Rethink Thanksgiving: Recipes, Wines & A Twist on Tradition

Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to gather, celebrate, and enjoy a feast that delights every sense. While we all love the classics, we got creative in the Test Kitchen this year and crafted some new, unique recipes that will elevate your holiday table and pair beautifully with our wines. From Honey Ricotta Roasted Carrots to Apple Pie Cheesecake, these dishes invite you to experience classic flavors in unexpected ways. Pairing each course with the right wine enhances every bite and adds depth to your celebration. From crisp Chardonnay to vibrant Pinot Noir and Sparkling Brut, we’ve got the perfect wine lineup for your table this year.

In this guide, you’ll discover four distinctive recipes that combine flavor, texture, and visual appeal, along with expert tips on wine pairings that transform your Thanksgiving into a cozy, flavorful & memorable experience.

Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Wine Pairing: 2023 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay

Why It Works: Chardonnay’s buttery texture and subtle oak notes complement rich, creamy mashed potatoes, balancing garlic and parmesan flavors beautifully.

Serves: 4–6
Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds russet potatoes (about 5 potatoes), peeled and cubed
• 1 (4 ounce) stick of salted butter
• 2 heads spring garlic, minced
• ¾ pint heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• 3–4 chives, minced (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon of salted butter on top for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place potatoes in a medium sized pot and fill with water to cover the potatoes. Place on stove, and boil for 25 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
2. Set a medium sized pot over medium heat and melt butter. Add spring garlic and heavy cream and bring to a low simmer. Remove from heat.

Strain liquid from potatoes and immediately whip with a hand or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or mash with a potato ricer until smooth & creamy. It’s important to do this while the potatoes are still hot. Pour in the heavy cream mixture and the parmesan cheese and mix until combined. Serve in a large bowl and garnish with 1 tablespoon of butter and chives.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Dates & Pomegranate Glaze

Wine Pairing: 2021 Reserve Monterey Pinot Noir

Why It Works: Brussels sprouts have a bit of a reputation in the wine world. Their natural bitterness and sulfur compounds can make them a tough match for most wines. But we love a good challenge. In this recipe, the smoky bacon, caramelized dates, and sweet-tart pomegranate glaze come to the rescue, adding fat, sweetness, and acidity that balance out those tricky flavors. Pinot Noir’s bright acidity and cherry notes enhance the sweetness of dates and the richness of bacon, cutting through the caramelized flavors of roasted brussels sprouts.

Serves: 4–6
Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces bacon
• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup chopped dates (Medjool work great)
• 1 ½ cups pomegranate juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
   
2. Set bacon on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and cook in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before chopping into bite sized pieces.
   
3. Set the brussels sprouts on the same baking tray used for the bacon and toss with the residual bacon grease, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 15–20 minutes until tender, tossing halfway.

Remove Brussels sprouts from the oven. Stir in the chopped dates and crispy bacon chunks. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle the pomegranate glaze to garnish.

Honey Ricotta Roasted Carrots

Wine Pairing: 2023 California Chardonnay

Why It Works: The natural sweetness of roasted carrots pairs with Chardonnay’s crisp acidity, while honey and ricotta enhance the wine’s creamy and nutty undertones.

Serves: 4–6
Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 1 pound le petites (mini) multi colored carrots
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound whole milk ricotta
• 4 tablespoons honey, separated
• 3 tablespoons pistachios

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and toss carrots together with olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
3. Combine ricotta and 2 tablespoons of the honey in a mixing bowl and mix together until combined.

Spread the ricotta at the bottom of a serving bowl, and set carrots on top. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of honey over the top, then finish with a sprinkle of pistachios.

Apple Pie Cheesecake

Wine Pairing: California Sparkling Brut

Why It Works: Sparkling brut’s effervescence and light acidity cut through the richness of cheesecake, highlighting sweet apple flavors and adding a celebratory finish.

Serves: 4–6
Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 1 store bought cheesecake
• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 fuji apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch slices
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions:

1. Set a sauté pan over medium heat, add butter and let it melt. Next stir in the brown sugar. Add in apples, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste and mix together. Let simmer for 15 minutes, until the apples soften. Set aside to let cool.
2. Pour apple mixture over the top of the cheesecake.

Why California Pinot Noir is Perfect with Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving turkey is a centerpiece that pairs beautifully with wines that have bright fruit, gentle tannins, and balanced acidity. California Pinot Noir offers cherry, cranberry, and subtle spice notes that enhance the natural flavors of roasted turkey without overpowering it. Its smooth texture complements herbaceous seasonings and savory sides, making it a versatile, crowd-pleasing choice for your holiday table. Serve it slightly chilled to highlight its freshness and enjoy a pairing that elevates every bite.

Explore our collection of award winning wines today. A  perfect lineup to elevate your Thanksgiving feast and to create a memorable holiday experience for your loved ones.