Are your tired of the traditional Thanksgiving meals? This year, you could cook a Thanksgiving dinner with a French twist! Instead of turkey, cook some chicken, and replace mashed potatoes with a “gratin dauphinois”. Have some wine and enjoy your holidays with these 15 Thanksgiving recipes.
Creamy Mushroom and Hazelnut Soup
Let’s start this feast with a creamy mushroom soup! It’s a great twist on the traditional pumpkin soup, as long as your guests like mushrooms. You can switch the “champignons de Paris” for some creminis or porcinis. Don’t forget the hazelnuts on top for extra crunch.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Champignon = mushroom
Noisette = hazelnut
Échalote = shallot
Find this recipe on the B comme Bon website.
Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Pudding
If you still want to add some squash to your Thanksgiving dinner, here is a great recipe for a savoury pudding with goat cheese! We bet that your guests will be very impressed. Use some ramekins for an even better look on the table.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Courge butternut = butternut squash
Chèvre frais = fresh goat cheese
Find this recipe on Amandine Cooking.
Classic Soupe à L’Oignon
Let’s pretend we are in a Parisian bistro, eating some “soupe à l’oignon”! This recipe includes a tiny amount of Guinness beer, some baguette and plenty of Swiss cheese.
- Some vocabulary to help you
Vinaigre balsamique = balsamic vinegar
Bouillon de poulet = chicken stock
Fromage suisse = Swiss cheese
Find this recipe on Trois Fois Par Jour.
Roasted Chicken With Mustard
Let’s forget the turkey this year! You could cook a whole chicken instead, with some mustard to add a tangy flavour. In this recipe, there is an extra french touch: herbs!
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Poulet = chicken
Crème liquide = heavy cream
Moutarde = mustard
Romarin = rosemary
Find this recipe on Un Déjeuner de Soleil.
Roasted and Stuffed Duck Breast
Do you want to go the extra mile with a fancy main course? Choose duck! It can be cooked in various ways, like duck à l’orange or duck confit. But did you know that just like a turkey, you could stuff a duck breast with a mushroom and olives mix?
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Magret de canard = breast of duck
Tomates confites = candied or sundried tomatoes
Olives vertes = green olives
Find this recipe on Paprikas.
Creamy Gratin Dauphinois
What is more French than a “gratin dauphinois”? If you want to offer something new in place of the simple mashed potatoes, here is the recipe for a creamy potato gratin. Try to choose the right kind of potatoes: they have to keep their shape even when cooked in the oven.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Pommes de terre = potatoes
Beurre = butter
Ail = garlic
Noix de muscade = nutmeg
Find this recipe on Tangerine Zest.
Baby Potatoes With Herbs
If you love potatoes, you should try “pommes de terre grenaille”. These are sort of baby potatoes, which are harvested before being fully grown. Cook them with some olive oil, butter and fresh herbs for a hearty side dish.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Sarriette = satureja, a sort of herb
Marjolaine = marjory
Persil plat = flat-leaf parsley
Find this recipe on Papilles et Pupilles.
Sweet Potato and Vegetable Tian
Looking for a healthy vegetable mix? The “tian de légumes”, which combines various vegetables with aromatic herbs, is a famous dish from the South of France. It’s like a fancy ratatouille. In this recipe, just swap classic potatoes for some yams and you’ll have the perfect “Thanksgiving Tian”!
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Aubergine = eggplant
Courgette = zucchini
Patate douce = sweet potato
Find this recipe on Ma Healthy Tendency.
Braised Asparagus With Tamari Sauce
On your Thanksgiving table, it’s always good to have some green vegetables. Something healthy to go with your chicken, for example. Try these asparagus braised with some tamari sauce. Good news, it’s also vegan!
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Asperges vertes = green asparagus
Graines de sésame (optionnel) = sesame seeds (optional)
Find this recipe on The Sunny Foodie.
Veggie Bourguignon
Ever heard of “boeuf bourguignon”, a French specialty that consists of red meat slowly cooked in a wine sauce? For this special Thanksgiving dinner, we challenge you to cook the veggie version.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Oignon = onion
Carotte = carrot
Maïzena = a brand of cornstarch
Vin rouge = red wine
Find this recipe on Les Pépites de Noisette.
Mushroom and Chestnut Risotto
This mushroom risotto could be a great alternative for a Thanksgiving dinner side dish. It’s creamy, hearty, savoury and can be eaten as the main dish if you’re planning a vegetarian dinner (use some vegan cheese instead of parmesan to make it vegan).
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Châtaigne = chestnut
Amandes grillées = roasted almonds
Find this recipe on Cuisine Moi Un Mouton.
Homemade Walnut Rolls
Polish off the soup or the creamy sauce with a piece of bread! These homemade rolls are really easy to make and don’t require any kneading.
- Some vocabulary to help you
Farine = flour
Levure boulangère fraîche = fresh baker’s yeast
Eau tiède = lukewarm water
Noix = walnuts
Find this recipe on 750g.
Tarte Tatin
Looking for a sweet dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner with a French twist? Well, the famous Tarte Tatin is a perfect choice. It’s like an apple pie, but with an extra layer of sweet caramel. Learn how to make it the traditional way.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Pâte sablée = crust pastry
Oeuf = egg
Find this recipe on Cuisine Campagne.
Apple Pie
Sure, pumpkin pie is great during the holiday season. But can we go back to the simple and sweet taste of apple pie? This recipe is pretty special since it mixes an apple pie with a Norman tart.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Lait = milk
Extrait de vanille = vanilla extract
Cannelle = cinnamon
Find this recipe on Christelle is Flabbergasting.
Hot Apple Cider With Spices
To end your Thanksgiving dinner, pour your guests some hot apple cider. It’s pretty simple to make, but it’s a good alternative to mulled wine and it contains less alcohol than a strong cocktail, especially if you don’t add the rum.
- Some vocabulary to help you:
Cidre de pomme = apple cider
Clou de girofle = clove
Étoile de badiane = star anise
Find this recipe on Un Déjeuner de Soleil.
What is your go-to dish for a Thanksgiving dinner?
