Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, and what better way to show your appreciation than with a great meal?
There are plenty of traditional Thanksgiving dishes, but if you're looking to add something new to your regular menu, keep reading!
Native Americans have been celebrating the harvest with feasts for centuries, and there are plenty of modern dishes from the United States that reflect this tradition.
One popular option is roasted turkey with a sweet potato and cranberry stuffing.
Another great choice is a hearty stew made with pumpkin, squash, and beans.
Of course, no holiday feast would be complete without some kind of pie.
Whether you're looking for something new to add to your Thanksgiving feast, your whole family is sure to love these Thanksgiving favorites and who knows they might be added to a new tradition.
Make sure you have enough oven space for all this food!
Thanksgiving Dinner Festival Foods
The delicious food listed below is perfect for holiday meals. Most of the dishes you can make ahead of time, so you can enjoy your guests on Thanksgiving day.
1. Roasted turkey
A turkey dinner is a Thanksgiving traditional meal and is one of the most popular festival foods.
There's no better way to roast your turkey than with a little bit of help from a wood-fired oven.
The intense heat from the oven will give your turkey breast a crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat.
Add seasoning to your liking, stuff with your favorite dressing, and let the oven work its magic.
2. Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie is a must-have for any Thanksgiving feast. This dessert traditionally has a flaky, buttery crust and a creamy filling that's spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Add toppings like whipped cream or caramel sauce, and you've got a dessert that's sure to please everyone at the table.
Thanksgiving pies are also a great way to show off your baking skills.
If you're feeling ambitious, try your hand at making a decorative crust or using seasonal fruits and vegetables to decorate your pie.
3. Cranberry sauce
Cranberry sauce is another Thanksgiving classic. This sweet and tangy condiment typically has whole cranberries, sugar, and water.
It's the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving turkey dinner, and you can use it as a topping for pumpkin pie.
4. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.
They're often roasted and served as a side dish, but they can also be mashed or made into a delicious pie.
No matter how you enjoy them, sweet potatoes are sure to be a hit as a delicious Thanksgiving dinner option.
5. Sweet potato casserole
This dish is a favorite among kids and adults alike.
It features sweet potatoes that are roasted and then mashed with butter, brown sugar, and spices.
The mixture is then topped with a pecan streusel topping and baked until golden brown.
6. Green bean casserole
Green beans are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but they can also be the star of the show in this tasty casserole.
The beans are cooked in a cream of mushroom soup base and topped with fried onions. It's the perfect dish for anyone who loves green beans.
7. Apple pie
Apple pie is a classic American dessert, and it's the perfect way to finish off your Thanksgiving holidays feast.
This dish has a flaky crust and a filling that typically has apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Serve it with a scoop of ice cream or some whipped cream, and you'll have a dessert that everyone will love.
8. Pecan pie
Pecan pie is another classic American dessert and a Thanksgiving festival foods dinner favorite.
This dish typically has a corn syrup-based filling and topped with pecans.
It's the perfect sweet treat for your Thanksgiving dinner, and you can serve it as a dessert for Christmas or any other holiday.
9. Butternut squash soup
Butternut squash soup is a great way to start your Thanksgiving feast. This soup is made with roasted butternut squash, onion, garlic, and chicken broth.
It's smooth, creamy, and full of flavor, and it's sure to please everyone at the table.
10. Roasted Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a divisive vegetable, but there's no denying that they're delicious when you roast them to perfection.
These little green veggies are tossed in olive oil and roasted in a hot oven until they're crispy and caramelized.
They make a great side dish or appetizer for your Thanksgiving feast.
11. Prime rib
If you're looking for something a little fancier than turkey, why not try serving prime rib?
This cut of beef is roasted and served with a delicious au jus sauce and is a traditional Thanksgiving festival foods dinner option.
It's the perfect main course for a traditional holiday dinner, and it's sure to impress your guests.
12. Honey-baked ham
Honey-baked ham dinner is a tasty alternative to turkey, and it's perfect for any holiday.
This dish has a spiral-sliced ham that's got a sweet glaze made with honey, brown sugar, and spices.
It's tender, juicy, and full of flavor, and it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
13. Seasonal salads
If you're looking for some lighter fare, why not try a seasonal salad?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to salads, but some of our favorites include roasted beet and goat cheese salad, quinoa and cranberry salad, and kale and brussels sprout salad with crispy onions.
You can also serve a raw bar along side your salad for an added touch of luxury.
14. Stuffing
Stuffing is a classic Thanksgiving dish that has bread cubes, onions, celery, and spices.
It's usually stuffed inside the turkey before it's roasted, but it can also be baked in a separate dish.
Either way, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
15. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a staple of any Thanksgiving feast.
They're typically made with Yukon gold potatoes that are peeled and boiled until they're soft.
Then, they're mashed with butter, milk, and spices. Serve them alongside your turkey or ham, and you'll have a dish that everyone will love.
16. Honey butter glazed carrots
Carrots are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but they're even better when you add glaze with honey and butter.
You can roast these carrots in a hot oven until they're tender, and then toss in a mixture of honey, butter, and spices.
They make the perfect side dish for any holiday meal.
17. Dinner Rolls
No Thanksgiving feast is complete without a basket of dinner rolls.
These soft and fluffy rolls use yeast, flour, sugar, butter, and eggs.
They're the perfect way to soak up all the delicious juices from your turkey or ham, and they're sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
18. Fresh fruit
If you're looking for a healthy alternative to pie, why not try serving some fresh fruit?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to fruit, but some of our favorites include grapes, apples, pears, and berries.
Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or some ice cream, and you'll have a dessert that everyone will love.
19. Cheesecake
Cheesecake is the perfect choice of dessert for any occasion, and it's especially delicious during the holidays.
This rich and creamy dessert has cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Bake in a graham cracker crust and top with your favorite fruit or sauce.
20. Turkey roulade
Turkey roulade is a delicious alternative to traditional roast turkey.
It's made with thinly sliced turkey breast that's rolled up with stuffing and other ingredients.
Then, it's roasted in the oven until it's cooked through. This dish is full of flavor and sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
21. Celery dressing
Celery dressing is a delicious and unique side dish that's perfect for any holiday meal. You can make it with celery, onions, sage, thyme, and bread crumbs.
Serve with turkey or ham, but it would also be delicious with chicken or beef sticks.
22. Cranberry Relish
Cranberry relish is a tart and tangy side is made with fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and spices.
Serve it alongside your whole turkey or ham, and you'll have a dish that everyone will love.
23. Cornbread
Cornbread is a Southern staple that's perfect for any holiday meal. It's made with cornmeal, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk.
This dish is usually served as a side dish, but it would also be delicious served as a dessert. Top it with some honey or maple syrup, and you'll have a sweet and savory treat that everyone will love.
Add a cornbread dressing to your holiday table, and you'll have a dish that everyone will love.
24. Pumpkin spice cake
Pumpkin spice cake is a delicious and festive dessert that's perfect for any holiday meal.
This cake is made with pumpkin puree, spices, flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. It's iced with a cream cheese frosting and topped with pecans or walnuts.
These delicious options are perfect for any gathering or Thanksgiving table. This time of year is all about being with one another and stuffing ourselves with amazing foods.
Tips For a Great Thanksgiving Feast
- Set the table the night before so you're not rushed on Thanksgiving day.
- Make sure to have all the food and ingredients you need before cooking .
- Start cooking early in the day so everything is ready on time.
- Delegate tasks to other family members or friends.
- Enjoy your holiday meal and don't stress about perfection!
Prepared Thanksgiving Dinner
If you aren't in the mood to cook or serve Thanksgiving dinners you can check local restaurants to see if any dine-in options on turkey day.
Some may have family-style meals you can place orders a head of time. Or if you are in the mood to eat out check out prix-fixe meals option or a Thanksgiving buffet.
Give the Boston market, Bob Evans, or Cracker Barrel a try. You can easily choose your choice of entrée and side dishes for delicious to-go meals!
This will take less time and you will have more time for family.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, one thing is for sure - food is always at the center of the holiday. And what better way to
Final Thoughts
There you have it! These are just some of the many delicious Thanksgiving dinner festival foods you can enjoy this holiday season.
You can find ingredients for all of these dishes at grocery stores.
Whether you've cooked last year or are already planning your Thanksgiving meal be sure to add at least one of these dishes for a fun new flavor!
So, get cooking and enjoy your time with family and friends for complete holiday dinners to enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving!
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