This year we asked some of our favorite bloggers to contribute to a virtual potluck — we brought the turkey, while they took care of cocktails, appetizers, sides and desserts. The result? A beautiful and innovative menu fit for the finest holiday table.
Fortunately, any and all dishes that catch your eye can actually make it there. Click through the links for full recipes to get inspired and start cooking!
Photo credit: Jenny Hobick
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Caramelized Pecans & Apples
Jenny Hobick
This appetizer was one of the first items in my catering repertoire for my clients, and it was always a huge hit. It’s elegant, takes only minutes to prepare, and feeds a crowd. When it bakes, the brown sugar melts over the pecans creating just the right amount of caramel sauce — perfect with the sharp bite of creamy brie cheese. To keep it seasonal, I decided to serve it with apples, but crackers would be great, too.
- vegetarian
Parmesan and Black Pepper Gougères
Tara Barker
The delicate sophistication of these little cheese puffs belies how easy they are to make. As an added benefit for busy cooks, the batter can be made in advance and then baked right before serving.
- gluten-free
Warren Bobrow
Hard apple cider is marvelous when combined with sparkling, non-alcoholic cherry juice and some lemon and lime juices for spark. The flavors of hard cider with the citrus juices are delicious with turkey and all of your fixings!
- vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free
Photo credit: Alison Bickel
Alison Bickel
Often sweet potatoes are served as a sweet dish, but this soup takes it in another direction entirely. Smoky, savory, spicy.
- vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free
Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Fennel Salad
Elaine Smit
The secret to this unique this salad is that the Brussels sprouts and fennel are served raw. The combination of these fresh flavors is well balanced, resulting in a salad that tastes incredible and will look beautiful on your Thanksgiving table.
- vegetarian, gluten-free
Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen
This turkey gets a double dose of flavor: first it’s soaked in a seasoned saltwater brine, then the bird is brushed with an herb butter as it roasts.
- gluten-free
Photo credit: Alexa Croft
Alexa Croft
Down South it’s “dressing,” up North it’s “stuffing.” Whatever name you give it, no holiday feast is complete without it. Sidled up next to a scoop of whipped potatoes and smothered in gravy, this gluten-free version of an old classic is sure to be a crowd pleaser. This “cooked outside the bird” cornbread dressing has been modified to be egg-free and dairy-free as well.
- gluten-free, dairy-free
Sour Cherry and Sausage Stuffing
The Fabulous Beekman Boys
Several people have requested the recipe for the sausage and sour cherry stuffing that was featured on the Thanksgiving episode of The Fabulous Beekman Boys. Here it is!
Photo credit: Samantha Chulick
Samantha Chulick
A Thanksgiving feast just wouldn’t be complete without the traditional cranberry sauce. This particular sauce has a decadent twist – it has a splash of late harvest Zinfandel in it. The dessert wine adds a luxurious richness to the cranberry sauce, but don’t worry — you won’t taste the alcohol. If you can’t find the zin, you can substitute a late harvest syrah or even a ruby port.
- gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Photo credit: Marie Renello
Roasted Carrots and Shallots with Olives and Gremolata
Marie Renello
The humble carrot becomes the star in this perfect holiday side dish.
- gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Bacon-Brussels Sprouts Chilaquiles
Melissa Graham
This is not a dish for the dietetic. It’s unabashedly full of bacon and bacon grease – a natural partner to Brussels sprouts. If you don’t have a ready supply of bacon grease and still want to make this recipe, just cook more bacon slices at the end of the recipe. Save them for another purpose, eat them, or throw caution to the wind by including them all in this recipe.
- dairy-free
Marie Renello
Fresh thyme along with a rich balsamic glaze make these onions a hit on your Thanksgiving table.
- gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits
Tara Barker
Whether it’s alongside a platter of eggs and bacon, or nestled between the turkey and the gravy, buttermilk biscuits are a welcome addition to any meal.
- gluten-free, vegetarian
Photo credit: Tara Barker
Tara Barker
This dessert is a jewel-like tart, with the warmth of cinnamon and cardamom and the delicate creaminess of yogurt custard.
- gluten-free, vegetarian
Jennifer Farley
Like most people, I usually eat too much at Thanksgiving dinner and then struggle to make room for dessert. That’s how I got the idea for Thanksgiving pie petit fours. Individual bites of pie! No need to miss anything. All of these recipes are for half the original pie; you can also quarter the recipes, depending on how many you plan to serve. If you’re like me, you’ll make extra so that there are plenty of pretty tarts to serve. I eat the ugly ones!
- vegetarian
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies with Maple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Tara Barker
Get your pumpkin fix in individual, portable form with these seasonal whoopie pies.
- gluten-free, vegetarian
julie 
