Thanksgiving: everything for a real American dinner

Thanksgiving, the biggest holiday in the United States

In the USA, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It's a family holiday, often bigger than Christmas: the whole country travels to get together around a huge meal. Canada celebrates it too, but earlier, on the second Monday of October.

The tradition goes back to 1621, when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people shared a meal to celebrate the first harvest. Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, under Abraham Lincoln.

What happens on Thanksgiving Day?

In the morning, everyone watches the big Macy's Parade in New York on TV, with its giant balloons. In the afternoon, it's football time: the Thanksgiving NFL games are a tradition. And in the evening, everyone sits down to eat. The next day is Black Friday, the kickoff of Christmas shopping.

Among friends, Americans also throw Friendsgiving: a Thanksgiving dinner where everyone brings a dish.

The classic Thanksgiving menu

• Roast turkey: the star of the meal, served with gravy.
• Stuffing: bread and herb stuffing. Most Americans use a mix like Stove Top, ready in minutes.
• Cranberry sauce: jellied or whole berry, like Ocean Spray. Its tangy side balances the turkey.
• Mashed potatoes with gravy.
• Cornbread: soft, sweet corn bread, easy to make with Jiffy mix.

The must-have sides

Two dishes are on almost every American table:

• Green bean casserole: creamy green beans topped with crispy French's fried onions. A recipe created in 1955 that became a classic.
• Sweet potato casserole: mashed sweet potatoes baked under a layer of mini marshmallows that turn golden. Sweet and savory, and so American.

Dessert: pumpkin pie and pecan pie

There's no Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie, the spiced pumpkin tart. The American secret: canned pumpkin, like Libby's. For the crust, many people use Crisco, the vegetable shortening that makes a really flaky pastry. And if you're short on time, go for a ready-made crust like the Keebler Graham Ready Crust, made with graham crackers.

The other big classic is pecan pie, with its gooey filling made with Karo corn syrup.

Our ideas for your Thanksgiving

• The full dinner: turkey, Stove Top stuffing, cranberry sauce, cornbread and green bean casserole.
• Friendsgiving: everyone brings a dish, and you take care of the pumpkin pie.
• Leftovers: the next day, do it the American way with a turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwich.

Our tip for your first Thanksgiving

First time? Don't try to do everything. Focus on the three essentials: Stove Top stuffing, ready in minutes, cranberry sauce, served nice and cold, and pumpkin pie. Make the pumpkin pie the day before: a night in the fridge makes the spiced filling firmer and creamier. On the big day, all you have to watch is the turkey.

Thanksgiving FAQ

When is Thanksgiving in 2026?

In the United States, Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. In Canada, it was celebrated on Monday, October 12.

What do people eat on Thanksgiving?

Roast turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, followed by pumpkin pie or pecan pie for dessert.

What is stuffing?

It's the turkey filling, made with bread, herbs and broth. You can cook it inside the turkey or on the side, in a baking dish.