For most people in the United States, Thanksgiving means two things: food and family. This holiday focuses heavily on tradition and coming together over a meal to make memories. If you are itching to break from tradition, or maybe want to create a memorable meal, we have some over the top Thanksgiving food ideas for you. Add these unique (and delicious) ideas to your Thanksgiving menu.
Red Wine Lacquered Turkey with Spiced Butter
Set the stage with an incredible main dish. Both the taste and the presentation of this red wine lacquered turkey will have your dinner guests in awe. Heather Christo explains how to make this cinnamon, ginger, and orange-infused turkey on her site. Proudly bring this to the table and carve away as your guests bask in the glory.
Red Wine Cranberry Sauce
Step away from the cans and create the sangria of Thanksgiving dishes. Alexandra Cooks shares her twist on cranberries. This side item is much more mature and less sweet than other cranberry recipes thanks to the flavors of orange zest, cinnamon stick, and red wine. The addition of red wine to the cranberry sauce will pair perfectly with the red wine lacquered turkey already on your Thanksgiving menu.
Oyster and Sausage Stuffing
Cooking Bliss shares her family recipe for grandma’s oyster and sausage stuffing. This twist on a classic Thanksgiving dish will have everyone coming back for a second helping. This really is Thanksgiving food at its finest.
Gruyere and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes
What over the top Thanksgiving menu is complete without the addition of gruyere? Happy Veggie Kitchen shows us how to take our mashed potatoes up several notches with this decadent and tasty recipe. These cheesy mashed potatoes only use four ingredients and are surprisingly easy to make. The gruyere and caramelized onions elevate the basic dish to give it luxurious and decadent flavor.
Deep Fried Sriracha Turkey
Maybe you like a little more flavor with your Thanksgiving food. We have a solution for you as well! Give your turkey an international twist with this delectable recipe from Tori Avey. This spicy version of the Thanksgiving turkey will satisfy the most adventurous eaters. Be sure to also make the sriracha gravy, which is the perfect accompaniment to this bird.
Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apples and Pancetta
Did someone say pancetta? Oh yes, we did! These cornbread stuffing muffins from A Spicy Perspective are cute and savory. No one has to fight over the toasted edges on the stuffing pan when they each receive their own perfectly sized muffin. The addition of pancetta to a Thanksgiving menu? We will just call that perfection.
Greek Stuffed Acorn Squash
One way to go big with your Thanksgiving menu is to go international. This delightfully Mediterranean side dish is also a great vegetarian option for your feast. Made with hearty quinoa, beans, and greens, the Greek Stuffed Acorn Squash is a healthy, flavorful recipe from Some the Wiser. The crispy, crumbly topping and cheesy finish bring the dish together beautifully.
Orange Glazed Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash
Enjoy a mouthful of sweet and savory flavors with every bite of this side dish from Heartbeet Kitchen. Made with black pepper dusted pecans, dried cranberries, and orange zest, this autumn-inspired dish is a flavor-packed option for your Thanksgiving menu.
Savory Baked Apples with Sausage Stuffing
Growing Up Gabel shares a recipe that makes both beautiful table decor and a tantalizing Thanksgiving side dish. This delicious mix of sweet and savory is surprisingly easy to make, and the flavors bring autumn to your taste buds. When the dishes are as beautiful as this one, who needs a centerpiece?
Fried Mashed Potato Balls
This yummy recipe from Delish is presented as a solution for Thanksgiving leftovers, but it would make a great side item for the main meal, too. Kids will love these handheld bites of Thanksgiving goodness, as will the adults. Present them in lieu of mashed potatoes, or set them out as an appetizer before the big feast.
While Thanksgiving is a centuries-old tradition, feel free to add one of these twists to your traditional Thanksgiving menu. Shake things up a little with one of the over the top ideas for your Thanksgiving food. For more inspiring Thanksgiving ideas, please see our article about the most beautiful ideas for a festive Thanksgiving tablescape.
