Thanksgiving 2019 Complete Meal Roundup

Thanksgiving 2019 is nigh!! I don’t understand how this year is almost over, but then again, I also don’t know how I developed so many wrinkles, so there’s that. This post was written in partnership with Kuhlman Cellars. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Along with crow’s feet and Thanksgiving comes the ramp up of the busy holiday season. We’re all attempting to be good humans, right? We have to work, some of have to raise decent little people, be good friends, and drink water. It’s tough.

One of the best things I’ve ever thought to do was to go grocery shopping with a list of meals (and their ingredients) that I plan to make for Turkey Day. Instead of winging it when I go to the grocery store, I print out my menu and shop from there. That one teaspoon of cloves can be all that makes or breaks the meal. This way of shopping is what keeps chaos at bay- especially during the holidays.

So, here’s my contribution to your sanity. A shopping list and meal plan all in one. Print out- or save each of these recipes to your phone and make your way to the store fully equipped to kill it this year. Post pictures of any of these recipes on my Instagram or Facebook page! I’d love to see what you made!

Appetizers

As with most of my meal plans, Thanksgiving 2019’s going to begin with something for your eaters to nosh on. Because you’re hustling in the kitchen, you need to put out appetizers that will keep grazers at bay until the main meal is served.

BACON-BOURBON JAM and CHARCUTERIE BOARDS

Bacon and bourbon are a match made in heaven, but adding caramelized onions to it (along with a secret ingredient) makes this jam epic! Pair this dip with crackers, toasted baguette slices, or cheese.

I usually have a crisp rosé to serve alongside my meat and cheese boards. My friends at Kuhlman Cellars have graciously extended a free shipping code to you- because you’re my homie. Use code “senseandedibility“. It’s good on 3 or more bottles of wine, which is perfect for their Thanksgiving Trio.

Kuhlman Cellar’s Hensell is a crisp rosé that has a beautiful blush color and a red berry and violet nose. It has a lingering, medium acidity in the finish, which makes it a fantastic compliment to the savory bacon jam.

Middle Eastern Hummus

I’ll admit- hummus is not a traditional dish to serve for Thanksgiving 2019, but we’re about to change that. Hummus is one of the easiest appetizers to whip up. You can either grab pre-cut veggies from the produce aisle, or prep your own. Either way, it’s a one-two recipe that wows guests every time. Make this hummus up to three days in advance and all you have left to do is scoop it and serve.

Baked Brie Topped with Caramelized Onions

Another great appetizer to serve with rosé is this Baked Brie with Caramelized Onion topping. This is a quick-fix appetizer of deeply rich onions and creamy brie that is perfect for intimate gatherings, elaborate dinner parties, or just a quiet night at home, but especially for Thanksgiving.

Caramelize your onions a couple of days in advance and store them in the fridge. Come Turkey Day you’ll need only to bake the brie and serve.

Thanksgiving 2019 Main Dishes

Let’s face it, mains are always the star of the show. I’m sticking with tried and true favorites this year, with one wild card thrown in- just because.

Kuhlman Cellars 2018 Estate White‘s honeysuckle and lemon drop flavors not only pair well with turkey, but pork as well. In fact, the Estate White is perfect with most salty and spicy dishes.

Dry-Brined Turkey

Listen, I hear ya! You’re lucky if you remember to thaw the bird in time for Thanksgiving, never mind having to worry about a wet brine. A dry brine is just as effective in saturating a turkey with herby goodness. Dry brine this year’s bird and skip the fuss.

Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork Shoulder)

Because I feel strongly about how amazing Puerto Rican cuisine is, I’m always going to encourage you to try something new. Roast pork shoulder (or pernil) is a staple for us during the holidays. Most Puerto Ricans skip turkey all together in lieu of serving this beaut. Begin marinating yours a couple of days in advance.

Switch things up this year with pork shoulder- you certainly won’t regret it.

Manicotti Stuffed with Pumpkin-Ricotta
in Brown Butter-Sage Bechamel Sauce

This may come as a shock, but more and more people are saying, “No, thanks,” to meat. It’s actually becoming more common than to have vegetarian guests at the table. So, why not include something for those friends?

Pumpkin and ricotta filled-manicotti are coated in a brown butter sage milk sauce. This meatless meal doesn’t compromise on substance or flavor and it accommodates most diets.

Sides for Thanksgiving 2019

Sides help round out an otherwise protein-heavy meal. Choose sides that double as entrees for those picky eaters we’re all bound to host. I prefer sides that are make-ahead friendly and can stand up to rewarming, just in case the oven is monopolized until the last minute.

In the past, I set aside my weekend to prep all of these sides. I make room in the freezer and the morning prior to Thanksgiving, I thaw them in the fridge. The next day, it’s just a matter of warming them through. Ease, my friend. That’s our motto for Thanksgiving 2019!

Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese is both make-ahead and freezer-friendly. Cut down on stress by prepping and freezing this recipe this weekend. Thaw it the morning before Thanksgiving and pop it into the oven once you pull the turkey out. Done and done! Even the kids will scream when this is placed on the buffet line.

And, please! Do yourself a favor and prep this in a disposable aluminum pan! No need to scrub baked on cheese from a casserole dish.

Rustic, Rich Baked Mashed Potatoes

My rustic, rich baked mashed potatoes are another make-ahead, freezer-friendly side dish. It’s always a hit with finicky eaters, as well.

Country Style Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Give the oven a break and whip out your slow cooker!

Country Style is relative, but the flavor on these slow cooked Collard Greens are not. Using your slow cooker makes this the easiest side ever and guess what? Yep! They’re make-ahead and freezer-friendly, too!

Boozy Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

I eat this cranberry sauce by the spoonful, seriously. Like, on its own, any day of the year- it’s that good. Another make-ahead friendly recipe, you can prepare this right now and store it in the fridge until Turkey Day. It only gets better the longer it sits (up to a week).

If you’re fan of leftover turkey sandwiches, this is the condiment you need to know about!

Best Desserts for Thanksgiving 2019

Let’s wrap up this roundup with a few sweet endings.

Kuhlman Cellars’ Thanksgiving Trio has you covered in the dessert pairing arena as well! Their 2016 Alluve is an “Everyday Drinking Wine,” but it has a complexity of flavor with notes of bright red fruit, bramble, anise, and thyme. It’s a light and elegant wine and is one of Kuhlman Cellars’ most popular red blends. When served with pumpkin pie, it puts a ribbon on your Thanksgiving 2019 celebration.

Perfectly Easy Pumpkin Pie

Assembled and baked in under an hour, you’ll find my two surprise additions make this the perfect dessert. But, don’t wait until the big day to bake it. Get a head start with all of your desserts, in fact. Most of the ones I’m highlighting can be prepared, baked, and frozen in advance. Just thaw and serve!

Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping

I know, I know, this stirs up emotions in you that you’ve never experienced.

This Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping can be baked a couple of days in advance. Just hold off on topping it until a couple of hours before serving.

Apple-Cinnamon Pie with Lattice Crust

I figured we’d end on an epic note. Revel in the glory that is the ultimate Apple Pie. I walk you through how to make this show-stopping masterpiece. This is a make-ahead and freezer-friendly dessert. It’s also extremely popular, so be sure to make enough for everyone…or hide a slice in the pantry for later.

That’s a wrap on Thanksgiving 2019, Folks!

I do hope you enjoy your festivities with the ones you love. May you find and appreciate the joy in all that is your life. Be sure to say a prayer for our deployed service members and their families too.

Be sure to share this roundup with your peeps. Assign dishes for those who you’re pot-lucking with, too!