It’s nearly the most wonderful time of the year! What, Christmas? No, no, Thanksgiving! Scrumptious food, football, friends and family; what isn’t there to love? While your family argues about the latest political news, you’ll be chowing down on the wonderful feast laid out before you. Where should you start? There are so many different options! You can’t go wrong with the classics, so here to help you out are some of the best traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
Oven-Roasted Turkey
No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without this staple dish. Cooked golden brown and slathered in a glistening glaze, turkey is an absolute must during the holiday season. Be sure to grab a thigh, breast, or leg (if you’re lucky enough) and take a bite of smoked turkey this Thanksgiving.
Ham
Sure, it’s not a turkey, but it is a fine substitution if you want something a little sweeter. Some might consider turkey a bit dry, but you won’t have that problem here. A thinly sliced bit of honey-glazed ham is mouthwatering, to say the least. If you can’t decide between ham or turkey, have both! It is Thanksgiving, after all.
Sweet Potatoes
Part potato, part dessert, wholly delicious. Sweet potatoes are often seen at both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and for good reason. These spuds are great on their own, but add some brown sugar, butter, and marshmallows? Forget about it. It’s just too good to resist!
Mashed Potatoes
Back to the classic. Mashed potatoes are exactly what one would expect, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t popular. Rather than being full of sugary goodness, this potato variation is creamy, easy to make, and full of flavor. Not only that, but they can be topped with green onion, sour cream, cheese, bits of bacon, and, of course, gravy. How could you eat mashed potatoes without gravy? Now you just need to decide between white or brown.
Stuffing
This stuff is good straight from the box, but when it’s homemade, it’s an entirely different experience. It can be put into a turkey or just eaten by itself, because it’s just that good. Starchy, dressing, and sprinkled with herbs, you’ve got to try this dish at least once.
Cranberry Sauce
If you’ve only had cranberry sauce from a can, you’re seriously missing out. When the time and effort is put into making it from scratch, it has the potential to steal the show. Many seem to pass on this dish, but just give it a chance. You might find something new that you like!
Pumpkin Pie
Let’s end with the number one Thanksgiving dessert: pumpkin pie. This seasonal dish was made for the fall. It perfectly encompasses sweet, pumpkiny goodness into the pie form in a way that keeps us coming back for more. Don’t forget to garnish with a hefty dollop of whipped cream!
Gobble Gobble!
Don’t feel bad about gorging yourself–Thanksgiving only comes once a year! But if you want to burn off the extra calories before Christmas rolls around, you might need to hit the treadmill for a few weeks. Be sure to lace up comfortable shoes so you don’t get blisters and bunions, otherwise, you’ll be visiting Northwest Surgery Center to get rid of them. It all sounds delicious, so what are you waiting for? Dig in!