My Tried-and-True Thanksgiving Recipes
Any holiday meal is a lot of work, but Thanksgiving often causes the most stress because food is the main event rather than a side show.
Will you be hosting, planning, cooking? It's WORK, and is often very much underestimated. While I truly love this time of year, it takes loads of effort and I'm all for anything that makes it easier. Take the time now to pin recipes, buy ingredients, and give guests instructions on what to bring. Can you take a shortcut? Do it and feel no guilt. Make something ahead of time? You'll be glad you did.
Another challenge is knowing which recipes to use. Dishes like cranberry sauce are rarely served outside of November, so will that gorgeous recipe be a hit or a disappointment? To help, I gathered recipes that I have successfully made many times. I recommend reading the recipes fully ahead of time. For example, the turkey needs to be prepped 2-3 days before cooking, but the results are well worth it!
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Ina Garten's Sausage and Herb Stuffing
Pioneer Woman's Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Pinch of Yum's Green Bean Casserole
Epicurious Cranberry Sauce with Port and Dried Figs
Betty Crocker Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Pie
Psst….. you can stop here. It's enough. Anyone who complains that you didn't make enough side dishes is not deserving of your hospitality. Remind yourself of this as needed.
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Robin Walsh
November 18, 2022
For many years my ex and I had Thanksgiving on our own. Sometimes at home and sometime out camping in the desert. We pared turkey-day down to the essentials. Turkey, dressing/stuffing (depending), potatoes, gravy, cranberries (canned, jellied for him) and dessert. That was it. We did it camping (grilling the turkey) or at home. Very simple. Years later, ex is still part of my Thanksgiving. We (me, current hubby and ex) provide the turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, and canned cranberries. My in-law family provides everything they want. Very simple for us. Oh, and a turkey this year from Springhill Family Farm.