The Main Events - 19 recipes
Think beyond the turkey! If you're looking to mix it up with your main dish this Thanksgiving, start with our collection here.
Top Recipe
Sage White Wine Roasted Game Hens
By WBLiquors
Details
- HENS
- 2 game hens, rinsed and dried
- 3 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves
- 3 tablespoons dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 whole garlic cloves
- 1 lemon, halved
- 2 sprigs thyme
- THYME VELOUTÉ
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 medium shallot, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic butter
- 1 tablespoon cognac or white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream, optional
These sage rubbed game hens are perfectly sized birds for a dinner of two
Top rated Thanksgiving Main Dish recipes
Roasted Goose with Crispy Skin
By á-174535
Grab a bottle or two of Pinot Noir for this fantastic feast! Make this Roasted Goose with Crispy Skin for your fami...
- 1 12-pound goose, neck and giblets reserved, visible fat removed
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 1/4 cups warm water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco
- 1 teaspoon potato starch dissolved in 2 tablespoons red or white wine
Baked Ham with Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze
By á-174535
A classic ham is the perfect main dish to any family gathering or holiday
- 1 6 to 8 pound fully cooked smoked bone-in ham
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic or cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- Orange slices, if desired
- Maraschino cherries, if desired
Individual Beef Wellingtons
By á-6055
This makes a very elegant & romantic meal
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
- 2 beef tenderloin steaks
- 2 tablespoons mushroom or liver pate
- 1 egg white, beaten
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup dry red wine
- 1 tablespoon shallot or onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon instant beef bouillon granules
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons snipped parsley
Shepherd's Pie
By á-10847
Nothing beats a classic like Shepard's Pie
- 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes
- 1/4 cup half-and-half
- 2 ounces unsalted butter
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or meat of your choice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen English peas
Stuffed Turkey Breast with Pancetta, Sage Pesto, Cranberry Glaze & Sweet Potato Purée
By á-74973
Try this recipe for a creative twist to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey meal! Pancetta, sage pesto and cranberr
- 4 turkey breasts
- 2 cups sage
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 tablespoon panko
- 4 slices pancetta
- 2 large sweet potatoes, diced into 2-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/4 cup cranberries
Honey Glazed Ham
By erica_johnson
What better way to celebrate the Easter holiday than with a tantalizing Easter ham! If you are looking for deliciou...
- 1 (5-pound) cooked ham
- 1/4 cup whole cloves
- 1/4 cup dark corn syrup or 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 cups honey
- 2/3 cup butter
Deep-Fried Cajun Turkey
By Valarie
This Deep-Fried Cajun Turkey recipe yields succulent and juicy turkey with a crispy golden browned skin
- 1 (8 to 10 pound) turkey
- Peanut oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Prime Rib for Two
By DreiFromBK
Juicy, ultra-tender prime rib is the ultimate roast beef
- 1(1 1/2-pound)1 (1 1/2-pound) bone-in rib-eye steak, 1 1/2 inches thick
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1tablespoon1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2tablespoons2 tablespoons shallots, minced
- 1teaspoon1 teaspoon ketchup
- 1/4teaspoon1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2cup1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4cup1/4 cup red wine
Grilled Turkey Breast with Caramelized Onion, Black Pepper & Vinegar
By lorik
Grill up your Thanksgiving turkey and season with caramelized onion, black pepper and vinegar to give it even more ...
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
- 2 medium red onions, finely chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 2 cups turkey or chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon cracked black peppercorns, plus freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 1⁄4 turkey breast, cut into 4" pieces and pounded into 1⁄6–thick medallions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Easy Pineapple Glazed Spiral Ham
By Foodiewife, A Feast for the Eyes
Make your own pineapple glaze for your spiral cut ham! I wanted to show how easy it is to turn a spiral cut bone-in...
- SAUCE:
- 1 spiral cut ham, already cooked
- 1 cup of pineapple jam
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- CORNSTARCH SLURRY:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Water
Grill-Roasted Turkey
By á-29965
Grill-Roasted Turkey is great way to change up your Thanksgiving turkey
- 1 (12 to 14 pound) turkey, giblets and neck removed, brined, room temperature for 1 hour
- 1 apple, cored, quartered
- 1 orange, quartered
- 1 red onion, peeled, quartered
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Special equipment: A charcoal chimney; 2 cups wood chips, soaked in water for at least 2 hours (optional)
Buttermilk Brined Cornish Hens
By á-25087
Cornish hens are more than just mini me’s of everyday chickens, I do believe that they have a special flavor all ...
- 2 Cornish hens (1 1/2 to 1 3/4-pounds) each
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 lemon, halved
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Fresh thyme
Roast Turkey with Pepperoni
By DreiFromBK
Keep your roast turkey moist by stuffing thin slices of pepperoni under the skin
- 1 (12 to 14 pound) turkey
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1/2 pound pepperoni, thinly sliced
- 1 preserved lemon, halved lengthwise, pulp discarded and rind sliced 1/2-inch thick, plus 2 teaspoons minced rind
- 12 large sage leaves, plus 2 sprigs
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons thyme, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
- Pepper
One-Pan Prime Rib & Roasted Vegetables
By á-14060
Try this delicious One-Pan Prime Rib and Roasted Vegetables recipe
- 1(7-pound)1 (7-pound) first-cut beef standing rib roast (3 bones), fat trimmed to 1/4 inch
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Vegetable oil
- 2pounds2 pounds carrots, peeled, cut into 2-inch lengths, halved or quartered lengthwise to create 1/2-inch-diameter pieces
- 1pound1 pound parsnips, peeled, sliced 1/2 inch thick on bias
- 1pound1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved
- 11 red onion, halved and sliced through root end into 1/2-inch wedges
- 2teaspoons2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
Thanksgiving Main Dish recipe collections
More Thanksgiving Main Dish recipes
-
Citrus-Marinated Turkey
- BRINED TURKEY:
- 1 gallon water
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups kosher salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 (15-pound) fresh turkey (giblets and neck reserved)
- MARINADE:
- 10 roasted garlic cloves (see Note)
- 10 raw garlic cloves
- 1 3/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons dried oregano
- 3 chipotles in adobo
- 2 tablespoons annatto paste (see Note)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- TURKEY:
- 9 cups chicken or turkey stock or low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- Reserved turkey giblets and neck (liver discarded)
- 3 shallots, coarsely chopped
- 2 carrots, coarsely chopped
- 2 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 10 roasted garlic cloves (see Note)
- 8 black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
-
Bourbon & Orange Brined Turkey
- FOR THE BRINE:
- 2 gallons cold water
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups bourbon
- 1 cup kosher salt, such as Morton’s brand
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large navel orange, sliced into 6 wedges
- 2 bay leaves, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 3-inch cinnamon stick, coarsely broken
- FOR THE TURKEY:
- One 12 to 14 pound turkey, defrosted if frozen, giblets removed. Deep frying recommended maximum bird is 15 pounds. Smaller is ideal.
- NOTE: Only use the following if oven roasting, smoking or grilling your bird:
- 1 large navel orange, sliced into 6 wedges
- Several sprigs of fresh herbs, such as sage, thyme, rosemary, etc.
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper
-
Honey & Sage Brined Deep Fried...
- 1 (12 to 16-pound) turkey
- 6 quarts water
- 1 1/2 cups kosher salt
- 1 cup honey
- 1 handful fresh sage leaves
- 6 fresh garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
- 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
- 2 ounces your favorite spice rub
- 4 to 5 gallons Peanut Oil, for frying
- Turkey fryer and burner
-
Pineapple Ham Loaf
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup crushed saltines (about 30 crackers)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds ground fully cooked ham
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 (8-ounce) can sliced pineapple, drained, divided
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