We’ve talked a lot about how different the holidays will look in 2020.
With a worldwide pandemic still very much a health and safety hazard, now more than ever, our Thanksgiving gathering will be much smaller than usual. That’s why this year, we’re scaling down our menu while still keeping our traditional favorites on the table. That means avoiding full spreads and finding creative ways to combine some of our family favorites. Here’s a look at our downsized Thanksgiving menu!
Stay Safe This Thanksgiving!
Yes, the holidays will be a little different this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. But that doesn’t mean we still can’t enjoy time with our families and all the things we’re grateful for.
If you’re traveling, be sure to use proper precautions like hand-washing, wearing a mask in public, and self-isolating when needed. Together, we can do what we can to stop the spread and keep our family members safe and healthy this holiday season!
Now, onto the details of our menu and the recipe for Bacon Jam!
Here’s our overall Thanksgiving menu, explained below:
Serving 5-6
Harvest Sparkle
Warm Mulled Cider
Bacon Jam (recipe below)
Crudite
Bacon Turkey cabbage, apples and onions (we actually made one made beforehand for broth and pan drippings)
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole with Drop Biscuits
Scale Up and add
Deviled Eggs
Balsamic Roasted Vegetables
Cornbread in a Skillet
Want Lower Carb? Try
Pork Stuffing Casserole instead of bread
Rosemary Carrot Mash instead of mashed potatoes
Creamed Kale instead of creamed corn pudding
Heather’s Low Carb Cheesecake for a real deal dessert, a chocolate swirl with nut toppings would be a fantastic seasonal replacement instead of berries
Tips for Adjusting the Thanksgiving Menu
Turkey: As far as main courses go, turkey is such a flexible dish for varying menu sizes. If your menu is larger than ours, it’s as easy as buying a bigger bird! Just remember- bigger turkeys cook longer, so be sure to plan your time accordingly. And don’t forget to make enough for Thanksgiving leftovers! We usually make two birds, one you can make in advance then you’ll have bones for the broth to make the gravy ahead of time if you want to save on time.
Appetizers: choose something that works universally. We’re sharing Bacon Jam because it can be prepped in advance and works with almost anything (including leftovers) and goes a long way. Skip fancy additions like soups, or dishes that are a lot of work but won’t be good on their own later.
Sides: we used to let each family member attending Thanksgiving request a dish. With a scaled-down celebration, we’re serving less number of dishes – but we don’t have to give up on the flavors. We’re sharing some dishes that combine separate classic recipes, so you’re still getting it all.
Desserts: This is where we cheat a bit. There are so many awesome pre-made options these days, grabbing a gluten-free pie from the store or making something simple like our 10 min Pecan Crack(le) Cookies saves more time to enjoy the holiday with loved ones.
Desserts
Thanksgiving Leftovers
