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What's on the menu for Thanksgiving 2023?

9,112 Views | 68 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Ornlu
fav13andac1)c
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7:05a, 11/2/23
AG
Looking for main course ideas.

Last year I did a smoked deboned turkey stuffed with dirty rice. Turned out great. I loved the convenience of not having bones to go around and the portions were neat and tidy.

I'm not convinced I want to do turkey this year. But I'm not sure I want to go all out with prime rib either.

What is everyone else doing?
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aggiedata
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8:15a, 11/2/23
AG
I smoked two turkey breast last year and the brother in law fried two turkeys for the extended family thanksgiving feast.

This year the family voted. They only want smoked turkey breast. I'm stocked up and ready to smoke!!


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DBird
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8:23a, 11/2/23
It's always a brined and smoked spatchcocked turkey and then peppered ham for main course over here. Sometimes we do fried fish, oysters, and shrimp.
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HTownAg98
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8:30a, 11/2/23
Grill some tri-tip or picanha.
Roast a whole fish.
Cassoulet.
Roast duck.
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AggieOO
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8:38a, 11/2/23
I'm smoking a turkey and then doing a "double smoked" spiral ham.
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DBird
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In reply to HTownAg98 • 9:10a, 11/2/23
HTownAg98 said:
Grill some tri-tip or picanha.
Roast a whole fish.
Cassoulet.
Roast duck.
Picanha or Tri-tip, I might do that.
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TXAG 05
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12:02p, 11/2/23
AG
We usually do steaks, or a prime rib, but I'll always smoke a turkey breast too, mostly for leftover sandwiches.
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Ornlu
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12:27p, 11/2/23
AG
I'm doing a smoked Suckling Pig. Going to plate it like this at the table:
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AustinCountyAg
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1:48p, 11/2/23
In laws will smoke a ham, and get a greenberg turkey (served cold). I will maybe make a sandwich with the turkey and eat a couple of sides. I hate turkey/ham served for thanksgiving. I'd rather eat a hamburger.

every year I tell my wife lets do steaks, shrimp, fried fish, ANYTHING besides turkey and ham and nope. I get shot down.
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fav13andac1)c
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In reply to Ornlu • 2:52p, 11/2/23
AG
Ornlu said:
I'm doing a smoked Suckling Pig. Going to plate it like this at the table:


Hell yeah. How are you going to cook that thing? Big offset?
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fav13andac1)c
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In reply to fav13andac1)c • 2:59p, 11/2/23
AG
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Max Power
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In reply to AustinCountyAg • 3:39p, 11/2/23
AG
AustinCountyAg said:
In laws will smoke a ham, and get a greenberg turkey (served cold). I will maybe make a sandwich with the turkey and eat a couple of sides. I hate turkey/ham served for thanksgiving. I'd rather eat a hamburger.

every year I tell my wife lets do steaks, shrimp, fried fish, ANYTHING besides turkey and ham and nope. I get shot down.
I feel your pain, some people think Thanksgiving has to be a very specific meal, without exception. My in-laws think I'm a Thanksgiving heretic because to me just straight up roasted turkey and ham is boring as hell. Ham in particular I dislike, there's so many better things you can do with pork, and a roasted chicken to me tastes better than turkey. Ordered a Popeye's turkey a couple years ago and it was ok. The best thing we've done turkey wise is ordering a deboned stuffed turkey from Hebert's Specialty Meats. They're a hit every time, if you're in the Houston area I recommend giving that a go. If you need to order/ship one it's best to price them out from the stores in Louisiana because there was a significant price difference by ordering from a different location than Houston. Smoked turkey can be tasty if you find a good place, some bbq joints smoke whole turkeys for Thanksgiving.

If we aren't hosting what my wife and I have started to do is just appease everyone else for Thanksgiving, don't rock the boat, and then make a meal that we want the following day instead at our house.

I'd rather just make a meal out of the sides than eat plain turkey or ham.
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FIDO*98*
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In reply to Max Power • 5:49p, 11/2/23
AG
Add me to that camp. I've finally resigned myself to the fact that I'm never going to get buy in on a fun Thanksgiving menu. Even when I put all my effort into making the best version of every traditional dish, it's still glorified cafeteria food

This year we're at my in-laws who open lots of cans & cook the turkey in a roaster so she can dry out the ham in the oven. Don't really GAF anymore. We'll haul ass to the coast Friday morning and eat great the rest of the weekend
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Bruce Almighty
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7:14p, 11/2/23
AG
Smoked Cajun turkey, cornbread roasted poblano dressing and whatever else my family brings. I'm a traditionalist and love turkey when it's done right. I also use the leftovers for posole the next day.
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B-1 83
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7:41p, 11/2/23
AG
Whatever the cruise ship serves.
Being in TexAgs jail changes a man……..no, not really
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Ornlu
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In reply to fav13andac1)c • 7:58p, 11/2/23
AG
A suckling pig is only like 8 pounds. It's only 6 weeks old at harvest. It's gonna have to be the smallest apple I can find.
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superunknown
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In reply to Bruce Almighty • 8:15p, 11/2/23
AG
Bruce Almighty said:
Smoked Cajun turkey, cornbread roasted poblano dressing and whatever else my family brings. I'm a traditionalist and love turkey when it's done right. I also use the leftovers for posole the next day.


cornbread roasted poblano dressing? Go on.
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FIDO*98*
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In reply to B-1 83 • 8:26p, 11/2/23
AG
B-1 83 said:
Whatever the cruise ship serves.


What cruise and how long?
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Max Power
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9:01a, 11/3/23
AG
This thread got me to remember to ask the wife whether her family had figured out what the plan was for Thanksgiving this year...and we're hosting. I don't mind cooking but hosting is such a PITA and should be rotated IMO. Last year after busting my *** in the kitchen I didn't even get to sit at my own dining room table to eat. My wife's entire family had taken every single seat. I ended up eating in the kitchen by myself and no one, including my wife, seemed to notice. I was pissed and will need to lay some ground rules this year.
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SalesAg13
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In reply to Max Power • 9:21a, 11/3/23
AG
Eating alone doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world...
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FIDO*98*
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In reply to Max Power • 9:33a, 11/3/23
AG
You just described my ideal Thanksgiving. Don't have to travel and missing out on the main table where everyone is talking full volume at the same time
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sanitariex
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10:38a, 11/3/23
AG
I was about to say, that's my idea of a perfect cookout, let everyone else enjoy a table seat and great meal, and I get to eat all by myself in silence without a hunch of fake conversation! Our big Friendsgiving we do every year was that same way, raining outside so everyone was inside, we'll I sat on the patio and ate by myself with good music on!
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Max Power
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11:08a, 11/3/23
AG
I don't mind my in-laws, but perhaps y'all have a point that I should reconsider. In my mind I was thinking I was Steven Glansberg in this scenario.

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B-1 83
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In reply to FIDO*98* • 12:33p, 11/3/23
AG
FIDO*98* said:
B-1 83 said:
Whatever the cruise ship serves.


What cruise and how long?
Royal Caribbean 7 days - Honduras and 2 Mexican ports.
Being in TexAgs jail changes a man……..no, not really
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FIDO*98*
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In reply to B-1 83 • 12:59p, 11/3/23
AG
B-1 83 said:
FIDO*98* said:
B-1 83 said:
Whatever the cruise ship serves.


What cruise and how long?
Royal Caribbean 7 days - Honduras and 2 Mexican ports.


We were supposed to be on that trip. Had to cancel because my wife and her sister couldn't come together on an alternate date for her parents 50th anniversary party. Sucks
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aggiedata
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In reply to Bruce Almighty • 2:45p, 11/3/23
AG
I'll second the request for the recipe on cornbread roasted poblano dressing.
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Bruce Almighty
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In reply to superunknown • 5:10p, 11/3/23
AG
superunknown said:
Bruce Almighty said:
Smoked Cajun turkey, cornbread roasted poblano dressing and whatever else my family brings. I'm a traditionalist and love turkey when it's done right. I also use the leftovers for posole the next day.


cornbread roasted poblano dressing? Go on.
This is the recipe I use, though I cheat and use premade cornbread from the bakery section of the grocery store.

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/corn-bread-stuffing-country-sausage

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Sethtevious
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In reply to Max Power • 6:54p, 11/3/23
Max Power said:
This thread got me to remember to ask the wife whether her family had figured out what the plan was for Thanksgiving this year...and we're hosting. I don't mind cooking but hosting is such a PITA and should be rotated IMO. Last year after busting my *** in the kitchen I didn't even get to sit at my own dining room table to eat. My wife's entire family had taken every single seat. I ended up eating in the kitchen by myself and no one, including my wife, seemed to notice. I was pissed and will need to lay some ground rules this year.
You're a better man than me, I'd seriously be looking into a divorce after an incident like that. It isn't that her family widely disrespected the host and man who cooked dinner, it is the power dynamics at play. How tf did your wife not notice?

Do you not have assigned seats of sorts at your dinning room table? Growing up, there was no question where my father and mother sat at the dining room table for formal meals, it was known. The only question was where everyone else sits.

Even when I go to other people's homes, I know where the host and hostess are sitting, you don't go near their seats unless they specifically ask you to. Even then, you argue. It's a respect thing.
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Sethtevious
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In reply to fav13andac1)c • 7:26p, 11/3/23
fav13andac1)c said:
Looking for main course ideas.
Pork tenderloin as main, gnocchi as pasta dish.

Another option is a pork loin. Rub down the loin with garlic, salt, and pepper. Place in a large sauce pan and brown in its own fat. Pour one cup of Barolo wine (or any full-bodied red wine) over it. Cover and simmer until wine has evaporated, turning meat twice. Finely dice 4-6 Roma tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes, or dilute 1/2 cup of tomato paste in water in 1 cup of water. Put diced tomatoes in pot, or pour tomato paste mixture over the meat. Cover and simmer for 1.5 hours or until meat is tender, turning meat occasionally. Season to taste.

Boil a pound of pasta. Serve pork loin with some of the sauce. Cover the pasta with the remaining sauce, serve along with pork loin.
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amanda04
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In reply to B-1 83 • 9:14p, 11/3/23
AG
B-1 83 said:
FIDO*98* said:
B-1 83 said:
Whatever the cruise ship serves.


What cruise and how long?
Royal Caribbean 7 days - Honduras and 2 Mexican ports.


Not to sidetrack but I'm going to be on that cruise too! I'm intrigued to see what they are going to serve.
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Rattler12
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In reply to Max Power • 8:09a, 11/4/23
Max Power said:
This thread got me to remember to ask the wife whether her family had figured out what the plan was for Thanksgiving this year...and we're hosting. I don't mind cooking but hosting is such a PITA and should be rotated IMO. Last year after busting my *** in the kitchen I didn't even get to sit at my own dining room table to eat. My wife's entire family had taken every single seat. I ended up eating in the kitchen by myself and no one, including my wife, seemed to notice. I was pissed and will need to lay some ground rules this year.
We had 43 folks (from toddlers of the youngsters that used to be toddlers when we started hosting to us old folks) at TG last year and we have hosted it for the last 17 or 18 years because we have the space and facilities to do so. We have 4 generations involved. I fry a couple of turkeys and bake a big one and make the mashed potatoes and gravy. Everybody else brings a side or dessert. Mz R is not a cook so I do all of it and am proud and happy to do so. Our blended extended families get along very well and it's a joy to watch all the interaction between them. I too wind up eating at the end but don't mind at all. Why get pissed off? What good did it do? Enjoy the event and look forward to the next one ........or don't host it any more because the same thing is going to happen again.
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Ornlu
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In reply to Rattler12 • 9:32p, 11/4/23
AG
Rattler12 said:
Max Power said:
This thread got me to remember to ask the wife whether her family had figured out what the plan was for Thanksgiving this year...and we're hosting. I don't mind cooking but hosting is such a PITA and should be rotated IMO. Last year after busting my *** in the kitchen I didn't even get to sit at my own dining room table to eat. My wife's entire family had taken every single seat. I ended up eating in the kitchen by myself and no one, including my wife, seemed to notice. I was pissed and will need to lay some ground rules this year.
We had 43 folks (from toddlers of the youngsters that used to be toddlers when we started hosting to us old folks) at TG last year and we have hosted it for the last 17 or 18 years because we have the space and facilities to do so. We have 4 generations involved. I fry a couple of turkeys and bake a big one and make the mashed potatoes and gravy. Everybody else brings a side or dessert. Mz R is not a cook so I do all of it and am proud and happy to do so. Our blended extended families get along very well and it's a joy to watch all the interaction between them. I too wind up eating at the end but don't mind at all. Why get pissed off? What good did it do? Enjoy the event and look forward to the next one ........or don't host it any more because the same thing is going to happen again.


This really warms my heart. Thanks for posting.

I grew up with thanksgivings like this, but haven't quite yet recreated them. Gives me hope.
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TexasAggie_97
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9:50p, 11/4/23
AG
Brisket and ribs and sausage.
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Sethtevious
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In reply to Rattler12 • 12:05a, 11/5/23
Rattler12 said:
Max Power said:
This thread got me to remember to ask the wife whether her family had figured out what the plan was for Thanksgiving this year...and we're hosting. I don't mind cooking but hosting is such a PITA and should be rotated IMO. Last year after busting my *** in the kitchen I didn't even get to sit at my own dining room table to eat. My wife's entire family had taken every single seat. I ended up eating in the kitchen by myself and no one, including my wife, seemed to notice. I was pissed and will need to lay some ground rules this year.
We had 43 folks (from toddlers of the youngsters that used to be toddlers when we started hosting to us old folks) at TG last year and we have hosted it for the last 17 or 18 years because we have the space and facilities to do so. We have 4 generations involved. I fry a couple of turkeys and bake a big one and make the mashed potatoes and gravy. Everybody else brings a side or dessert. Mz R is not a cook so I do all of it and am proud and happy to do so. Our blended extended families get along very well and it's a joy to watch all the interaction between them. I too wind up eating at the end but don't mind at all. Why get pissed off? What good did it do? Enjoy the event and look forward to the next one ........or don't host it any more because the same thing is going to happen again.
He wasn't upset about waiting until the end to eat, he was pissed because he had no place to sit at the table in his own house, and no one noticed. Have you ever had a year where you did all the work and cooked everything and everyone ignored you? Because that is what happened here. He has a legit reason to be upset.
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Rattler12
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In reply to Sethtevious • 8:19a, 11/5/23
Sethtevious said:
Rattler12 said:
Max Power said:
This thread got me to remember to ask the wife whether her family had figured out what the plan was for Thanksgiving this year...and we're hosting. I don't mind cooking but hosting is such a PITA and should be rotated IMO. Last year after busting my *** in the kitchen I didn't even get to sit at my own dining room table to eat. My wife's entire family had taken every single seat. I ended up eating in the kitchen by myself and no one, including my wife, seemed to notice. I was pissed and will need to lay some ground rules this year.
We had 43 folks (from toddlers of the youngsters that used to be toddlers when we started hosting to us old folks) at TG last year and we have hosted it for the last 17 or 18 years because we have the space and facilities to do so. We have 4 generations involved. I fry a couple of turkeys and bake a big one and make the mashed potatoes and gravy. Everybody else brings a side or dessert. Mz R is not a cook so I do all of it and am proud and happy to do so. Our blended extended families get along very well and it's a joy to watch all the interaction between them. I too wind up eating at the end but don't mind at all. Why get pissed off? What good did it do? Enjoy the event and look forward to the next one ........or don't host it any more because the same thing is going to happen again.
He wasn't upset about waiting until the end to eat, he was pissed because he had no place to sit at the table in his own house, and no one noticed. Have you ever had a year where you did all the work and cooked everything and everyone ignored you? Because that is what happened here. He has a legit reason to be upset.
I guess I'm not as sensitive to things like that as some are. I am too busy "hosting" to even think that I'm being purposely ignored. Being the host has both positives and negatives. I choose to enjoy the positives and will gladly give up my seat at the table in my own house for those I consider family. If I felt like he did I would quit hosting.
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