6 Ways to Add Herbs to Your Thanksgiving Celebration

Kicking off the holiday season, Thanksgiving is coming up quicker than ever. Typically a holiday celebrated with abundant gatherings of friends and family, Thanksgiving is bound to look a little different this year. Although there is a melancholy tinge to this idea, in reality, we now have more opportunities to get creative, and find positive ways to make this Thanksgiving a memorable one. 

Whether you’re recreating recipes that have been passed down through generations, or looking for a way to liven up your home for the festivities, incorporating herbs is the perfect way to add a twist to your traditions. To help you prepare for Thanksgiving this year, we’ve put together a list of 6 creative ways to use fresh herbs to liven up to your holiday.

Thanksgiving Herbs

Traditionally, the most commonly used herbs for Thanksgiving celebrations include sage, rosemary, cinnamon, thyme, tarragon, marjoram, cloves, parsley, ginger, oregano, dill, and mint – and that’s only for the cooking! 

Herbs, such as mint or rosemary, can also be used to make lovely centerpieces or decorations in your home for the holidays. Nothing quite fills a space like live decor, and what’s better than being able to say that you grew your decorations yourself?

6 Creative ways to Use Herbs this Thanksgiving

From decorations, to cocktails, to traditional Thanksgiving recipes, we’ve put together an all-inclusive list of herbal inspiration to freshen up your festivities this year. Take a look!

1. Decorating with Herbs
   • Herbs are beautiful, aromatic and elegant – and they check off all of the boxes for perfect holiday decor. Try adding a sprig of fresh rosemary to your place settings, or filling your centerpiece with robust parsley stems. If you’re feeling extraordinarily festive, you should try creating fresh mint bouquets, and placing them in the powder room, or on the buffet tables.
   • For more Thanksgiving-themed centerpiece ideas, take a look at this list of 5 Tablescape Tips for an Elegant Fest.
2. Bloody Rosemary Cocktail
   • What better a way to ring in the holiday season than with a refreshing herbal twist on the classic Bloody Mary? With this fabulous recipe from Salted Mint, your mix-up of a traditional cocktail favorite will be an unforgettable hit.
3. Cinnamon Rolls with Fresh Blueberry and Thyme
   • Dessert, anyone? Heat things up a bit with this sweet and savory cinnamon roll recipe, brought to you by Driscoll’s Farms. Add thyme to this timeless dessert recipe to give it a bright, lemony twist.
4. Pumpkin & Parsley Soup
   • This Pumpkin and Parsley Soup recipe, from Food to Love, is a beautiful way to use the fall-favorite gourd for your festivities. With a quick and easy fifteen minute prep-time, this savory soup is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Bake some fresh sourdough bread to serve alongside this recipe, and you won’t be sorry.
5. Bourbon & Mint Cranberry Sauce
   • Nothing says “Thanksgiving” like a delicious, homemade cranberry sauce! This year, try changing up your recipe by throwing in a bit of booze and mint. Easy to make, and oh so nostalgic, try out this cranberry sauce recipe by The Bitten Word. It’s a game-changer.
6. Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Sage Recipe
   • Mashed potatoes are always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at a Thanksgiving feast. They’re timeless, delectable, and they taste good with just about anything! Switch it up this year by adding your fresh sage harvest into the mix.
   • Recipe
     1. 4 pounds of potatoes
     2. Salt & pepper
     3. 1 cup whole milk
     4. 6 tablespoons salted butter
     5. ¼ cup sour cream
     6. 12 fresh sage leaves
   • How-To
     1. Peel the potatoes, cut them into large pieces, and boil in a pot of salted water until tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander and return to the cooking pot
     2. Heat the milk, butter, and 6 diced sage leaves in a saucepan
     3. Beat the potatoes with an electric mixer, slowly adding the melted butter and sage mixture. Add the sour cream, salt, and pepper.
     4. Serve hot and top with whole sage leaves.
     5. Enjoy!

A Thanksgiving for the Books

Don’t be discouraged by the unfamiliarity of the holiday season this year. After all, we still have our families, our homes, and an abundance of love and gratitude to share with one another – and that’s what matters the most.

Get ready for leftovers with this handy article that has 5 creative ways to put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use – check it out!