Recipes

Bon Appétit’s Absolutely, Positively Perfect Thanksgiving Menu

The Test Kitchen really nailed it for 2019.
A full Thanksgiving plate with sliced turkey breast topped with gravy roasted brussels sprouts stuffing radicchio salad...
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

We asked our food editors to test and retest the Thanksgiving recipe classics: to compare Idaho potatoes to German Butterballs, to weigh the merits of whole birds against cooking in parts. And we asked them to do it while filming Making Perfect, a six-part video series documenting every success and setback. Somehow, it all worked out...perfectly. Here are the recipes from the Absolutely, Positively Perfect Thanksgiving menu.

  • how to make gravy
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    3/8

    Why-Is-It-So-Good Gravy

    A make-ahead gravy gets a remarkable depth of flavor from roasted poultry bones and—surprise!—a sprinkle of MSG.

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  • Fancy cranberry sauce
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    4/8

    Fancy Jellied Cranberry Sauce

    We have a thing for canned cranberry sauce, so we dreamed up a sauce as sliceable and jiggly and fun, with deep fruit flavor and a pretty topping.

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  • This image may contain Food Dish Meal Platter and Lunch
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    5/8

    Squash and Radicchio Salad With Pecans

    This squash-centric salad has an irresistible pecan dressing and hardy radicchio that refuses to wilt.

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  • Making Perfect Sides Brussels Sprouts
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    6/8

    Brussels Sprouts With Pistachios and Lime

    These roasted whole brussels sprouts get so crispy you’ll worry they’re burnt (they’re not!). Then toss ’em in a date molasses–brown butter glaze.

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  • A 13x9 ceramic casserole dish of cubed cornbread dressing with a serving spoon tucked into one corner.
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    7/8

    Cornbread Dressing With Sausage and Corn Nuts

    Corn nut “magic dust” delivers a big pop of corn flavor in this savory Thanksgiving side.

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  • PecanRye Pumpkin Pie
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    8/8

    Pecan-Rye Pumpkin Pie

    Imagine a pumpkin pie with pecan pie’s best feature—obviously, the candied nut topping. The best of both worlds.

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