Spicy Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
Turn up the heat at Thanksgiving dinner this year with these six spicy recipes:
Side Dish: Roasted Beets and Greens with Spicy Orange Vinaigrette Side Dish: Spicy Green Bean Casserole Side Dish: Chipotle Butternut Squash with Crunchy Topper Side Dish: Spicy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes Main Dish: Roast Stuffed Turkey with Mole Colorado Dessert: Chipotle-Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie After Dessert Drink: White Hot Chocolate
See photos and learn more about each of these spicy dish ideas below.
Salad: Roasted Beets and Greens with Spicy Orange Vinaigrette
Set the tone for a meal celebrating spice by starting with zesty roasted beets and greens. Toss together leaf lettuce, roasted baby beets, and blood oranges, then pour on a cayenne pepper-spiced vinaigrette to take this salad from bland to bold. Toss the salad with a little of the spicy vinaigrette, then save the rest for drizzling onto individual servings for your more adventurous guests. You can also add this recipe to your list of spicy appetizers to serve if some of your guests show up starving. Get the recipe: Roasted Beets and Greens with Spicy Orange Vinaigrette
Vegetable Side Dish: Spicy Green Bean Casserole
This spicy Thanksgiving side dish is a great compromise between bold flavors and classic Thanksgiving recipes—yep, even classic green bean casserole is getting an extra dose of spice. We added fresh serrano peppers and a pinch of chipotle chile peppers to give this Thanksgiving classic a real burst of fire. To keep it close to the traditional side, this recipe still has the creamy filling and a crispy panko breadcrumb topping. If you’re looking for non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas, this twist on a classic is a great way to breathe new life into an old menu item. Time-Saving Tip: If your oven is going to be crowded this Thanksgiving, use French string beans (haricots verts) instead of regular green beans in this casserole. French string beans are thin and cook quicker than the traditional variety, so you’ll only have to bake this dish for about 15 minutes. That’s easy Thanksgiving food at its finest! Get the recipe: Spicy Green Bean Casserole
Fruit and Vegetable Side Dish: Chipotle Butternut Squash with Crunchy Topper
Rather than mix up a spicy Thanksgiving stuffing, opt for a bold vegetable side dish instead. Alongside the turkey and green bean casserole, spoon tender slow-cooked butternut squash in a chipotle pepper sauce onto your plate. With cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and bacon mixed in, this spicy Thanksgiving side dish can replace traditional bread stuffing at your holiday feast. Skipping the stuffing might make for an unconventional Thanksgiving dinner, but this recipe is so tasty, you won’t miss the traditional recipes at all. Plus, since this spicy Thanksgiving side dish is cooked in a 4-Quart Slow Cooker, ($25, Target) you can save valuable oven space for your other menu items on the big day. Get the recipe: Chipotle Butternut Squash with Crunchy Topper
Potato Side Dish: Spicy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Get the recipe: Spicy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Entrée: Roast Stuffed Turkey with Mole Colorado
A super spicy mole sauce and a stuffing of fiery chorizo, tomatoes, and Anaheim chile peppers make this the best spicy Thanksgiving turkey recipe ever. To make the mole, combine ancho and guajillo chile peppers with fire-roasted tomatoes for a flaming hot turkey topper. It will make you forget all about gravy! It’s definitely a non-traditional Thanksgiving turkey, but it’ll be devoured just as quickly as any classic recipe. Just be sure to have a few glasses of milk on the side so everyone can quench the heat! Get the recipe: Roast Stuffed Turkey with Mole Colorado
Dessert: Chipotle-Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie
The spiciness doesn’t have to stop when the Thanksgiving desserts come out, as this pumpkin pie recipe proves—the combination of chocolate and heat is so delicious, this pie recipe will become one of your Thanksgiving traditions. That’s right—even your pumpkin pie is getting a boost from spice this year! The combination of pumpkin and chipotle peppers take this classic dessert to the next level. If you want to make the spice stand out even more, sprinkle your whipped cream-topped slice with a little extra chili powder before digging in. You can make a homemade pie crust for this recipe if you want, but it’ll be just as good if you begin with a refrigerated crust for a head start. Get the recipe: Chipotle-Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie
Sweet and Spicy Drink: White Hot Chocolate
A steaming mug of creamy hot chocolate is a must at any cold-weather celebration, and this white hot chocolate is the perfect way to finish out your spicy Thanksgiving menu. Made with a hefty amount of cinnamon and cardamom, this hot chocolate packs a different kind of punch: It’s spicy without being overpowering, so you can enjoy a mug full even if your taste buds need a break after the heat of the dinner menu. Get the recipe: White Hot Chocolate
