Thanksgiving is supposed to be one of the most delicious days of the year, so why do some guests insist on bringing food that nobody wants to eat? It seems like any dish would be a slam dunk, but that’s not the case with roasted turkey, homemade stuffing, and rich gravy already on the menu.
Of course, nobody expects you to spend three days preparing an elaborate family recipe. No one expects you to bring several versions of the same dish, either. However, bringing something delicious should be the goal, especially when everyone else is putting effort into their cooking. That’s why we’ve gathered which Thanksgiving offerings could use some great improvement.
Sides Nobody Gets Excited About
Mashed potatoes are practically mandatory at Thanksgiving, but why? Roasted potatoes get the job done just as well, and let’s not forget that mashed potatoes often run into an issue every year: there's a difference between a creamy, buttery masterpiece and a bowl of flavorless mush. Nobody should need three spoonfuls of gravy just to enjoy their potatoes, so a little seasoning goes a long way if you do insist on bringing them!
Speaking of disappointing vegetables, plain steamed broccoli doesn't deserve a prominent position on the table anymore—and we’re tired of acting like it does! While there's nothing wrong with serving something nutritious, broccoli that's been boiled into submission isn't exactly appetizing. You could roast it with garlic and Parmesan or toss it with lemon butter for something considerably tastier. Otherwise, don't be surprised when guests ignore that bowl.
Greens aren’t the only issue, either. There's the unfortunate tradition of serving plain boiled carrots without giving them any attention, too. Carrots have a natural sweetness that becomes even more delicious when they're roasted with butter, honey, or maple syrup. However, dropping them into boiling water until they're soft doesn't accomplish much.
Even traditional stuffing can become a disappointment when someone forgets that bread needs more than a little chicken broth. Dry cubes of bread without enough onions, celery, butter, or herbs aren't going to impress anybody. Good stuffing should have plenty of savory flavor, whether you prefer sage, sausage, mushrooms, or a traditional poultry seasoning blend.
Casseroles That Need an Upgrade
Ah, green bean casserole. At this point, it’s more than earned its Thanksgiving reputation, but not every version deserves applause. When someone combines canned beans with condensed soup and forgets about seasoning, the results can be…interesting, to say the least. Fresh mushrooms, sautéed onions, and a generous helping of crispy fried onions can improve this holiday staple—there's no reason the entire dish should taste like watered-down soup.
We all know that green beans are hardly the end of the line for casseroles, either. Corn casserole is another holiday favorite that suffers when people depend entirely on sweetness for flavor. Combining canned corn, creamed corn, and boxed muffin mix might be convenient, but the result can taste more like bland cake than a savory side dish.
And can we talk about those enormous pans of baked rice that appear beside the turkey? Plain white rice mixed with a little broth might be perfectly acceptable on a weeknight, but Thanksgiving calls for something more memorable. There’s no shame in considering toasted pecans, wild rice, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh herbs.
Desserts and Appetizers That Deserve More Effort
Apps are supposed to get the guests going, but they too suffer from the same fate as other dishes: blandness. For instance, before the star of the show even comes out, somebody inevitably brings out a platter of plain celery sticks filled with cream cheese. It's certainly an easy appetizer, but Thanksgiving guests probably aren't dreaming about eating refrigerated stalks.
A bowl of undressed mixed greens isn't much better. Lettuce, cucumber, and a few tomato slices? They don't necessarily make an impressive Thanksgiving contribution. Instead, you really ought to look into adding roasted squash, toasted walnuts, sliced apples, and a homemade apple cider vinaigrette.
Unfortunately, desserts aren't automatically safe from criticism, especially when somebody brings a flavorless pumpkin pie. Pumpkin filling needs a generous amount of warm spices, including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, to develop its signature flavor. Without them, you're really just serving a sweetened vegetable purée inside a pastry crust.
Don’t assume that apples are off the hook, either. All it takes is one disappointing apple crisp made with mushy fruit to ruin the whole day! A proper version should feature tender apples, plenty of cinnamon, and a generous layer of buttery oats or brown sugar crumble. Otherwise, guests are left with a serving of warm applesauce that doesn't offer much.
Nobody expects every Thanksgiving dish to be a culinary masterpiece, but a little effort can make even the simplest recipe worth eating. Whether you're preparing a classic casserole or bringing dessert, proper seasoning and a few thoughtful ingredients can make all the difference. After all, Thanksgiving is about enjoying good food with the people you love, and nobody wants to spend the holiday politely pretending that bland potatoes are delicious.
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