If you listen in on Test Kitchen conversations, you’ll hear the editors say that Thanksgiving is our Super Bowl, our World Cup, and our Fashion Week. For food people, it’s the culmination of a year’s worth of prep, planning, brainstorming, and, as my colleague Hana Asbrink describes, Post-it Note–filled recipe scrums. But I wouldn’t call it stressful.
We look forward to basking in the day’s many gravy-soaked superlatives. We delight in stories that showcase celebrating family, friendship, and community while giving guidance for making the most of the holiday season. Of course, it’s a busy time, but it also brings so much joy.
I revel in the little tasks that make the day feel even more special, like sorting my china patterns and silverware, checking napkins for grease stains, and sending table linens to the cleaners for some extra TLC.
I’ve never really bought into Thanksgiving Day angst. I find the shopping stress and pressure-packed meal planning to be exaggerated myths perpetuated by pop culture. After all, the mac and cheese, potatoes, pies, and pound cakes are similar to the celebratory dishes that punctuate the year’s other holidays.
Of course, traditions vary between cultures and communities. What makes a classic Thanksgiving recipe is a matter of heritage, geography, and nostalgia. But even tradition can use a little zhuzh. New recipes, such as our Cranberry Meringue Pie and A Beautiful Cabbage Galette can add excitement—and practicality—to the holiday.
The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen has created 18 dishes, including breakfasts and variations for sides and salads to complement your family staples. We even asked five sommeliers for their recommendations for the best wines to pour on the big day.
These all add up to the best Thanksgiving ever.
Ways to Share
SWIPE OUT HUNGER
Two in five American college students are food insecure. This California-based advocacy group champions food security and better educational outcomes through a network of campus food programs. swipehunger.org
FEEDING AMERICA
People nationwide waste about 300 million pounds of food during Thanksgiving. This network of organizations collects surplus food before it ends up in landfills, providing meals to scores of people in need. feedingamerica.org
NO KID HUNGRY / SHARE OUR STRENGTH
This DC-based nonprofit supports access to meals for school-age children who are experiencing hunger. It also helps during nonacademic periods, such as school holiday breaks. nokidhungry.org