Modern Takes on Thanksgiving Menus

October 27, 2008
Photo: Laurie Black; Styling: Chelsea Fuss
If you're tired of the same old fare, mix it up with this collection of menus chock full of new flavors for the holidays.
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A Turkeyless Thanksgiivng

Randy Mayor; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Melanie J. Clarke
A Turkeyless Thanksgiivng Menu
Be thankful on Thursday for some new serving ideas. Contemporary ingredients turn up in Greens with Roasted Corn and Pepper Salad, Blue Corn Bread Dressing, and sautéed duck, yet this whole menu is grounded in tradition, moving smoothly from Mushroom Turnovers to Mincemeat Charlottes. It's familiar enough to feel friendly, but adventurous enough to impress even the most jaded palate.
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Hawaiian Thanksgiving

Lisa Romerein
Hawaiian Thanksgiving Menu
Add some Hawaiian flair to your Thanksgiving table with these island-inspired Turkey Day recipes.

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Delta Roasted Turkey Thanksgiving

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rose Nguyen
Delta Roasted Turkey Thanksgiving Menu
Ditch your usual cooking method this year and try a two-temperature method that guarantees a crispy outside and super moist inside for your main dish. Pair with delicious sweet potato cups and Grand Mimosas for a festive midday holiday meal.
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Just-Us Thanksgiving Menu

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Just-Us Thanksgiving Menu Menu
This easy—yet impressive—menu features traditional ingredients in innovative ways. The star is turkey tenderloins stuffed with a savory mushroom filling and sides include a Roasted-Corn Bread Stuffing and frozen Apple and Ice Cream Pie.

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Thanksgiving on the Beach

Photo: Shelly Strazis; Styling: Valerie Aikman-Smith
Thanksgiving on the Beach Menu
Food photographer Shelly Strazis shares recipes and planning tips for an incredible Mexican-inspired Thanksgiving meal.

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Thanksgiving with a Korean Twist

Photo: Dana Gallagher
Thanksgiving with a Korean Twist Menu
Thanksgiving in Korea, called Chusok, celebrates the new rice harvest, and dessert is always made from the new crop. Fuse American and Korean traditions by serving Maple Roasted Turkey as the main course and Pumpkin Rice Pudding for dessert.
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Hold the Turkey

Hold the Turkey Menu
Keep tradition—no turkey required. Pork loin stars in this classic Thanksgiving meal complete with cornbread dressing and roasted vegetables.

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New Flavors for the Holiday

Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro
New Flavors for the Holiday Menu
For a change of pace, give this Italian-inspired menu a try. It features beef tenderloin rather than traditional turkey and polenta instead of mashed potatoes.

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Cajun-style Turkey Feast

Randy Mayor
Cajun-style Turkey Feast Menu
Serve an economical, efficient and sure-to-please menu flavored with great Cajun spice. This casual menu of Cajun Turkey with Dirty Rice Stuffing, Roasted Turnips, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, and Dried Cranberries, and Pumpkin-Streusel Cheesecake will make guests serve up seconds.
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A Southwest Thanksgiving

Lisa Romerein
A Southwest Thanksgiving Menu
Denver chef Sean Yontz's Thanksgiving feast balances traditional Thanksgiving flavors with fresh Latin twists. Chiles heat up sweet potatoes in Chile-Spiced Sweet Potato Tamales and give mashed potatoes an extra kick in Chipotle-Corn Mashed Potatoes. Mexican cheese gives new life to cauliflower and green beans while a Guajillo-Tamarind glaze transforms the classic turkey.

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Spice Up Thanksgiving

Randy Mayor
Spice Up Thanksgiving Menu
Here's a quicker, spicy alternative to Thanksgiving–Jerk Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry-Habanero Salsa. This main dish is particularly great for small gatherings; the cutlets cook quickly and serve four people. We guarantee no one will say, "Turkey again?" after this meal.

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Fresh Flavors for Thanksgiving

Jennifer Davick; Cari South
Fresh Flavors for Thanksgiving Menu
Change the pace of Thanksgiving dinner with updated Southern family classics like Grilled Bourbon-Cranberry Turkey Tenderloin. Old-school dressing is converted into fluffy Pecan-Buttermilk Dressing Cakes and traditional green bean casserole replaced with Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans.
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Small Kitchen, Big Thanksgiving Feast

Lee Harrelson
Small Kitchen, Big Thanksgiving Feast Menu
This traditional feast is big on style and flavor, but features time- and space-saving tricks.

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Dine Outside On Turkey Day

Dine Outside On Turkey Day Menu
Don't pass up the chance to enjoy Thanksgiving supper outdoors if the weather is nice. Fill a big table with platters of Two-Alarm Deep-Fried Turkey, bowls with Cranberry Compote, Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes, and your family's must-have sides, breads, and salads. Part of the fun to this get-together is standing in line, plate in hand, waiting your turn to serve yourself. Settle around the outdoor tables, enjoy dinner, and remember to save some room for Sweet Potato-Pecan Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting. Serves 8.

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Southern California Thanksgiving Menu

Photo: David Tsay; Styling: Dani Fisher
Southern California Thanksgiving Menu Menu
Turkey Day gest a SoCal twist: It's on the grill with lots of sunshine!
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Casual Texas Thanksgiving Menu

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell
Casual Texas Thanksgiving Menu Menu
Chef Maiya Keck of Marfa, Texas, shares her relaxed feast with family and friends.

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New Traditional Thanksgiving Menu

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns
New Traditional Thanksgiving Menu Menu
Put the spark back in Thanksgiving with seven fresh recipes we promise will mingle beautifully with your family's time-honored dishes.

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A Smokin' Good Thanksgiving

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Scott Martin
A Smokin' Good Thanksgiving Menu
Join this family in their deliciously untraditional tradition.
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Host A Unique Potluck Thanksgiving

Host A Unique Potluck Thanksgiving Menu
If you're the ring leader of a turkey day gathering, choose a fun flavor theme to help guests select a recipe to bring. Italian Thanksgiving, anyone?

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An Asian-inspired Thanksgiving

An Asian-inspired Thanksgiving Menu
Bring bright Asian flavors to your dinner table with a fun-filled holiday menu.

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An Inspired Vegetarian Thanksgiving

An Inspired Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
This vegetarian menu can take center stage at any Thanksgiving table. You'll never miss the meat.
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Thanksgiving by the Sea Menu

Photo: Luca Trovato; Styling: Linda Hirst
Thanksgiving by the Sea Menu Menu
The perfect feast starts with seasonal favorites and just a dash of creative coastal flavor. The secret is in the clever additions–and making enough for seconds.

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A Seaside Feast Menu

A Seaside Feast Menu Menu
Gather around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner that is big on coastal flavor but simple to prepare.

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A Diner Thanksgiving Menu

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Robyn Valarik 
A Diner Thanksgiving Menu Menu
Tired of the same old holiday thing? Shake off tradition with this fun, casual menu.
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Deep South Meat 'n' Three Menu

Deep South Meat 'n' Three Menu Menu
Consider this our upscale version of the classic, Southern-style blue-plate special (complete with blue china!)

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Texas Meat 'n' Three Menu

Texas Meat 'n' Three Menu Menu
This Texas-inspired meal includes the perfect blends of spices and pungent flavors to bring you an unforgettable, crowd-pleasing feast.

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Lowcountry Meat 'n' Three Menu

Lowcountry Meat 'n' Three Menu Menu
Love an authentic lowcountry meal? Then this meat 'n' three is a must-make this holiday.
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Warm and Rustic Texas Thanksgiving Menu

Photo: Jody Horton; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas 
Warm and Rustic Texas Thanksgiving Menu Menu
Classic flavors with a rustic Texan twist make for an elevated Thanksgiving menu. We can't wait to get our hands on that Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart!

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A Side-Centric Thanksgiving

Photo: Aya Brackett; Styling: Amy Wilson
A Side-Centric Thanksgiving Menu
Award-winning cookbook author Deborah Madison's Thanksgiving tradition is to buck tradition! Instead, each year she creates a new menu featuring the beautiful produce native to her home in New Mexico.

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Thanksgiving Sideshow Menu

Photo: Laurie Black; Styling: Chelsea Fuss
Thanksgiving Sideshow Menu Menu
We don't want to dismiss the turkey on Thanksgiving Day, but after a helping of these flavorful sides you may not have any room for it!
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