How do you build a Thanksgiving menu? Think like a chef.
The key to a great Thanksgiving dinner isn’t about picking the best-sounding dishes. Here are 5 ways to start getting in the mindset of a cook.
Serving turkey is the given, and choosing side dishes for your Thanksgiving feast is all about variety and balance.
Think about what’s going to work well with the turkey, both in terms of flavor, color, and texture, but also in terms of your cooking timeline.
Keep these tips in mind as you're planning:
Vary Colors and Textures
A Thanksgiving plate should contain a variety of colors and textures. Turkey plus mashed potatoes, gravy, and a roll is too drab.
Likewise, you probably don’t want to serve roasted carrots and sweet potato casserole, especially if you started the meal with butternut squash soup.
Imagine the composed dinner plate in your head. Is there something green? Something with crunch or texture?
Balance Flavors
We love bacon but no one wants four side dishes, each flavored with bacon. Same thing for garlic or other bold flavors.
One spicy side is a good idea, but three or four spicy sides are going to compete with each other and overwhelm the main course.
Each bite should be as delicious and exciting as the last.
Provide Choices
Thanksgiving side dishes are meant to give guests choices. Do you have something vegetarian and something that will appeal to picky kids?
Not everyone likes (or can eat) nuts, so make sure you don’t choose four side dishes with four different kinds of nuts.
Consider richness, too. Make sure you have at least one or two fresher, lighter side dishes.
Consider the Timeline
You don’t want four recipes that all require oven time. You certainly don’t want four dishes that all require last-minute work.
The typical Thanksgiving meal has three to five side dishes and we strongly recommend that no more than one or two dishes require significant last-minute attention (other than reheating).
Choosing a side dish or two that can be prepared on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, and/or in a multi-cooker can free up oven space. If ever there is a day to think outside the box (or oven), this is the day.
Ask Your Guests to Bring a Dish
You should not be doing all the work. If there is a request for a dish you haven’t planned to make, invite your guest to bring their favorite version.
If you think dinner rolls are necessary but will push you over the edge, encourage your friend to take that task on (or buy rolls and freeze them until the morning of).
Thanksgivings are traditionally just big pot-luck dinners, so don't be afraid to assign tasks.
