Breeze through Thanksgiving and lap up the compliments with these EASY Thanksgiving Menu ideas!
OR browse theThanksgiving Recipe Indexto build your own!
Ive also added some new tips for how to make cooking for Thanksgiving a breeze.
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Ready for a smorgasbord of food??
This is my easiest Thanksgiving menu that requires no advance preparation (e.g.
** See next section to build your own menu using my guide and tips.
Brown briefly in oven while you make the gravy.Recipe here.
- Alternative:Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Turkey Breastwith Garlic Butter Gravy.
Slightly longer prep time to slather butter under the skin, but boy is it worth it!!
*Cranberry Sauce Super easy, make ahead!
Nice extra sauce option and the colour is gorgeous!Recipe here.
- Potato EitherMake Ahead Mashed Potato(with secret restaurant trick!)
orEasy Cheesy Potato Bake.
Make ahead, then reheat in microwave.
- Wild Rice Salad Adding beautiful colour to your table!
Prepare ahead, with ingredients displayed (photo below), then toss at the table.
The flavour of this one is incredible!
or a simple leafy or garden salad with any ofthese dressings(except the Asian one).
Keep this salad fresh and simple, a nice palette cleanser!
- Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frostingfor dessert.
Easy and fabulous, the cake is so moist and that frosting is everything!
I call this my Thanksgiving menu, but as my regular readers know, we Aussies dont celebrate Thanksgiving!
So this is the Thanksgiving Menu that I would be making for you, if you were here.
This is what Id make for a traditional Aussie Christmas dinner except for Pecan Pie.
Id be more likely to make Pavlova!
- Alternative:Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey because Im a little obsessed with this!
The herby garlicky buttery flavour is epic, and the leftover turkey is the best Ive ever had.Recipe here.
- Sausage, Apple Stuffing Pancetta Cups everyone goes nuts over these.
I only put out ONE per person…….. Bake while the turkey is resting.Recipe here.
- Corn Bread Muffins because Im known for these.
They are not real Southern ones which are kind of dry (supposed to be!
), mine are much more moist.
These are a 30 second microwave reheat job.Recipe here.
Otherwise, I would make myNo Knead Soft Dinner Rolls.
- Stovetop Glazed Carrots Id make this while the Stuffing Cups are in the oven.Recipe here.
Plus a terrific make ahead salad.Recipe here.
- Brussel Sprout Saladfor freshness.
Im a big fan of that salad, plus the components keep very well prepared ahead.Recipe here.
- Pecan Piefor dessert.
Im restricted by oven space, and even stove space and fridge space.
Plus, Im a control freak so when I host a gathering, I want to do everything myself!
I never compromise on a menu, but I do select items based on practicality.
Like turkey trumps side dishes every day of the week, and 10 times on Thanksgiving.
This determines what gets priority for oven use (I only have one oven).
!So I use other potato sides.
Making ahead vs freshly made:Determine whatmustbe served fresh and what can be reheated.
My microwave works hard when I host gatherings.
Create a Schedule:Yes, I really do.
Dont feel the need to makeeverythingyou want on your Thanksgiving table.
Mix n match as needed with store bought vs homemade.
Ive created a fullThanksgiving Recipe Indexwhich it’s possible for you to browse at your leisure.
brining) and how well it reheats.
THE MAIN EVENT
1.
And the juices from the slow cooker are used to make a killer gravy!Recipe here.
Dry brining is easier, tastier, you could start with a frozen turkeyandit roasts faster.
Wait until you see how juicy the turkey is…. BLOWN!Recipe here.
Its almost unbelievable how EASY this is to make!Recipe here.
There was almost a fist fight over the last of the stuffing.Recipe here.
I adore the golden brown skin you get from roasting!!
The garlic butter pan juices make the most amazing sauce to serve the turkey with.
WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE VIDEO!!
Sometimes people need something a bit fresh!).
CRANBERRY SAUCE(Easy Make ahead)
Many argue that Thanksgiving would not be complete without Cranberry Sauce!
Sweet and tart, this pairs exceptionally well with turkey.Recipe here.
Cooking logistics: Pop it in the oven on the shelf below the turkey.
Allow an extra 5 to 10 minutes cook time (because jam packed oven = longer cook time).
Both are also excellent reheated.
The Dressing can also be prepared the day before up to the point before coming liquids with bread-sausage mixture.
Then mix together on the day of, just before baking.
POTATO GOODNESS No feast is ever complete without some form of potato goodness!
Heres a selection of the best of the best that Ive shared to grace your Thanksgiving table.
- Warm Lemon Potato Salad(Easy Make Ahead) terrific make ahead!
- Velvetymake aheadMashed Potato(Easy Make Ahead) restaurant secret!
I tend to agree.Recipe herefor my Baked Mac and Cheese with the essential crunchy top.
This can be mostly made ahead, then assembled and baked on the day.
Do the overnight rise in the fridge option then bake them while the turkey is resting.Recipe here.
- Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread(Easy Make Ahead) Crowd pleaser.
Always!Recipe here.
Reheats extremely well in the microwave.Recipe here.
Mine is moist enough to eat plain!Recipe here or try theCorn Bread Muffins(my favourite!!
SALADS WORTHY OF YOUR THANKSGIVING TABLE
Never underestimate the power of a great fresh salad!
Everything except the roasted sweet potato can be prepared ahead.Recipe here.
Prepare all components ahead then toss before serving.Recipe here.
Prepare all components ahead but dont toss.
Then dress and toss just before serving.Recipe here.
*Fresh Garden Salad of your choice use greens of your choice, then use one ofthese Dressings.
- Profiteroles Terrific bite size option!
Recipe here;Pumpkin Pie I havent published a recipe yet.
Thats a lot of food talk!!
Hope you found it useful.
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