Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and enjoy a delicious feast of traditional and modern dishes. But what are the most popular and beloved Thanksgiving foods in 2023?
And how can you prepare them in a way that will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds? In this article, we will reveal the top 10 Thanksgiving foods for 2023, based on surveys, trends, and expert opinions.
Top 10 Thanksgiving Foods for 2023
We will also share some tips and recipes on how to make them at home, or where to order them from if you prefer. Whether you are hosting or attending a Thanksgiving dinner, these are the foods you don’t want to miss!
Turkey
The star of the Thanksgiving table is still the turkey, but not just any turkey. According to the National Turkey Federation, more than 40 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving each year, but consumers are increasingly looking for organic, free-range, and heritage breeds of turkeys that offer more flavor and quality. Some of the most popular turkey varieties for 2023 are Bourbon Red, Narragansett, Royal Palm, and Broad Breasted Bronze. To cook a perfect turkey, you need to brine it overnight, season it well, and roast it at a high temperature until golden and juicy. You can also try some creative variations, such as spatchcocking, smoking, or deep-frying your turkey.
Stuffing
Stuffing is the ultimate comfort food for Thanksgiving, and there are endless ways to customize it to your liking. The most common ingredients for stuffing are bread cubes, celery, onion, butter, broth, and herbs, but you can also add sausage, bacon, chestnuts, cranberries, apples, mushrooms, or cheese for extra flavor and texture. You can either bake your stuffing in a casserole dish or stuff it inside the turkey cavity (but make sure to cook it thoroughly). Some of the most popular stuffing recipes for 2023 are cornbread stuffing with chorizo and jalapeños, sourdough stuffing with sage and sausage, and wild rice stuffing with pecans and dried cherries.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish for Thanksgiving, and they are easy to make and versatile to pair with any gravy or sauce. The secret to creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes is to use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold, peel and cut them into even pieces, boil them until tender, drain them well, and mash them with butter, cream, salt, and pepper. You can also add some garlic, cheese, herbs, or sour cream for extra flavor. Some of the most popular mashed potato recipes for 2023 are garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, vegan mashed potatoes with almond milk, and loaded mashed potato casserole with bacon and cheese.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a tangy and sweet condiment that complements the savory flavors of turkey and stuffing. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can boost your immune system and prevent urinary tract infections. You can make your own cranberry sauce by simmering fresh or frozen cranberries with sugar, water, orange juice, and spices until they burst and thicken. You can also add some nuts, dried fruits, or liqueur for extra flavor. Some of the most popular cranberry sauce recipes for 2023 are cranberry orange sauce with cinnamon, cranberry apple sauce with ginger, and cranberry chutney with jalapeños.
Green Bean
Casserole Green bean casserole is a creamy and crunchy side dish that was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a Campbell Soup Company employee who wanted to create a new way to use cream of mushroom soup. The original recipe consists of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, and fried onions, but you can also make it from scratch with fresh ingredients or use different types of soup or cheese for more flavor. Some of the most popular green bean casserole recipes for 2023 are green bean casserole with bacon and cheese, vegan green bean casserole with cashew cream, and green bean casserole with crispy shallots.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is a sweet and savory side dish that features mashed or sliced sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows or streusel. It is also a good source of fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants. To make a delicious sweet potato casserole, you need to peel and boil or roast your sweet potatoes until soft, mash them with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and spread them in a baking dish. Then you can either sprinkle some mini marshmallows or a mixture of flour, butter, brown sugar, and pecans on top, and bake until golden and bubbly. Some of the most popular sweet potato casserole recipes for 2023 are sweet potato casserole with maple syrup and pecans, vegan sweet potato casserole with coconut milk and almond flour, and sweet potato casserole with bourbon and orange zest.
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a cheesy and comforting side dish that originated in England but became popular in America after Thomas Jefferson brought back a pasta machine from France and served macaroni with cheese sauce at a state dinner in 1802. The basic recipe for macaroni and cheese is to cook elbow macaroni until al dente, make a béchamel sauce with butter, flour, milk, salt, and pepper, add grated cheese of your choice (such as cheddar, gruyere, or parmesan), and combine with the macaroni. You can also bake your macaroni and cheese in a casserole dish with some bread crumbs or more cheese on top for extra crunch. Some of the most popular macaroni and cheese recipes for 2023 are macaroni and cheese with bacon and jalapeños, vegan macaroni and cheese with cashew cheese sauce, and macaroni and cheese with lobster and truffle oil.
Cornbread
Cornbread is a type of bread made from cornmeal, flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt. It is a staple food in the Southern United States, where it is often served with chili, barbecue, or beans. Cornbread can be baked in a skillet or a baking pan, or made into muffins or sticks. You can also add some corn kernels, cheese, jalapeños, or bacon for extra flavor and texture. Some of the most popular cornbread recipes for 2023 are honey butter cornbread, vegan cornbread with almond milk and flax eggs, and cornbread stuffing with sausage and sage.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert for Thanksgiving that consists of a flaky pie crust filled with a spiced pumpkin custard. It is usually served with whipped cream or ice cream on top. The history of pumpkin pie dates back to the 17th century, when colonists adapted a recipe from the Native Americans who roasted pumpkins over an open fire. The first recorded recipe for pumpkin pie appeared in a cookbook by Hannah Woolley in 1675. To make a classic pumpkin pie, you need to make or buy a pie crust, mix canned or fresh pumpkin puree with eggs, sugar, evaporated milk, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, pour the filling into the crust, and bake until set. Some of the most popular pumpkin pie recipes for 2023 are pumpkin pie with cream cheese swirl, vegan pumpkin pie with coconut milk and tofu, and pumpkin pie with pecan praline topping.
Apple Pie
Apple pie is another iconic dessert for Thanksgiving that features sliced apples tossed with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg, baked in a double crust pie. It is often served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top. The origin of apple pie is unclear, but it is believed to have been introduced to America by the British settlers who brought apple seeds and recipes from Europe. The phrase “as American as apple pie” was coined in the 1920s to express patriotism and nostalgia. To make a delicious apple pie, you need to make or buy a pie crust, peel and slice some apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), mix them with the sugar and spices in a large bowl, arrange them in the bottom crust, cover them with the top crust, cut some slits on top, and bake until golden and bubbly. Some of the most popular apple pie recipes for 2023 are apple pie with caramel sauce, vegan apple pie with coconut oil crust, and apple pie with cheddar cheese crust.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 Thanksgiving foods for 2023 that you should try this year. Whether you make them from scratch or order them from your favorite restaurant or bakery, these foods will surely make your Thanksgiving dinner more delicious and memorable. We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about these Thanksgiving foods. Happy Thanksgiving!
Most Asked Questions And Answers
Q: What is the best way to carve a turkey?
A: The best way to carve a turkey is to use a sharp knife and a cutting board, and follow these steps:
- Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes after roasting, then transfer it to the cutting board and remove the string.
- Cut off the legs and thighs by slicing through the skin and joint, then separate the drumsticks from the thighs by cutting through the joint.
- Cut off the wings by slicing through the skin and joint, then cut them into two pieces if desired.
- Cut off the breast meat by slicing along the breastbone, then cut it into thin slices across the grain.
- Arrange the turkey pieces on a platter and serve with gravy and cranberry sauce.
Q: How can I make gluten-free stuffing?
A: You can make gluten-free stuffing by using gluten-free bread cubes or cornbread cubes instead of regular bread cubes, and following your favorite stuffing recipe. You can also add some gluten-free sausage, bacon, or cheese for extra flavor and protein. Some of the most popular gluten-free stuffing recipes for 2023 are gluten-free cornbread stuffing with cranberries and pecans, gluten-free bread stuffing with mushrooms and sage, and gluten-free quinoa stuffing with apples and walnuts.
Q: What are some alternatives to pumpkin pie for dessert?
A: If you are looking for some alternatives to pumpkin pie for dessert, you can try some other pies that feature seasonal fruits or nuts, such as apple pie, pecan pie, cranberry pie, or pear pie. You can also make some cakes, cookies, bars, or puddings that have pumpkin or other fall flavors, such as pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, or pumpkin bread pudding. Some of the most popular alternatives to pumpkin pie for dessert in 2023 are apple crumble pie with oatmeal streusel, pecan pie bars with chocolate drizzle, cranberry orange cake with cream cheese glaze, and pear gingerbread upside-down cake.
Q: How can I make vegan gravy for mashed potatoes?
A: You can make vegan gravy for mashed potatoes by using vegetable broth, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, cornstarch, and vegan butter as the main ingredients. You can also add some onion, garlic, herbs, or mushrooms for extra flavor. To make vegan gravy, you need to sauté the onion and garlic in vegan butter until soft, then whisk in the vegetable broth, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, and cornstarch. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs to taste. Some of the most popular vegan gravy recipes for 2023 are vegan mushroom gravy, vegan onion gravy, and vegan herb gravy.
Q: How long does it take to cook a turkey?
A: The cooking time for a turkey depends on its size, weight, and method of cooking. The general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey at 325°F for 15 minutes per pound if it is unstuffed, or 20 minutes per pound if it is stuffed. However, you should always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey before taking it out of the oven. The turkey is done when the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F and the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180°F. You should also let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving it. Some of the most popular methods of cooking a turkey for 2023 are roasting, spatchcocking, smoking, and deep-frying.
Q: How can I make cranberry sauce from scratch?
A: You can make cranberry sauce from scratch by using fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, and spices as the main ingredients. You can also add some nuts, dried fruits, or liqueur for extra flavor. To make cranberry sauce from scratch, you need to rinse and drain the cranberries, then combine them with the sugar, water, orange juice, and spices in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the cranberries burst and thicken, stirring occasionally. Transfer the cranberry sauce to a bowl and let it cool completely before serving or refrigerating. Some of the most popular cranberry sauce recipes from scratch for 2023 are cranberry orange sauce with cinnamon, cranberry apple sauce with ginger, and cranberry chutney with jalapeños.
Q: How can I make mashed potatoes more flavorful?
A: You can make mashed potatoes more flavorful by adding some garlic, cheese, herbs, or sour cream to the potato mixture. You can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water to boil the potatoes, or use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of milk to mash the potatoes. Some of the most popular mashed potato recipes for 2023 are garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, vegan mashed potatoes with almond milk, and loaded mashed potato casserole with bacon and cheese.
Q: What are some healthy side dishes for Thanksgiving? A: Some healthy side dishes for Thanksgiving are those that feature vegetables, fruits, whole grains, or legumes as the main ingredients, and are prepared with minimal fat, sugar, or salt. You can also opt for roasted, steamed, or sautéed cooking methods instead of fried or baked ones. Some of the most popular healthy side dishes for Thanksgiving in 2023 are roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar and cranberries, steamed green beans with lemon and almonds, and sautéed kale with garlic and pine nuts.
Q: How can I make a pie crust from scratch?
A: You can make a pie crust from scratch by using flour, salt, butter, and water as the main ingredients. You can also add some sugar or vinegar for extra flavor and texture. To make a pie crust from scratch, you need to mix the flour and salt in a large bowl, then cut in the butter with a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle some water over the mixture and toss with a fork until it forms a dough. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour or up to two days before rolling it out on a lightly floured surface. Fit the dough into a pie plate and trim and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom and sides of the crust with a fork and refrigerate it again for 15 minutes. Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Some of the most popular pie crust recipes from scratch for 2023 are all-butter pie crust, vegan pie crust with coconut oil, and gluten-free pie crust with almond flour.
Q: How can I make cornbread from scratch?
A: You can make cornbread from scratch by using cornmeal, flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, baking powder, and salt as the main ingredients. You can also add some corn kernels, cheese, jalapeños, or bacon for extra flavor and texture. To make cornbread from scratch, you need to preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9×9 inch baking pan or a 10 inch cast iron skillet. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and melted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in any optional ingredients if desired. Pour the batter into the prepared pan or skillet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cornbread cool slightly before cutting into pieces and serving. Some of the most popular cornbread recipes from scratch for 2023 are honey butter cornbread, vegan cornbread with almond milk and flax eggs, and cornbread stuffing with sausage and sage.