A Complete Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away! It’s a time to gather with family and friends, reflect on gratitude, and, of course, enjoy a comforting feast. Are you someone who likes to keep things traditional while still adding a little something to zhuzh up the meal? I gathered some recipes together to help do just that (yes, there’s maple syrup involved!).

Herb-Roasted Turkey with Gravy

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 3–3.5 hours

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp each fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage (chopped)

• 1 lemon, halved

• 1 onion, quartered

• 2 carrots + 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 4 cups chicken or turkey stock

• Salt & pepper

Gravy:

• 1/4 cup drippings, 1/4 cup flour, 3 cups stock

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Rub turkey with butter, oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.

3. Stuff cavity with lemon, onion, herbs; lay veggies in pan.

4. Roast, basting every 45 min, until thigh reaches 165°F (74°C).

5. Rest 20–30 min. For gravy: whisk drippings + flour, slowly add stock, simmer until thick.

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled/cubed

• 4 garlic cloves, peeled

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 cup warm milk or cream

• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Boil potatoes + garlic in salted water until tender.

2. Mash with butter, adding milk gradually.

3. Season to taste.

Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Carrots

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25–30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 3 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss veggies with oil, maple, Dijon, salt & pepper.

3. Roast 25–30 min, tossing halfway, until caramelized.

Classic Sage Stuffing

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 10 cups cubed day-old bread

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 onion + 2 celery stalks, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tsp sage, 2 tsp thyme

• 2 cups chicken stock

• 1 egg

• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Sauté onion, celery, garlic in butter. Add herbs.

3. Toss with bread, stock, egg.

4. Bake covered 30 min, uncovered 15 min.

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz (340 g) cranberries

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

1. Simmer cranberries, sugar, juice until berries burst.

2. Stir in zest, cool before serving.

Harvest Salad with Apple & Pecans

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 cups greens

• 1 apple, sliced

• 1/2 cup toasted pecans

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/4 cup goat cheese

Dressing: 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon, 1 tsp honey, salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Toss greens, apple, pecans, cranberries, goat cheese.

2. Whisk dressing, drizzle before serving.

Pumpkin Pie with Maple Whipped Cream

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust

• 1 can (398 mL) pumpkin puree

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup evaporated milk

Maple Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

1. Preheat oven 425°F (220°C).

2. Mix pumpkin, sugar, spices, eggs, milk. Pour into crust.

3. Bake 15 min, reduce to 350°F (175°C), bake 40 min.

4. Whip cream + maple syrup, top pie slices.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes and what you think of them. I also wouldn’t be opposed to leftovers! Happy Thanksgiving!