Everyone knows Thanksgiving is the feast of all feasts. While we give thanks for the year’s bountiful harvests and sit around the table with family, it’s obvious that the best part is the food at Thanksgiving dinner. You know what I’m talking about – stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pies (apple, pecan, pumpkin, cherry, the list goes on), and of course, turkey. But hey, who said these delicious cuisines can’t be eaten on any day of the year? No one. So with that in mind, get your taste buds prepared and excited for Thanksgiving this year by trying these twists on typical Thanksgiving foods. Your taste buds will thank you.
Open-faced Thanksgiving sandwich
Ever wanted to throw all your favorite Thanksgiving foods on a flat piece of stuffing? Check out this turkey-bacon-cranberry-graving-stuffing sandwich recipe.
Turkey cranberry bagel
Photo courtesy of Catherine McCord
Anybody who has ever eaten a bagel has enjoyed that experience. Now you can have both the bready goodness of bagels and the infamous cranberry-turkey Thanksgiving combo all in one.
Cranberry pecan feta salad
Why wouldn’t you have this salad any day of the year? It’s quick to make, and you can personalize it by adding anything else you like or find in your fridge.
Pumpkin or squash spinach salad
Photo by Jackie Maloney
This is an awesome salad to try in the fall, when pumpkin and squash are in season. The honey and homemade dressing in this recipe add a deliciously sweet twist to your regular salad.
Pomegranate-persimmon salad
Goat cheese, persimmons, walnuts and pomegranate…need I say more?
Apple, brie, and pecan panini
Photo by Hannah Giardina
Paninis are soooo good. This one has apples, pecans, melty gooey brie cheese, and it’s made on raisin bread. Try it.
Spiced pecan pumpkin bread
Photo courtesy of SeasonWithSpice.com
Pecans and pumpkin are Thanksgiving staples, and this bread loaf is definitely making my mouth drool for Thanksgiving dinner.
Pecan-crusted sweet potatoes
Photo courtesy of Jules Clancy
You can make these as a side dish on Thanksgiving, or you can make them now. I’d rather not wait.
Buttered pecan and butterscotch ice cream
Photo Courtesy of Poires au Chocolat
This fall-inspired ice cream looks absolutely fantastic. You can even get creative and try to incorporate this recipe into an experimental banana ice cream.
Butternut squash mac and cheese with sage and gingersnap-pecan crust
Photo by Parisa Soraya
This recipe screams Thanksgiving, but it seems a bit too untraditional for the fancy dinner table. Make it now instead!
Still not satisfied? Check out more Thanksgiving fun here: