For those of us based in the United States, Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. While “Turkey Day” in 2020 will look vastly different for many of us (thanks, COVID), one thing remains constant — good food. With that in mind, here is a drool-worthy, savory menu of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes from our families to yours.
Stay safe, put on your favorite Thanksgiving episode of Friends, and enjoy good food, y’all. Have a favorite dish from your family’s holiday traditions? Share it in the comments below!
The Drinks
Mark: Pour two fingers of Blanton’s. Add one ice cube. Sip, as needed. Repeat, as necessary.
Rob M: This Thanksgiving I’ll be pairing my Belfour Bourbon Whiskey, finished with Texas Pecan Wood. Finish over an ice cube, or enjoy it neat. Either way, keep it close as we take in the weekly dose of 2020 Cowboys football.
The Appetizers
Tyler: You might think an appetizer is the last thing you need for Thanksgiving. But if everyone is fasting in preparation for the big dinner, what are they going to do when waiting around for the main course? The solution? A jarlsberg cheese dip — just add chopped onions and mayonnaise and mix it all together. It’s a weird combination, but once you start dipping, you won’t stop!
The Starches
Robert: If I were home, I would make my sweet potato casserole the correct way — pouring melted marshmallows on top of things is always a terrible idea. Caramelized shallots, high-quality honey, pecans, and crumbled bacon (optional) can make one of the most naturally delicious dishes the star of the show. It will make your sister’s green beans wilt in comparison, and isn’t that really what it’s all about?
Ann: It isn’t Thanksgiving in the Atkinson household without mac and cheese. Honestly, it isn’t one of the high holy days anywhere without mac and cheese. My mom has this “recipe” that was passed down from her mom who got it from lord knows where, but my mom can’t even write down what the recipe is because it’s very much “and then you stir it until it plops like this” and “you keep adding cheese until Jesus tells you to stop.” Honestly the only firm measurement I can remember is that you want one cup more of the cheese mixture than macaroni noodles and then you bake it until you’re literally salivating. It’s delicious.
The Greens
Logan: Robert may want to outshine his sister’s dish, but we all know that the green bean casserole is the far better of the two. This year, I’m baking my mom’s green bean casserole recipe. Mix together green beans with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, almond slivers, whole pomegranate seeds, and salt and pepper. Sprinkle with crispy fried onions and then bake until everything is bubbling. Trust me on the pomegranate seeds; they add a sharp and sweet burst of flavor that is out of this world. You’re welcome.
The Main
Wes: My turkey day dish, and biggest Thanksgiving pleasure is… well… the turkey. There’s just something about waking up at the crack of dawn and just BOSSING the kitchen all day. Then, the bird comes out and it’s one of life’s magic moments. When you’re the one who nails The Thanksgiving Turkey, it’s a BIG TIME feeling. Nothing like it.
Wes loves cooking the turkey and cooking it right, but we’ll let y’all settle this debate once and for all…
What is the superior Thanksgiving dinner main course?
| Butterball turkey (obviously) | 45 |
| Spiralized honeyed ham | 18 |
| No main, we eat like true side dish devotees | 15 |
The Desserts
Taylor: I‘m making my great grandmother’s homemade Chocolate Meringue Pie this year. It’s decadent and delicious, and we could all use a little decadency given all that 2020 has decided to give us.
KT: Who doesn’t love pumpkin pie? If you answered, “Me,” this recipe is for you. As in all things, balance is key. In this thing, it’s the spices. So for God’s sake don’t substitute a random blend because you reckon it’s all the same anyway, or cut out the salt in a half-assed attempt at “eating healthy.” (It’s dessert. Don’t kid yourself.)