I’m doing things a bit backwards today. I planned on bringing you our family’s favorite recipe for cranberry bread that we like to have on hand at Thanksgiving and also to give as holiday gifts.

But we have family visiting this week (Owen calls it a Family Explosion) and honestly, we have been too busy having fun to bake at all.

So cranberry bread tomorrow then … and right now, I’d like to think instead about some recipes for the big day itself, using lots of fresh, seasonal, whole food and organic ingredients.

Turkey

This is our favorite turkey recipe. I have used it each year that I have been in charge of “the bird.”

Heritage Turkey recipe with Rosemary Maple Butter

Dressing/Stuffing

Cornbread Dressing from Southern Living

I am trying this Spelt Bread Stuffing recipe this year for our family members with wheat allergies

Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries and Roasted Pecans

 Vegetables

This recipe is a lot like the one we use for Brussels sprouts, but we add toasted hazelnuts too

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Pasta

Curried Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Corn Pudding recipe from 12 Bones Smokehouse (via a Spicey Perspective)

Cranberries

Cranberry Chutney

Click to download a pdf that features allergen-free Chunky Cranberry Sauce and Pumpkin Custard

More Desserts and Treats

Gluten-free Cheesecake Stuffed Pumpkin Cupcakes

Almond Cranberry Granola

Raw Apple Pie

Citrus Pound Cake with Cranberry Syrup*

And my one of my favorite tricks I like to pull out each year is freezing cranberries in pineapple juice in an ice cube tray. I then add those to a pretty glass and mix juice with sparkling water to create a fun beverage for the kids.

For the adults, see that cranberry syrup above? I make a little extra to add to the “grown-up drinks” in the house (I’ve heard it’s great with a little gin, a little lime and a bit of soda. Test it out and let me know!)

What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe this year?

(By the way, if you are not a gluten-free/dairy-free, etc. family, please know that the nice little tags below say gluten-free and dairy-free because *some* of the recipes listed above meet those requirements. Some are even gluten-free and dairy-free. Some are wheat-free but not gluten-free. So, before you offer these up at Thanksgiving, please just know that not all are safe for people avoiding wheat, gluten or dairy. If you need more info, please feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you! Thanks!)