Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family and food! And as this nostalgic autumn holiday rolls around, we start to daydream about all dishes turkey, pumpkin and stuffing-inspired!
If you’re looking to change things up this Thanksgiving, it might be time to try Thanksgiving brunch instead of the typical holiday dinner.
Although we love our warm mashed potatoes and roasted turkey as much as you, we can’t get enough of unique brunch ideas for Thanksgiving. Read on to discover the benefits of planning a Thanksgiving brunch, along with some of the Bob’s Red Mill team’s favorite recipes and ideas.
8 Benefits of Hosting Thanksgiving Brunch
Although many Thanksgiving gatherings tend to happen at dinnertime, there are many benefits to hosting a Thanksgiving brunch. From making the day convenient for friends who have to work, to serving a delightful pumpkin spice latte, here are 8 of the top benefits to hosting a Thanksgiving brunch this year.
1. For the Working Folks
Whether your family members and friends work in retail, hospitality or any other business, Thanksgiving brunch can often be easier for them. Some people have to go into work on Thanksgiving night or early the next morning, so a brunch is more convenient.
2. For the Food Prep
As the day of eating and indulging lingers on, it might feel more tiring to prep food late in the day. A Thanksgiving brunch means handling meal prep the day before and in the morning, which can alleviate the last-minute stress of preparing in the afternoon. There are lots of brunch ideas for Thanksgiving that take easy morning meal prep into the equation.
3. For the Menu Variation
A Thanksgiving brunch offers an exciting change to the routine of Thanksgiving dinner. If your family has been hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the last few decades or longer, consider switching up the tradition. A new time of day means a whole new menu to go along with it. Of course, you can always opt for keeping some of the traditional foods. Roasted turkey sandwich spread with all the fixings, anyone?
4. For the Day After
A Thanksgiving brunch doesn’t have to be limited to the actual day of Thanksgiving. If you have family members and friends who can’t all get together on the day of, start a leftovers tradition. Have everyone bring a dish inspired by the array of leftovers in the fridge and dive in.
5. For the Beverages
Although a good wine or fancy sparkling water with infused produce is always fun with Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving brunch is home to an assortment of elevated beverages. If you’re looking for Thanksgiving brunch ideas for a crowd, try a big batch of Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Lattes. A little bit of half and half, some canned pumpkin, spices, vanilla extract and sugar combine for a magical and festive morning drink.
6. For the Digestion
Ever gone to bed on Thanksgiving evening after indulging in one too many pieces of pumpkin pie? The Thanksgiving holiday tends to be a time of culinary indulgence, which might leave some of us feeling like a plump Thanksgiving turkey after all is said and eaten. By eating earlier in the day, there’s more time to digest throughout the afternoon. Set a time for a family hike in the afternoon or a stroll around the neighborhood as the sun is setting.
7. For the Friends
If your family is on the smaller side and you’re looking to have friends attend your gathering, a Thanksgiving brunch might be the way to go. This way, friends can pop by in the late morning or early afternoon before venturing on to their next stop. In this case, you’ll want to want to make an extra-large batch of Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies for them to take along as a party favor.
8. For the Recipes!
We mentioned the menu for brunch offers variation to the classic Thanksgiving dishes, so here are some of our favorite brunch ideas for Thanksgiving that everyone will love, including the kids. From breads to scones to pot pies, they’re sure to leave you hungry and ready for a new turkey day tradition!
Gluten Free Turkey Biscuit Pot Pies
These Gluten Free Turkey Biscuit Pot Pies are one of the best Thanksgiving brunch ideas for a sit-down meal. They’re rich, savory and served in individual portions, which makes them both cute and convenient. The filling incorporates vegetables like carrots, celery and chard and a mix of fragrant herbs, like rosemary, sage and thyme. Once your turkey is added into the equation, these little pot pies will become a Thanksgiving fan favorite!
Leftover Thanksgiving Brunch Waffles with Fried Egg and Gravy
Photo by climbinggriermountain.com
This recipe for Leftover Thanksgiving Brunch Waffles with Fried Egg and Gravy is decadent and delicious. It calls for Bob’s Red Mill Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix and is chock full of tasty ingredients. It also comes complete with a simple homemade gravy, made with creamy whole milk, flour, butter, salt and pepper. If you’re on the hunt for brunch ideas for Thanksgiving, or a recipe to enjoy the morning after, this one is fantastic!
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls with Marshmallow Filling
Cinnamon rolls are a fun tradition for Thanksgiving morning, so implementing them into a festive brunch is one of our favorite ways to enjoy them! These Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls with Marshmallow Filling have sweet potato puree in the dough and are stuffed with ooey, gooey marshmallow fluff. If you have a tradition of making sweet potato casserole with marshmallows for Thanksgiving dinner, this dish is your ticket to a divine Thanksgiving brunch! If you’re a cinnamon enthusiast, sprinkle with more cinnamon just before serving or serve with a cinnamon vanilla latte.
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
The most classic brunch ideas for Thanksgiving involve a mix of fresh, tangy cranberries and warm, earthy pumpkins. This Pumpkin Cranberry Bread from Maris Callahan of In Good Taste pairs some of the best flavors of the season for a loaf of warm and comforting bread. Make a double batch of this bread and enjoy it the morning after Thanksgiving with a cup of hot coffee or tea. It will keep in a container for up to three days, so you can continue to enjoy the flavors of the season. A spread of Whipped Cranberry Butter is a delicious addition as well!
Potato and Kale Vegan Quiche
Quiches are great Thanksgiving brunch ideas, as they can be prepped ahead of time and heated up in the morning. This Potato and Kale Vegan Quiche relies on Chickpea Flour as its amazing gluten free egg substitute, which makes it perfect for vegan guests. The mix of garlic, potato, kale and Dijon mustard will bring flavor to the Thanksgiving table and happiness to the tastebuds.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Scones
The best brunch ideas for Thanksgiving always involve some sort of homemade baked good! Keep things easy this year with this super simple recipe for Gluten Free Pumpkin Scones. Our Gluten Free Biscuit and Baking Mix takes the guesswork out of baking and combines with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spices and crystallized ginger for an autumn-inspired treat. You can also make these scones dairy-free by using an alternative milk and a non-dairy butter substitute.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins
No list of Thanksgiving brunch ideas would be complete without some sort of stuffing. For a completely creative take on a Thanksgiving classic, try this recipe for Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins. If your brunch is focused on breakfast foods, rather than lunch or dinner foods, these will be the perfect addition to the table. They’re rich, easy to serve and so delicious! They call for our cornbread recipe, along with seasonings, French or Italian bread, onions, pine nuts, eggs and vegetable or chicken stock. Bake these muffins just before guests arrive and serve warm.
Quinoa Chard Frittata with Balsamic Onions
Similar to a quiche, a frittata is an excellent make-ahead choice when you’re hosting a Thanksgiving brunch. This Quinoa Chard Frittata with Balsamic Onions from Naturally Ella incorporates a whole bunch of nutritious ingredients, including Bob’s Red Mill Quinoa. Our quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse, filled with high-quality protein and iron. Give your guests a boost of Thanksgiving morning energy by incorporating this wholesome ingredient into your frittata. It also has a nutty flavor, which works perfectly in this recipe once it’s combined with chard and balsamic onions.
Whether you’re whipping up a batch of scones, a loaf of bread or a wholesome quiche, we hope this article has inspired you to plan a Thanksgiving brunch! Have you hosted a Thanksgiving brunch in the past or are you planning to this year? Feel free to share some of your favorite brunch ideas for Thanksgiving with us in the comments below!
We’d love to hear how you get creative and utilize the bounty of the season in your recipes and traditions. From all of us at Bob’s Red Mill, thanks for reading! We’re wishing you a happy, healthy and warm holiday season ahead.
