It doesn’t get much better than Thanksgiving Day: giving thanks and feasting on pounds of tasty food. There are certain homemade classics that will never lead you astray, but others, well, they could up their game a bit.
If your Thanksgiving menu is feeling a tad trite this holiday season (or if you’re trying to figure out what to with all of those leftovers!) put a unique spin on some traditional favorites with these delectable recipes.
Courtesy of Spoonful of Flavor
1. Butternut Squash Risotto with Bacon, Maple and Sage
Any Thanksgiving recipe that incorporates bacon into it is fine by us. This dish is comfort food at its best.
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed2 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon sea salt6 cups vegetable or chicken broth5 slices bacon, diced1 large shallot, minced2 garlic cloves, minced1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg2 tablespoons fresh minced sage2 cups Arborio rice1 cup dry white wine2 tablespoons pure maple syrup1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnishSalt and pepper, to taste
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Awesome on $20
2. Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatloaf
Turkey on Thanksgiving is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be predictable. Combine three classic favorites: turkey, meatloaf and cranberry sauce. It will leave your guests’ mouths watering.
1/3 cup whole cranberry sauce1/2 cup chili sauce1 pound ground turkey1/2 pound sage pork sausage1 egg, beaten1 cup panko bread crumbs1/2 onion, diced3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning1/2 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon (10 grinds) black pepper
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Wedding Chicks
3. Apple Pie in an Apple
Don’t risk having boxes of apple pie leftover this year. With a few simple ingredients, you can put a modern twist on this standard dessert.
5 granny smith apples1 lemon2 teaspoon brown sugar1/4 cup white sugar1 teaspoon cinnamonrefrigerated pie crust2 teaspoon melted butterheart cookie cutter
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of A Family Feast
4. Turkey Stuffing Turnovers
You can’t serve Thanksgiving dinner without stuffing. It’s just expected. But you don’t need to rely on a giant bowl as your catalyst. Throw all of everyone’s favorites into a turnover and let the praise pour over you.
4 ounces cold, cooked turkey, chopped4 ounces cold stuffing, broken up4 ounces cold turkey gravy4 ounces leftover cranberry sauce1 17.2-ounce box (2 ready-to-bake) pastry sheets1 egg
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Kristen Duke
5. Pecan Pie Egg Rolls
Dessert conveniently wrapped in an eggroll? Sign us up! Curl up some pecan pie ingredients and top with ice cream for a treat no one can say no to.
1 cup light or dark corn syrup3 eggs1 cup sugar2 tablespoons butter, melted1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 cups pecans16 egg roll wrapsoil to fry
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Bombshell Bling
6. Cranberry Salsa
If the cranberry sauce sits at the edge of the table, isolated from your family member’s plates, reinvent the holiday staple. Add some cilantro, peppers and jalapeno for some brand new flavor.
1 bag cranberries1 granny smith apple1/8 medium red onion1/2 large red pepper1/4 large green pepper2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno3 tablespoons chopped cilantro1/2 cupsugar1 teaspoon lemon juice1/3 cup apple juice
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Marla Meridith
7. Roasted Butternut Squash Turkey Tacos
Give your conventional dinner a Latin flare with this scrumptious appetizer. You might even want to whip up a batch of margaritas while you’re at it.
1 butternut squash (about 1 pound) ~ peeled, seeded and cubed1/4 cup good olive oil1/4 cup pure maple syrup1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper1 pound boneless turkey breast or cooked leftover turkey, trimmed into 2 inch pieces2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper8 six inch corn tortillas3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese3 tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Paula Deen
8. Deep-Fried Stuffing on a Stick
Who says deep-fried is only fair ground appropriate? Do some deep-frying right in your kitchen and you might have a new crowd favorite.
5 tablespoons butter, divided1 pound breakfast sausage, bulk1 cup onion, diced1/2 cup carrot, diced1/2 cup celery, diced1 bag unseasoned bread cubes, for stuffing1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed1 tablespoon poultry seasoning2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes2 teaspoons ground sage1 quart chicken stock4 eggs, beaten2 cups all-purpose flouroil, for frying12 wooden skewers
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Woman's Day Kitchen
9. Sweet Potato Pear Gratin
The day would not be complete without featuring a nice sweet potato dish. If you’re tired of your old recipe, opt for something different. Combine pears and sweet potatoes for a luscious contrast, and top the dish off with some ginger and lemon zest.
3 lb. medium sweet potatoes3 tablespoons butter2 teaspoons grated peeled ginger1/3 cup maple or pancake syrup1 teaspoon grated lemon zest1/2 teaspoon salt3 firm-ripe Anjou pears, peeled, halved
For the full recipe, click here.
Courtesy of Jerry James Stone
10. Garlic and Herb Stuffed Brussels Sprouts
Brussels spouts don’t deserve the bad wrap that they’ve gotten. Transform the dreaded veggie by loading it with garlic and herbs. The kids’ table won’t even recognize its former nemesis.
15 very large brussels sprouts1 cup whole milk ricotta1 cup parmesan, shredded1/2 cup panko bread crumbs3 clovesgarlic, minced1 tablespoon dried thyme1 tablespoon dried basil1 teaspoon dried marjoram1 teaspoon dried sage1 teaspoon sea saltA pinch of pepperOlive oil
For the full recipe, click here.
