Asian Thanksgiving Recipes: 25 Dinner Menu Ideas - Sassy Chopsticks (2024)

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, a delicious feast. While traditional Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce are popular classics, why not switch things up this year with some Asian-inspired Thanksgiving recipes? Incorporating Asian flavors and ingredients can bring a unique and delightful twist to your holiday table. Let's explore some mouthwatering ideas with 25 Asian Thanksgiving recipes to make your Thanksgiving dinner unforgettable.

Asian influence on thanksgiving recipe

The flavors of Asia have had a significant impact on cuisine worldwide, and Thanksgiving recipes are no exception. By infusing traditional holiday dishes with soy sauce, sticky rice, Chinese green vegetables, and other Asian flavors, you can take a feast to the next level. Embracing an Asian twist on American Thanksgiving recipes allows us to celebrate the fusion of East and West, creating a perfect balance of flavors, textures, and colors on our holiday table.

Main dishes

For the main dishes of your Asian-inspired Thanksgiving feast, you have a variety of flavorful options to choose from.

Try this teriyaki meatloaf for a twist on traditional favorites. Teriyaki meatloaf is a delicious twist on the classic comfort food. It combines the savory flavors of traditional meatloaf with the sweet and tangy taste of teriyaki sauce. The meatloaf is typically made with a mixture of ground beef, onions, and seasonings, then topped with a generous amount of teriyaki glaze before baking to perfection. The result is a moist and flavorful meatloaf with a sticky, caramelized crust that will surely be a hit!

Teriyaki pork meatballs are a delicious dish that combines the sweetness of teriyaki sauce with the savory taste of pork. These meatballs are typically made by mixing ground pork with breadcrumbs, garlic,scallions, soy sauce, and other seasonings to create a juicy and tender texture. Once formed into bite-sized balls, they are cooked in a hot skillet pan until golden brown and cooked through. The final step is to glaze the meatballs with a generous amount of teriyaki sauce, which adds a rich and tangy flavor. You can serve it as an appetizer or as part of a main course, and teriyaki pork meatballs are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering!

Asian pork meatball bowls are a delicious and healthy meal option that you can enjoy by those following a Whole30, Paleo, or Keto diet. These bowls are packed with flavor and nutrients, making them a satisfying and guilt-free choice for any occasion. The star of the dish is the juicy and flavorful pork meatballs seasoned with Asian-inspired spices and herbs. You can serve these meatballs on a bed of cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, and coleslaw mix. Topped with a tangy sauce, these bowls will surely be a hit at the dinner table.

For a unique Thanksgiving turkey, consider brining it in soy sauce. Soy sauce brined turkey is a delicious twist on the classic Thanksgiving turkey. Brining involves soaking the turkey in soy sauce, water, and other seasonings for several hours before cooking. This process infuses the meat with flavor and helps to keep it juicy and tender during roasting. The soy sauce adds a savory umami taste that complements the natural flavors of the turkey. The result is a succulent and flavorful bird that will impress your family and friends at your holiday feast.

Say goodbye to the usual turkey seasoning and hello to the exotic and aromatic Chinese five-spice blend. This flavorful mixture of star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, soy sauce, and green onions will give your turkey a delectable Asian twist.

And if you're looking for something quick and easy, try making an air fryer char siu. Air fryer char siu is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines the succulent flavors of char siu with the convenience of an air fryer. Typically, you can marinate this Chinese barbecue pork in a sweet and savory sauce before you roast or grill it. You can achieve the same tender and flavorful results with an air fryer without needing a traditional oven or grill.

Steamed snapper with chili jam is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the delicate taste of snapper with the spicy kick of chili and tamarind paste. It is a popular Thai dish popular for its flavors and unique combination of ingredients. Steaming the snapper makes it tender and moist, while the chili jam adds heat and sweetness to the dish. This dish is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of seafood in their meals.

Dumplings and rolls

When it comes to Asian-inspired Thanksgiving recipes, dumplings and rolls are a must-try.

Start with rice paper dumplings with delicious ingredients like fresh shiitake mushrooms, coleslaw mix, and scallions. Rice paper dumplings are a delicious and versatile dish popular in many Asian cuisines. These dumplings are made by wrapping a filling of your choice in a delicate rice paper wrapper. The rice paper gives the dumplings a light and delicate texture while adding subtle flavor to the filling.

Chinese egg rolls are also a crowd-pleaser option for a big gathering. You can stuff them with veggies and pork. Chinese egg rolls are one of the most popular Asian-American Thanksgiving recipes. These crispy and savory treats are made by filling a thin egg roll wrapper with various mixtures. The filling is then rolled up tightly and deep-fried until golden brown. Do not forget to dip them in sweet and sour sauce for an extra flavor.

For a vegan option, try the refreshing vegan spring rolls packed with crisp vegetables and served with a flavorful dipping sauce.

For a more indulgent treat, try the duck spring rolls! You can make it with ready-cooked roast duck, cucumber, and green onions; and then wrap everything in delicate spring roll wrappers.

Lastly, make sure to take advantage of the zong zi sticky rice dumplings, a traditional Chinese dish usually enjoyed during the festival season. You can simply wrap some tasty fillings in gorgeous bamboo leaves and then cook them in boiling water or steam them. You can purchase bamboo leaves at an Asian market or online.

Salad, vegetable and sides

Remember to include some delicious salads, vegetables, and sides for a well-rounded Asian-inspired Thanksgiving feast. With these Asian-inspired additions to your Thanksgiving table, you'll create a feast that blends tradition with exciting flavors.

Yu choy is a Chinese leafy green vegetable commonly used in Chinese cuisine. This Chinese green recipe is a great addition that combines the freshness of Chinese greens with savory seasonings.

If you're looking for a unique twist on a traditional side, consider making air fryer acorn squash for a crispy and healthier alternative. You can also substitute brown sugar with maple syrup. The exact recipe turns out great on butternut squash too!

For a taste of Asian comfort food, try some Asian-style mashed potatoes infused with wasabi paste and topped with scallions.

Quinoa edamame salad with Asian salad dressing is a vibrant, protein-packed option that will delight your guests. It is also a versatile dish; you can customize this salad by adding other ingredients like avocado.

And don't forget to serve some braised gochujang tofu as a tasty vegetarian side dish. Braised gochujang tofu is a Korean dish that features tofu cooked in a flavorful and spicy sauce made with gochujang. This dish has rich and spicy flavors, making it a popular choice among those who enjoy Korean food.

Rice dishes

Try some delicious rice dishes, which are the staples of Asian Thanksgiving feasts.

Authentic shrimp fried rice filled with succulent jumbo shrimp and vegetables. Do not forget to add black pepper, sesame oil, and Shaoxing rice wine at the very end to kick in more flavors. You can also add drops of dark soy sauce if you prefer your shrimp fried rice darker. It can last in the fridge for a couple of days to reheat and enjoy again, along with other leftovers!

For a comforting and savory option, try the instant pot Chinese style sticky rice; you cook it with Chinese sausage and topped with green onions for added freshness. It is a fancy dim sum dish everyone will love for your Thanksgiving meal.

After the feast, get creative with your leftover turkey meat. Turn turkey into flavorful turkey congee or turkey dumplings. The possibilities are endless! If you want a unique twist, this instant pot turkey congee is a must-try for the Thanksgiving leftovers. It is easy to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into one of the Thanksgiving-themed recipes.

For a spicy kick, satisfy your guests with some kimchi fried rice packed with bold flavors and vibrant colors.

Sauce and desserts

Celebrate your feast with a tangy twist with this Asian cranberry sauce, creating a delightful contrast to the traditional turkey.

Chinese pumpkin cake, also known as "Nan Gua Bing" (南瓜饼) in Mandarin. If you are a sweet rice lover, try these Chinese-style pumpkin cakes this year instead of traditional pumpkin pie. A fun fact is that they are not actually a cake; it is a traditional Chinese pastry made from pumpkin puree and sweet rice flour. This sweet Chinese-style savory pumpkin cake dessert is a popular treat anytime!

Baked cassava cake is a popular dessert or snack in many Asian countries. This starchy root vegetable is popular for its sweet and creamy texture. Combining cassava, coconut cream, and various sweeteners creates a delightful dessert for your Asian American Thanksgiving dinner table.

If you decide to serve cookies on Thanksgiving, these chocolate chip walnut cookies can be a delightful addition to the meal. They have a lovely combination of chocolate chip sweetness, walnuts' nuttiness, and buttery cookie dough. These cookies are the best way to pass sweet treats to your guests for any occasion.

Asian Thanksgiving recipes: final thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. To sum it up, adding Asian-inspired dishes to your Thanksgiving menu adds a unique twist and introduces new flavors to the traditional feast. You can experiment with different spices and flavor combinations to produce delicious results. There are numerous Asian-inspired recipes to explore. Don't hesitate to mix and match traditional Thanksgiving dishes with Asian-inspired ones to create a truly memorable meal. So, think outside the box this Thanksgiving and surprise your guests with a delicious spread of Asian-inspired recipes. Happy Thanksgiving!

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