The fall craze is winding down. You’ve gone leaf-peeping to bask in the raw beauty of the fiery fall foliage. You’ve carved pumpkins, updated your wardrobe with snuggly sweaters, and even polished the last warps of your Halloween candy.
Now it’s time to usher in the holiday season (aka. the season to spend time with loved ones). And nothing epitomizes the spirit of togetherness and gratitude quite like Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving 2021 in a Nutshell
If you think Independence Day is America’s defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down.
First things first; What day is Thanksgiving 2021? Thanksgiving 2021 falls on November 25 – i.e., the fourth Thursday of November as usual.
And as the day draws closer, it’s time for Thanksgiving planning. Prepare to host friends, figure out the best way to send Thanksgiving wishes, brainstorm conversation starters, shop for trending Thanksgiving table décor, and learn how to carve a turkey.
While the housing market is still hot—with sellers raking in the bucks—current trends suggest that it’s beginning to cool off. As covered in a previous post, you should expect fewer bidding wars, increased housing supply, and adjusted home prices going forward.
Fun Fact: Did you know James Lord Pierpont’s widely popular Christmas tune, Jingle Bells, was originally written to be sung on Thanksgiving?
Must-Try Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving is often dubbed the Super Bowl of cooking—and for good reason. Whether it’s you’re first time hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, or you’ve been doing it for years, there’s no denying that the menu-making experience is a chore.
Save yourself the hassle of drowning in overwhelm of assembling a holiday menu this Thanksgiving. We’ve put together Thanksgiving menu ideas to set the stage for a memorable experience.
Here are Thanksgiving recipes for delectable dishes to leave your guests satisfied, happy, impressed – from side dishes to the centerpiece: the turkey.
1. Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Or let’s rephrase that “do you have your Thanksgiving turkey recipe ready?” It’s hard to imagine a Thanksgiving holiday without turkey. The bird is the quintessential superstar of the Thanksgiving table.
Understandably, living up to the hype of cooking the perfect turkey can easily weigh down any host. And with the nearly endless Thanksgiving turkey recipes—from classic takes to new twists—available on the internet or in cookbooks, it can feel like an overwhelming task.
Thankfully, we’ve narrowed the list to 4 recipes to elevate your Thanksgiving dinner.
- Classic Roast Turkey – Play it safe with a proven, timeless recipe.
- Herbed Turkey with Gravy – Simple, Easy-to-make, and a sight to behold.
- Juicy Roast Turkey – Savory to the last bite
- Spiced Roast Turkey – Sweet, spicy, and everything nice.
2. Stuffing
Thanksgiving turkey may be the star of the table, but it’s the accouterments that really get the show going. The feast wouldn’t be the same without the varied side dishes – especially stuffing.
The right stuffing is a fluffy, moist, and savory delight that makes you wonder why it’s not a staple on the everyday dinner table.
This Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing recipe is one way to get the guest talking and asking for second servings.
3. Corn Pudding
If you’re looking for a quick, hassle-free recipe that’s as tongue-smacking as the most complex dishes, it doesn’t get better than this corn pudding. The instructions are simple, the steps are minimal, and the cooking is foolproof.
4. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a comfort food staple all year round, but they really shine on Thanksgiving. Whether it’s for holding gravy or picking up corn, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, the creamy grub is born to be the perfect side to tie the Thanksgiving feast together.
But how do you whip up perfectly creamy mashed potatoes? The Best Ultimate Mashed Potato Recipe might hold the key.
5. Cornbread
Cornbread is a southern classic that demands a permanent reservation of the Thanksgiving dinner table. There’s something enchanting about the aroma of fresh homemade cornbread.
While cornbread is cherished comfort food all over, it also tends to stir up quite the controversy – with nearly every person making a case for their recipe. Some like it sweet, others prefer their cornbread savory. Whichever way you like, we have some recipes worth a shot:
6. Brussel Sprouts
Who says Brussel Sprouts have to be boring and mushy? When cooked properly, they are appetizing with an outstanding texture and flavor.
Check out these Thanksgiving recipes for a Brussel Sprout side dish that is crispy and caramelized on the outside, and meaty on the inside.
- Brussels Sprouts with Cornbread Croutons Recipe – Cooked too much cornbread? Try out this recipe.
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots Recipe – A combination to transform the “I’ll pass” jeers to “pass me another.”
7. Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese is the perfect side dish – whether for the Thanksgiving dinner menu, a weeknight dinner, or a weekend potluck.
Best of all, preparing a rich and creamy version of this year-round crowd-pleaser is pretty easy. You probably have all the ingredients you need lying around in your pantry.
Here’s an interesting Macaroni and Cheese recipe to inspire your culinary creativity.
8. Sweet Potato Everything
Sweet potatoes get a ton of love on any Thanksgiving table—whether candied, pied, or casseroled. If you love sweet potatoes, these recipes might elevate your experience this year:
Happy Thanksgiving to You and Your Family!
There’s really no higher-stakes jobs than cooking the Thanksgiving dinner. The host often has to contend with the pressure of satisfying and impressing multiple hungry mouths anxiously waiting to dig in. If you find yourself in such a conundrum or you just want to lay the foundation for a memorable Thanksgiving 2021, the recipes above should come in handy.
And remember to enjoy the month to the fullest by taking a moment to reflect on everything you should be grateful for. Don’t bother counting calories on the day, just your blessings.
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving 2021!
