simple

Simple Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

Thanksgiving is only about a month away and it can be overwhelming if you are hosting. Thankfully this year I will be traveling to be with family and we will split up the tasks but having delicious staple recipes can make the day go much smoother.

Anything that can be prepped or made ahead of time is my favorite because the day is hectic enough and the true purpose of the day is to appreciate time with family, and if you’re stressed in the kitchen all day how are you going to have time for that?

By the way, a majority of the recipes I have included below are from Half Baked Harvest. If you are not following her on Instagram or have her blog bookmarked…please just go do that. You’ll thank me later.

I have pulled together a roundup of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes from all different sources. Let me know which is your favorite! Stay tuned for a post on setting the table for Thanksgiving and some of my favorite Pinterest tablescapes at every level of complexity!

Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• Butter or cooking spray, for the baking dish
• 3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (about 8 medium)
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup sour cream (8 ounces)
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1/2 firmly packed cup grated or 1/3 cup store-bought)
• Finely chopped fresh chives or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Find the full recipe here

Ina Garten’s Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 12- ounce bag fresh cranberries rinsed and picked through, discarding any that are bruised, shriveled or soft
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 Granny Smith apple peeled, cored and chopped
• Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
• Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

Full recipe here

Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing

Ingredients

• 12 cups dried bread cubes, *see notes
• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 cups onion, diced
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 cup chicken stock or broth
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Full recipe here

Creamy Green Bean Casserole

• 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved
• 2 Tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced into halves or quarters*
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (minced roasted garlic is great here)
• 2 Tablespoons (15g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (180ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 and 1/4 cups (300ml) half-and-half*
• Fried onions

The full recipes includes making your own fried onions but I favor the store bought for ease and simplicity as well as the taste 🙂

Full recipe here

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with Sweet ‘n’ Savory Bacon Pecans

Ingredients

• ▢4 medium sweet potatoes
• ▢3/4 cup brown sugar
• ▢2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢1/4 cup whole milk
• ▢4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• ▢2 large eggs, beaten
• ▢2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
• ▢kosher salt

Sweet ‘n’ Savory Bacon Pecans

• ▢4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• ▢3/4 cup brown sugar
• ▢1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢1 1/2 cups raw pecans roughly chopped
• ▢6 tablespoons salted butter melted
• ▢1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper using more or less to taste
• ▢2 tablespoons fresh chopped sage
• ▢1-2 teaspoons fresh chopped rosemary (optional)

Full recipe here

Herb + Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy

Simple, classic, and fool proof.

Ingredients

• ▢1 (14-16) pound turkey, giblets and neck removed
• ▢2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ▢2 tablespoons fresh sage, plus more for stuffing the bird
• ▢2 tablespoons fresh thyme, plus more for stuffing the bird
• ▢3 tablespoons fresh parsley
• ▢zest of 1 lemon
• ▢3 teaspoons kosher salt
• ▢1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
• ▢1 piece large of double lined cheesecloth
• ▢2 lemons, halved
• ▢1 garlic head, tips sliced off
• ▢1 onion, halved
• ▢7-8 cups low sodium chicken or turkey broth

Find the full instructions here

Make Ahead White Wine Gravy

Ingredients

• ▢6 tablespoons salted butter
• ▢2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• ▢2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
• ▢1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢3 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
• ▢kosher salt and black pepper
• ▢pan drippings from herb roasted turkey
• ▢1 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio

Find the full instructions here

Shredded Brussels Sprout Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

This is something new I want to try this year. I’ve never done a salad like this before but I think it will compliment all of the other dishes but provide a contrast to the warmth of the other staples.

Ingredients

• ▢6 cups shredded brussels sprouts (about one 12 ounce bag)
• ▢1 1/2 cups grated manchego or parmesan cheese
• ▢1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
• ▢1 1/2 cups pomegranate arils
• ▢6 thick cut slices bacon, chopped
• ▢1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ▢1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
• ▢2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ▢1 tablespoon apple butter or fig preserves
• ▢1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• ▢1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• ▢kosher salt and black pepper
• ▢pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Find the full instructions here

Chai Pumpkin Pie with Maple Whipped Cream

Ingredients

• ▢1 pie crust, homemade or store-bought
• ▢1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin puree
• ▢1/2 cup Land O Lakes® Heavy Whipping Cream
• ▢3 eggs
• ▢1/3 cup real maple syrup
• ▢2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• ▢2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• ▢1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ▢1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ▢1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• ▢1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢1/8 teaspoon pepper

Maple Whipped Cream

• ▢1 cup Land O Lakes® Heavy Whipping Cream
• ▢2 tablespoons real maple syrup
• ▢1 vanilla bean, seeds removed
• ▢chai sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Full recipe here

Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Ingredients

• (2) all-butter pie crusts
• 1 cup salted caramel sauce
• 3 pounds baking apples, peeled, cored, and thinly slice (I suggest using granny smith apples)
• 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg plus 1 teaspoon water, beaten
• 1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar, for the crust, optional
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, divided

Full Article Here

What are some of your tried and true, go-to recipes for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons?