Brocc’s Thanksgiving Menu

Click here to download my Thanksgiving Menu, Helpful Tips & Grocery List!

It’s the most wonderful time of year! Food is my love language so Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for me to show my friends and family I care about them the best way I know how. I’ve become quite the pro at hosting dinners throughout the years and I wanted to help you all out as much as I could this year. Whether you are having Thanksgiving with a friend or hosting your entire family, I am sure you can take away some useful tips and delicious recipes!

In order to make things even easier for you all, I am linking all my recipes below so you can easily print off or bookmark each recipe on the menu. I will also give some suggestions of similar recipes that might be more your style. After the menu, I will give you some helpful tips on how to not lose your shit the day of Thanksgiving!

THE MENU:

GRAZING

Seasonal Charcuterie Board– I feel like if you can make a gorgeous Charcuterie Board, you win the Hostess with the Mostess seal of approval. They’re impressive, delicious, beautiful, and who doesn’t love cheese and crackers? Kayla and I broke down how to perfect a holiday charcuterie board in this blog post. Check it out and you will be a pro before you know it. Don’t forget to download my Holiday Charcuterie Board Grocery List before you head to the store!
Bacon Wrapped Dates– By adding these to your Charcuterie Board, you are officially operating a much higher level than 99% of other adults. Not sure why Bacon Wrapped Dates are not a requirement for Charcuterie Boards but whatever I don’t make the rules.

TO START

Fall Chopped Salad– You gotta have some fresh salad to start off the meal! This one is the perfect way to kick off your Thanksgiving feast (plus you can make it ahead of time).
Butternut Squash Soup– Simple, creamy, and delicious! This soup will get everyone in the spirit.

MAINS

Herb Butter Roasted Turkey– Turkey isn’t my favorite but if you’re going to make it, this is the best most simple recipe that makes turkey taste the best it can taste lol.
Fall Roasted Chicken– If you don’t want to make a whole turkey this is a great option!

SIDES

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese– The most delicious Mac & Cheese with a fun fall spin. I can promise this dish will steal the show at your Thanksgiving!! For other options check out my Millionaire Mac & Cheese to be super extra or Weeknight Mac & Cheese to keep it simple.
Gluten Free Stuffing– My favorite part of Thanksgiving. This is the best stuffing on earth.
Green Bean Casserole– A cleaned up (and tastier) version of the classic! If you’re not into Green Bean Casserole I don’t understand you but here are some other great options! Try my simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans or this yummy Broccoli Casserole.
Caramelized Onion Garlic Mashed Potatoes– Think traditional, creamy mashed potatoes, but way more flavor from the roasted garlic and caramelized onions. Please don’t skip these. If for some reason you’re not into it, these Crispy Rosemary Potatoes are another great potato dish to add!
Roasted Carrots with Pecans & Goat Cheese– We love a veggie dish!! These require minimal effort, yet have maximum flavor. Our favorite combo.
Sweet Potato Casserole– A classic, but make it not taste like pure sugar. You can add marshmallows on top if you have issues, but this dish is perfect with the sweet and salty “candied” pecans on top. Finally a Sweet Potato Casserole I can get behind, BLESS! Another option is this delicious Maple Butternut Squash with Bacon!
Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread– An easy way to make boxed cornbread seem fancy. The only way I will ever eat cornbread again!

DESSERT

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting– I would eat 7 slices of this cake before I even looked at a slice of pumpkin pie. This is truly superior. Plus that cream cheese frosting?? OOOF.
Pecan Pie Brownies– Another way to make boxed mix seem special. These brownies will 100% be a crowd pleaser.

HELPFUL TIPS!

To make the day before:
Clean, chop and prep all of your produce
Fall Chopped Salad (Add dressing once ready to serve)
Sweet Potato Casserole
Seasonal Charcuterie Board (if you have the room to store it in your fridge! Otherwise just prep the day before).
Butternut Squash Soup
Sweet Potato Casserole
Desserts

To prep the day before or morning of:
Bacon wrapped dates. Follow the recipe up until it’s time to bake.
Gluten Free Stuffing. See recipe.
Mashed Potatoes- Boil potatoes, caramelize onions and roast garlic.

Day of Duties:
Roast Chicken
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese (keep cheese and noodles separate until you are ready to serve)
Green Bean Casserole
Roasted Carrots with Pecans and Goat Cheese
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

Don’t be afraid to get some help! Most of the time, people are happy to help bring sides or desserts.

Know when to go big (and when to not). We all know that instant mashed potatoes or boxed stuffing doesn’t nearly compare to the fresh stuff. However, boxed cornbread and store bought desserts are pretty comparable to the homemade stuff (just my opinion).

Buy a meat thermometer! It is the only sure way to make sure your roast chicken comes out perfectly. I have this one and it works great!

Have fun! No one is expecting everything to go perfectly. It’s impossible! If a dish doesn’t turn out or if you forget about something, it’s no big deal. Remember that holidays are meant to be FUN! xx