thanksgiving 2023 “the great pumpkin” menu & guide
I wish I had a tablescape for you this year, but alas – life happens. But at least we’ve got all the noms on display!
I’m definitely a Thanksgiving person over a Christmas person. Usually, it’s just mom and I derping around from morning to evening, cooking and nibbling and probably napping at some point. We always make way too much food for two people to finish effectively. But that’s alright – isn’t the charm of Thanksgiving in the leftovers?
This menu has more than you’ll probably need for your gathering, but it serves more as a guide from which you can mix and match the various dishes to suit your needs. As the title suggests, there’s a heavy pumpkin influence in many of the foods, both sweet and savory. I dunno man, I just felt real pumpkiny this year. Nothing wrong with doing lots from what makes you happiest, you know?
I hope you find inspiration from this guide. And as always, if life’s throwing you way too many curveballs or 100 mph fastballs, give yourself some grace and do what you can. The holidays aren’t always easy peasy; sometimes they take work, whatever form that work takes. Here’s to some measure of peace if you’re as stressed out as I’ve been, or more so. Big hugs, and lots of warm food on your table.
THE FMG 2023 Thanksgiving Menu
Breakfast
We pretty much always eat at a regular dinner-esque time, so breakfast is imperative. Pancakes or waffles are our forte, but here’s a few options to suit any tastebud.
Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Herby Mushroom Swiss Croissant Breakfast Bake
Appetizers
Quell them midday nibbles with some small bites.
Garlic Herb Baked Feta and Olives
Whipped Goat Cheese with Herb Marinated Olives
Spicy Roasted Garlic Sage White Bean Dip
Mains
As with last year, I’m keeping up with the vegetarian theme in our mains. Even if you’re not veg yourself, if you’re hosting folks who might be or who aren’t always on board with the traditional turkey, a vegetarian option is good to have on the table.
Baked French Onion Chickpea Meatballs
White Wine Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Side Dishes
Pretty much everyone’s favorite part, I’d argue.
Honeycrisp Apple and Blue Cheese Autumn Salad
Crispy Cheddar Ranch Potato Stacks
Kale Apple and Sage Croissant Stuffing
Pumpkin Sage Butter Brioche Dinner Rolls
Or…Cheddar Honey Butter Dinner Rolls
Parmesan Honey Butter Sweet Potato Stacks
Desserts
Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cookie Pie
Pumpkin Chai Cupcakes with Cinnamon Bourbon Frosting
Drinks
Nightcap…Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Ten Tips for a Slam-Banging Thanksgiving
1. Make a playlist.
I’m maybe an oddball in my music choices, but I love some good jazz or instrumental music – not big on trap or booty-popping for Thanksgiving, but you know, do you. Whatever you choose, prep it ahead of time and have the tunes singing away as guests arrive. Always helps to ask your attendees what they like, too, so you can put that jazz next to the booty-popping in perfect harmony.
2. Set the table.
A pretty tablescape feels welcoming to a large group. At the very least, a couple candles and a vase of flowers create a warm ambience.
3. Delegate tasks to family members.
Scribble up a checklist and enlist your housemates for help. Someone can help clean, another can prep the table, still another run out for last minute groceries. Assign folks to post-dinner tasks as well: dishes, drying dishes, taking out trash, bundling leftovers, helping drunk comrades find safe rides home. You needn’t do it all alone if you can help it!
4. Grocery shop early.
Stores shelves tend to wipe out pretty early, not to mention the crowds get way worse (and crankier) the closer to Thanksgiving we get. I recommend making your list(s) and running out on Monday for the bulk of the items you’ll need. Or, make a delivery order – tip your drivers well, folks, they’re probably working extra hard to deliver your shit in a timely manner.
5. Make an oven schedule.
Check your recipes and see what can be thrown into the oven at the same temperature. I find it handy to print all the recipes I plan to make and put them in a binder or folder in the order they can be made. If you still have a bit of time after everything is cooked off, switch the oven to a very low heat setting, cover the dishes with foil, and place them inside to stay warm.
6. Do some self-care the days leading up.
If you feel frantic and extra anxious, take some time Wednesday to unwind before bed, or whenever you have a moment to squeeze away from the madness. The holidays in general can bring some unwelcome tension, so checking in with yourself is quite important to keep aligned. Take a bath, read, go for a walk, do a face mask, order takeout – whatever makes you feel grounded. And, if you see a therapist, perhaps try to make an appointment early in the week to let go of any pent-up steam and figure out appropriate strategies for stress management.
7. Have games available.
Board games, video games, word games – set them out for guests to enjoy while they nibble on snacks and mill around the house. I love a mean round of Mario Party or any sort of card game.
8. Light candles for ambience.
They needn’t be scented, since the house is going to smell wonderful with everything cooking and baking, but set out some pillar or taper candles (I love terracotta, rust, or dark green ones for fall vibeage) to create cozy lighting. Just make sure they’re out of the reach of small kids or pets, or drunkards who’ve sipped way too much sangria.
9. Encourage guests to bring tupperware.
If leftovers are in the forecast, ask your guests to provide containers to bring foods home. I don’t think anyone is too mad about post-Thanksgiving grub for a couple days, and this takes a big load off your own fridge.
10. Clean as you go.
I try to load as many dirty dishes as possible when I’ve finished using them, and for some this can help reduce the overwhelming nature of post-holiday cleanup. Don’t let mid-cooking dishes interrupt your family and friend time, but if you can pop a handful of forks in the dishwasher before checking on the shells, feel free.
Kitchen & Dining Inspiration
If you make any of the recipes from the 2023 FMG Thanksgiving Menu, leave a rating and comment with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
