Top Thanksgiving Recipes – 2016 Edition

 

The Holidays are here! And Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away from leaving us all searching for ideas of what to prepare for our family, guests or coworkers at the company potluck.  However, we all know that preparing a Thanksgiving meal is no easy feat and especially if you’re trying to do it on your own! So, that’s where we come in! We’ve searched for the tastiest Thanksgiving recipes and we also have some tips and instructions on how you should tackle this meal and leave everyone wobbling and gobbling for more! Get it?

Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes:

At your table, this will be the guest of honor! The question is how will it arrive? Roasted, deep-fried, smoked, spatchcocked and the list goes on! Despite the long and elaborate list of options, we decided to go with the most “traditional” way, roasting, as well as the fastest way.

There is one thing we need you to keep in mind before you continue reading. You need 3-4 days for your turkey to thaw in the refrigerator before roasting day arrives. So if you’re reading this on or around November 19th, go get your turkey! We’ll be here when you get back!

Easy Turkey Recipe:

Easy Roast Turkey by Chowhound

Easy. Roast. Turkey. Need they say more? We’ve come to agree that this turkey recipe is by far, sweet, easy and to the point. However, leave it up to our chefs at FTC to add a few tips that will help raise the flavor bar just a few notches.

• Roast a few garlic cloves the night before or the day and spread of them under the skin. When you roast garlic cloves they turn into butter. If you really like garlic, feel free to rub it everywhere!
• We all know turkey can taste a bit dry, but it doesn’t have to! If you like your meats to have a bit of a citrusy taste, take the juice of a few oranges and inject the juice into the turkey. If you’re not a huge fan of citrus, buy a nice Italian dressing, yes! Italian dressing has all the desired flavors and when using it for roasting the end result promises to be superb!

 

Traditional Turkey Recipe:

Thanksgiving Pioneer-Style Herb Roasted Turkey – By FoodNetwork

We don’t think it can get more traditional than “Pioneer-Style”! This delicious creation is by none other than the famous Mr. Bobby Flay!

Our FTC chefs give this recipe a five star review! If you have the time and the ingredients, this recipe promises to be flavorful and does not require any altering or figuring out.

Can’t get better than that!

Fastest Turkey Recipes:

Spatchcock Turkey by Ovens.Reviewed

Butterfly roast turkey by Seriouseats

When we say fastest, we are referring to the cooking time. Depending on the size, a turkey can take hours to cook and making sure it has cooked through properly is always a challenge, especially if you’re a first-timer in the thanksgiving turkey game.

So, here is an alternative way for you to still make a delicious turkey, while having it cooked to perfection in HALF the time!

Butterfly it! Yes, cut out that backbone and flatten it before roasting! “Spatchcocking Is Still the Fastest, Easiest, Best Way to Roast a Turkey”

Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

What would the guest of honor be without its entourage?

Even though a well-prepared turkey will steal the show, delicious side dishes are necessary additions to its performance. If the different ways of preparing a turkey seemed never-ending, the different sides you can choose from will take the cake!

From stuffing to sweet mashed potatoes, to corn and Brussel sprouts, and we can’t forget the cranberry sauce; the list for sides goes on and on, but the plus is that you can go with whatever you like!

That’s right, there’s ultimately no right or wrong choice to make on your side dishes.

Our FTC chefs decided to choose a few of their favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes and give you a few different options for each!

Stuffing recipes

Cornbread stuffing by BudgetSavydiva

Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing by Damndelicious

Slow Cooker Cranberry pecan Stuffing by Damndelicious

Ciabatta stuffing with chestnuts and pancetta recipe by Foodnetwork

Mac & Cheese Recipes

Macaroni and Cheese Recipe By Foodnetwork

The Mac and Cheese recipe by Thatwhichnourishes

Macaroni Cheese recipe by Thepioneerwoman

Three-Cheese Spaghetti Squash Gratin (non pasta option ) by Chowhound

Sweet potatoes Recipes

Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potato Bake  by Food.com

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Browned Butter and Toasted Marshmallows by AllRecipes

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes by FoodNetwork

Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Parmesan by Cafedelites

 Brussel Sprouts Recipes

Roasted Brussels sprouts Recipe by Foodnetwork

Quick Brussels and Bacon Recipe by AllRecipes

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts by Eat Yourself Skinny

Gravy and Cranberry Sauces Recipes 

Gravy Recipes:

Caramelized Onion Gravy Recipe By Ohmyveggies

Homemade Turkey Gravy by Whatsgabycooking

The Best Turkey Gravy Recipe By Momontimeout

Make ahead Turkey Thanksgiving Gravy by Noblepig

 

Want to combine Brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes? Here you go:

Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts recipe by TheFoodCharlatan

Cranberry Sauces Recipes:

How to make a cranberry sauce: the Basics by Chowhound

Orange Amaretto Cranberry Sauce by The Farmgirlgabs

Cranberry Sauce Recipe By Food Network

Cranberry Sauce Recipe by Allrecipes.com

Other fun (not as traditional) side dishes:

Easy Pumpkin Pasties Recipe by Popsugar

Sausage and Stuffing Balls with Cranberry Dipping Sauce by I should be mopping the floor

Cranberry Brie Crostini By Neighborfood Blog

Brie Baked Cheese Appetizer By Growingupbagel

Spinach Puffs By Deliciouslydeclassified

Sweet and Spicy Sausage stuffed mushrooms By Thesuburbansoapbox

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes:

Pumpkin Pie Recipes

Classic Pumpkin Pie By Foodnessgracious

Apple Pie By Audrey’s Apron

Pecan Pie By Sally’s Baking Addiction

Other Dessert recipes

Carrot Cake By Allrecipes.com

 

Thanksgiving Preparation Tips :

OKAY! So now that all the Thanksgiving recipes are out of the way we want to remind you of one very, VERY important thing – DO NOT leave everything for the last minute. There are many things that you can start prepping prior to the big day!

• Season your turkey 3 days prior. You’ll be happy you did it and your guests will love how flavorful your turkey will turn out.
• Making Brussel sprouts? Wash and drain them the night before. It seems like something small, but any bit of time you can save will go a long way.
• Cranberry sauce can be ready to go the day before or even 2 days!
• Preparing mac and cheese? Cook that pasta the day before, BUT make sure it’s Al Dente!
• Did you buy blocks of cheese? Grate that cheese the day before as well!
• Peel your potatoes the night before and refrigerate.
• Making stuffing with cornbread? You can buy pre-made cornbread from your local supermarket or make it the day before.
• Are you considering throwing some Ciabatta bread in that stuffing? Chop it up the night prior.
• Making a pumpkin or sweet potato-based cake from scratch? Leave those ingredients prepared the night before.
• Making homemade icing? You can prepare it the night before as well.

 

As you can see there are many things that can be started the day prior. You may be thinking “I don’t want to spend one-day prepping things for the next day,” but believe us, you will be very happy you did! Breaking everything up allows you to really focus on cooking the day of, instead of worrying that you won’t have enough time to cook things the way you would have liked because the prepping of it took longer than expected. The bottom line is, start getting prepared now! Buy all the possible ingredients you may need. Don’t be afraid to buy a little extra, it’s better than not having enough! Supermarkets are a zoo the day before! Plus, it’s bound to get used up during the post-Thanksgiving leftover extravaganza!