# What dishes do you need in order for it to really feel like Thanksgiving? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 23, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405 "2014-11-23T15:26:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2014, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/61 "2014-11-25T22:57:17Z")
> [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](#): > > You tease. Where’s the recipe? [Glad folks like it – it’s in this post.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17923091&postcount=43) ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/62 "2014-11-26T00:05:42Z")
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, canberries (cranberry sauce in the shape of a can for the win), and pumpkin pie. Sadly, I can’t eat the stuffing, gravy, or pumpkin pie without changes and adulteration. Bah. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/63 "2014-11-26T00:29:22Z")
The holy trinity is turkey with gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Ironically, I have never been to a Thanksgiving dinner that included green bean casserole. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/64 "2014-11-26T00:35:22Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > The holy trinity is turkey with gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. > > Ironically, I have never been to a Thanksgiving dinner that included green bean casserole. I don’t think I have, either. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/65 "2014-11-26T00:36:56Z")
> [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > Cranberry sauce. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > … out of a can, with the ridges on the side. crappy cranberry canned crap. not to eat but to play with. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/66 "2014-11-26T03:54:25Z")
As many different varieties of pie as will fit on the table, plus more waiting in another room for when those get eaten. Everything else is negotiable. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/67 "2014-11-26T03:54:49Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I don’t think I have, either. I daresay that’s not quite as ironic 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/68 "2014-11-26T03:58:09Z")
My mother always made creamed peas with new potatoes, served in a chafing dish. I hated them. I’ve had candied sweet potatoes/yams at others’ dinners. I hate them. My mother always had the canned cranberry sauce with the ridges. I never cared for the taste. Then my wife made cranberry sauce with whole, fresh berries, orange, pecans and other magic ingredients. Lovely stuff, and now a staple for us. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/69 "2014-11-26T04:19:20Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > I daresay that’s not quite as ironic 😛 Doh. I didn’t even notice. Um… I’ve never seen green goddess dressing! ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/70 "2014-11-26T04:38:08Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, canberries (cranberry sauce in the shape of a can for the win), and pumpkin pie. > > Sadly, I can’t eat the stuffing, gravy, or pumpkin pie without changes and adulteration. Bah. I have a recipe for homemade dressing that’s so light it almost floats. If you want it I’d be glad to share. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/71 "2014-11-26T04:40:33Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > I have a recipe for homemade dressing that’s so light it almost floats. If you want it I’d be glad to share. I’ve had to be gluten free for a couple of years now, but thank you. The last time I deliberately ate gluten was Thanksgiving of 2012. It’s the only time I really resent my intestines. ---
**Author:** ![BaldDudePeekskill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/72 "2014-11-26T12:35:44Z")
Breaded fried cauliflower, stuffed mushrooms. In typical Italo-American fashion, we used to have a full pasta dinner prior to the Turkey, but thankfully that’s not done any longer. My ham and red eyed gravy has become a new tradition as well, which is good, because I only really like the Turkey Skin…more so if it’s melded with the bacon and garlic I’ve laid on top. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/73 "2014-11-26T14:13:25Z")
A big-ass ham. (But not a big Ass-ham.) All else is optional. ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/74 "2014-11-26T14:19:43Z")
Turkey, mashed potatoes, cream corn, stuffing, cranberries (not the gelled kind ewww), and to finish it all off pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Anything else would be uncivilized. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/75 "2014-11-26T15:40:06Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > A big-ass ham. (But not a big Ass-ham.) All else is optional. Essentially synonymous. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/76 "2014-11-26T23:29:07Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’ve had to be gluten free for a couple of years now, but thank you. > > The last time I deliberately ate gluten was Thanksgiving of 2012. It’s the only time I really resent my intestines. That hasn’t stopped me from enjoying my mother’s dressing. Cornbread is pretty easy to make without gluten, and you don’t really need the stickiness of gluten once you add all the broth and fixing to make it into dressing. It still holds together. You want to throw in stale bread, too? Well gluten free bread goes stale much faster, so that’s easy, too. I literally cannot tell the difference between it and the gluten-y stuff. (Gravy’s another story. You pretty much have to make it with corn starch to get it to work right. Pie I don’t know about, as this’ll be the first year we’re trying that. Usually I just make pumpkin pie filling.) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/77 "2014-11-27T01:34:25Z")
Brown 'n Serve rolls. You know, the kind that come out of the oven already stale, preferably burned on top and barely warm on the inside. Also, frozen green beans that are drowned in cream of mushroom soup, covered with french fried onions and then put in the oven until they melt together into one unspoonable mass. No, I actually had a happy childhood. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/78 "2014-11-27T04:03:06Z")
Turkey, gravy Brown n serve rolls, the square sectioned ones, butter Cornbread dressing/stuffing Sweet potato casserole with pecan topping Green been casserole Deviled eggs Cranberry sauce, I like the canned kind, but fav is orange cranberry relish with Grand Marnier Asparagus Relish tray of green and black olives, sweet gherkins Pumpkin, pecan, cherry or Apple pie with cool whip ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/79 "2014-11-27T04:20:15Z")
In order for it to feel like Thanksgiving or Christmas has happened, I have to have a turkey sandwich later in the day. It MUST be made from dark meat sliced from the leg or thigh bone of a real turkey. Many in my family do not understand that a dry, tasteless turkey breast simply will not do for this when they have me over for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Therefore, I have taken to roasting a couple of turkey thighs and taking them with me. Other than that, I agree that stuffing really sets the holiday mood. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405/80 "2014-11-27T04:25:58Z")
Turkey, stuffing, yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie. Anything else is optional. This is one of the few holidays that we actually celebrate with specific foods, so it’s gotta be right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-dishes-do-you-need-in-order-for-it-to-really-feel-like-thanksgiving/705405.md?page=5)