Celebrate Thanksgiving this year with three brand new recipes that are sure to wow your friends and family including a turkey that is a major show stopper.  I created a simple, but flavorful and special turkey that is easy enough for any at home cook, no matter the skill level.  No fancy equipment needed, just a few really flavorful ingredients that transform a turkey into a gorgeous centerpiece for any Thanksgiving table!  Lucky for you I included a few of my favorite side dishes to make your menu complete!  My Rosemary Pomegranate Maple Glazed Turkey is easy to make and is topped with a rosemary infused pomegranate glaze that takes this roasted turkey to a whole new level.  

This turkey pairs perfectly with any of your favorite sides and I have linked all of my top Thanksgiving must have recipes for you! I have included everything from mashed potatoes, two different sweet potato casserole recipes, two stuffing recipes, dessert, appetizer ideas and more! You are going to love having this resource to plan out your holiday menu this year!

Here are my top 5 tips to make sure you have a seamless Thanksgiving day that you actually get to enjoy!

1. Make everything in advance that you can: Prep casseroles, cook desserts, sauces, brine the turkey, make the salad etc.

2. Set the table: Lay out place settings, prep the flowers, make sure you have enough utensils, glassware etc.

3. Plan out the schedule of what you will cook when: This will help you know what is going into the oven when and don’t end up needing the oven when it is already occupied.

4. Utilize an ice chest if you run out of the room in the refrigerator: You can thaw a turkey in one, store prepped casseroles, drinks, and so much more.

5. Let your friends and family bring a side dish or a dessert: You provide the main and a couple of sides and let your guests bring a dish too. This takes some of the work off your plate and makes them feel like they contributed to the meal.

This special Thanksgiving menu is one of my favorites because not only are the recipes simple enough to make in any kitchen, but they beautiful and really delicious too.  Bring the warmth of the holiday season into your home with my favorite festive recipes!

Pumpkin Curry Hummus Snack Board

Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Traditional Sausage Stuffing

Savory Chipotle Sweet Potato Casserole with a Sourdough Sage Pecan Bread Crumb Topping

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Brussel Sprout, Apple, and Sausage Rice Stuffing

Sheet Pan Pumpkin Bars

Spiced Purple Sweet Potato Pie with a Ginger Graham Crust

Rosemary Pomegranate Maple Glazed Roasted Turkey

Ingredients:

• 1 13-16 Lb. Whole Turkey

• 4 Tbsp. Kosher Salt

• 2 Tbsp. Black Pepper

For the Glaze-

• 2 Cups Pomegranate Juice

• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup

• 1 Tsp. Black Pepper

• 2 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary

Directions:

• Rub turkey down on all sides with salt and pepper liberally, including the inside of the bird.

• Let sit uncovered in the refrigerator overnight, or at least 4 hours.

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Let turkey sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking while the oven preheats.

• Place the turkey on a roasting pan and cover with foil.

• Bake for 2 1/2-3 hours (increase cook time based on weight of turkey) until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

• While the turkey bakes, make the rosemary pomegranate maple glaze by combining pomegranate juice, maple syrup, pepper, and rosemary sprigs in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and let reduce by half until slightly thickened.

• Uncover the turkey for the last 20 minutes of cooking and brush a liberal amount of the pomegranate glaze all over the turkey. Brush a second coat of the glaze on the turkey if desired.

• Serve with extra pomegranate glaze.

Happy meal planning guys! Make this year a delicious one!