Easy Thanksgiving Recipes to Savor from The Olive Tap

A Thanksgiving table with candles and fall decor with people seated and a person holding a cooked whole turkey.

Thanksgiving is a time for favorite family recipes, delicious food, and gathering around the table with the people we love.

Whether you're preparing the turkey, bringing a side dish, or looking for a new dessert, we've gathered some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes featuring The Olive Tap's Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Flavor Infused Olive Oils, and Balsamic Vinegars.

From savory herbs and seasonal vegetables to comforting fall desserts, a few simple ingredients can bring something special to your holiday table.

Thanksgiving Turkey: Sauces, Marinades & Holiday Herb Olive Oil

Everyone has a favorite way to prepare their Thanksgiving turkey, whether roasted, grilled, smoked, or deep-fried. While we're leaving the cooking method to you, we have some delicious ideas for adding flavor.

Rick's Favorite: Holiday Herb Olive Oil

Holiday Herb Olive Oil is back, just in time for Thanksgiving!

What's Rick's secret to a picture-perfect Thanksgiving turkey? A flavorful brine, an overnight rest for crispy skin, and a generous rub of The Olive Tap's Holiday Herb Olive Oil!

Rick shares his step-by-step preparation method for a moist, flavorful turkey with beautifully browned, crispy skin.

Read Rick's Tips for a Picture-Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

Shop Holiday Herb Olive Oil

Glazes, Sauces & Marinades for Turkey

Looking for more ways to add flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey? Some of our favorite poultry recipes offer delicious inspiration for sauces, glazes, and marinades.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different olive oils and balsamic vinegars to create your own holiday flavor combinations!

More Turkey Flavor Inspiration

Black Currant Reduction Sauce

For the sauce, add butter to a sauce pan and cook minced shallot, garlic and peach on medium/low heat until soft. Add your favorite Olive Tap Dark Balsamic, we used Black Currant, and reduce sauce down to desired consistency. 

Sweet and Savory Marinade

Place clean chicken (or turkey) in a large resealable bag (or just a large, clean bag - not scented, for a turkey) and set aside. Mix balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, mustard and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until emulsified. Reserve 1/3 cup of the glaze for later basting and pour the remainder over the chicken (turkey) in the bag. Seal the bag and manipulate the bag to coat the chicken thoroughly. Let marinade 4 to 6 hours, or overnight (24 hours max).

Garlic Herb Balsamic Marinade

Combine rosemary, thyme, garlic, olive oil, balsamic, and whisk together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken or turkey to marinade and marinate 2 hours (longer is fine too). This works best in a large plastic bag (per guidelines above). 

Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Give traditional mashed potatoes a delicious twist with extra virgin olive oil and garlic. This dairy-free recipe is a flavorful alternative to butter-based mashed potatoes.

Try it with Ascolano Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or experiment with Tuscan Herb or Smoky Bacon Olive Oil for a different flavor.

Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten-Free

Apple Cranberry Holiday Salad

Add a little freshness and color to your Thanksgiving table with this seasonal salad. It's a lovely complement to the richer flavors of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.

Mixed greens with cheese, cut red ables with oil and balsamic vinegar.

Glazed Brussel Sprouts with Apples and Prosciutto

A delicious combination of crispy, sweet, and savory flavors. This fall-inspired side dish features Granny Smith Apple White Balsamic Vinegar and flavorful olive oils.

Features Jalapeño Olive Oil, Roasted Garlic Olive Oil, and Granny Smith Apple White Balsamic Vinegar

Gluten-Free | For a vegetarian or vegan version, omit the prosciutto.

Tender acorn squash, savory sausage stuffing, cranberries, walnuts, and a finishing balsamic glaze make this a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving menu.

Gluten-Free (when prepared with Gluten-Free Italian Sausage)

Easy Thanksgiving Recipes - Roasted Acorn Squash with Sausage Stuffing and Balsamic Glaze

Easy Thanksgiving Desserts

Looking for something a little different from traditional pumpkin or apple pie? These delicious fall desserts are perfect for sharing at your Thanksgiving table.

Baked Cinnamon Apples

All the delicious flavor of apple pie without making a crust! These baked apples feature Granny Smith Apple Balsamic Vinegar and are especially delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Vegetarian

Apple Bread Pudding with Maple Caramel Sauce

Warm, comforting, and full of fall flavor, this apple bread pudding is a wonderful Thanksgiving dessert. It's also a great make-ahead option, giving you one less thing to prepare on Thanksgiving Day.

Vegetarian

Dark Chocolate Balsamic Crazy Cake

Chocolate lovers, this one's for you! This easy, one-pan cake features Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar for a delicious twist on a classic chocolate dessert. Made without eggs or dairy, it's a simple addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table.

Holiday Herb & Our Favorite Fall Pairings

Holiday Herb Olive Oil isn't just for turkey! Its savory blend of herbs is also delicious with roasted vegetables, potatoes, and seasonal salads.

For a little extra flavor inspiration, try pairing Holiday Herb Olive Oil with these customer favorites:

  • Cranberry Pear Balsamic: A festive combination of savory herbs and fruity sweetness. Perfect for fall salads and roasted vegetables.

  • Granny Smith Apple Balsamic: A crisp, sweet-tart pairing that complements autumn-inspired dishes.

  • Sicilian Lemon Balsamic: A bright, citrusy combination that's wonderful for vinaigrettes and roasted vegetables.

Whether you're preparing Thanksgiving dinner or enjoying the leftovers, these pairings offer delicious ways to bring a little extra flavor to your table.

Shop Holiday Herb Olive Oil

Make Thanksgiving Your Own

You don't have to replace your family's favorite recipes to try something new. Sometimes a different olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, or a flavorful finishing touch is all it takes to make a holiday dish extra special.

From all of us at The Olive Tap and our family of stores, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food, cherished traditions, and time together.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rick, Kathi, John & The Olive Tap Team

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