Last week I sent an email about my TOP ITEMS to order now for Thanksgiving. If you missed it, you can read it HERE! (It's a good one!)

Today, I wanted to talk about planning your Thanksgiving MENU.

Once all the items are ordered (see previous email), the next most important thing is to PLAN your menu! It's never too early to plan the food.

I believe there are TWO types of Thanksgiving hosts in this world. Those who always make the same things every SINGLE year. And those risk trying new recipes. Be the latter! I can guarantee your family will appreciate it. (Just make sure to keep the favorites.)

Try making a mashed potato casserole with bacon instead of just plain ole' mashed potatoes.

Try a fancy glazed carrot side dish instead of bland steamed veggies.

Either way you go, decide on it NOW and start recipe testing!

Planning Your Menu

Here are some menu options! I suggest choosing 1-2 mains, 3-5 side dishes, 2-4 desserts, and an additional option.

🍁 Main Dish:

• Roast Turkey: Usually the centerpiece, seasoned and roasted, often with stuffing.
• Maple Glazed Ham: Sweet and savory, coated with a maple syrup glaze. Can be warmed up the day of.

🍁 Sides:

• Stuffing/Dressing: Usually made with bread cubes, herbs, celery, and onions, sometimes with sausage or nuts. Can be homemade or store-bought.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery and must be served with gravy.
• Gravy: Made from the turkey pan drippings or storebought.
• Cranberry Sauce: This tart and sweet side is very popular and a nice contrast to all the beige foods.
• Green Bean Casserole: Green beans mixed with cream, onions, maybe mushrooms and baked in a casserole dish.
• Sweet Potatoes/Yams: Often topped with marshmallows or brown sugar and pecans. (Or you can make sweet potato mashed potatoes or a sweet potato casserole.)
• Cornbread: Sometimes served as a side or used in stuffing.
• Rolls or Biscuits: Warm, fluffy bread options are an easy store-bought option everyone appreciates.
• Roasted Vegetables: Glazed carrots, green beans, brussels sprouts, or squash, often roasted with herbs.
• Creamed Corn: Made with cream or with biscuit mix and baked sometimes with a breadcrumb topping.

🍁 Desserts:

• Pumpkin Pie: The classic spiced dessert. A new recipe is coming soon!
• Pecan Pie: Sweet and rich, with a crunchy pecan top.
• Apple Pie: Another common choice, sometimes served with ice cream.
• Sweet Potato Pie: A similar option to pumpkin, with a slightly different flavor profile.
• Cheesecake: Something my mother makes 100% of her gatherings. Recipe coming soon!

🍁 Additional Options:

• Macaroni and Cheese: Sometimes included for extra comfort. I highly suggest adding some Stouffer's mac and cheese it to a crockpot. Done and done!
• ​Fall Salad: A light green or mixed salad to balance out heavier dishes. You can keep it simple or go with fall flavors.
• Soup: I have a delicious butternut squash soup that will be on the blog next week! (Stay tuned!)

🍁 Appetizers:

• Coming in my next email!! :)

In my next email, I'll share appetizer ideas!! (I have a lot!) :)

Happy Planning!

Aleka

*Disclaimer: Some of the links provided are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission.

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