FMG 2025 Thanksgiving menu & guide: the orchard menu
Welcome to the 2025 FMG Thanksgiving Menu!
I always post these behind schedule since, as many of you are aware, FMG is not my full time job (not even part time despite the hours I flush into it) and I am a one man crew with the recipe development + photography + cleanup + whathaveyou. I work 30+ hours per week in the service industry and am marathon training right now; the workouts, prep, and aftermath lap up a tremendous amount of time when averaging 50-60 miles per week. It’s a lot, critters.
However, I am here for the folks who plan by the seat of their pants, who are also active and busy and who piece up their menus a couple weeks prior – which I still think is plenty of time, honestly. We are masters of procrastination and frantic recovery, who pull ourselves together in the nick of time and create something fabulous enough to fool our guests into thinking we’ve had our shit straight since July.
Pretty sure I haven’t had my shit straight since 1993, but whatever.
It’s here now, however. I’m honored to have you sit at my holiday table with me, whether you’re early, on time, or late. Though if you’re late I probably think you’re a douche unless you have a good excuse.
Why “The Orchard Menu” this year? Well, to be honest, I’ve been buying and eating apples out the wazoo: the gorgeous scarlet gems have been especially crisp and sweet, and thus I’ve been incorporating them in both sweet and savory-themed offerings both on the site and in my everyday cooking. When I’m enamored with an ingredient, I usually beat it to death with my spatula, but I’d also argue that this creates a sense of continuity in my recipes and allows you to best use up excess of whatever you may have bought that week.
Orchard also implies freshness, fragrance, and simplicity, and I’d argue most of these recipes fit into those categories pretty neatly. Yes, Thanksgiving food often takes a bit more time and care to make than typical weeknight dishes, but none of these formulas involve complicated ingredients or overwrought monetary sacrifice. They’re homey, cozy, and flavorful.
Most of them make slamming leftovers, too, more interesting than turkey-cranberry sandwiches ever will be.
So here we go, recipes from breakfast to dessert and every little nibble in between. Enjoy my 2025 Thanksgiving Menu, friends!
FMG 2025 Thanksgiving Menu: The Orchard Menu
Breakfast
I’m a Turkey Trot gal, and my mom and I have dinner in the evening (5:30/6ish), so breakfast is imperative for quelling early appetites. Neither of us are fans, either, of stuffing ourselves to the brim, and enjoy our food more when we don’t. Hence, there’s always a morning treat in our repertoire. If you’re hosting guests, I guarantee they will love walking into the dining room to notes of cinnamon and spice swirling around all crevices of the house.
Gooey Fluffy Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Maple Glazed Cinnamon Apple Scones
Appetizers
We don’t eat proper lunch on Thanksgiving but we do nibble throughout the day. A few nice platters and bowls of finger food help keep the edge off while watching football and the dog show, and before the big dinner arrives. In addition to the snacks listed below, we also enjoy a veggie and hummus tray and chips and guacamole. Mom makes the dopest guac, just so you know.
Main Courses
Whether you cook a turkey or not, serving a vegetarian main ensures no one is left out of the main event. Plus, it may also inspire even your meat-eating guests to try something new for Christmas or the following year’s holidays! Big pasta dishes or seafood rotate into our menu every year, so I’ve kept with the theme of offering a fish dish (hehe rhyme) and a cheesy pasta this time around.
Crispy Spiced Salmon with Caramelized Onion Risotto
Side Dishes
Let’s be real: side dishes are the main event, so plan for a few of them. At the very least, a hearty salad and some rolls will never fail your table regardless of the size of your guest list. Note: The butternut squash bisque is a new favorite of mine and will be on our table this year!
Baked One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Honeycrisp Apple Brie and Candied Walnut Kale Salad
Buttery Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls
Kale Apple and Sage Croissant Stuffing
Silky Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Desserts
Fill in the corners with some cozy treats. Pumpkin pie is always traditional but we almost never adhere to this policy. A diverse lineup of unique treats will surprise and delight your guests.
Movie Night Popcorn Chocolate Chip Cookies
Caramel Butter Stroopwafel Cupcakes
Drinks
Keep the cocktails flowing early and often! One or two should suffice for your guests, and a big batch of sangria is always a solid plan so you’re not stuck playing bartender all night. Or, hell, you could just teach your guests how to make each drink and let them DIY that shit.
For breakfast…Autumn Orchard Bloody Mary
Nightcap…Sweater Weather Buttered Bourbon Cider
Tips and Tricks for a Stupendous Holiday
1. Plan your menu and shopping list early.
Don’t get caught with your pants down and hit up the grocery stores on Wednesday with only a half-assed plan for your menu. Start picking through your preferences from this spread (and elsewhere, too!), write out and organize a shopping list, and look at your work and life schedules to figure out when you can shop without overwhelming yourself.
If your larders, fridge, and freezer are packed, focus on eating leftovers several days to free up storage space for your Thanksgiving fare. Get creative! The most random soup combinations often are my favorites (that’s how my Rustic Black Bean Soup came into existence, FYI) and you might surprise yourself with your cooking prowess.
One big shopping trip might feel hella overwhelming, so here’s a little schedule to help you out with spreading the wealth:
Monday (the week prior): Nonperishables (crackers, Chex mix, etc.), alcohol, baking ingredients (flour, sugar, etc.), and shelf-stable drinks (tomato juice, apple cider, cranberry juice, etc.).
Friday-Sunday (the weekend prior): Fresh produce (apples, butternut squash, mushrooms, etc.), flowers for the table, garnishes, dairy, proteins (salmon, tofu, etc.).
Wednesday (the week of): OH SHIT I FORGOT SOMETHING NOW I MUST BRAVE THE FUCKING CROWDS OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD. (It’ll be okay, I promise! Just make your list, put on your armor, and get shit done like the badass you are.)
Bonus…If you’re type-A like me and love organization, divide your grocery list into categories like produce, dairy, dry goods, seafood or meat, etc. Makes for an even breezier trip or trips!
2. Enlist family members for help.
No need to do all this shit alone! Delegate someone to help you shop, someone can help your decorate, a couple could spiff up the house, etc. Or, if you have just one person available to you, divvy up tasks between you and your cohort. By yourself for all the prep? Nothing wrong with delivery services either. Tip your drivers!
I’m very independent when it comes to prepping for gatherings, but sometimes even my strict ass likes company while driving around. If nothing else, a friendly companion might help quell some of your nerves, even if they’re just there for support.
3. Set the table.
Hopefully my tablescape provides some inspiration for your own aesthetic, but even a few nice candles and a decent set of plates go a long way. Think inviting and cozy, even if you’re hosting just one or two people.
I’d wait to set the table until Wednesday, unless you’re chill eating on the couch or the floor well beforehand. Hell, I eat at my couch almost every damn night, so I might have my table set by Monday.
4. Make a playlist
Music can help quell nerves, amplify excitement, and pass the time while you perform some of the more mundane preparations. Jazz, classical, or instrumentals are my favorite, but hell, if you need to twerk it out or bump to some trap music, have at it. Ask your guests to contribute as well! You might have a fucken weird variety of Dave Koz and Charli XCX on your Spotify, but at least you’ll be kept guessing.
5. Make an oven schedule.
Check your recipes and see what can be thrown into the oven at the same temperature. I find it handy to print all the recipes I plan to make and put them in a binder or folder in the order they can be made. If you still have a bit of time after everything is cooked off, switch the oven to a very low heat setting, cover the dishes with foil, and place them inside with a baking sheet of water on a lower rack to stay warm and moist.
6. Don’t neglect self-care.
Holidays, no matter how much you enjoy them, can bring about a lot of stress, especially in light of current domestic events. Be sure to schedule in time for yourself, even if it’s just a nice walk every day, a hot bath with Epsom salts, ordering your favorite takeout or baking up a frozen pizza, or sharing rant sessions with your friends. If you see a therapist, book an appointment early in the week to check in and let out any steam or tension.
I work A LOT this time of year and my biggest outlet is exercise. I run most mornings, which give me time to decompress and think over my schedule for the day and the days upcoming. I also value sleep over everything, bare minimum 7 quality hours but more like 8-9 when I can get it. Napping helps too! Cutting back on or eliminating alcohol – I don’t drink much anyway so this is easy for me – and limiting caffeine to my morning cup and the odd gel I take before my run aid in calming anxiety. Make sure you’re eating regularly and keeping hydrated as well. Yes, I am your mother, and you should listen to me.
7. Have games available.
Board games, video games, word games – set them out for guests to enjoy while they nibble on snacks and mill around the house. I love a mean round of Mario Party or any sort of card game.
8. Light ALL THE CANDLES
I love a flickering flame for ambience! Candles are a relatively cheap and basic way to create an inviting and soothing atmosphere. Don’t overwhelm your nostrils with scents: neutral pillars, tapers, and tea lights are perfect. The house will smell good enough with all the food cooking and baking.
In the days prior I do love a fall-scented fragrant candle to burn while I wind down at night, anything pumpkin or apple.
9. Encourage guests to bring tupperware.
If leftovers are in the forecast, ask your guests to provide containers to bring foods home. I don’t think anyone is too mad about post-Thanksgiving grub for a couple days, and this takes a big load off your own fridge. I like to stock up on ziptop bags, quart and gallon, in case folks don’t come prepared because bitches just don’t listen sometimes. Aesthetic? No. Effective? Yes.
10. Clean as you go.
Working in food service for 13 years has taught me how to frantically clean up after a big rush and leave a previous detonation site looking spotless in 20 minutes. For those of you mere mortals, try to load as many dirty dishes as possible when you’re finished using them; this can help reduce the overwhelming nature of post-holiday cleanup. Don’t let mid-cooking dishes interrupt your family and friend time, but if you can pop a handful of forks in the dishwasher before checking on the risotto, feel free.
Bonus…If you’re hosting a larger gathering and fear dishes overload, many brands make very cute plasticware that won’t feel so ugly and boring. You can still set your table, but don’t be afraid of switching over to disposables to ease your mind and let your dishwasher breathe a little bit.
Here’s a little curated shopping list for throwaway dinnerware:
Final Thoughts
I recognize that the holiday season isn’t all fun and games for everyone: these last couple months of the year can be stressful, lonely, and humiliating. I post these menus, sure, for those who are curating a love-filled gathering for friends and family, or maybe even just themselves and one other person, or hell, perhaps just for themselves. I also write them up for relief, for those who find escape by daydreaming, who pick one or two takeaways from the food serve of the images shared to inspire their lives or at least run away mentally from their surroundings.
If you’re having a hard time this season, recognize that you’re never alone – as shitty as it is that so many people fight for their wellness around Thanksgiving and beyond, perhaps it can comfort you to know that there’s camaraderie in the sentiment. Never be afraid to discuss how you’re holding up to those you trust, be it a friend, family member, coworker, boss, or mental health professional. Though it may not feel like it, people care.
Here are some resources to use if you need extra help this season:
Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Dial 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
SAMHSA National Healthline: 1-800-662-HELP
NAMI Helpline: Text HELPLINE to 62640. Their website also has lots of resources and tips to managing your mental health, including a page pertaining specifically to the holidays.
In addition, dialing 211 anywhere you live can help connect you to local resources and support.
Be well.
Finally, no, I do not expect that anyone will make this entire menu. Though my mom and I come close every year – we cook and bake enough to feed a family of 7 – not even we get through my list in its entirety. I do hope, however, that you’ll grab one or two dishes from what I’ve shared and enjoy the shit out of them.
As always, I LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU MAKE! Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment in this post, or on the individual recipe, with a rating and thoughts. Seeing your images brings me great joy.
Take care this season, friends!
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