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Thanksgiving menu (Indian + Classic)

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Looking for something new to make this Thanksgiving? Try this interesting mix of South - Asian Inspired dishes as well as some classics for your dinner this year.

A collage of images which reads Classic and Indian Thanksgiving menu

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Here's the menu that I have shortlisted for Thanksgiving this year!

Appetizers

A plate of garlic bread made with a baguette.
This homemade garlic bread made in the air fryer is crispy, perfectly toasted, and ready in minutes. Make sure you make a double batch because this cheesy, buttery, garlic toast will disappear in seconds!
A white bowl of baby potatoes, garnished with parsley and lime wedges.
These air fryer roasted baby potatoes are flavorful, delicious, and easy to make. Seasoned to perfection, these Bombay potatoes makes for a perfect side dish with any meal.

Beverages

Apple Cider Sangria served in a glass
Easy to make and delicious, this Non Alcoholic Apple Cider Sangria is a refreshing drink to celebrate fall!

I am just making one drink and keeping it simple. We will be getting a nice bottle of wine for the adults.

Main course and Side dishes

Whole Cauliflower cooked and served in a tomato sauce
Oven Roasted Whole Cauliflower Tikka with a creamy tomato based sauce. A great vegetarian option for your Thanksgiving table!

A fresh stack of garlic naan with chopped cilantro on a white dish towel next to a cup of cilantro.
Plain, Butter and Garlic naan recipe
Easily make pillowy soft naan bread with this plain, butter, and garlic naan recipe.
A black bowl filled with Indian Yellow Rice with a silver spoon on the right side and a plate of shrimp in the back.
This yellow turmeric rice recipe comes together in just 20 minutes with the Instant Pot for a vibrant side dish that pairs with curries, seafood, chicken, and more!

I'll probably make the whole Tandoori chicken or Turkey breast. I am including both recipes so you can take your pick.

Whole Tandoori chicken served on a black plate
Tender, juicy & packed with flavor, here's a fail-proof Instant Pot recipe for Whole Tandoori Chicken, a classic Indian style Roasted Chicken. Enjoy this low-carb, keto & gluten-free recipe.
Tandoori turkey breast served with rosemary and cranberries
Easy recipe for Tandoori Turkey Breast that's juicy and crispy-skinned. This star of the table can be prepared in the Instant Pot or oven with homemade gravy and cilantro lime crema to pass around.
Cranberry Chutney served in a glass jar
Sweet, tart and so delicious, Cranberry sauce is a jelly like relish made by cooking cranberries & sugar. Its the perfect compliment to our holiday dinners!

This soup was the star of the dinner last year, and I can't wait to make it again.

Butternut squash served in black bowl
With the soup season almost here, you need to try this Thai Butternut Squash Soup. This mildly spiced soup is a great way to use all the fresh butternut Thai Butternut Squash Soup made in the Instant Pot. This vegan and gluten-free soup is packed with all the warm fall flavors and makes a comforting…
Mashed potatoes served in a black bowl
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes - If you have been getting store-bought mashed potatoes, then I would suggest you give this Instant Pot recipe a try. It is a classic recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes and with very little effort. 

Gravy recipe - Here's the link to the one I am going to make - Easy chicken gravy.

A black bowl of cheese topped steamed and sautéed Brussel sprouts with a silver fork poking into a Brussel sprout on a grey counter.
Easy to make steamed Brussels sprouts come together in 20 minutes with the Instant Pot for the perfect weeknight dinner side dish.
Air Fryer Green Beans (Asian-Style) on a plate with a fork garnished with sesame seeds
This air fryer green beans recipe is the easiest and most flavorful way to prepare this classic and healthy side dish! Plus, it all comes together in just 15 minutes.
An overhead shot of honey glazed carrots served in a white bowl
Honey glazed Instant Pot carrots - Learn how to steam carrots in the Instant Pot and glaze them to make this delicious side dish. This carrot side dish is perfect for busy weeknights and for holiday dinners. 
Dinner rolls served on a wooden platter
These pillow-like Mini Slider buns are not only easy to make at home, they're also quite versatile to be paired with a variety of fillings!

If time permits, I might make either sweet potatoes or baked potatoes - they are always a huge hit with the kids.

A brown rimmed plate with two cut open air fryer sweet potatoes next to a fork.
Naturally vegan and gluten-free these air fryer baked sweet potatoes cook up in 40 minutes for a healthy weeknight side dish everyone will enjoy.
Four potatoes in an instant pot before cooking.
Make this two-ingredient recipe for fork-tender Instant Pot Potatoes for an easy side dish everyone can enjoy.

Desserts

For dessert, I am going to make Sweet Potato casserole with marshmallows - looks easy, and it is just like the one I had in mind. I am planning to skip adding the eggs, though.

We also love to make this soft and moist date cake. Your family will love it, and it is gone in seconds.

Date cake - a cake made from luscious dates that is so easy to make that soon this will be your go-to recipe. What is nice that you can make this in your blender as well!
Date cake made from luscious dates is probably one of the moist cakes you have ever eaten! Best part - you can whip it up in a blender in no time.

What to do with leftover mashed potatoes

When I have leftover mashed potatoes, these are the recipes I go to -

Two hands cupping a black bowl filled with cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Made from leftover mashed potatoes, there are four good reasons to love this Broccoli cheddar soup recipe - it is gluten-free, vegetarian, tastes just like the Panera version and needs only 20 minutes when you make it in an Instant Pot!
An overhead shot of leftover mashed potato muffins stacked on a blue plate
Got leftover mashed potatoes? Turn them into these cheesy potato muffins effortlessly. It is perfect for breakfast or as a side dish. It freezes well too! 

For more Thanksgiving recipe ideas, check out these posts

  1. 45 Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes by Manali (Cook with Manali)
  2. 15+ Thanksgiving Vegetarian side dishes by Aneesha (Spice Cravings)
  3. 15+ Vegetarian Instant Pot Thanksgiving recipes by Meeta (Piping Pot Curry)
  4. How to plan an Indian-themed dinner party (menu + tips & tricks)

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Indian woman food blogger and culinary researcher - Anushree Shetty

Welcome!

Hi, I am Anushree! I have been cooking Indian food at home for 25 years, and I created Simple Indian Meals to document the regional and everyday Indian recipes that deserve to be written down — the ones that are actually made at home but rarely appear in cookbooks and restaurant menus.

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