Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
SUBSCRIBE
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. entertaining
  3. Sweet and Savory Thanksgiving Menu

Sweet and Savory Thanksgiving Menu

October 19, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree
Thanksgiving is truly a celebration of fall's bounty, and that's why these holiday dishes all feature seasonal fruits and vegetables. Starch is king on Thanksgiving, a great reason to include welcome relief with beautifully bronzed Brussels sprouts, herb-roasted carrots, and a sweet, tart, and earthy beet-and-cranberry condiment.
Start Slideshow

1 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cider-Glazed Turkey With Roasted Apples

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cider-Glazed Turkey with Roasted Apples

A wet brine infuses the bird with apple flavor and plumps up the meat so it won’t dry out in the oven. Brining your own turkey also lets you control the sodium from start to finish. Line a roasting pan with the brining bag before adding the liquid and the turkey so everything stays in place. To make a quick gravy, strain the fat from the drippings and discard, then reduce the drippings with 21/2 cups chicken stock and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour until thickened.

1 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Herb-Roasted Carrots

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Herb-Roasted Carrots

A simple side of perfectly roasted carrots is the breather a crowded Thanksgiving table needs—a bit of palate relief (and ease for the cook) that still looks elegant. Sweet, slightly firm, and tossed with fresh parsley and cilantro, these carrots would fit here and all season long. Use any remaining cilantro in leftover turkey tacos or chili. For an extra-pretty presentation, cut the carrot pieces at a 45° angle before roasting.

2 of 6

3 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pear, Sage, and Golden Raisin Stuffing

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pear, Sage, and Golden Raisin Stuffing

Pears are at their peak in late fall and their firm texture is ideal for baking. Here we fold them into a classic sourdough stuffing with plump golden raisins and fresh sage. A little thick-cut bacon goes a long way here, leaving just enough drippings in the pan to sauté the vegetables. You could also use diced pancetta (such as Boar’s Head). Look for a whole-wheat sourdough loaf from the bakery section—the thick crust and hearty texture will absorb more liquid. Cut leftover stuffing into squares and reheat in the oven to crisp the edges.

3 of 6

Advertisement

4 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maple-Caraway Brussels Sprouts

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple-Caraway Brussels Sprouts

Layer upon layer of bold flavor earned these Brussels sprouts our test kitchen’s highest rating. The sprouts get deeply caramelized in toasted caraway and browned butter, then are quickly finished with a sweet and pungent mixture of maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and sherry vinegar. Caraway has an anise-like flavor similar to fennel seed. Add to roasted carrots or parsnips, or sprinkle over whole-grain rolls or crackers. Start the caraway and thyme in a cold pan so they can infuse the butter as it browns.

4 of 6

5 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Celery Root Puree with Almond-Mint Gremolata

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Celery Root Puree with Almond-Mint Gremolata

Gnarled-looking celery root is truly an all-star in disguise: It adds delicate crunch to fall and winter salads and becomes velvety smooth once simmered and pureed. This puree, a great alternative to mashed potatoes, gets added body from cannellini beans and tangy sour cream. A chopped blend of fresh mint, almonds, and lemon adds texture and color. If you have celery stalks on hand, save the celery leaves for a pretty garnish that hints at the main ingredient.

5 of 6

6 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cranberry-Beet Chutney

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Cranberry-Beet Chutney

For a twist on cranberry sauce this year, try this sweet, tart, and earthy beet-and-cranberry condiment. Toasted whole coriander and brown mustard seeds add warmth and take the chutney into savory territory. The chunky texture is part of the charm here, a great contrast to the mashes and casseroles on the table. 

6 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 6 Cider-Glazed Turkey With Roasted Apples
    2 of 6 Herb-Roasted Carrots
    3 of 6 Pear, Sage, and Golden Raisin Stuffing
    4 of 6 Maple-Caraway Brussels Sprouts
    5 of 6 Celery Root Puree with Almond-Mint Gremolata
    6 of 6 Cranberry-Beet Chutney

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Cooking Light

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithCooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Cooking Light. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

    View image

    Sweet and Savory Thanksgiving Menu
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.