The Thanksgiving Menu I’ve Made for Years
I never thought that when I got married, I would become the Thanksgiving person.
When I got married in 2014, I definitely did not have a Thanksgiving menu memorized or a bunch of family recipes tucked away. I had to learn how to make Thanksgiving dinner myself.
Somewhere along the way, I figured out what worked for me.
Now, years later, I have a handful of recipes that I come back to almost every Thanksgiving. Some things change from year to year, but there are certain dishes that have become part of our Thanksgiving table.
This isn’t a fancy Thanksgiving menu or a meal where I make absolutely everything from scratch. I’ve learned that Thanksgiving is much more enjoyable when I give myself some shortcuts and prep whatever I can ahead of time.
So here is the Thanksgiving menu I usually make, along with the recipes I’ve been using for years.
The Turkey
The turkey is obviously the main event, and I’ve learned that I much prefer prepping it the day before instead of trying to do everything Thanksgiving morning.
I follow this turkey recipe every year:
I’ll get everything prepared the day before so that on Thanksgiving morning, I’m not starting from zero. It makes such a difference when you already have most of the work done.
Crockpot Creamed Corn
This is one of my favorite easy Thanksgiving sides because the crockpot does most of the work.
Some years I’ll make this, and other years I’ll switch it up and make corn on the cob in the crockpot instead. I don’t follow a recipe for this one. It’s just something I’ve been doing for years.
For the corn on the cob, I add butter and salt to each piece of corn, wrap them individually in aluminum foil, and stack them in the crockpot. I add a little water to the bottom of the crockpot so the corn doesn’t burn.
Another make-ahead tip: I prep and wrap all of the corn the night before and keep it in the refrigerator. On Thanksgiving, I can just take it out and put everything into the crockpot.
Both are easy options when you already have a lot happening in the kitchen.
Mac & Cheese
If I’m making mac and cheese, I like to make it the night before.
There is something so nice about having another dish completely finished before Thanksgiving morning.
This is one of those recipes that I don’t necessarily make every single year. It depends on what else I’m making and how much food I want on the table.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are another one that changes depending on the year.
Sometimes I make them myself. Sometimes I use a box.
And honestly? I’m okay with that.
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean making every single thing from scratch. If using a shortcut means I have more time to spend with my family, I’ll take it.
My Mom’s Stuffing
This is my mom’s stuffing recipe, and it’s one of those dishes that has to be on our Thanksgiving table. She starts with Stove Top Chicken Stuffing Mix and adds celery and walnuts. It’s really simple, but those little additions make it so good.
Ingredients
2 boxes Stove Top Chicken Stuffing Mix
1 small package celery
About 4 oz walnuts
Small drizzle of olive oil
3 cups water
Butter, according to the stuffing package directions
Directions
Add the celery and walnuts to a food processor with a small drizzle of olive oil. Pulse until finely chopped.
Prepare both boxes of Stove Top Chicken Stuffing according to the package directions, using about 3 cups of water total.
Once the water and butter are ready, turn off the heat.
Stir in both boxes of stuffing mix.
Add the chopped celery and walnut mixture and stir everything together.
Cover and let it sit according to the package directions, then fluff and serve.
My little Thanksgiving tradition: This isn’t a completely from-scratch stuffing, and that’s exactly why I love it. My mom took something simple and made it her own. I’ve been making it this way for years, and now it’s one of those dishes that just tastes like Thanksgiving to me.
Sautéed Green Beans
Sometimes I’ll also make green beans.
Nothing complicated. Just sautéed green beans as an easy vegetable side.
Some years they’re on the table and some years they aren’t. That’s kind of how my Thanksgiving menu works.
I have my regular favorites, and then I add or remove things depending on the year.
My Thanksgiving Shortcut: Prep Ahead
If I’ve learned anything after making Thanksgiving dinner for all these years, it’s that I don’t want to spend the entire morning cooking.
I’ll prep whatever I can the day before.
The turkey gets prepared ahead of time. If I’m making mac and cheese, I’ll usually make it the night before. Some sides can be completely finished ahead of time, while others just need a little prep.
And when it comes to mashed potatoes, I’ll decide whether I’m making them from scratch or taking the shortcut that year.
There is no Thanksgiving cooking rulebook in my house.
Our Thanksgiving Menu
So if you’re wondering what usually ends up on our table, this is the lineup:
Turkey
Creamed corn or crockpot corn on the cob
Mac and cheese
Mashed potatoes
My mom’s stuffing with walnuts and celery
Sautéed green beans
And whatever else I decide to add that year
It has changed a little over the years, but these recipes have been part of our Thanksgiving for a long time.
And I love that when I look back at pictures from different Thanksgivings, I can see how our family has changed right along with the menu.
What started as me trying to figure out how to cook Thanksgiving after getting married has turned into something I actually look forward to every year.
I never planned on becoming the Thanksgiving person.
But apparently, that’s who I am now.
Save this post for Thanksgiving and come back each year for the recipes I actually make for my family.
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