Menu Plan Monday: Thanksgiving 2014

Our 2014 Thanksgiving menu, including links to each recipe with multiple photos for each dish.

Saturday the Thanksgiving binder made it’s way out of hiding and our menu for this year’s feast was planned.  (Yes, I have a Thanksgiving binder, much to my husband’s chagrin.)  It’s similar to years past but with a couple of new dishes thrown in to shake things up.

Here’s what we’ll be eating this Thanksgiving: 

Citrus Rubbed Turkey with Cider Gravy.  This is the first year that we’re trying a fresh turkey.  As in it was harvested yesterday and I’ll be picking it up tomorrow.  I love that I’ve taken the whole dethawing process out of the equation.  This will be the third year using this recipe.  It couldn’t be easier and it’s absolutely packed with flavor.

Aunt Ruthie Mashed Potatoes.  It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without these potatoes.  Kids, these potatoes can be prepared up to two days in advance.  Make ahead mashed potatoes?  Absolutely!  Do yourself a favor and kick your previous mashed potatoes to the curb in favor of these amazing potatoes from my amazing Aunt Ruthie.

Sweet Potato Casserole.  These sweet potatoes have been on everything Thanksgiving dinner menu I’ve prepared.  As in, we’ve enjoyed them each year since 2006.  That’s some staying power for someone likes me who loves to change things up on the menu each year.  They can be made ahead and served at room temperature which allows for some much needed room in the oven as dinner time draws near.

Citrus Cranberry Sauce.  I made this cranberry sauce our first year in Madison and have been making it ever since.  I love it best served at room temperature.  Have leftovers?  This sauce is the star of my Cranberry Cobbler Muffins.

Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing.  Another recipe that’s been around since the beginning.  I’ve made it my goal to insure I share it with you before Turkey Day next year!  My Simple Sweet Cornbread is the base and it all comes together in the slow cooker.  There are rarely leftovers.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple and Bacon.  If I can get my meat and potato loving husband and father-in-law to fall in love with this veggie side dish, you know it’s a winner!

Green Bean Casserole.  A must-have at every Thanksgiving table.  I’ve tried making my own, but honestly the recipe on the back of the soup can has yet to be beat.  Extra french fried onions for me, please!

Honey Maple Roasted Carrots.  A recipe from my friend Chris who I had the pleasure of meeting when I traveled to North Carolina this Summer.  My father-in-law requested carrots this year and when I saw this recipe, I knew it was the one to try!

Make Ahead Butterhorns.  Another recipe from a friend.  When I saw Courtney post this amazing roll recipe last week, I made a mental note to give them a try this past weekend to see if they were really as easy as she claimed.  Friends, Courtney doesn’t lie and these butterhorns are out of this world.  I’m so glad my test batch was only five rolls – one for each of us – or I’m sure I would’ve eaten five all on my own.

Upside Down Pumpkin Pie.  Forget traditional pumpkin pie, this upside down version is where it’s at!  If I could figure out a way to make just the topping, I’d do it in a heartbeat.  Hands down my favorite part.

Dark Chocolate Brownie Pecan Pie.  This recipe makes not one, but two, pies.  And I learned my lesson the one year I shared one of the pies with a friend as my husband was not thrilled by my generosity whatsoever.  Save both pies for yourself!

Cranberry Duff.  Think and upside down pie in cranberry form.  Trust me, it’s good.

Apple Pie.  I am absolutely not a pie maker.  If Andy’s parents weren’t going to be here and I hadn’t made his mom in charge of this dessert (Andy’s favorite), I would’ve ordered it from my favorite pie shop.

Jelly Beans.  Thanks to the Peanuts Thanksgiving special, our oldest daughter decided a few years ago that jelly beans were an essential component to our Thanksgiving meal.  They’re always a conversation starter and amuse everyone when they see them at the table so on the menu they stay!

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Looking for more recipe ideas?  Check out my past menu plans and other recipes I’ve created.

Subscribe to Melanie Makes to receive my Top Ten Recipes of 2013 eBook FREE.

I’m also linking to I’m An Organizing Junkie‘s Menu Plan Monday.