Empty serving platters and full stomachs are points of pride for the host of Thanksgiving dinner – it means the whole family loved the meal. To help bring your best to the table this year, we’re making sure every dish on your menu demands seconds. Whether you prefer classic Thanksgiving dishes or want to add a new twist to the menu, we’ll help you cook up a meal worthy of those three special words: Pass it down.
Pre-Dinner Snacks
These classic Goat Cheese-Stuffed Mushroom Caps require minimal prep work and are a great grab-and-mingle snack. Tip: Save leftover stems to flavour stocks, gravies and stuffing.
Looking to try something different? Our Spicy Caesar Lobster Lettuce Rolls are a fresh take on a coastal classic. Coarsely chopped lobster is tossed with a vinaigrette-based Caesar dressing and served in a large Boston lettuce leaf.
The Main Course
A whole bird, like our Apple Cider Brined Barbecued Turkey, is a classic Thanksgiving main. Brining the turkey a day before grilling is a little extra work, but it results in more moist and flavourful meat. Hosting your first Thanksgiving? See How to Tie and Carve a Turkey for a step-by-step video.
A major perk of roasting a whole turkey is the pan drippings – the flavourful bits that collect on the bottom of the roasting pan – because they make an excellent base for Classic Turkey Gravy.
For most, the idea of Thanksgiving dinner without turkey is unimaginable. But if you’re looking to serve up the unexpected, try our Honey-Glazed Cornish Hens with Roasted Parsnips & Pears. The honey glaze makes for an irresistibly sweet and crispy skin. Tip: One Cornish hen serves two people, and their smaller size means a quicker cooking time.
A pleasure for all diners, our Vegan Mixed Mushroom Gravy is ready in less than 30 minutes. Lemon juice, white wine and fresh thyme keep the flavour of this vegan twist light and bright.
Our recipe for Brussels Sprouts with Pearl Onions, Almonds & Currants is a colourful and wholesome addition to any holiday table. Sweet currants, almonds and a dollop of marmalade give these Brussels sprouts major pass-worthy appeal. The sweetness in the currants and marmalade combat the naturally bitter flavour of the Brussels sprouts.
Mashed potatoes are good, but this Creamy Chive & Onion Sweet Potato Mash with Pecan Topping is irresistible. Steamed sweet potatoes are mashed with a rich base of melted chive and onion cream cheese, butter and cumin. Top with toasted pecans to give it a crunchy finish.
Cauliflower makes an unexpected, trendy side. Instead of florets, turn up the flavour with Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Cheddar Sauce. As it roasts, something magical happens-flavours concentrate and caramelization occurs. Top it off with a creamy cheddar sauce.
Fall root veggies and Thanksgiving dinner are a classic pair. Pass something surprising with our inspired Harvest Vegetable & Hazelnut Crumble. This savoury spin on a sweet classic is built on a base of roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and celery root. Oats, hazelnuts and honey make up the crumble topping.
Stuffing – no holiday meal is complete without it! Try our Barbecued Sausage, Sweet Potato & Cherry Stuffing for a sweet-meets-salty take on traditional stuffing, which features Italian sausage and cherries as the unexpected flavour boosters. Tip: The trick to this (and any stuffing recipe) is to add enough broth to keep the bread moist.
Celery, onion, leeks and sage turn up the flavour in our aromatic, bread-free Sage & Parmesan Barley Stuffing. Show it off and serve it in hallowed out acorn squash or roasted peppers.
The Dessert Table
A long-loved classic, Pumpkin Pie is at home on most Thanksgiving dessert tables. Our version is subtly sweetened with maple syrup and can be enjoyed chilled or warm. Tip: Pre-bake the empty pie shell (known as ‘blind baking’) before adding the filling for a crisp and golden crust.
Similarly, sweet and nutty Classic Pecan Pie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With the heavenly smell of brown sugar and toasted pecans, it’s no wonder why.
Cake is always a good idea, but one with four towering layers, like our Chai-Spiced Layer Cake with Meringue Icing, is certainly something special. Its intense flavour comes from chai tea-infused milk that’s added to the cake batter. Snowy clouds of vanilla meringue icing finish the masterpiece.
Looking for a lighter option? Start a new dessert tradition with Low-Fat Pavlova with Spiced Pears & Blackberries that’s topped with anise and cinnamon-spiced pears and blackberries. It will make a memorable finale to Thanksgiving dinner.
Filling the table with flavour couldn’t be easier with this collection of recipes. Craft your own menu of pass-worthy dishes and enjoy a delicious, praise-worthy feast. Happy Thanksgiving!
