Thanksgiving Recipes For a Warm Holiday
I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and what better way to do that than with good food? These Thanksgiving recipes are all about comfort, flavor, and gathering around the table with people you love.
For this year’s Thanksgiving recipe, I’m leaning on classic, reliable recipes (already on the blog) — the ones that always bring comfort and warm up your belly. Think glazed gammon, creamy mashed potatoes, and crispy baked potatoes with cheese and bacon. Simple, satisfying, and perfect for sharing.
Here’s the spread I’ll be featuring this Thanksgiving:
- Christmas Gammon Recipe
- Instant Pot Gammon
- Honey Glazed Gammon Ham Recipe
- Mashed Potatoes
- Smashed Baked Potato
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
- Comfort & Tradition: Gammon ham brings a rich, savory flavor that feels both festive and familiar.
- Hearty Sides: Creamy mashed potatoes and crispy baked potatoes hit all the cozy, indulgent notes.
- Versatile Options: From classic to slightly indulgent, these dishes cater to everyone at the table.
- Stress‑Free Prep: Many recipes can be made ahead or cooked with minimal fuss — perfect for keeping the holiday calm.
Christmas Gammon Recipe
A classic centerpiece — sweet, tender, and perfect for sandwiches, grazing boards or a warm dinner with veggies. The glaze adds a festive flavor that makes the table feel special.
Instant Pot Gammon Recipe
Quick and fuss-free! Perfect if you’re short on time but still want tender, juicy gammon that’s full of flavor.
Honey Glazed Gammon Ham Recipe
Sweet, sticky, and beautifully caramelized — this ham will wow your guests and pairs perfectly with savory sides.
Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Creamy and buttery, it is the perfect companion for anything roasted such as the honey-glazed ham.
Smashed Baked Potato Recipe
Crispy edges, soft centers, and cheesy goodness with a touch of bacon — the indulgent side everyone will love.
- Prep your potatoes ahead of time — peeled, chopped, and ready to go.
- Glaze your gammon early in the day so it can absorb all that flavor.
- Keep sides simple and festive: roasted vegetables, salads, and a touch of herbs can make a big impression with minimal effort.
Serving Suggestions
- Start with a simple salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness of the gammon and potatoes.
- Serve the mashed potatoes and smashed baked potatoes family-style for a cozy, communal feel.
- A drizzle of honey or a spoonful of gravy over your gammon and potatoes makes everything feel extra special.
If you try this recipe, I’d love it if you could leave a rating and comment below — it helps others find the recipe and supports my blog!
Honey Glazed Gammon Ham (Cherry & Honey Glaze)
Ingredients
For the Gammon
- 2.5 kg 5.5 lb gammon, deboned, uncooked
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 celery stalks with leaves roughly chopped
- 1 onion roughly chopped
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 2 bay leaves
Honey Cherry Glaze
- 1½ cups 225 g pitted cherries
- 1 cup 200 g dark brown sugar
- ½ cup 120 ml honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ tsp allspice
- Juice + zest of 1 orange ≈ ¼ cup / 60 ml juice
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice ≈ 30 ml
- ¼ tsp salt and pepper mix
- 2 Tbsp butter
For the Roasted Fruit (Optional but Recommended)
- 2 oranges cut into wedges (plus extra for squeezing over)
- 2 cups chopped pineapple
- 1 cup whole cherries plus reserved cherry pulp from glaze
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Sea salt to taste
- Olive oil for drizzlin
Instructions
Cherry Glaze
- Pit cherries using a cherry pitter or small sharp knife.
- Add cherries and all glaze ingredients to a saucepan.
- Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat, discard cinnamon stick, let cool.
- Strain if desired. Reserve pulp for roasted fruit (optional). Use liquid for glazing.
Simmer the Gammon (Make Ahead Optional)
- Place gammon, carrots, celery, onion, cloves, and bay leaves in a large pot or Dutch oven. Cover with water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer 2 hours.
- Remove gammon, discard vegetables. Strain and reserve liquid for stock if desired.
- Allow gammon to cool completely. Remove netting.
Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
- On a baking tray, add oranges, pineapple, whole cherries, reserved cherry pulp, and thyme.
- Squeeze extra orange juice over fruit, season with sea salt, drizzle with olive oil. Leave space for ham.
Remove Rind & Score
- Remove rind by sliding fingers/knife between rind and fat. Discard rind.
- Score fat in a diamond or straight pattern.
Glaze and Roast
- Place ham on a rack over foil (or directly on tray with fruit).
- Brush generously with cherry honey glaze.
- Roast 20–30 minutes, basting every 10 minutes.
- Final 5 minutes: increase oven to 220°C / 425°F to caramelize glaze. Watch closely.
Finish & Serve
- Remove from oven, rest briefly, slice, and serve with roasted fruit and extra glaze.
