People Share 30 Weird Thanksgiving Recipes That Their Families Refuse To Abandon (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular alternative to turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Foods traditionally served at Thanksgiving include roasted turkey, roast beef, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, various autumn vegetables (including various kinds of squashes, but also Brussels sprouts), pumpkin pie, apple pie, and glazed yams.

Turkey is a lean protein and the calories won't get out of hand if you choose a flavorful baked recipe, like Ina's classic herb-roasted bird.

Adult female turkeys are called hens. Juvenile females are called jennies.

But according to the two only remaining historical records of the first Thanksgiving menu, that meal consisted of freshly killed deer, assorted wildfowl, cod, bass, and flint, and a native variety of corn harvested by the Native Americans, which was eaten as corn bread and porridge.

But there was definitely no shortage of options, as Native Americans marked celebratory meals with plenty of fish, produce, and wild rice. Want a fully Indigenous-inspired Thanksgiving meal? Pair our whole roasted trout with roasted turnips, fried cornbread, and wild rice pudding for dessert.

Among the Puritan colonists, Thursday may have been tradition to distance the event from the Sabbath day. Thursday was also a typical day for lectures in New England, which may have contributed to the reason Thanksgiving is a Thursday.

Canadians are big consumers of grain products, vegetables and meats when they wake up. Bread, bagels, eggs, deli meats, cereals, white beans… a whole selection of healthy foods to start the day off right.

What colors are for Thanksgiving? ›

Much like red and green symbolize Christmas, Thanksgiving has its own set of special hues. While, technically, just about any color can be incorporated into a Thanksgiving table setting or holiday theme, the Thanksgiving color scheme most people associate with Turkey Day is orange, brown, red and yellow.

In general, pie reigns supreme as a Thanksgiving dessert. While some families have their nice selections of pie servings, tradition says apple, pumpkin pie, and a southern pecan pie are the go-tos, typically made with a buttery pastry pie crust.

What Wasn't Served at the First Thanksgiving. It is also worth noting what was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast. There were no cloudlike heaps of mashed potatoes, since white potatoes had not yet crossed over from South America.

Green bean casserole is Texas' favorite Thanksgiving side dish. See list of top 5 dishes. Rejoice, fellow green bean casserole lovers. A new report found the dish is the Lone Star State's favorite Thanksgiving side.

Roast chicken or cornish hens - A whole chicken or a few hens can feed a crowd for less cost than a turkey. Roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions for a homey meal. Lasagna - Make an oversized lasagna with a meat sauce or go meatless. Add a salad and garlic bread for a satisfying Italian-style feast.