From Our Table to Yours

Thanksgiving Recipes

Hard cider can add a delightful and unique flavor to your Thanksgiving recipes. Whether you're looking to create savory dishes or sweet desserts, here are some recipes that are sure to be Appalachian to the Core.

Hard Cider-Glaze for your Turkey:

• Ingredients:

  • 1 cup hard cider

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

  • 1/4 cup butter

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, combine hard cider, maple syrup, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer over low heat until it thickens slightly.

  2. Brush the turkey with the cider glaze, and roast it according to your preferred turkey recipe, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes.

2. Hard Cider Gravy:

• Ingredients:

  • 2 cups hard cider

  • 2 cups turkey or chicken broth

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup butter

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook until it turns a light golden brown.

  2. Gradually whisk in the hard cider and broth. Simmer until the gravy thickens, stirring constantly.

  3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve alongside your turkey.

3. Hard Cider and Sausage Stuffing:

• Ingredients:

  • 8 cups stale bread, cubed

  • 1 lb ground sausage

  • 1 cup hard cider

  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped

  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped

  • 1/4 cup butter

  • 1 tsp sage

  • 1 tsp thyme

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, brown the sausage. Remove and drain excess fat.

  2. In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the celery and onion until softened.

  3. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, sausage, sautéed vegetables, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.

  4. Pour the hard cider over the mixture and toss until the bread is moistened.

  5. Transfer the stuffing to a baking dish, cover, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

4. Cider-Braised Brussels Sprouts:

• Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

  • 1 cup hard cider

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

  2. Add the Brussels sprouts and sauté until they start to brown.

  3. Pour in the hard cider, reduce the heat to low, and cover. Simmer until the sprouts are tender, about 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Hard Cider Apple Crisp:

• Ingredients:

  • 6 cups apples, peeled and sliced

  • 1 cup hard cider

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

  • Topping: 1 cup oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup butter

• Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. In a bowl, combine the apples, hard cider, sugar, and cinnamon. Pour into a baking dish.

  3. In a separate bowl, mix the topping ingredients until crumbly, and sprinkle over the apples.

  4. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Interested in more recipes? Check out Cider Culture.

Appalachian to the Core