Thanksgiving: Recipes and Traditions

The American celebration of Thanksgiving stretches back almost 400 years to the year 1621, when English settlers at Plymouth Rock gave thanks for their first harvest. The Pilgrims held a feast together with members of the local Wampanoag tribe who had helped them avoid starvation the previous winter.

In the beginning, Americans observed Thanksgiving only on an informal basis. Starting in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as an official national holiday. Since 1939, the official celebration always falls on the fourth Thursday in November.

More than any other American holiday, Thanksgiving centers around food. Turkey is crucial to the meal, but many families served duck or even venison too.

Seasonal produce with New World origins features prominently — corn, squash, beans, yams, pumpkin, cranberries.

In recent years it has become more and more common to accompany the whole meal with a fine American zinfandel or pinot noir wine. But any wine, white or red, will do.

Thanksgiving Recipes

Try these recipes for Thanksgiving.

Baked Country Ham 
(American Southern roasted ham)

Baked Country Ham 
(American Southern roasted ham)

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

Ghapama 
(Armenian rice-stuffed and baked whole pumpkin)

Macaroni and Cheese 
(American pasta with cheese)

Macaroni and Cheese 
(American pasta with cheese)

Cornbread Dressing 
(American cornmeal bread dressing)

Cornbread Dressing 
(American cornmeal bread dressing)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Wild Rice Pilaf 
(Canadian-American wild grain pilaf)

Wild Rice Pilaf 
(Canadian-American wild grain pilaf)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

Southern Greens 
(American Southern-Soul simmered leafy greens)

Chicken Stock 
(How to make chicken stock, with variations)

Chicken Stock 
(How to make chicken stock, with variations)

Sweet Potato Pie 
(American, Southern-Soul sweet potato open-faced tart)

Sweet Potato Pie 
(American, Southern-Soul sweet potato open-faced tart)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Brussels Sprouts Gratin 
(English roasted Brussels sprouts with cheese sauce)

Brussels Sprouts Gratin 
(English roasted Brussels sprouts with cheese sauce)

New York Cheesecake 
(American Mid-Atlantic cream cheese dessert)

New York Cheesecake 
(American Mid-Atlantic cream cheese dessert)

Green Bean Casserole 
(American green beans side dish with a crunchy topping)

Green Bean Casserole 
(American green beans side dish with a crunchy topping)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Apple Pie 
(American apple tart)

Apple Pie 
(American apple tart)

Mashed Potatoes 
(Irish and American potato puree)

Mashed Potatoes 
(Irish and American potato puree)

Cornbread 
(American cornmeal bread)

Cornbread 
(American cornmeal bread)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

Pavo Salvadoreño 
(Salvadoran roast turkey with sauce)

Pumpkin Pie 
(American pumpkin pastry dessert)

Pumpkin Pie 
(American pumpkin pastry dessert)

Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cookies 
(American cinnamon-scented baked treat)

Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cookies 
(American cinnamon-scented baked treat)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy 
(American holiday turkey)

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