Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

[Mrs. Ciz]

Thanksgiving is tricky for my family. My 20 something kids do not like Thanksgiving food. SMH. DH hates traveling that weekend, and after years of being on the road when the kids are little, we’ve stayed home the last several years. I used to spend all day cooking a gourmet turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Since Tgiving is usually only the 4 of us (me, DH, DS23, DD21), it’s not worth doing all that cooking when my kids don’t even like the food. So we’ve gone out for fancy Thanksgiving buffets the last several years because then everyone is happy.

This year buffets are obviously out. Instead we looked at all the take out options at various restaurants and grocery stores and finally settled on.....Cracker Barrel. I ordered the Hot and Ready meal today for pick up on Tgiving day: turkey, stuffing, sugar cured ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, mac & cheese, cranberry relish, country green beans, rolls, chocolate pecan pie. We’ll add a couple pieces of fried chicken (for DS), a Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pie, ice cream and whipped cream. Done!

What are you having/making/ordering for Thanksgiving dinner?

 

[Farro]

Well, it's seeming like it's going to just be the two of us this year, sooo....

Chips and dips!
Gourmet grilled cheeses and fries!
Pizza!
Portillos chocolate cake!
Limoncello!
Wine!

 

[CynBeth]

It is always just 3 of us my DH, DM, and myself and they have food allergies so we make the same meal every year that we are not in Disney and have for 3 nights which is turkey (we buy a breast), crock pot stuffing, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, non dairy corn bread muffins, and a non dairy pumpkin pie. We also have canned jellied cranberry sauce and canned green beans.

 

[SaintsManiac]

It’s just 3 of us, so keeping it simple:

Deviled eggs
Spinach and artichoke dip
Charcuterie board
Chili will be slow cooking all day
Brownie pie

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What are you having/making/ordering for Thanksgiving dinner?

There's only been 4 of us for several years now. 2 or 3 years ago I started cooking the turkey the day before (and stuffing). After it's cooked, carve it and put in oven-proof dish covered, then refrigerate til the next day.

Dinner on Thanksgiving is turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes (most of the time), jello salad, Hawaiian rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie (for later).

Cooking the turkey the day before means that it only takes about 1-1 1/2 hours to get the meal together on the day. And mom (me) is ready to eat. When I cooked all day, by the time I get to the table I'm just not ready to dig into all that good food.

Of course, this year, I'm going to have to wait to buy the turkey. I just don't have space for it in the freezer with all the "just in case" supplies that we've had to buy this year.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Traditional....

Turkey
Bread dressing
Oyster dressing
Mashed potatoes
Dumplings
Green beans
Sweet potato casserole
Rolls
Pumpkin, chocolate, and pecan pies.

 

[lynxstch]

Just the 2 of us this year--
Small whole turkey
mashed potatoes
stuffing
gravy
either asparagus or brussel sprouts
either corn or a small swiss corn casserole
rolls
cranberry sauce
I don't like pumpkin pie, hubby does (but isn't supposed to eat it) so I have to come up with something else for dessert

 

[disneychrista]

I will be making a scaled down "Traditional" Thanksgiving Meal.

Roasted Turkey Breast
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing
Cranberry "jelly"
Green Beans (steamed, not casserole)
Homemade Wheat Rolls

Dessert will either be a Pumpkin Spice Cheezecake or Peach Turnovers. Depends on if I can find the Cheezecake or not.

Everything, other than the Turkey will be vegan.

 

[Meriweather]

6 of us for dinner and then 2 more later for dessert

DIL is hosting. She mentioned turkey, green beans, corn casserole, gravy, rolls
I have been assigned mashed potatoes, cheese and meat tray, dessert which will be Flourless chocolate cake

Also making a caramel cheesecake for DD to take to her boyfriend's and rolls.

 

[mara512]

There's only been 4 of us for several years now. 2 or 3 years ago I started cooking the turkey the day before (and stuffing). After it's cooked, carve it and put in oven-proof dish covered, then refrigerate til the next day.

Dinner on Thanksgiving is turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes (most of the time), jello salad, Hawaiian rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie (for later).

Cooking the turkey the day before means that it only takes about 1-1 1/2 hours to get the meal together on the day. And mom (me) is ready to eat. When I cooked all day, by the time I get to the table I'm just not ready to dig into all that good food.

Of course, this year, I'm going to have to wait to buy the turkey. I just don't have space for it in the freezer with all the "just in case" supplies that we've had to buy this year.

When you reheat the Turkey what do you do to keep it moist?

 

[design_mom]

Ugh. A bone of contention.

I thought we had agreed we weren't getting together so I had started planning a non-traditional thanksgiving meal (I don't like Thanksgiving food either, and I don't think my kids are fans either. My husband likes it but said he was fine doing something else.) I was planning steak, baked potatoes, a good salad, and homemade crusty bread. In my house, I think that's everyone's favorite meal and we were all looking forward to it.

However, MIL has decided that we should all make our normal thanksgiving meal (MIL usually hosts and makes most of it, but SIL and I provide things, too) Then we'll divide it up into portions for each family, meet briefly "in the middle" to exchange food, then take it back to our own houses to reheat. So now, I'm getting not only a meal I don't like... but a REHEATED one. (I'm not a fan of leftovers either.) I'm not thrilled... but this is a holiday that we always spend with my husband's family so I don't want to make waves. So, I guess we're doing the reheated traditional meal Thursday (gag) and we're going to do the steak dinner on Friday. Sigh.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

It’s just 3 of us, so keeping it simple:

Deviled eggs
Spinach and artichoke dip
Charcuterie board
Chili will be slow cooking all day
Brownie pie

My kids would like your menu! I might borrow it for Christmas dinner. Last Christmas I made shrimp & grits, which was a hit, so I’d have to add that too. It’s crazy that I’m STILL trying to figure out what our traditional holiday dishes are after all this time.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Ugh. A bone of contention.

I thought we had agreed we weren't getting together so I had started planning a non-traditional thanksgiving meal (I don't like Thanksgiving food either, and I don't think my kids are fans either. My husband likes it but said he was fine doing something else.) I was planning steak, baked potatoes, a good salad, and homemade crusty bread. In my house, I think that's everyone's favorite meal and we were all looking forward to it.

However, MIL has decided that we should all make our normal thanksgiving meal (MIL usually hosts and makes most of it, but SIL and I provide things, too) Then we'll divide it up into portions for each family, meet briefly "in the middle" to exchange food, then take it back to our own houses to reheat. So now, I'm getting not only a meal I don't like... but a REHEATED one. (I'm not a fan of leftovers either.) I'm not thrilled... but this is a holiday that we always spend with my husband's family so I don't want to make waves. So, I guess we're doing the reheated traditional meal Thursday (gag) and we're going to do the steak dinner on Friday. Sigh.

At least you still get the yummy steak dinner over Thanksgiving weekend. And your DMIL will be happy. The compromise is nice, but I’m so sorry you still have to cook part of your not so favorite traditional meal.

 

[AuntieMe3]

Our Thanksgiving is going to be the same people as always the 3 of us and my parents but now we just added my grandma(she doesn't want to be alone but doesn't want to go to the larger family function other family members are planning) and our nephew who is working in CA from WA and now can't go home because of the new quarantine recommendation for both states.

I'll be making all the traditional stuff we always have.....turkey, red mashed potatoes and gravy, my AMAZING cornbread stuffing(seriously...its just soo good), green bean casserole, some type of sweet potato casserole, green beans casserole, rolls, homemade cranberry sauce, a green salad with roasted butternut squash, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese and balsamic vinegarette. For dessert, we have homemade apple pie and either pumpkin pie or cheesecake(haven't decided which yet).

I'm also not a big fan of turkey but I like everything else....especially my yum yum stuffing. LOL

 

[SaintsManiac]

My kids would like your menu! I might borrow it for Christmas dinner. Last Christmas I made shrimp & grits, which was a hit, so I’d have to add that too. It’s crazy that I’m STILL trying to figure out what our traditional holiday dishes are after all this time.

We did the charcuterie for Christmas last year and it was a big hit! I think it’s a good option for a small group.

 

[xjillianpaige]

My family did an early Thanksgiving on the 70 degree November day so that we could eat outside and include my grandparents. On actual Thanksgiving we'll have my aunt and uncle over and bring "to-go" meals to the grandparents.

The menu will beeee.... turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, apple sauce, peas, squash, cranberry sauce. Apple pie. Pumpkin pie. I might make some sort of cranberry/brie thing.

 

[NannyBeBe]

Fortunately my entire family is in the same bubble, so we can have our traditional dinner:
Roast turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Macaroni and Cheese
Corn
A huge amount of gravy
Deviled Eggs
Cranberry Sauce
Our traditional punch - half 7-Up and half grape juice
Sparkling Cider
Crescent rolls
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When you reheat the Turkey what do you do to keep it moist?

I found this online a couple of years ago. lt works for me:
Step 1. Roast the turkey.
Step 2. When done, cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for 30-45 minutes. This allows the juices to settle into the meat before it is cut. If you cut it too soon the juices will run out, resulting in a dry turkey.
Step 3. Carve the turkey.

• Cut the turkey breast in 3/4" thick slices. If you slice it too thinly, the turkey won't hold in the juices as well and remain as moist.

Step 4. Place the sliced turkey in a baking pan that will fit in your refrigerator. Keep the sliced pieces pressed together. Drizzle pan juices on turkey.
Step 5. Cover the sliced turkey with plastic wrap, pressing it down to close any air pockets. This also helps retain moisture in the turkey.
Step 6. Cover the pan with a lid or piece of aluminum foil and refrigerate.

Here's how to reheat and serve the turkey.
Step 7. Remove turkey from fridge and rest on counter for 30-45 minutes to allow it to return to room temperature
Step 8. Remove the plastic wrap and spread out the turkey slices in an even layer. For quick, even heating, it's best to spread the slices in a single layer, overlapping them slightly--don't stack them if you can avoid it.
Step 9. Drizzle chicken or turkey broth evenly over all of the sliced meat. You can use canned broth or make your own. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil.
Step 10. Reheat the turkey without overcooking it.
If you've taken care to roast your turkey properly so that it has remained moist, you don't want to undo that by overcooking it and drying it out during the reheating process. There are two methods; choose the one that works best for you. With both methods, the turkey should be in an even shallow layer in a baking pan. If it's piled too high, the outside layers will overcook before the center layers are hot.

• FLASH REHEATING at a high temperature is a method often used by restaurants chefs. The concept is simple. Put room temperature food in shallow, covered pans, and put it in a 450 degree oven for approx. 7-15 minutes. It heats the food fast (in a FLASH) without cooking it further. This is the method I recommend if you don't need the oven set to a lower temperature for cooking other dishes at the same time.
• STANDARD REHEATING in a 350 degree oven is another option that normally will take 25-30 minutes for room temperature turkey to be heated through. This method is the best option if you have other dishes that need to cook in the oven at the same time at that temperature.

Either way, the important thing is to remove the turkey from the oven as soon as it's heated through completely without letting it overcook. Ovens and cooking times can vary, so I recommend checking on it about half way into the reheating process to help you gauge when to remove it from the oven.
Step 11. Transfer the hot turkey to a serving platter. I like to use a fish spatula for this--it's nice and long, so I can neatly transfer a whole row of turkey slices at once.
Step 12. Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of hot broth over the turkey just before serving. There should be some hot broth in the bottom of the reheating pan that can be used for this.

 

[anniemae]

It will most likely be just our family. I want to support a local restaurant. We are checking out different restaurant menus for take out dinners. Some are really yummy looking! We will have to choose one soon so we can place the order.

 

[neverlandsky]

Husband normally works Thanksgiving and he has this year off for the first time in 14 years. We’re keeping to the tradition I have with the kids of making husband’s grandma’s hot dip and chips. That is a must have.

I have made all the traditional Thanksgiving food in years past to go with the above, yet it seems to go to waste, leftovers for days, and/or we overeat. Figured it might be best to support a local restaurant and everyone agreed on sushi. Yet due to the rise in cases, my backup plan is leg of lamb or steak with chimichurri, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.