Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

October 1, 2024

Aimee

Hello October!

Cooler mornings, changing leaves and departing geese: it’s a textbook autumn here in Nova Scotia. Items on our fall bucket list are getting checked off each week like apple picking with the kiddos and a soup swap with my cookbook club.

The next event on the calendar is Thanksgiving. My turkey is ordered from the butcher and the guest list is set. Now is the perfect time to share my menu with you – and remind myself of my hosting Do’s and Don’ts.

Every Thanksgiving, when the dinner is done and I’m relaxing with one last sliver of pie, I open the notes app on my phone and send myself a few reminders for the next year:

Serve rolls next time

Salad was pretty but superfluous.

My squash casserole is just the best.

That stuffing did not deliver as the magazine promised.

Make mashed turnip next time. They’re simple and delicious.

Ohmygosh. That cranberry tart is a winner.

For years now, I’ve swung back and fourth between embracing traditional recipes and experimenting with new dishes. I’m always feeding the same crowd at Thanksgiving, and boy have they been patient with my trial and error.

I’ve learned a lot since my first Thanksgiving dinner, sixteen years ago, blogging at Under the High Chair. I had a toddler and a newborn; I took on too much and burnt the cranberry sauce, to name but one disaster.

I’m wiser now and this is always my plan: stick to the classics, make what guests love, try one new item.

I love that Thanksgiving is in October in Canada. Not only does it feel like the perfect sendoff to summer, but everything is available at the farmer’s market. (PS: it also gives us a lovely long break between the big end-of-year holidays)

Cook what is seasonal and gorgeous. As if we could resist!

Having hosted Thanksgiving for the past 20 years, I’ve tried to channel my best advice into practical, applicable posts. Here are a few!

My Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

Here’s what’s on my Thanksgiving menu wish list. I’ll end up narrowing it down in the days leading up to the event. But for the most part, these are the dishes that make the holiday special.

If you’re taking notes, may I suggest you plan your full menu and then remove one item. Keep it simple and manageable.

One last thing: Delegate. Here’s what you can have guests bring: desserts/pies etc, wine, cranberry juice, sparkling cider, condiments (pickles, cranberry sauce), light appetizers such as dip & crudite.

Garlic Bread Wreath with Baked Brie | Simple Bites

Garlic Bread with Baked Brie ~ I highly recommend a spoonful of cranberry sauce on top of the baked brie. It’s the perfect tart balance to the creamy cheese.

Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup or Butternut Squash Soup. Have I been know to serve my Thanksgiving first course in a soup tureen carved from a squash? Yes I have, ten years ago. And if that makes you happy, go for it!

Simple Roast Turkey – usually served with cider gravy, however I’m tempted to make a mushroom gravy this year as my sister has a wild mushroom patch on her farm.

Autumn Market Fresh Salad – My Thanksgiving table doesn’t feel complete without a fresh salad. My preference is to be inspired by seasonal produce at the market. I use this handy formula: How to Make a Winter Salad with Seasonal Ingredients and go from there.

Bread Stuffing with Seasonal Fruits & Herbs – The recipe I use every year. In the post I also address the question of whether to stuff or not to stuff the turkey.

Cranberry Pear Compote ~ Or your favourite cranberry sauce. I’m always plating around with variations, like this Cranberry Quince Conserve.

The Best Mashed Potatoes ~ My tips are foolproof! Tested over years of cooking and hundreds of pounds of potatoes. These days I like to roast a bulb of garlic alongside the turkey and mash it into the cream.

Butternut Squash Gratin ~ A classic from the Simple Bites archives, and a true beloved casserole. This dish can be made a few days in advance and even frozen. It’s always a hit.

Maple-Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Walnut-Bacon Crumble ~ For those who love a sweet potato side dish, THIS is a showstopper.

Honey-Glazed Brussels Sprouts ~ Honey or maple syrup pairs well with the grassy Brussels sprout. I play on this recipe form year to year, but always finish with a handful of toasted nuts and a grating of orange zest.

Whole Roast Cauliflower with Minty Chimichurri :: Simple Bites

Whole Roasted Cauliflower ~ Here’s a showstopper of a dish that I love to serve to vegetarians in place of a turkey. It presents beautifully and is fun to carve at the table.

Seasonal Drinks for a Crowd

Thanksgiving Desserts

Our Thanksgiving family tradition is to have an early dinner – say around 5PM – so we have time to take a leisurely walk between the feast and dessert. Not only does it ensure we stroll before the sun sets, but it conveniently makes room for what some determine to be the best course: PIE.

Maple Pumpkin Spice Pie ~ My take on a classic: maple sweetened, freshly ground spices, and homemade pumpkin purée (or squash!). It’s a winner through and through. Follow my tips for avoiding cracks in your pumpkin pie!

Simple Apple Crisp with Brown Sugar Rye Streusel | Simple Bites

Simple Apple Crisp ~ My sister always makes an apple crisp with my nephew and brings it along for the dessert table. I think this is a helpful strategy for busy families, as opposed to a more labour intensive apple pie.

Apple Almond Galette – A rustic fruit galette is another fantastic dessert option. You can use store bought puff pastry or homemade pie dough. A galette using fresh apples and the last of the summer berries is a beautiful thing.

Marmalade Pecan Pie ~ This one is for the chocolate lovers. Marmalade, pecans, coconut sugar, bourbon and a hint of chocolate bakes up into a truly memorable dessert. Or if you prefer a more classic, this Maple Pecan Pie is also a winner.

Cranberry Curd Tart ~ I’ll often make this one for Christmas, but it is well-suited to Thanksgiving, too. It’s a little more work than most of my dessert recipes but is a veritable showstopper!

Also fabulous:

Happy Cooking. Happy Fall!

Original article: Thanksgiving Menu Ideas