When it comes to Thanksgiving which is better, the turkey, side-dishes or pies? That’s a tough one. The combination of the three of these is what makes Thanksgiving dinner so enjoyable!
First, it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey. Second, the pies, well, let’s just say it would cause some emotional upset if there weren’t any of that sweet, homemade apple pie to top off the “feast of feasts”. Third, side-dishes are more than just filler foods. They also give the meal variety and allow eaters to find exactly the assortment of mouth-watering eats that will give them the very most satisfaction.
While none of these are any match for the noble turkey, side-dishes do have the potential to either make or break Thanksgiving dinner. Just imagine turkey without mashed potatoes and gravy or cranberry sauce or vegetables! They really go hand-in-hand. So, to help you bring your guests supreme satisfaction this year, we want to share some of our very own, unique food smoking recipes and others that will complement the turkey.
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Bradley’s Thanksgiving Food Smoking Recipes
Maple Smoked Acorn Squash
Squash is a must on Thanksgiving Day, and this is the perfect way to sweeten it up with a little kick of cayenne pepper (optional). You can substitute some varieties of squash, as they are in season. Use our Maple flavour bisquettes for best results!
Smoked Boston Style Candy-ized Baked Beans
These beans have a light smoke flavour with just a sweet little accent. Years ago, people made 50 gallons of this recipe for an outside wedding. There wasn’t a good gallon left to take home.
Smoked Corn On The Cob
This recipe takes us back to America’s roots, when pilgrims cooked over a live fire. It gives you an opportunity to present something special to your Thanksgiving guests, who may be more accustomed to canned or frozen corn.
Smoked Marinated Eggplant
Any kind of eggplant will work, but make extra marinate for serving while still warm. If you have guests that have never tried eggplant before, then this would be a good introduction for them.
Honey Cure Ham
One can never have too much meat on Thanksgiving. For that reason, ham is often served along side turkey. Here’s our very own cure mix for 5 lbs (2.25 kg) of pork! If you’re looking for a quick fix, this is not the recipe for you. Smoking ham is a low, slow process that can’t be rushed. So, get an early start and you’ll be just fine. Find all the details in this recipe to help you along.
Rich Vegetable Gravy
This vegetable gravy recipe is geared more toward beef. However, you can substitute beef broth for chicken broth and skip the diced carrots (optional), and it will complement turkey. Bookmark this gravy recipe. It can be tweaked to go with any meat!
Marinated Smoked Olives
For those olive lovers out there, this one is for you. Serve it during Thanksgiving dinner or as an appetizer, while preparing the rest of the food.
Other Thanksgiving Food Smoking Recipes
Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are always a big hit on Thanksgiving, and they’re one of the easiest side-dishes to smoke. Follow this recipe to bring an outdoorsy flavour to your table.
Smoky Mashed Potatoes
Have you ever had bland mashed potatoes? There are just some things that salt and pepper can’t fix. If you want to serve up some mashed potatoes that really impress the guests, try this recipe. Don’t forget to mix in smoked Gouda or Cheddar cheese.
Smoked Portobello Mushrooms
Alas, the famous Portobello. Careful, these hefty things can be a meal in and of themselves. However, when proportioned correctly, they can really hit the spot, especially for those who are vegetarian. Try this delicious, healthy looking recipe from Armadillo Pepper.
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At Bradley Smoker, we love Thanksgiving. Thank you to our friends and supporters and we wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!
