Escape to simpler times this Thanksgiving by planning a country-themed meal.
This natural theme celebrates fresh flavors and homey decor, and it builds in plenty of time for family. We’ll show you how to plan a rustic menu, set a farmhouse-inspired table and express gratitude for life’s blessings together.
Find more Turkey Day ideas in our Thanksgiving hosting handbook.
How to Plan a Country Menu
A country-inspired Thanksgiving menu revolves around farm-fresh ingredients and simple flavors. Guests should find dishes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort—try to remind them of something Grandma used to make!
When planning the menu, we suggest sticking with traditional dishes and ingredients, but adding rustic twists. Elevate the turkey, for example, with a honey and herb glaze. Or glaze green beans with maple syrup. A main dish, plus three to five sides (and dessert!) is a good starting point. Aim for a variety of textures and flavors.
Need more menu inspiration? Check out our best country-themed menu ideas. And bookmark our turkey guide for everything you need to know about cooking your holiday bird to perfection.
Herb-Glazed Turkey
Honey and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give this turkey a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true recipe never fails to win me compliments. —Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta Love the look? Find our favorite farmhouse-inspired Thanksgiving table settings.
Sweet Potatoes au Gratin
This rich, sweet potato casserole couldn't be any easier to make—or more delicious to eat! —Patti Kirchhoff, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Maple-Glazed Green Beans
After I picked my first green beans one year, I wanted to make a savory dish that was unique, quick and packed with flavor. I loved this so much I couldn't stop eating it, so the next day I picked more beans and made this delicious side dish again. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
Easy Batter Rolls
The first thing my guests ask when they come for dinner is if I'm serving these dinner rolls. The buns are so light, airy and delicious—and help make the meal. —Thomasina Brunner, Gloversville, New York
Apricot-Apple Cider
Dried apricots give this comforting cider a marvelous twist. Add cranberries, cinnamon, allspice and cloves for the perfect hot drink to sip on cool nights. —Ginnie Busam, Pewee Valley, Kentucky
Buttermilk Pie with Pecans
Branch out from the usual pecan pie with a creamy-crunchy version that comes out of the oven golden brown. Big slices are even better with a dollop of whipped cream.—Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri
Skillet Sausage Stuffing
To make this sausage stuffing, I dressed up a package of stuffing mix with pork sausage, mushrooms, celery and onion. It impressed my in-laws at a family gathering and has since become a popular side dish with my husband and children. —Jennifer Lynn Cullen, Taylor, Michigan
Triple Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry fans will ask for this sauce again and again. It's loaded with their favorite fruit—in fresh, dried and juice form. Orange and allspice make it awesome. —Arlene Smulski, Lyons, Illinois
Mom's Sweet Potato Bake
Mom loves sweet potatoes and fixed them often in this creamy, comforting baked sweet potato casserole. With its nutty topping, this side dish could almost serve as a dessert. It's a yummy treat! —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee
Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Even a beginner cook could make this slow cooked chicken and have it turn out perfectly. This recipe could not be easier. A few minutes of prep and you'll come home to a delicious dinner. —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing
This fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
Rustic Squash Tarts
This recipe is hiding a big surprise. Flaky, rustic-looking pastry shells hold a sweet and spicy pecan layer under the squash slices. —Ann Marie Moch, Kintyre, ND
Homey Mac & Cheese
I also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida
Buttermilk Cranberry Muffins
I've been making these muffins and this cranberry butter for years, and I have never met anyone who didn't like them. I'll usually buy several bags of fresh cranberries when they're available and freeze them to use throughout the year. I've also discovered that powdered buttermilk works well. —Jane Yunker, Rochester, New York
Bacon Collard Greens
A staple of Southern cuisine, these collard greens with bacon make for one incredible side dish. —Marsha Ankeney, Niceville, Florida
Deep-Dish Apple Pie
This recipe is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts
Comforting Coffee Milk
This recipe is special to me because the delicious ingredients and flavors speak for themselves without those extra preservatives. Now that’s refreshing! —Brenda Schrag, Farmington, New Mexico
Mom's Buttermilk Biscuits
These fluffy biscuits are so tasty slathered with butter or used to mop up every last drop of gravy off your plate. I can still see Mom pulling these tender gems out of the oven. —Vera Reid, Laramie, Wyoming
Colorful Cranberry Sweet Potato Bake
Sweet potatoes and tart cranberries are a feast for the eyes and the palate in this beautiful side dish. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Honey
I know what you're thinking—but even the kids will eat these slightly sweet and nutty Brussels sprouts like candy. My family always turned their noses up at Brussels sprouts until they tried these, and now they request the dish often. —Deborah Latimer, Loveland, Colorado
Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes
My family loves this decadent homestyle recipe of buttermilk, potatoes and butter. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy! —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cranberry Cornmeal Dressing
This moist dressing is perfect when paired with poultry or even pork. The sweet-tart flavor of the dried cranberries really complements the dish's turkey sausage. —Corinne Portteus, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chicken with Apple-Chardonnay Gravy
I create all my own recipes by experimenting with various ingredients in the kitchen. I love this savory slow cooker chicken dish because it's easy, affordable and fills the house with awesome aromas that make your mouth water.—Theresa Retelle, Appleton, Wisconsin
Cranberry-Pumpkin Praline Pie
Here's my spin on praline pie. It has a nice crunch from the pecans, brightness from the orange zest, pop from the cranberries and richness from the cream cheese. —Barb Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Skillet Herb Bread
We had a lot of family get-togethers when I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. But Mom's was my favorite—she started making it 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, CaliforniaHow to Set a Country Thanksgiving Table
When setting the table, aim for a farmhouse feel. Warm, neutral colors, mixed textures and functional pieces can all give you that rustic vibe. For our table setting, we stuck with simple white plates, then dressed them up with buffalo-check napkins and woven placemats. For serveware, we tried out metal tubs, neutral casserole dishes and wire baskets.
Since the focus of this holiday table is the food, there’s not a ton of need (or room!) for a centerpiece. But one or two small, decorative accents can effortlessly complete the look. We chose to put fragrant potpourri in a galvanized metal dish and top it with a dried wheat stalk. You could also decorate with mini pumpkins and gourds, dried leaves or a collection of cotton branches. See how we created our country tablescape.
Get the Look
Set up a comforting spread this year with farmhouse Thanksgiving table decor. This look is polished without being fussy, and calls for relaxed, homespun design. Here's a look at the products you need to re-create this style. Psst... Get our full farmhouse-theme holiday guide.
Farmhouse Plates
You can never go wrong with the simplicity of farmhouse white. Crate & Barrel's dinner plates and salad plates are a sturdy and practical option for your country Thanksgiving menu. You can introduce bold prints and pops of color with accent pieces, leaving the dishes to display a feast you've lovingly prepared for loved ones.
Napkin Rings
West Elm has a set of four napkin rings made from slices of real wood. With a contrast of dark and blond wood on each, this rustic design works beautifully with napkins patterned or plain. We love that they also have a slim design, taking up little room while we dive into all the best of this season's side dishes—like our new fave Maple-Glazed Green Beans.
Planter Centerpiece
Complete the look with a low-profile centerpiece like a chicken feeder planter. Without obstructing anyone's view, a slim container like this can hold something as simple as pinecones from the yard, rustic potpourri like we used here or even a small floral arrangement.
Woven Placemats
Save the fancy tablecloths for another day. Your laid-back farmhouse Thanksgiving table calls for simple things like these fiber placemats. Sturdy and wide enough to hold your entire place setting and stemware, these placemats are low maintenance and loveliness combined. Load them up with platefuls of November goodness, like Herb-Glazed Turkey and one of our all-time favorites—Easy Batter Rolls.
Cloth Napkins
In a subtle nod to the autumn season, these buffalo plaid napkins add a down-home feel that invites guests to sit and stay awhile. And YAY for napkins that aren't overly delicate or in a shade that will show every stain! Farmhouse decor is nothing if it isn't practical.
Cotton Napkins
It doesn't get more farmhouse than this ticking striped set of four napkins. The pattern is subtle enough not to steal the show and is a clever pot holder for a steaming pan of Sweet Potatoes au Gratin. It complements a sprig of seasonal greenery perfectly, too. Add an aromatic statement to your country Thanksgiving table with fresh rosemary.How to Give Thanks: Thankful Tree
Before you dig into your Thanksgiving feast, consider reflecting on the true meaning of the holiday. We suggest setting up a Thankful tree.
All you need to do is arrange a collection of long twigs (real or faux) in a tall vase. Then, set out paper leaves, pens and ribbons for your guests to write out what they’re thankful for. Hang the leaves on the “tree,” then spend some time as a group expressing blessings. This is a great activity for guests to do before dinner or when there’s a lull in the action, and it’s perfect for kids and adults alike.
Want More Ideas? Find Your Thanksgiving Style.
Transform your table this holiday by planning your Thanksgiving feast around one of our fun (and delicious!) themes. Take our quiz to find the perfect menu, stunning tablescape decorations and more—all based off of your personality.
The post Rustic & Chic Country Thanksgiving Ideas appeared first on Taste of Home.
Katie Bandurski