaps finished off with a pecan pie?), have a look at the recipe ideas below and create your very own Thanksgiving dinner menu.
As mentioned, there’s more than just one component in a traditional Thanksgiving menu. You’ll want starters, mains, sides, dessert and drinks too, and lucky for you, we’ve got them all. Go traditional if you fancy it, and/or throw a few alternative dishes into the mix. You choose – this is your Thanksgiving menu.
Succulent starters
Grilled Nectarine and Burrata Salad with Pickled Onions, Tomato and Mint
You’ll be thankful for this light starter from Guardian Feast cook and writer Thomasina Miers. Think pillow-like burrata balanced out by the mildness of the tomatoes and refreshing mint, paired with the acidity of onions mixed with the sweetness of the nectarines. It’s the perfect starter for an autumn feast.
Apple Quesadillas
Why not add a Mexican touch to your Thanksgiving menu with these apple quesadillas? Using only three ingredients (wrap, cheddar and apple), they’re quick to make and easy to enjoy. The tart, sweet apple pairs perfectly with the melted cheese filling. So go on and give them a taste.
Artichoke, Broad Bean, Citrus and Parmesan Mascarpone with Asparagus on Toast
If you’re an artichoke fan, this recipe is just heaven on a plate. The dish is the meeting between posh toast and bruschetta, with a flavoursome artichoke and mascarpone spread that goes to the next level with the help from lemon. Plus, the toasted pine nuts add a nice crunch to balance the textures.
Mighty mains
Best-ever Turkey
Pick a weight for your bird depending on how many people you’re serving and adjust ingredient quantities and cooking times accordingly. This golden bird is a real Thanksgiving turkey treat, and a top choice if you’re going down the more traditional route when creating your menu. Helen Graves, the author of this turkey recipe, uses a simple mix of butter, sea salt and woody herbs to bring out a gorgeous, succulent flavour from the meat that you’ll be grateful you’ve had a chance to try. It might even be your best-ever turkey.
Lamb Chops with Sherry-Roasted Pumpkin and Stilton Granola
Succulent, rosemary-strewn lamb chops are perfectly paired with hearty roasted squash in this incredibly tasty recipe by Nena Foster. Savoury granola – made from almonds, oats, seeds and stilton – is used to add a satisfying texture to the finished dish. Be sure to rest the lamb once it’s cooked to allow the meat to relax and tenderise before you tuck in. This recipe is ideal if you’re looking for something hearty but don’t fancy turkey.
Saucy sides
Christmas Stuffing Two Ways
Don’t be fooled by the name of this recipe – it’s as good for Thanksgiving as it is for Christmas. Take one base mixture, then dress it up to suit you. Choose sage and onion for a comforting, traditional autumn warmer; or chorizo, red pepper and raisin for a punchy Spanish twist.
Honey-baked Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Brie
We have the Swedes to thank for this clever method, also known as ‘toast rack potatoes’. And these spuds not only look impressive, they taste pretty amazing too. The sweet potatoes together with the creamy brie is a mix to be thankful for.
Balsamic and Rosemary Roast Potatoes
These rosemary roasties will be fluffy inside, shatteringly crisp on the outside and have a gorgeous sticky edge, thanks to the balsamic vinegar. Try this posh take on roast potatoes for your Thanksgiving dinner – they’ll work wonderfully with roast turkey and all the trimmings.
Roasted Sprouts and Chestnuts with Sprout Dust Butter
Transform your sprouts with a little pot of magic this year. ‘Sprout dust’ is a spice mix made with ginger, garlic, chilli, cumin, coriander, cardamom and paprika, and is guaranteed to take these seasonal beauties to the next level. A great side dish for Thanksgiving, if you ask us.
Delicious Thanksgiving desserts
Pumpkin Pie
A true Thanksgiving staple, pumpkin pie is a must on your festive menu. A delicious pastry case holds a pumpkin mixture made with (you guessed it) pumpkin purée, eggs, muscovado sugar, festive spices and cream. Good luck keeping your hands off this for after the main course.
Apple Crumble and Custard Cake
Warm up with Lisa Faulkner’s hearty apple cake, finished with a cooked custard layer and crumble topping. This is a good option if you’re not mad about pumpkins, or if you just feel like mixing things up a bit.
Blackberry, Pear and Pecan Tart
Sweet, caramelised pears, shiny blackberries and warming cinnamon join forces in this well-balanced, rustic tart to showcase some of the best flavours of the autumn (or should that be fall) season. Ready in under an hour, it looks really impressive but is deceptively easy to put together, especially when you use readymade pastry.
Drinks
Ultimate Bloody Mary
A standard Bloody Mary is a cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and other spices and flavorings. If you want something a bit more fiery though, we recommend you try this recipe from MOB which adds pickled chillies and chilli flakes to the mix. Cheers.
Pear and Cinnamon Fizz
This sophisticated cocktail is bursting with flavour and sure to keep you warm all through your Thanksgiving celebrations. Pear juice, lemon and prosecco is combined in perfect proportion and served in a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass to add a sense of occasion.
Mexican Espresso Martini
In this recipe, tequila is used in place of vodka – a clear and unaged blanco (or silver) one works well. You’ll need fresh espresso too, just make sure it’s cooled before using, or else the recipe won’t work. Rustle this one up for your Thanksgiving dinner as a treat after the main course.
Sweet and Spiced Apple Hot Toddy
Keep the chills out with this non-alcoholic autumn drink. Made with ingredients including brown sugar, allspice and cloves, the taste will make you feel like you’re getting a hug. What’s not to love? Serve up for your next Thanksgiving dinner.
Feeling hungry and inspired? Good, our job here is done. Now you can take all of these tasty recipes away and have a think before you put together your very own Thanksgiving menu. Whether it’s the first time you’re hosting or not, you’ve now got all the tools to make it a success. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.
Once you’ve planned your Thanksgiving feast, head to our dedicated shop to shop for supplies.