Whereas some Korean meals go nice with the normal American Thanksgiving dishes, there are others that simply completely overpower every little thing else. Listed here are a few of my greatest Korean dishes for a Korean American Thanksgiving dinner this 12 months!
Korean Meals for Thanksgiving!?
YES! Why NOT!? Above is an image of our Korean American Thanksgiving feast with family and friends from just a few years again. For the final 10 years, now we have been fortunate and blessed to be a part of a “household”: a gaggle of pals and their kids who’ve been celebrating Thanksgiving collectively for nearly yearly for his or her 25+ 12 months friendship.
Being a first-generation immigrant and never having household shut by, Thanksgiving is a quiet small household (of three) occasion, except we traveled to my sisters’ households (which was all the time fantastic). Having an area “household” to rejoice the vacations collectively has been such a blessing, and we’re endlessly grateful for his or her firm! 😍
Anyhow, within the image, you possibly can see that we had Kimchi Tofu and Japchae combined with the standard Turkey, stuffing, Caesar salad, and my Kimchi Brussel Sprouts!
The Story of Thanksgiving kimchi
For a lot of Korean People (and anybody who loves Korean meals), I do know Thanksgiving meals equals bland + bland.
On the 12 months we obtained married, my husband and I visited my brother’s house for Thanksgiving. The desk was stuffed with fabulous Thanksgiving dishes, ready as a gaggle effort by my sisters and in-laws. A number of bites into the dinner and I heard somebody say, “Hmm… I really feel like we’re lacking one thing vital… huh… OH— KIMCHI!!!”
“No!” I attempted my highest to protest, “we higher not break such a thoughtfully ready American Thanksgiving dinner with Kimchi, you understand how robust the odor is!”
But…
… let’s simply say that just about everybody ended up with Kimchi on their plates, and of their bellies. “Yesss… that Kimchi completely hit the spot! We significantly wanted one thing spicy and contemporary,” they stated, utterly happy.
I kinda agreed with them, however didn’t wish to admit it in any respect. 🥲
Oh nicely, we Koreans simply can’t assist it. In case you haven’t seen, we’re hopelessly hooked on Kimchi. I imply, it’s crunchy, refreshing, and leaves your mouth watering for extra— what’s higher than that?
My Household’s Thanksgiving
Now, not like many Koreans, I really LOVE a correctly cooked turkey and the standard trimmings. Very like how Korean New 12 months’s or Chuseok holds particular reminiscences for me, Thanksgiving stirs up essentially the most fantastic and heat feelings in my coronary heart. Even after I grew to become an grownup, I used to be fortunate to have the ability to rejoice Thanksgiving on the houses of my older siblings, no matter whether or not it was within the US, or in Korea.
For just a few years, all 7 of us celebrated collectively. After that, it was with whoever was at house on the time. Because the years went on, my older siblings unfold their wings, and went on to move to school. Again then, touring wasn’t one thing you can typically do, so it simply wasn’t attainable to have massive household reunions yearly.
However regardless of the place we lived, in India, in Korea – my dad and mom made certain we had a particular household dinner, regardless that American Thanksgiving had no particular which means in our Korean tradition. Nonetheless, church buildings in Korea (which was based by American missionary again in 1884) all the time reminded us to be grateful for one other 12 months stuffed with his blessings and beauty.
Let me now share my 18 Korean recipes for Thanksgiving. Hope you could have an exquisite time making them! ❤️
Appetizers
Let’s begin with a few of my greatest appetizers that’s fantastic for any celebration.
1.Candy Gochujang Meatballs
*Consists of each Instantaneous Pot and Stovetop recipes.
This has change into essentially the most requested dish for me in our neighborhood vacation events so you should definitely do that one!
I additionally love making this dish as a result of it’s simply such a easy recipe to observe. Be happy to make use of frozen, pre-made meatballs (Dealer Joe’s is my favourite) which makes it even simpler to make.
2.Wanja Jeon & Kkaennip Jeon — Pan-fried Beef Patties & Stuffed Perilla Leaves
*This dish might be made gluten-free through the use of gluten-free flour within the coating batter.
The Korean time period “Jeon” stands for meals that’s battered and pan-fried. Jeons are generally featured in basic Korean dishes you could make into sides however is superb as an appetizer. 🤤❤️
These might be served at room temperature so you possibly can simply make forward. And serve with some soy dipping sauce.
3.Korean Cocktail Meatballs
Korean cocktail meatballs with Candy Soy Glaze is a Korean Fusion dish that might be one thing totally different than your traditional appetizer meatballs. The addition of tofu and kimchi makes this very flavorful whereas the candy soy glaze makes all of it work collectively.
4.POKE NACHOS
Poke Nachos is the right marriage of the very best flavors of Asian and Mexican meals and it has completely change into my prime favourite celebration appetizer to make for my pals.
Kimchi Dishes
I hope you attempt some Kimchi together with your Turkey this Thanksgiving as a result of it actually provides such an ideal punch to your meal.😉
5.Oi Kimchi — Cucumber Kimchi with Chives
Totally different from most Kimchi dishes, Oi Kimchi is vegan (no fish sauce wanted), and fairly straightforward to make.
This cucumber kimchi is likely one of the most refreshing varieties of Kimchi there’s. Make forward 4-5 days forward for an ideal aspect dish to accompany your Thanksgiving meal!
6.Yangbaechu Kimchi — Inexperienced Cabbage Kimchi
Dwelling outdoors of Korea makes it very troublesome to get your fingers on Korean cabbages, so this recipe that use the frequent inexperienced cabbage is the right one to have. And also you don’t want hours to make it – this kimchi is finished in 1 hour.
7.Kimchi Tofu
The uncooked and gentle flavored tofu balances the robust flavors of the sauteed Kimchi, a basic Korean recipe that provides an ideal punch to your Thanksgiving plate.
8.Simple Brussel Sprouts with Kimchi and Pancetta
I developed this recipe particularly for Thanksgiving. Kimchi and bacon (or pancetta) is such an ideal pairing after which while you mix all 3 collectively, it’s simply… actually, actually good. I hope you actually do that dish!
Noodles and Salads
These noodle and salad dishes will add a really a lot wanted freshness and lightness to your meal. Hope you attempt these fantastic Korean Recipes in your Thanksgiving dinner!
9. Japchae – easy one-pan recipe
This mild-tasting glass noodle dish (this model is vegan!) will all the time win over anybody, no matter the way you serve it. Aspect dish or appetizer, it doesn’t matter— all of it tastes superb. I even have a full Japchae model that features beef, if you wish to go extra conventional.
10.Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame Soy French dressing
Soba noodles are well-known for being wholesome. This soba noodle salad has a wonderfully balanced candy, tangy and nutty sesame soy French dressing dressing that goes nicely with nearly every little thing.
11.Candy Kabocha Squash Salad
Thanksgiving season means there’s going to be an abundance of squashes and pumpkins in shops.
True to its identify, Candy Kabocha Squash offers off a delicate sweetness, and it really works splendidly when paired with Thanksgiving dishes.
12.Spicy Child Bok Choy Salad
In comparison with the Kimchi, this Bok Choy salad is much less garlicky and is milder and extra refreshing.
You can also make the dressing forward of time, then you possibly can simply toss every little thing collectively when it’s near serving time.
13.Korean Fashion Apple Onion Celery Salad
Impressed by a dish I as soon as had at a restaurant, I got here up with this recipe as a result of I beloved the flavors of apple and onion coated within the fantastic creamy dressing.
This salad can me made in round 10 minutes. It’s a low effort, excessive reward dish that’s arduous to return by!
14. MILK BREAD ROLLS
A modified recipe of my Milk Bread recipe to make the superbly smooth and moist bread roll for the vacations!
15.Salada Ppang — Korean Potato Salad Sandwich
These salad sandwiches are generally offered in bakeries in Korea, and their recognition has remained over 50 years so you already know it’s good!
All you’ll want is bread, ideally a candy and smooth bread like milk bread, candy Hawaiian rolls and even higher, you should utilize the milk bread rolls from above. I discovered that sweeter sorts of bread work greatest with creamy potato salad.
Korean Desserts for Thanksgiving Dinner
Listed here are some nice Korean sweets that possibly you possibly can add to your Thanksgiving goodies checklist. And they’re additionally all GLUTEN FREE! 😊
16. Yaksik — Korean Candy Rice Dessert
*Consists of each Instantaneous Pot and Stovetop variations!
Mix candy rice, chestnuts, dried jujubes, pine nuts. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and cinnamon and you’ve got the superb Yaksik!
Yaksik 약식 means ‘meals that’s like drugs’ which suggests it’s wholesome sufficient to be (virtually) a drugs. It’s nice as a snack and even breakfast!
17. Candy Rice mini Bundt Cake
This gluten-free Bundt cake is an oven-baked dessert that’s constructed from candy rice flour, eggs, butter, milk and sugar. My put up used a particular grain mill however please be at liberty to make use of plain mochiko flour as an alternative of freshly floor rice.
This one bakes like an everyday cake, which suggests you possibly can lastly get away the flowery molds and provides your cake a classy look!
18. Bukkumi — Pan-fried Rice Cake Dumplings with Candy Pink Beans
Aren’t these simply the cutest issues ever?! Bukkumi comes from the Gangwondo province of Korea. They’re candy rice cake dumplings which might be filled with candy fillings, after which pan-fried.
Should you’re feeling slightly bit additional like me, don’t hesitate to brighten with some contemporary edible flowers or herbs — the top product (pictured above) speaks for itself!
EXTRA – What to do with Leftover Turkey?
Korean Fashion Spicy Turkey Leftover Soup
After spending so a few years of Thanksgiving, I’ve come to appreciate that leftover turkey is a yearly Thanksgiving occasion that you simply’ll by no means have the ability to keep away from.
Due to this, I’ve determined to make a recipe just like Dakgaejang (comparable flavors to Yukgaejang) that may breathe life into your leftover turkey as soon as extra! Do give it a attempt for those who can! ❤️
Joyful Thanksgiving!!
Might you could have a time stuffed with blessings~
XOXO,
JinJoo 🦃💛
Nov 2018, 2019: Up to date with GF, VG keys
Nov 2024: Up to date with 2 extra recipes