What do you Americans eat for Thanksgiving??
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Kidding aside, usually
A turkey
Stuffing or dressing (two names are used interchangeably for old bread sopped in broth and spices)
Cranberry sauce or jelly (Sauce is thinner and probably has cranberry pieces in it..jelly is the consistency of jam)
Mashed potatoes and gravy (turkey gravy)
Usually some type of yam (Sweet potato) dessert, usually candied with brown sugar and often with pecans or marshmallows
Dessert is usually pumpkin pie or pumpkin something else (pumpkin parfait for example). There usually are a couple other options..fruit pies, maybe a pecan pie or sweet potato pie0 -
mrsmackieblacky wrote: »Wow! So would you all say Thanksgiving is the biggest feast of the year or still Christmas?
It's a big country and I think Christmas traditions vary a lot more than Thanksgiving. Some people do a big dinner on Christmas or Christmas Eve, some don't.
In my area Thanksgiving is definitely the biggest feast of the year for most people. Christmas is usually spread out for weeks with various parties and gatherings. And Christmas day/eve is a smaller more intimate dinner.
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I ate at one of our cities' treasures yesterday and it is advertising an American Thanksgiving dinner, very close to the Canadian one.
http://highleveldiner.com/whats-new/0 -
I'm a Canadian who lives in Alberta (western side of the country at the foot of the Rockies). We had Thanksgiving in early October probably because our harvest and autumn hits earler up here - it snowed a couple of inches last night.
We had the stereotypical Turkey, stuffing, gren bean casserole, turnip and carrot casserole, salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, and ham, with pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
We'll probably do the same for Christmas unless we decide to go with a traditional meatless (excluding the fish) Ukranian dinner; typically a turkey dinner is less work so I do that. LOL
We're also having turkey dinner this weekend for my inlaws whom we haven't had a holiday with in a ouple of years. Turkey dinners are work, but they are worth the leftovers.
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The more traditional foods for Thanksgiving like turkey, potatoes. pumpkin, cranberries, etc. are all foods most readily available in the fall, especially in New England and the upper midwest. The traditional "turkey with all the trimmings" dinner was popularized around the turn of the last century and solidified by this Norman Rockwell magazine cover called "Freedom from Want":
Before this, dinner was usually whatever was available either from the family farm or what hunters were able to get. The "First Thanksgiving" was most likely to be venison, game birds, shellfish, and berries and grains found in the forest.0 -
"What do you Americans eat for Thanksgiving?"
Everything in sight, plus more. He, he0 -
It really depends on the family. Turkey, dressing ("stuffing"), and pumpin pie are going to be served up on most tables. Potatoes of some sort and cranberry sauce often make a showing. After that, you never know. Anything is possible.
Everyone eats themselves sick and then many people watch football.
It a more an excuse to see family that you haven't seen in a while than it is a celebration of America or pilgrims with giant belts. I like the decorations, though.
When I was young, we had ham for Christmas. When I got older, we had pizza. As an adult, I did the ham thing with potatoes, Mac n cheese, apple dish and green beans.0 -
What I find very interesting is that we have this picture of turkey, potatoes, green beans, pumpkin, cranberries, etc all being eaten in a New England setting. Most of the foods we associate with a traditional American Thanksgiving (except cranberries) are actually indigenous to Central and South America and were introduced to the colonies by the explorers. Turkeys (Mexico along with the Southern forests of the US), potatoes (Chile) , green beans (Peru), pumpkins (Mexico), etc. Cranberries are originally from New England (especially the boglands of Massachusetts and southern Maine) but are now grown in a number of places, Wisconsin being the biggest producer.
Turkeys were already making their way north by the time North America was being explored and the first European settlers were establishing towns. They are really smart, wily birds that spread quickly. They were almost completely wiped out in my state and were re-introduced in the mid 1970's. Now they are a major pest.0 -
Finally spoke to my mother yesterday about the menu, and talked her down from ALL the traditional stuff to something more reasonable (there's going to be 8 of us there):
- Turkey
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Roasted asparagus with balsamic reduction
- Corn casserole (family friend is bringing this; it's not traditional for us, but we're skipping stuffing because of it)
- Some kind of fake turkey for my sister-in-law who is vegetarian
- Probably some kind of bread product (usually Americanized croissants)
- Whatever pie my dad feels like making
Yay for corn casserole (aka corn pudding)! It almost rivals the dressing as the best part of the meal IMHO. Don't skip the dressing . . . have both! My SIL makes it every year and we scarf down the entire dish. Very high calorie and high fat, but super tasty!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha, my mom and I were being lazy. Turns out that my sister-in-law is not being lazy and will bring stuffing. So both for us!0 -
Finally spoke to my mother yesterday about the menu, and talked her down from ALL the traditional stuff to something more reasonable (there's going to be 8 of us there):
- Turkey
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Roasted asparagus with balsamic reduction
- Corn casserole (family friend is bringing this; it's not traditional for us, but we're skipping stuffing because of it)
- Some kind of fake turkey for my sister-in-law who is vegetarian
- Probably some kind of bread product (usually Americanized croissants)
- Whatever pie my dad feels like making
Yay for corn casserole (aka corn pudding)! It almost rivals the dressing as the best part of the meal IMHO. Don't skip the dressing . . . have both! My SIL makes it every year and we scarf down the entire dish. Very high calorie and high fat, but super tasty!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha, my mom and I were being lazy. Turns out that my sister-in-law is not being lazy and will bring stuffing. So both for us!
Woohoo!0 -
mrsmackieblacky wrote: »Is it similar to Christmas dinner??
It's not similar to Christmas dinner at my house.
Thanksgiving (the usual) turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, potatoes, cranberry sauce (and cranberry orange relish too!)
Christmas includes Scandinavian dishes (limpa, lefse, lutefisk, herring in cream sauce...forget what it's called, roasted potatoes) + ham, and sweet potatoes.0 -
It's not fair, don't rub it in, we only get the excuse for slapup feasts and lots of goodies xmas and easter in the UK.0
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mrsmackieblacky wrote: »Is it similar to Christmas dinner??
much would depend on family tradition. we traditionally do turkey, bread stuffing, sausage stuffing, roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, brussels sprouts, and pumpkin pie.
at christmas we traditionally do a beef rib roast.0 -
We have turkey and all the fixings for Thanksgiving. Christmas is prime rib and Yorkshire pudding.0
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We go absolutely nuts on Thanksgiving.
- 3 turkeys (all cooked with different flavor profiles/methods)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet potato casserole
- Green Bean casserole
- 2 types of stuffing (1 vegetarian, 1 not)
- Corn pudding
- cranberry sauce
- dinner rolls
- Gravy!!
For dessert we have pumpkin and apple pies, usually a cheesecake of some kind and maybe cookies or fudge too. We also have snacks leading up to the feast. Usually a veggie, cheese and meat tray with breadsticks.
On Christmas, we each have our own special Christmas dinner with our own little families (we have ham at my house). Then we (extended family) get together Christmas afternoon and have nothing but finger foods and easy snacks so everyone can enjoy the day without anyone being stuck in the kitchen.0 -
It has been few years since I made a “traditional” Thanksgiving dinner. And that is fine with me because not only I was in charge for many years and I need a break, but I don’t like to cook either. And the traditional part was a lose term with me. Except for the turkey and the dressing, the side dishes were whatever I felt like doing, traditional or not.
When my husband and I go to visit our son living in another state, my daughter in law prepares a more traditional and elaborated dinner, with turkey and all the trimming. She prepares lots of food so she can freeze some things for Christmas, and lots of cooking and cleaning. I don’t eat everything because I don’t like sweet potato casseroles and I skip any and all desert with cinnamon.
When we visit our other son, his wife just makes ham (I don’t care for but I eat some anyway), corn and broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes and rolls. We take the desert. But this year, she decided not to cook and we are all going to Mimi’s Cafe. Yeah, not cooking or cleaning!!!
Christmas is in my house this year and we are thinking in barbequing a tri-tip, with some rice or mashed potato for a starch side dish and vegetables of course.
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We do a big meal for Thanksgiving with the turkey, stuffing, whole nine yards, but for Christmas I get a spiral ham and do some mashed potatoes and some veggies. I don't want to cook a lot on Christmas just because we get up early and the house is usually full of piles of stuff everywhere, so a spiral ham is quick and easy.
My husband and I live far from any family, so holidays are just us in our house. I still go way overboard on Thanksgiving though. I may have to not make so much this year. I plan to eat Thanksgiving and maybe the day after without thought about calories, but I will have to make sure there's not a ton of leftovers after that. 0 -
we have turkey for thanksgiving- and usually steak for christmas (unless we go to someone else's house)- or maybe beef brisket type things/roast etc. but usually cow.
Thanksgiving is the only time I get a bird.0 -
Thanksgiving we have most of the usual - turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, some form of green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce (homemade is so much better IMO), gravy. Then usually 3 pies, even if there are only 4 of us plus my mom. Always pumpkin, Apple or cranberry Apple and mincemeat. I make my own mincemeat and yes, it actually contains meat.
Christmas depends a lot on who we are with. We always have fish stew for dinner on Christmas Eve. As a kid, we had a big breakfast Christmas morning, then we were left to snack as we wished the rest of the day. If you were lucky, you could snag some fish stew for lunch or dinner. My in laws do a big Christmas dinner, usually some form of beef roast with mash potatoes, roasted vegetables, rolls, pies (similar to Thanksgiving). Now, if we are at home, we tend to have dinner with my mom and have ham, rolls and some sort of vegetables. And pies! Much simpler than Thanksgiving.0 -
Thanksgiving menu: turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn souffle, and green bean casserole. Desserts vary. I'm not into pumpkin pie.
Christmas: Turkey and prime rib (this is A LOT of work), green bean casserole, sage stuffing, corn souffle, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes and then various desserts (always includes apple pie).
Our Christmas is a little much but when hubby and I took it on we were trying to mix the traditions of both families. We generally start cooking around 5-6 am on Christmas Day.0 -
Last year we stayed home for Thanksgiving and opted for stuffed pizza for dinner! We also watched the movie "Free Birds" and laughed with our mid aged kids. But we usually eat the above: turkey, potatoes with gravy, veggie, stuffing, etc.
I actually have my first turkey in the oven this morning! I purchase abut 3-4 turkeys at this time of year and make one a month throughout the fall/winter. It is rainy here so at 50 cents a pound turkey is a great option; turkey noodle soup is on the menu for tomorrow!
My favorite part of turkey are the leftovers: turkey noodle soup, turkey chili, just meat for sandwiches, salads, etc...
What do you do with your turkey leftovers?0 -
What do you do with your turkey leftovers?
We send leftovers home with guests and most everything else gets eaten by my husband as sandwiches. I will usually have turkey and stuffing for lunch the next day or two, but I don't like to eat the same food every day so after 1-2 days I'm ready for something other than turkey.0 -
Thanksgiving is about food, Christmas is about presents!
Thanksgiving turkey,ham,mashed potaoes,dressing,green beans,cranberry sauce and rolls. Pecan,pumpkin,cherry,aplle and chocolate pies. Mom made everyone's favorite and there were actual tears when I tried to down it to 3 kindas.LOL!
Christmas is ham,meat balls and every one brings their favorite finger food, then piles and piles of presents!!!!0 -
On our menu this year:
Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes & gravy
Cranberry sauce
Sweet potato casserole
Green bean casserole
Pumpkin pie
I would make a pecan pie as well, but my trees didn't bear any nuts this year, and store-bought pecans don't even begin to compare so I'm not even wasting the time.
We usually do a ham for Christmas, but this year I'm thinking turkey for both holidays.0 -
mrsmackieblacky wrote: »Is it similar to Christmas dinner??
My family has completely different food for Christmas usually. Some people do have the same food for Christmas and Thanksgiving though. Some people have a standard holiday/family get together menu that they bring out for all occasions.
Thanksgiving at my house: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, asparagus, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie
Christmas at my house: might be pizza, chili, Indian food, German food or something we have never had before... more experimentation less tradition. I think we have less food than Thanksgiving because we are busy with so many other things around Christmas.0 -
It typically depends on family traditions. In my family, there is the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, crescent rolls, corn, green beans, and of course my mother's famous pumpkin pie.
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our traditional foods:
turkey (deep fried)
dressing (raw and baked)
cranberry sauce
mashed potatoes
turkey gravy
sweet potatoes (cooked in brown sugar)
broccoli casserole
macaroni and cheese (with and without stewed tomatoes)
green bean casserole
corn
rolls
deviled eggs
spinach dip
pie, pie, pie
pumpkin
sweet potato
chocolate
apple
pecan
always with both redi-whip and cool whip (cream or oil?)0 -
I'm English and have lived in the US for 20 years. In England, our Christmas dinner was/is always turkey, chipolata sausages, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, fresh veg, stuffing, bread sauce and cranberry sauce. That's what I cook for Christmas here too .... I have to have my traditional Christmas dinner. My husband's family always has turkey and various sides for Thanksgiving and some other kind of roast at Christmas.
My Thanksgiving menu will be turkey, potatoes (probably mashed), some kind of sweet potato dish, cornbread stuffing, fresh veg and cranberry sauce. And good British gravy!
I love turkey so twice in two months is fine by me The family isn't as keen as I am but they don't complain. It's the price they pay for Mum being away from England at Christmas
I will say that I absolutely love Thanksgiving. It's not as frantic as Christmas and not as commercialised. And it's the start of the run-up to Christmas 0 -
Oh and my first taste of pumpkin pie was a big disappointment! I'm not sure what I expected .... I bake one if the family want one but they're just as likely to ask for an apple pie or apple crumble.0
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"When you say rolls do you mean like bread buns?? Thats strange to me to have a bread bun with what we call "Sunday dinner". Also do you eat pumpkin pie or is that a stereotype??"
I remember thinking it was odd to have bread rolls with a full roast dinner. We don't usually do that - as if there aren't enough carbs on the plate! But you definitely see that here more than in England.
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