Looking for new ways to bring great flavor to the Thanksgiving table? This year, you can have all those traditional favorites and embrace some tasty new options, too. Because people tend to have a tried-and-true (or at least traditional) method for cooking their turkey, we’ve left the sacred bird alone. Here, you’ll find 10 of the best new Thanksgiving recipes for yummy side dishes and delicious desserts to surprise and delight your friends and family.
Best new Thanksgiving recipes like fall soups add a bit of elegance, and this one is pretty, festive, and amazingly tasty. Soup is also great for those who are serious about not overdoing it because it’s filling, which means you may not pile on the heavier and more caloric items.
Pick Your Own is a great resource to find fresh, local produce in and around Ventura. In addition to pumpkins, the EMIS pumpkin patch in Fillmore has fresh corn, perfect for making this savory corn pudding. Southern Living calls it “a staple Southern side dish at any holiday gathering,” but if you have yet to take the plunge, this “creamy, not-too-sweet side dish” that gets a burst of flavor from chopped sweet onion and fresh thyme may just become a new tradition.
Is green bean casserole a staple at your Thanksgiving table? This different take on green beans will be a hit with your guests thanks to the crumble of bacon on top, and they pretty much cook themselves, freeing you up to prepare other things or mix with guests. (And did we mention the bacon?)
Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Fennel
Every household has its stuffing tradition, but some of the best new Thanksgiving recipes that just might make that box of Stove Top obsolete. The day-old cornbread, mild Italian sausage, and fennel in this version give the dish a unique savory flavor, and we love how the addition of the protein makes this more of a meal in and of itself (That way we won’t feel so bad when we come back later and pile a huge serving on our plate!).
“Sweet potatoes are giving russets a run for their money,” said Delish. Not only are they super tasty, but they are also a more nutritional choice since they’re packed with fiber and vitamins and minerals, including beta carotene and anti-inflammatory properties.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your regular mashed potatoes. You wouldn’t want there to be a mutiny. But you can take the creaminess factor up a notch with an addition you might not have thought of. “It’s not just for bagels,” said Delish. “Add a dollop of cream cheese to your mashed potatoes for a creamy texture unlike anything you’ve tasted before.”
Empty out that can ‘o cranberry sauce for the kids and make this crowd-pleaser for the adults at the table. Decidedly more sophisticated than your average cranberry sauce, this one is “sweet, tangy, and a little crunchy from celery and toasted walnuts,” said Southern Living. And it gets its “spike” from orange-flavored liqueur.
Apple Pie with Mexican Brown Sugar
Don’t forget to pick up some fresh apples if you’re heading to EMIS pumpkin patch so you can make this apple pie with Mexican brown sugar. “We took a regular apple-pie recipe and sweetened the filling with Mexican piloncillo, an unrefined brown sugar,” said Epicurious. “What a difference a sugar makes. This one has a lot of character and adds syrupy molasses notes to a blend of sweet and tart apples.”
Caramel Tart with Toasted Hazelnut Crust
Part of Bon Appetit’s list of 63 dishes you can make ahead of time, this caramel tart with toasted hazelnut crust is sure to be a star on your dessert table, and you’ll love being able to knock it out a day or two before.
Gluten-free Chocolate Tea Cake
Have someone in your family with food allergies? This gluten-free chocolate tea cake from Bon Appetit brings big flavor without the big stomachache.
For more information on the best new Thanksgiving recipes and about buying a new home in Ventura so you can become the Thanksgiving headquarters next year, visit The Farm. This popular new master-planned community from renowned builder and developer Williams Homes offers two on-site parks and four new communities of attached and single-family homes in a favorite Ventura County location. Phase Two homes were just released and are selling fast. Interested buyers are encouraged to pre-register here.
New-home offerings at The Farm include:
Topa Topa, Single-family homes with three to four bedrooms, 1,914–2,753 square feet
Sespe, Luxury single-family homes, four to six bedrooms, separate apartment units, 2,781–3,343 square feet
Olivas, Single-family homes with alley-loaded garages, four bedrooms, 2,223–2,702 square feet
Anacapa, Unique townhomes with private yards, Three to four bedrooms, 1,744–2287 square feet
