We gathered over 50 recipes and suggestions on how you can enjoy your Thanksgiving favorites New York Shuk style, meaning, with bolder, spicier Middle Eastern flavors - a touch of Za’atar here, a sprinkle of Harissa there.

Thanksgiving is an all-American holiday that we’ve never celebrated before moving to New York. But any holiday that involves lots and lots of delicious food, and spending time with friends and family, we’re all in. As we explore traditional Thanksgiving recipes, we can’t help but add a touch of our familiar flavors to each dish and we encourage you to do the same.

SIDES

Yes, yes, turkey and pumpkin pie are the stars of the show, but no successful Thanksgiving dinner is complete without some killer sides. From sweet & spicy Harissa Roasted Carrots to Matbucha-Braised Green Beans, these dishes are not to be missed

Mac & Cheese

Don’t get us wrong, we looove ooey-gooey, cheesy, buttery mac & cheese, but sometimes it falls flat on the flavor front when compared to other festive dishes. So here’s how you can make Mac & Cheese feel a little more interesting:

Brighten up both the flavor and the color of Mac & Cheese with Za’atar. We’re particularly intrigued by Ottolenghi’s Za'atar Pesto.
Sprinkle Fiery Harissa on top of Mac & Cheese (or mix it with the breadcrumbs) for a touch of heat you never knew you were missing in your macaroni.
Or you can go all in and mix in Signature Harissa straight with the bechamel sauce. (check out Kylie Pierotti’s recipe)

Potatoes

From mashed & silky to crispy oven-baked taters, here’s how to make a humble potato shine at your dinner table.

Swirl our Preserved Lemon Paste in your mashed potatoes for a lil zing (make sure to adjust salt as you go, since you’ll get the saltiness from PLP).

You can also add in a dollop of Signature Harissa for a tint of color & heat.
If you’re not a fan of mashed potatoes, add Za’atar to roasted potatoes. We love these Crispy Potatoes, they make for a delicious snack or appetizer.
Make spicy potatoes with Herby Harissa (Fiery Harissa and Rosey Harissa would work perfectly too)
This five-ingredient Lemony Potato Salad is sure to impress you and your guests. The bright, lemony flavors make it the perfect side for meat, chicken and fish, but the salad is also a star on its own. To change things up, feel free to add Za’atar and/or Sumac to the seasoning.

Sweet Potatoes

Thanksgiving is a potato-inclusive Holiday, so, of course, we couldn’t forget about this vibrant spud

Kylie Pierotti makes her Sweet Potato Casserole with our Kafe Hawaij to balance out the sweetness & spice it up.

You can also zhoozh up your sweet potato casserole with a Kafe Hawaij spiced pecan crumble (refer to our Apple Muffins for the recipe)

If you prefer sweet potatoes to be more savory, try this Shingled Sweet Potatoes w/ Harissa casserole from Molly Baz or Hetty McKinnon’s Sweet Potatoes w/ Harissa & Red Onion.
This Za'atar Sweet Potato Gratin is a showstopper dish for any occasion. Using our za’atar to add delicious and bold mediterranean flavors. The thinly sliced sweet potatoes and the red onion caramelize together and simply melt in your mouth!

Carrots:

The classic honey-glazed carrots are great, but there’s so much more you can do with them

Harissa & Carrots is an iconic duo, you get that sweetness combined with the heat from the spice. We love these Harissa Carrots recipe by Laura Wright of @thefirstmess

For the ones who crave more sweetness, try this colorful Harissa & Maple Carrots recipe by Allison Roman’s.
Moroccan Carrot Salad is a North African staple dish, it’s guaranteed to surprise you & your guests with its simplicity, yet tons of flavors. Bonus points - the salad can be made a few days in advance.
Hetty McKinnon’s Hawaij Roasted Carrots with Mung Beans & Preserved Lemon Paste by Hetty McKinnon is magical. Hawaij spiced carrots have a slightly earthy, spicy flavor and the Preserved Lemon yogurt adds a bit of zip and tang to this stunning side dish.

Green Beans:

Far from the traditional Thanksgiving dish, these Matbucha Braised Green Beans are guaranteed to pleasantly surprise you.

I think most can agree that the famous Green Bean Casserole would benefit from a touch of seasoning (besides salt & pepper), try adding Hawaij or Baharat to the sauce. Or mix the toppings w/ Za’atar.
Green Beans can easily shine on their own if prepared properly, try these Slow-Roasted Green Beans with Harissa (you can also sub. Cumin w/ Ras El Hanout for extra flavor)

Other Veggies:

Roast butternut squash, pumpkin, or any type of gourd with Ras El Hanout
Cauliflower tends to get a bad rep, but this unexpected Harissa Roasted Cauliflower side dish will make you change your mind.
Have you ever tried Shawarma or Baharat-spiced brussels sprouts? If not, this year’s the year
Leave cabbage slaw to somebody else, and, instead, surprise your guests with Hawaij Braised Cabbage
Hetty McKinnon’s Cumin-Maple Roasted Delicata Squash with Harissa Chickpeas and Lime Yoghurt is a drool-worthy dish.
This Ras El Hanout Oyster Mushrooms with a Lemony Harissa Dip is our vegetarian take on a Moroccan classic that will bring a boost of warm flavors to your meal.

Salads & Slaws

Thanksgiving dinner mainly consists of rich, indulgent dishes, but we believe that every dinner table must have room for a salad or two.

Our staple salad recipe is the perfect, lighter addition to your holiday spread. It’s also totally customizable, feel free to play around with the toppings.
Piyaz . This Turkish white bean salad is so bright and satisfying, no green beans will be missed.
Our No-Mayo Coleslaw with Preserved Lemon will bring a pop of deep citrus flavor to your table.
This Greens Salad with Preserved Lemon and Sumac Dressing is the perfect pairing to any main dish.

***Greens Salad with Preserved Lemon and Sumac Dressing***

Stuffing:

If you’re looking to add more flavor to your stuffing - Hawaij, Shawarma, or Ras El Hanout would be the perfect complement to this Thanksgiving Classic. How about a dash (or a few) of Za’atar for an herby-zesty touch?

Mains

You need to have a centerpiece at your Thanksgiving table, that dish that makes the guests go “W-O-W”, and keep coming back for more bites. Of course, we have some ideas for making a flavorful, juicy turkey, but we’re a group of rule-breakers over here and have some non-traditional suggestions as well.

If your guests don’t mind a touch of heat, Harissa is your new go-to Turkey (or chicken, or duck, or turducken, or whatever satisfies your tastebuds) seasoning. Try our Herby Harissa Chicken or this Rosey Harissa Chicken from Food & Wine.

You can marinate your bird with one of our trio of BBQ Sauces! Harissa, Preserved Lemon, and Shawarma.
If you’re using our Preserved Lemon BBQ Sauce, this Pistachio Chimichurri will bring some pizzazz to your dinner table this year.

Coat the whole bird with Za’atar, as in Adeena Sussman’s Za’atar Roasted Chicken over Sumac Potatoes dish. This recipe is a lot less time-consuming, and you also get a stunning side dish.
Skip the turkey this year and make brisket as the highlight of your Thanksgiving dinner.

Shepherd’s Pie. Making a Shepherd’s Pie for your Thanksgiving dinner is killing two birds with one stone - you got your mashed potatoes and delicious meat in one dish.
Our Rice & Herbs Stuffed Onions is a stunning dish guaranteed to please vegetarians and carnivores alike.

Sauces / Condiments

Zhug - This herbaceous sauce adds vibrance to almost any dish. It’s the perfect touch of acidity to a hearty meal.
Add Sumac to your Cranberry Sauce. You can even make brie stuffed puff pastry bake w/ sumac spiced cranberry sauce for a delectable appetizer.
Ok, not necessarily a sauce, but Hawaij Butter! Such an easy way to add some extra comfort & flavor to your dishes - put it in your mashed potatoes, slather it on your dinner rolls, add it in your stuffing, or even mac & cheese.
Matbucha is the perfect condiment to serve tableside. Add it as a sauce to any side dish, put it on bread or eat by a spoonful when nobody’s watching.
These Quick-Pickled Sumac Onions bring big lemony flavors from the Preserved Lemon and Sumac to any spread.

Desserts

You know the rule, no meal’s complete without dessert…let alone a Thanksgiving meal.

One of our favorite fall spices is Kafe Hawaij, a staple Yemeni blend made with cardamom, anise, cloves, and cinnamon (learn more about Kafe Hawaij here). This fragrant mix is a great addition to your Thanksgiving bakes.

Pumpkin Pie or Sweet Potato. No more bland, one-note pies on your Thanksgiving table.
We recently discovered this Eggnog Sweet Potato Pie, and something’s telling us it would be absolutely delicious with Kafe Hawaij.

Speaking of Eggnog, try making our family Eggnog recipe, Kafe Hawaij is a true game changer in this classic drink.
Molly Yeh’s Hawaij Apple Pie is a fun twist on this Thanksgiving staple. We’re particularly intrigued by the Cardamom-spiced whipped cream which adds a whole new layer of fun and flavor.
Chocolate-Salami is a quick & easy dessert that requires no oven (so you can rest your other dishes bake easy), takes barely any effort, and tastes rich & decadent.
Claire Saffitz’s Preserved Lemon Meringue Cake is an absolute showstopper

Drinks

Apple Cider is a classic for the cooler months. Kafe Hawaij & rum combo definitely makes it Holiday-worthy.

We highly recommend you make this Ras El Hanout / Orange cocktail this Holiday season, its warm flavors and subtle spices create a deliciously unique cocktail.
Preserved Lemon & Rosemary Cocktail is a great cocktail to serve to your guests with dinner.
It doesn’t get any better than a cup of decadent Hot Chocolate, so rich and perfectly spiced.

For leftovers or whatnot

Don’t let any of the delicious food (or your time & effort) go to waste!

Turkey / Chicken noodle soup
- Soup is arguably the best way to use up any of the leftovers. Just toss your leftover proteins w/ some veg in the broth and you have an easy, comforting (yet light) meal.

Turkey / Chicken Potpie
Turn a simple side salad into a full meal by adding leftover Turkey (or chicken) to it.
If you do have any roasted veggies left, make this creamy, fragrant Orange Soup.
Make a sandwich and use our Signature Harissa as a spread for a more flavorful bite.
Sub beef for Turkey in this Shredded Harissa BBQ Beef Sandwich for a delicious left overs sandwich!

SIDES

Yes, yes, turkey and pumpkin pie are the stars of the show, but no successful Thanksgiving dinner is complete without some killer sides. From sweet & spicy Harissa Roasted Carrots to Matbucha-Braised Green Beans, these dishes are not to be missed

Mac & Cheese

Don’t get us wrong, we looove ooey-gooey, cheesy, buttery mac & cheese, but sometimes it falls flat on the flavor front when compared to other festive dishes. So here’s how you can make Mac & Cheese feel a little more interesting:

Brighten up both the flavor and the color of Mac & Cheese with Za’atar. We’re particularly intrigued by Ottolenghi’s Za'atar Pesto.

Sprinkle Fiery Harissa on top of Mac & Cheese (or mix it with the breadcrumbs) for a touch of heat you never knew you were missing in your macaroni.

Or you can go all in and mix in Signature Harissa straight with the bechamel sauce. (check out Kylie Pierotti’s recipe)

Potatoes

From mashed & silky to crispy oven-baked taters, here’s how to make a humble potato shine at your dinner table.

Swirl our Preserved Lemon Paste in your mashed potatoes for a lil zing (make sure to adjust salt as you go, since you’ll get the saltiness from PLP).

You can also add in a dollop of Signature Harissa for a tint of color & heat.

If you’re not a fan of mashed potatoes, add Za’atar to roasted potatoes. We love these Crispy Potatoes, they make for a delicious snack or appetizer.

Make spicy potatoes with Herby Harissa (Fiery Harissa and Rosey Harissa would work perfectly too)

This five-ingredient Lemony Potato Salad is sure to impress you and your guests. The bright, lemony flavors make it the perfect side for meat, chicken and fish, but the salad is also a star on its own. To change things up, feel free to add Za’atar and/or Sumac to the seasoning.

Sweet Potatoes

Thanksgiving is a potato-inclusive Holiday, so, of course, we couldn’t forget about this vibrant spud

Kylie Pierotti makes her Sweet Potato Casserole with our Kafe Hawaij to balance out the sweetness & spice it up.

You can also zhoozh up your sweet potato casserole with a Kafe Hawaij spiced pecan crumble (refer to our Apple Muffins for the recipe)

If you prefer sweet potatoes to be more savory, try this Shingled Sweet Potatoes w/ Harissa casserole from Molly Baz or Hetty McKinnon’s Sweet Potatoes w/ Harissa & Red Onion.

This Za'atar Sweet Potato Gratin is a showstopper dish for any occasion. Using our za’atar to add delicious and bold mediterranean flavors. The thinly sliced sweet potatoes and the red onion caramelize together and simply melt in your mouth!

Carrots:

The classic honey-glazed carrots are great, but there’s so much more you can do with them

Harissa & Carrots is an iconic duo, you get that sweetness combined with the heat from the spice. We love these Harissa Carrots recipe by Laura Wright of @thefirstmess

For the ones who crave more sweetness, try this colorful Harissa & Maple Carrots recipe by Allison Roman’s.

Moroccan Carrot Salad is a North African staple dish, it’s guaranteed to surprise you & your guests with its simplicity, yet tons of flavors. Bonus points - the salad can be made a few days in advance.

Hetty McKinnon’s Hawaij Roasted Carrots with Mung Beans & Preserved Lemon Paste by Hetty McKinnon is magical. Hawaij spiced carrots have a slightly earthy, spicy flavor and the Preserved Lemon yogurt adds a bit of zip and tang to this stunning side dish.

Green Beans:

Far from the traditional Thanksgiving dish, these Matbucha Braised Green Beans are guaranteed to pleasantly surprise you.

I think most can agree that the famous Green Bean Casserole would benefit from a touch of seasoning (besides salt & pepper), try adding Hawaij or Baharat to the sauce. Or mix the toppings w/ Za’atar.

Green Beans can easily shine on their own if prepared properly, try these Slow-Roasted Green Beans with Harissa (you can also sub. Cumin w/ Ras El Hanout for extra flavor)

Other Veggies:

Roast butternut squash, pumpkin, or any type of gourd with Ras El Hanout

Cauliflower tends to get a bad rep, but this unexpected Harissa Roasted Cauliflower side dish will make you change your mind.

Have you ever tried Shawarma or Baharat-spiced brussels sprouts? If not, this year’s the year

Leave cabbage slaw to somebody else, and, instead, surprise your guests with Hawaij Braised Cabbage

Hetty McKinnon’s Cumin-Maple Roasted Delicata Squash with Harissa Chickpeas and Lime Yoghurt is a drool-worthy dish.

This Ras El Hanout Oyster Mushrooms with a Lemony Harissa Dip is our vegetarian take on a Moroccan classic that will bring a boost of warm flavors to your meal.

Salads & Slaws

Thanksgiving dinner mainly consists of rich, indulgent dishes, but we believe that every dinner table must have room for a salad or two.

Our staple salad recipe is the perfect, lighter addition to your holiday spread. It’s also totally customizable, feel free to play around with the toppings.

Piyaz . This Turkish white bean salad is so bright and satisfying, no green beans will be missed.

Our No-Mayo Coleslaw with Preserved Lemon will bring a pop of deep citrus flavor to your table.

This Greens Salad with Preserved Lemon and Sumac Dressing is the perfect pairing to any main dish.

Stuffing:

If you’re looking to add more flavor to your stuffing - Hawaij, Shawarma, or Ras El Hanout would be the perfect complement to this Thanksgiving Classic. How about a dash (or a few) of Za’atar for an herby-zesty touch?

Mains

If your guests don’t mind a touch of heat, Harissa is your new go-to Turkey (or chicken, or duck, or turducken, or whatever satisfies your tastebuds) seasoning. Try our Herby Harissa Chicken or this Rosey Harissa Chicken from Food & Wine.

You can marinate your bird with one of our trio of BBQ Sauces! Harissa, Preserved Lemon, and Shawarma.

If you’re using our Preserved Lemon BBQ Sauce, this Pistachio Chimichurri will bring some pizzazz to your dinner table this year.

Coat the whole bird with Za’atar, as in Adeena Sussman’s Za’atar Roasted Chicken over Sumac Potatoes dish. This recipe is a lot less time-consuming, and you also get a stunning side dish.

Skip the turkey this year and make brisket as the highlight of your Thanksgiving dinner.

Shepherd’s Pie. Making a Shepherd’s Pie for your Thanksgiving dinner is killing two birds with one stone - you got your mashed potatoes and delicious meat in one dish.

Our Rice & Herbs Stuffed Onions is a stunning dish guaranteed to please vegetarians and carnivores alike.

Sauces / Condiments

Zhug - This herbaceous sauce adds vibrance to almost any dish. It’s the perfect touch of acidity to a hearty meal.

Add Sumac to your Cranberry Sauce. You can even make brie stuffed puff pastry bake w/ sumac spiced cranberry sauce for a delectable appetizer.

Ok, not necessarily a sauce, but Hawaij Butter! Such an easy way to add some extra comfort & flavor to your dishes - put it in your mashed potatoes, slather it on your dinner rolls, add it in your stuffing, or even mac & cheese.

Matbucha is the perfect condiment to serve tableside. Add it as a sauce to any side dish, put it on bread or eat by a spoonful when nobody’s watching.

These Quick-Pickled Sumac Onions bring big lemony flavors from the Preserved Lemon and Sumac to any spread.

Desserts

You know the rule, no meal’s complete without dessert…let alone a Thanksgiving meal.

One of our favorite fall spices is Kafe Hawaij, a staple Yemeni blend made with cardamom, anise, cloves, and cinnamon (learn more about Kafe Hawaij here). This fragrant mix is a great addition to your Thanksgiving bakes.

Pumpkin Pie or Sweet Potato. No more bland, one-note pies on your Thanksgiving table.

We recently discovered this Eggnog Sweet Potato Pie, and something’s telling us it would be absolutely delicious with Kafe Hawaij.

Speaking of Eggnog, try making our family Eggnog recipe, Kafe Hawaij is a true game changer in this classic drink.

Molly Yeh’s Hawaij Apple Pie is a fun twist on this Thanksgiving staple. We’re particularly intrigued by the Cardamom-spiced whipped cream which adds a whole new layer of fun and flavor.

Chocolate-Salami is a quick & easy dessert that requires no oven (so you can rest your other dishes bake easy), takes barely any effort, and tastes rich & decadent.

Claire Saffitz’s Preserved Lemon Meringue Cake is an absolute showstopper

Drinks

Apple Cider is a classic for the cooler months. Kafe Hawaij & rum combo definitely makes it Holiday-worthy.

We highly recommend you make this Ras El Hanout / Orange cocktail this Holiday season, its warm flavors and subtle spices create a deliciously unique cocktail.

Preserved Lemon & Rosemary Cocktail is a great cocktail to serve to your guests with dinner.

It doesn’t get any better than a cup of decadent Hot Chocolate, so rich and perfectly spiced.

For leftovers or whatnot

Don’t let any of the delicious food (or your time & effort) go to waste!

Turkey / Chicken noodle soup

Soup is arguably the best way to use up any of the leftovers. Just toss your leftover proteins w/ some veg in the broth and you have an easy, comforting (yet light) meal.

Turkey / Chicken Potpie

Turn a simple side salad into a full meal by adding leftover Turkey (or chicken) to it.

If you do have any roasted veggies left, make this creamy, fragrant Orange Soup.