As October drops into view, the nights draw in, the leaves turn and there’s a chill in the air. Yet on the plus side, it’s holiday season! Halloween’s just around the corner, and Christmas isn’t far off. And over in the States, Thanksgiving sits perfectly between the two. So what exactly is it, why is it such a huge holiday, and, most importantly, what’s on the menu? Let’s find out.
What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a major American national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November focused on family, gratitude, and usually a massive feast. It’s roughly comparable to an early, non-religious Christmas dinner combined with a traditional harvest festival, but *spoiler alert*, there are no presents.
The best-known origin story reaches back to 1621, when English settlers shared a three-day harvest feast with the local Wampanoag people, who are said to have helped the settlers survive the brutal winter by teaching them how to cultivate corn.
Over time Thanksgiving developed into a national tradition. During the American Civil War in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a nationwide day of thanksgiving, and in 1941, Congress fixed the date as the fourth Thursday in November. While the holiday has taken on a life of its own, it remains at heart a day of fun, food, family and friends.
The Fun & Festivities
Like Christmas, Thanksgiving starts early. Across America, families gather in kitchens to prepare the day’s feast, while millions tune in to watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade through the streets of New York. The 2026 edition is the 100th, and it traditionally features giant character balloons, marching bands and elaborate floats.
By early afternoon, attention turns to the table. Guests often pause to say grace or take turns naming something for which they are grateful, before settling in for the meal. We’ll get to that part in a minute…
Like football in the UK on Boxing Day, American football is another solid Thanksgiving tradition and the NFL has staged Thanksgiving games for decades. And in towns and cities across the US, people also often join charity runs, volunteer at food banks or attend local parades.
Another fun element of Thanksgiving is the annual presidential turkey pardon. This usually involves the US president being presented with two turkeys, with one being granted a pardon to save it from becoming Thanksgiving dinner. The lucky bird gets to see out the rest of its life in a local city farm or somewhere similar! The event has its roots in the 1940s with President Harry Truman, but wasn’t formalised until 1989.
But this is the Food Network, so let’s get to the action!
The Food
The Thanksgiving dinner table is usually one packed with an array of scrumptious fare. Indulgence is often the key, while understatement tends to be long forgotten.
Starters
Starters aren’t generally a big part of the Thanksgiving meal, but in many homes there’ll be finger food or small snacks. Bowls of olives, pickles and crudités might be dotted around the room, as well as charcuterie boards with cheese, cold cuts, crackers and dried fruit. Devilled eggs are quite popular, as are pigs in blankets and sausage rolls, but these plates are really just about keeping the guests going before the main event.
The Star of the Show
Again, just like Christmas, the star of the show is traditionally a roast turkey. Around 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Having said that, in reality pretty much any dazzling main will do. A glazed ham is popular - sometimes served alongside, rather than instead of, the turkey - as is prime rib of beef, roast chicken, roasted pork loin or even a brined and roasted goose. And of course if there are loads of vegetarian or vegan options available to truly deliver that showstopping centrepiece.
The Sides
On a Thanksgiving table, the selection of sides is arguably as important as the main itself. On most tables you’ll see some sort of stuffing, and may also include sausages, oysters or cornbread. Creamy mashed potatoes and gravy is another popular staple, as is whipped buttery sweet potatoes or a sweet potato casserole. Many Thanksgiving tables will have a pot of cranberry sauce handy as well. Other traditional sides include dinner rolls, creamed corn and spinach, Brussels sprouts and bacon, and some say it’s not Thanksgiving without a baked mac ‘n’ cheese!
The Sweet, Sweet Desserts!
As far as desserts go, pumpkin pie is the undisputed top dog of Thanksgiving puds. It’s the ultimate non-negotiable of the holiday menu. For those new to Thanksgiving rituals, it’s a custard-like pie made from a spiced pumpkin puree mixture baked in a single pastry crust. The flavour relies heavily on "pumpkin spice" - a classic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. It’s almost always served chilled or at room temperature with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Coming in a close second is pecan pie. Originally from the American South, it’s an incredibly rich, sweet dessert with a gooey, caramel-like filling made from brown sugar, eggs, and corn syrup (or molasses), and topped with a dense layer of toasted pecan nuts. Because it’s so sweet, it’s usually served in smaller slices with vanilla ice cream.
And no traditional American dessert spread is complete without apple pie. It’s eaten year-round in the States, but it’s a classic autumn pud. Unlike British-style apple pies which can often be quite tart, the Stateside version is sweeter and usually spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. They’re either topped with a full pastry crust (often woven into a lattice pattern) or a crunchy, buttery brown sugar streusel known as a "Dutch apple pie".
And if you’re struggling to decide on a decadent dessert, why not combine all three in an apple, pumpkin and pecan pie!
