Aisling and Ellie's Simplified Thanksgiving Dinner
by Aisling Walding and Ellie Watson
November 14, 2024
Planning a Thanksgiving feast can feel like a juggling act, especially when you're trying to balance a delicious menu with ingredients that are easy to find and use. This year, we're making it simple by putting together a complete Thanksgiving dinner menu just for you, with recipes that use straightforward, accessible, LOCAL ingredients. Whether you're hosting family, friends, or both, our menu will help you create a memorable meal without the stress, so you can focus on what really matters—enjoying good food and great company.
Let’s kick off Thanksgiving with some crowd-pleasing appetizers that set the mood for the feast ahead. These starters are simple to prepare yet big on flavor, perfect for keeping everyone satisfied while the main course finishes up. From sweet and savory charcuterie ideas to fabulous chips and dip, each of our appetizer picks is crafted with easy-to-find ingredients and minimal fuss. They’re the perfect beginning to your Thanksgiving meal, giving guests something delicious to nibble on.
Aisling's Amazing Appetizer
I could eat a charcuterie board everyday! That's why I am starting off my Thanksgiving with cream cheese topped with sweet and spicy pepper jelly from Palmer Farm and crunchy pecans from Priester’s Pecans. This simple yet flavorful combination is perfect for pairing with crackers to serve as a crowd-pleasing holiday treat.
Ellie's Alluring Appetizer
For the inevitable time when friends and family wander into the kitchen "starving" before it's time to sit and eat, I plan to prep this Pickle de Gallo recipe using Sweet Grown Alabama pickles I have on hand from 4G Farms. I LOVE pickles and I LOVE a dip, so while this may be a little untraditional, it's gonna be a great way to highlight local products during my Thanksgiving dinner. And it's a great reminder that shelf-stable products like pickles, jams, jellies and more can be enjoyed year round! Go ahead and check out our Christmas gift guide to find a host of shelf-stable items you can gift this year!
Now for the main event—the Thanksgiving main course! We’ve curated our favorite recipes that bring all the hearty, comforting flavors you love, but with ingredients that won’t have you searching high and low. Each dish is designed to complement the others, creating a balanced and satisfying spread that’s sure to impress. Whether you're a Thanksgiving traditionalist or open to trying new twists, our main course lineup has something for everyone gathered around the table.
Aisling's Mouthwatering Main
As someone who raises cattle, I love incorporating local beef into my Thanksgiving meal because it reflects the hard work and care that goes into producing high-quality food. There is truly nothing better than good food produced close to home. If you haven't made your main protein purchase yet, I encourage you to visit SweetGrownAlabama.org to change it up this year and use local beef.
Ellie's Marvelous Main
Sorry turkey people, but my family loves pork on Thanksgiving! Plus, I think apple is the superior fall flavor when compared to pumpkin. That makes this roasted pork tenderloin with apples a great feature dish for our feast. Alabama’s pork farmers do an incredible job humanely raising this local meat that is FULL of flavor. Plus, food just tastes better when I know I’m contributing positively to our state’s economy and environment.
Add a finishing touch to your table with a variety of side dishes to round out the meal. Our selection of sides features several classics, plus a few fresh twists to keep things exciting. Each recipe is designed with simple, accessible ingredients, making them easy to prepare without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re looking for comforting tradition, perfectly roasted veggies, or something a little unexpected, these side dishes will bring balance and harmony to your Thanksgiving feast, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Aisling's Scrumptious Sides
Roasted cabbage has become one of my favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving—it’s so simple but packed with flavor. I love how easy it is to prepare, and it pairs so well with everything else on the table, adding a nice balance. One thing about me, I am going to make sure my plate is a happy one, and that starts with a good variety of local products!
I don't know about you, but my house is overrun by local satsumas this time of year! Living in the Wiregrass I always make sure to stockup on this little fruit from Tolar Satsuma Farm. This healthy salad will make the perfect side for something a little lighter AND incorporate the abundance of sweet satsumas I have.
Ellie's Savory Sides
No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without a classic, southern deviled egg. Your family probably has very specific preferences when it comes to deviled eggs (I'm team relish over here). No matter how you choose to fill them, local eggs make for the most delicious Thanksgiving staple. However, they can be hard to peel because they are so fresh. I'll be using this Instant Pot recipe to ensure my deviled eggs taste yummy, and look pretty on the outside too! We're lucky to have backyard chickens and a supply of fresh eggs, but there's an abundance of Sweet Grown Alabama farmers who sell eggs listed at SweetGrownAlabama.org.
With a toddler in the house, I'm always looking for easy, guaranteed ways to ensure she's eating her veggies! And sweet potatoes pack a punch of vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants. Sweet potato fries are a side dish even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy! Plus, when you purchase sweet potatoes from Alabama farmers, you're not only getting the freshest, healthiest product, but you're celebrating our official state vegetable.
No Thanksgiving feast is complete without a sweet finale, and our dessert lineup is here to end your meal on a high note. From classic favorites like pecan pie with a cream cheese filling to honey peanut pie tassies, there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth. Best of all, these recipes use straightforward ingredients and simple steps, making them as easy to prepare as they are delicious. Whether you’re serving up a slice of nostalgia or experimenting with new flavors, our desserts are the perfect way to wrap up your Thanksgiving celebration.
Aisling's Delectable Dessert
Is it even a true Southern Thanksgiving without a slice (or two) of pecan pie? This incredibly easy recipe from Rock House Farms is the epitome of "Southern comfort," with flavors that scream, "I'm from Alabama!" I’m particular about my pie, so once I find the perfect one, it’s my go-to every year. Pro tip: make this dessert the night before to save time on Thanksgiving morning!
Ellie's Decadent Dessert
And here we are... to my FAVORITE part of any meal! Pecans are a Thanksgiving staple of course, but this year I plan to mix things up a bit to enjoy locally grown peanuts from the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and some local honey from Prattville Honey Farm. These honey peanut pie tassies are easy to make the day before Thanksgiving and store in an airtight container since oven space is valuable on Thanksgiving morning!
With this thoughtfully crafted Thanksgiving menu, your holiday meal is ready to shine. From tempting appetizers to hearty mains, flavorful sides, and indulgent desserts, every dish is designed to be simple, delicious, and stress-free. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or keeping it intimate, this menu ensures you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company of loved ones. So, gather around the table, savor the flavors of the season, and make this Thanksgiving one to remember. Happy Thanksgiving!
To find other recipes using locally grown goodness, check out our recipe page here.