Our Caribbean Thanksgiving Feast - 2024 (With Recipes) -

Plan, Prepare & Enjoy a Caribbean Thanksgiving Feast

The holiday season is a time for gathering, celebration, and of course, indulging in delicious food. Are you looking for meal inspiration for the holidays? This year, make your feast unforgettable with a thoughtfully curated menu featuring both classic and Caribbean-inspired dishes. From the main courses to the desserts, every bite will be a celebration of flavors and traditions.

Table of Contents

With guidance from this video, you will get insights on how you can plan, prep, and execute this delectable holiday menu with my corresponding recipes! Links to these recipes will be updated as they are available, so stay tuned and check back often! Subscribe so you don’t miss any new recipes!

Thanksgiving 2024: A Celebration to Remember

This year’s Thanksgiving was nothing short of magical. It took a month of preparation, but the effort was well worth it as we shared an unforgettable time with family and friends. Our Canadian relatives arrived the day before, setting the stage for a whirlwind of laughter, love, and of course, cooking! Together, we executed an elaborate menu filled with mouthwatering dishes, sharing every step of the prep and cooking process.

From the chaos in the kitchen to the music, dancing, and heartfelt stories shared around the table, every moment was filled with joy. The kitchen buzzed with activity as we chopped, stirred, and tasted, turning our home into the heart of the celebration. Even after the Thanksgiving feast, the fun didn’t stop—we made midnight pizzas and served an elaborate breakfast for our guests on Saturday and Sunday morning. This spread included tomatoes and saltfish, fried bake, buljol, fried shark, eggs, and sausage sourced fresh from the farmer’s market, as well as coconut bake.

The memories of this Thanksgiving will be cherished forever—a reminder of the beauty of coming together over food, laughter, and love. Now, let’s dive into the details of this year’s holiday feast so you can bring the same magic to your own celebrations.

The Menu: Infused with Robust Caribbean Flavor

Thanksgiving Eve:

• Homemade Bread: Freshly baked bread with a soft, fluffy interior and a golden crust is perfect for welcoming the holidays and making everyone happy!
• Holiday Ham: A beautifully glazed ham with a perfect balance of sweetness and savory notes, finished with a caramelized crust that adds a delightful flavor.

Main Courses

• Jerk Turkey: A spicy, smoky centerpiece marinated with traditional jerk seasonings. The turkey was slow-roasted on the smoker to perfection, delivering bold flavors in every bite. We also roasted two turkey breasts in the oven to have ample leftovers for everyone for a couple of days!
• Pepper Shrimps: Juicy shrimp sautéed in a fiery ketchup-based sauce with lots of garlic and herbs, bringing the heat to the table. I do not yet have a pepper shrimp recipe on this site, but do check out my jerk shrimp recipe!
• CWR Lobster: Tender lobster tails cooked Caribbean-style with fresh seasonings and spices, making this a luxurious addition to the feast.
• Roasted Duck: A richly flavored Chinese-style duck marinated well in advance to allow the spices to deeply penetrate the meat. Roasted to a crispy, golden perfection, it offers Asian-inspired flavors beloved in the Caribbean.
• Stewed Oxtail: A richly seasoned, slow-cooked dish featuring tender oxtail pieces braised in a savory, spiced gravy until they melt in your mouth. It’s a Caribbean comfort classic bursting with flavor.
• Curry Goat: A fragrant and spicy Caribbean favorite, featuring succulent and tender goat meat cooked in a blend of Jamaican curry and aromatics, delivering a robust and satisfying dish. Jamaican Style Curry Goat recipe coming soon.

Side Dishes

• Jamaican Cabbage Stir Fry: A vibrant medley of cabbage, carrots and bell peppers, sautéed with garlic, thyme, all spice and vinegar, adding a light, fresh element to the meal.
• Macaroni Pie: A creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish with a golden crust, perfect for a warm and comforting side.
• Buttermilk Cornbread: Moist and slightly sweet cornbread made with buttermilk, serving as an irresistible accompaniment to savory mains.
• Scalloped Cassava: A Caribbean twist on scalloped potatoes, featuring thinly sliced cassava baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
• Mummy’s Holiday Rice and Beans: A traditional favorite cooked with coconut milk and seasoned to perfection, delivering a rich and flavorful side.
• Spiced Cranberry Chutney: Tart cranberries paired with warming spices create a sweet and tangy chutney that perfectly complements roasted meats.
• Tostones with Spicy Onion Pickle: Crispy fried green plantains served with a tangy, spicy onion pickle for a crunchy and zesty side.
• Candied Yams: Sweet and tender yams glazed with brown sugar and spices, offering a touch of sweetness to the spread.

Desserts

• Apple Pie: A classic dessert with tender, spiced apples encased in a flaky, buttery crust.
• Pecan Pie: Sweet, nutty, and gooey, this Southern favorite is a must-have for the holiday table.
• Flan: A creamy, caramel-topped custard that melts in your mouth with every bite.
• Tres Leches: A moist sponge cake soaked in three types of milk, topped with whipped cream for a decadent treat.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Smooth and creamy homemade vanilla ice cream, the perfect pairing for pies or enjoyed on its own.
• Homemade Chai Tea: A warm and comforting spiced tea made with fresh ingredients, ideal for rounding off the feast and comforting the overworked tummy!

Recovery Breakfast Feast – Saturday & Sunday After Thanksgiving:

After the indulgence of Thanksgiving and a day of leftovers on Friday, recharge your body and spirit with a hearty and comforting breakfast spread. This Recovery Breakfast Feast brings together the rich flavors of Trinidadian cuisine, offering a mix of traditional favorites and satisfying dishes to start your weekend with your guests on a high note. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy morning, this menu is all about warmth, nostalgia, and love.
• Tomatoes & Saltfish and Fried Bake: A Trini classic featuring sautéed saltfish with tomatoes, onions, and herbs, served with fluffy fried bake.
• Coconut Bake and Buljol: Coconut-infused bread paired with a refreshing saltfish salad of onion and peppers.
• Bake and Shark: Crispy fried shark fillets served in soft fried bake, topped with fresh condiments for a street-food-style treat.
• Grandma’s Fried Eggs: Perfectly fluffy fried eggs, seasoned simply yet lovingly, served with your favorite roti, leftover homemade bread or bakes.

Highlights from the Video

Don’t miss my Thanksgiving Day Vlog in this video for a complete guide on prepping and cooking this holiday menu. Watch how it all comes together.

Watch the Vlog Video Here

Did You Love This Post? Leave a Comment

I hope you found this post helpful and inspiring! If you’re inspired to recreate this holiday feast, let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to rate the recipes and leave a comment. For more video tutorials, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Your feedback helps us create even more amazing content.

Questions or Concerns—Write Me!

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about this menu or any other recipes, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or reach out via email at [email protected]. I’m here to make your cooking experience as enjoyable and successful as possible. Happy cooking!