Welcome to our ’90s holiday dinner table. The linens are starched, the Cabernet is flowing, and we’ve hand-picked some of the best Thanksgiving dishes of the decade from the pages of Gourmet, walking the perfect line between nostalgia and chef-inspired flair. We promise there’s not a sun-dried tomato or SnackWell cookie in sight. (Follow us this way for all of our thanksgiving recipes.)
Start on a crunchy note
Gourmet’s 1996 Thanksgiving menu pairs these crunchy pickled vegetables with spiced cheese straws, but you could also set these out alongside a salty charcuterie array or a few tins of great sardines.
Ham or turkey? Why choose?
The stuffing that accompanies this butter-roasted turkey starts by browning cubes of country ham for intense savory flavor and wonderfully varied texture. Splash some cognac, cream, and giblet stock into the drippings from the turkey, and you get a luxurious gravy out of the deal.
Mashed, roasted, steamed, and baked
This array of Thanksgiving sides brings together a symphony of textures—creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes, tender steamed cabbage and mustard greens, and sweet roasted onions that have been cut to look like blooming chrysanthemums. For the traditionalists, how about some warm, buttery Parker House Rolls?
Swap your pie for a fancy tart
Trade in your standard-issue, corn syrup-soaked pecan pie for this caramel nut tart, drizzled with chocolate squiggles in high ‘90s fashion. Serve each slice with a scoop of ginger ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream.