It is time to plan the Thanksgiving menu for this year's holiday feast and get that shopping done while you still can find what you need. Here are some of my best holiday recipe suggestions to get you in the mood.
Introduction
While I love Thanksgiving, the amount of work can be overwhelming. So let's get our plan started.
The first part is easy. How much to make? Do you love or hate leftovers? How many people? Remember to obey your local health recommendations and stay safe out there.
In the second part, how much time do you have? Some super planners out there will pull everything off from scratch. I'm not there, and honestly, I don't want to be. I have X amount of time and energy and will put it where it does most good.
Food Safety
When I was still practicing medicine, I saw several kids with food poisoning—primarily minor after every major holiday. After only a few questions, the cause was almost always apparent and preventable with little care.
Let's protect the ones we love. Thanksgiving Food Safety and Food Help.
🦃Turkey and More
Since this is cooking for two, we usually start with a turkey breast, not the whole bird. And you can do two if you need more.
How To Roast a Turkey Breast the Easy Way was just rewritten. It is an almost 2000 word complete guide to cooking a previously frozen turkey breast with simple step-by-step photo instructions.
Other Meat Suggestions
Butter Turkey Tenderloin – Pan Seared Oven Roasted with Gravy
Grilled Brown Sugar Rubbed Turkey Breast
🍠Side Dishes
Side dishes make the meal. Every family has its traditions, so here are ours.
Green Bean Casserole without Mushroom Soup
🍞Bread
I do love great bread. Here are some easy homemade choices—except the Julia Child's bread, but it is worth the work.
60-Minute Homemade Dinner Rolls
Julia Child's French Bread – Simplified
Quick and Easy Honey Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
🥧Desserts
We must have something sweet to finish the feast. Here are some easy treats.
🍬Candy
Time to get into the holiday spirit and give some love to those you care about.
Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters
🐶Dog Pictures and Final Notes
Feeling like a bit of holiday shopping early, check out the new Holiday Shopping section in THE SHOP.
Have a great Thanksgiving from
Wifo, Molly, Lilly, and DrDan
Editor's Note: Originally Published November 17, 2016. Updated yearly with current recommendations and discussion.
Elisabeth Wasslen
Hello Dr. Dan,
It isn't Thanksgiving here right now, being in Canada, but I want to say I hope you and your family and your beautiful dogs have a Happy Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for, including your blog. Life is good.
Jean Rawlings
Hi Dr. Dan,
You'll get a chuckle out of this..I wanted to make your recipe for Sweet potato Casserole before the big day Thanksgiving to see if my husband of 50 years would enjoy it. Well he whined a bit when I told him there were no marshmallows going on top. He offered a half a dozen times to go to the store and get some because he was certain it would be a total failure without them. He loved your recipe. He had seconds and is waiting for the left overs for dinner tonight.
Thank you..thank you!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Warmly
Jean Rawlings
DrDan
Thanks Jean,
You can feel free to change the topping but I want the nuts.
I'm republishing that recipe Sunday.
Have a good holiday.
Dan
Leslie
Thanks for posting your menu ideas, makes cooking a special dinner easier (keeps me from getting anxious) thank you Leslie
DrDan
Thanks Leslie,
Have a good holiday.
Dan
laurajay
Thanks Dr Dan, I always love the blog, recipes and pictures. Happy thanksgiving to you and your family.
DrDan
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Joan
How I use leftover turkey
This is not a recipe although I am sure it started as one and is how my family uses some leftover turkey. My family calls it High Turkey Sandwich. It is really a form of a club sandwich and I first had it at Gilmore's Tea Room in Kalamazoo, Michigan and I think it may have been served at Marshall Field's in Chicago.
So here is my non recipe which I would like to share with you. One slice of white bread, a slice of cheese, cold turkey meat, a slice of bread, bacon, tomato, lettuce, a slice of bread, slices of hard boiled egg, and to top it off, Thousand Island dressing made from mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish. Once, I ate the whole thing, but now I leave out the center slice of bread and can't really get through that.
You are welcome to make it into a recipe if you wish, Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
DrDan
Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays.
Dan