Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, is a cherished American tradition. While some people’s Thanksgiving preferences have evolved over the years (for example, read about the introduction of tofurky!), many Americans are still content with preparing the Thanksgiving staples. Read below for recipes and tips to creating a Thanksgiving dinner that will leave your guests stuffed.
Turkey or honey glazed ham
A tip I’ve learned is to always cover your turkey or chicken with tinfoil, so it won’t dry out. Honey glazed hams are also a popular item for Christmas dinner and can be ordered or picked up at your local supermarket.
Mashed potatoes
In my family, my little sister takes charge of mashed potatoes, and they’re always delicious. Her secret: lots of butter! Also, the skins of potatoes are actually full of fiber and healthy for you, so consider leaving them on instead of peeling them.
Here is a printable recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows
Dinner at the Zoo has easy to handle recipe you should definitely try making.
If you want a more healthier option, just bake a couple sweet potatoes and add a little bit of butter. That’s how my grandfather likes them!
Green bean casserole
This is probably one of my favorite dishes, and perhaps the only green vegetable you’ll see at a Thanksgiving dinner (unless your host prepares a salad). Enjoy Bon Appétit’s recipe.
Cranberry sauce
Though it can be bought at the grocery store, homemade cranberry sauce is even better. Towards the end of the recipe, the cranberry sauce needs to cool, so, if you live in a cold climate, place it outside for a couple minutes or so. When I was living in Germany and was celebrating Thanksgiving with my host family, that’s what I did! Just remember to keep an eye on it!
Gravy
Make sure you save those drippings from roasting or baking your turkey as you can turn it into delicious gravy.
Cornbread
My mother has been baking cornbread since as long as I can remember. Though this recipe doesn’t include it, if you want a cornbread that’s more textured, consider adding a bit of canned corn to your batter.
Mac & Cheese
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese recipe from Chunky CHEF. Be as creative with the types of cheese as you would like.
Stuffing
Growing up, stuffing was my least favorite dish, but, somehow, it always winds up on our Thanksgiving table every year.
Pumpkin pie with whipped cream
As a person with a sweet tooth, dessert is my *favorite* time of Thanksgiving. Pies can be made by hand or ordered from local bakeries. For example, The House of Pies, mentioned in my first article about Houston, offers pies for order!
Pecan pie
Pecan pie recipe from Cookies & Cups.
Sweet potato pie
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A Texas native, Bianca Navia is currently in her junior year at Arizona State University, pursuing a dual major in Political Science and Global Studies. She is most passionate about international affairs, diplomacy, foreign languages, traveling, and teaching. A fun fact about her? She’s the oldest of four sisters in a big Cuban-Italian-American family!