There’s nothing wrong with keeping your Thanksgiving meal basic and traditional (especially if it’s your first time preparing such a meal!). However, if you feel up to the challenge, there are lots of ways to take your roast turkey dinner to the next level. Below are just a few different ideas to explore if you’re feeling adventurous.
Get under the skin
This is a trick that some people may already know, but for those that don’t it’s worth trying. Adding a layer of butter beneath the skin of the turkey helps to add moisture and make the meat more succulent. It’s also a way of adding more flavor – especially when using a herbal butter. You can watch this video guide on how to put butter under turkey skin.
Give it a Cajun twist
Turkey seasoning can be more than just a sprinkle of herbs. For those that really want to add a kick, why not make your own cajun butter at home? This seasoning is typically made from butter, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Other ingredients like mustard powder and chilli peppers can be added to. This can be rubbed onto the bird before roasting.
Wrap it in bacon
Wrapping your turkey in bacon is a great way to add flavor without needing to brine or baste. The salt and juices seep into the turkey to create a mouthwatering taste. Of course, turkey isn’t the only food you can wrap in bacon. You could also wrap sprouts in bacon to make them more exciting or even wrap up green beans.
Say no to store-bought stuffing
Homemade stuffing can be fun to make and you can truly customize it with the ingredients you like. Check out this easy homemade Thanksgiving stuffing recipe if you’re looking for something tasty and traditional. Alternatively, you can experiment with nuts and fruit for different tastes.
Play around with potatoes
Mashed potato has become a staple of Thanksgiving dinners, but you don’t have to opt for mash. You could try dauphinoise potatoes instead or create some fritters for an alternative side. If you’d prefer to stick to mash, why not try some alternative mashed potato recipes? You can mix all kinds of ingredients into mashed potato to make it more exciting from pumpkin to chopped pancetta. You can also add all kinds of cheeses for added creaminess.
Use up that cranberry sauce
Many of us end up opening jars of cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving that are never touched again. If you’re unlikely to use up that cranberry sauce at a later date, why not explore a few creative ways to use it within your meal? Cranberry sauce and brie puff pastries could make a great canape to pick on while waiting for the turkey to cook. You could also use up that jar on a cranberry dessert such as a cranberry pie or cranberry cheesecake.
Go vegan
You don’t have to eat meat at Thanksgiving. In fact, a vegan Thanksgiving could be a healthy alternative and a chance to try all kinds of exciting new recipes. This could include stuffed pumpkin or a tasty potato and pecan casserole. Check out a few vegan Thanksgiving recipes online.
