Texans always take things over the top, and that includes Thanksgiving! Fried, smoked, spiced, and glazed in bacon fat, these recipes do not skimp on flavor—or on portion size! Here’s our epic Texas-approved Thanksgiving menu.
Deep-Fried Turkey
Texans love fried turkey. Deep-frying the bird creates a crispy outside while keeping the inside incredibly moist. Food & Wine shares its secret: Brine the turkey the day before so the flavors are completely infused into the meat. When it comes time to cook the turkey, there are multiple equipment options, making it easier than it looks. Just be sure your bird’s skin is very dry before hitting the hot oil.
Texas Rye Punch
This cocktail from Meredith Steele shared by Edible Dallas & Fort Worth is the perfect refreshment for your Texas Thanksgiving feast. Texas red grapefruit is at its peak sweetness starting in November, so make use of this abundant citrus from the Rio Grande Valley in this tart and effervescent cocktail that’s spiked with Texas rye whiskey.
Black’s BBQ’s Sausage and Donut Hole Bites
While the turkey is resting, keep those hungry guests at bay with these sweet and savory donut bites from The Original Black’s Barbecue. The bourbon creates a caramelization that will ignite the taste buds, creating the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. Watch the how-to video here.
Texas Toast Stuffing
Texas toast is so soft and tasty that it’s the ideal bread for stuffing. Infused with butter, fennel, and spices from the sausage, this stuffing from Nutmeg Nanny will surely outshine any other. It’s also very versatile, as it can be modified with apples or dried currants, fresh herbs, or even oysters!
Cranberry-Chile Sauce
In Texas, we love our chiles, so of course this cranberry-chile sauce from Food Network Magazine is the way to go! The tang of the cranberries blends with the chiles for a subtly spicy yet tart sauce. Smear any leftovers on a warm roll or spoon over vanilla ice cream.
Green Beans with Bacon and Toasted Pecans
The combination of bacon and green beans is always a crowd-pleaser, and the addition of toasted pecans in this recipe from Cooking Light provides a comforting nuttiness to the mix. Bacon grease takes the place of butter, and the lemon and white wine cut nicely through the richness. When it comes to green beans, fresh is always better. Don’t even THINK about using canned beans for this one!
Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a Southern favorite, especially in Texas, since the pecan is our state tree and our state nut! So it’s only fitting to serve this version from Simply Recipes for your Thanksgiving meal. If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought pie crust. You’ll definitely want to make an extra pie or two for leftovers!
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