Add Some Crunch This Thanksgiving: Cutlet-Inspired Recipes & Holiday Food Guide

Thanksgiving in the USA is a time of gratitude, warmth, family gatherings, and, of course, delicious food. While traditional meals like turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy always take center stage, adding crispy, golden cutlets to your menu can bring an exciting twist that your guests will absolutely love.

Cutlets add crunch, flavor, and fun to the holiday table, and they complement almost every classic Thanksgiving dish. Whether you’re hosting a traditional dinner, planning a Friendsgiving, or preparing appetizers for the big day, this guide will help you create an unforgettable, flavor-packed celebration.

What Is Thanksgiving and Why Is It Celebrated?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Historically, it commemorates the harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people in 1621. Today, it is celebrated to give thanks for blessings, abundance, family, and community.

It’s also one of the biggest food holidays in the USA, making it the perfect occasion for hearty meals and new recipe ideas.

What Is a Good Menu for Thanksgiving Dinner?

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu often includes:

• Roasted turkey
• Stuffing
• Mashed potatoes
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry sauce
• Pumpkin or pecan pie

If you want to bring something new and exciting, crispy cutlet recipes are an excellent addition, perfect for appetizers, sides, or post-Thanksgiving leftovers.

What Are the 5 Most Common Sides Served on Thanksgiving Day?

The most common Thanksgiving side dishes include:

1. Mashed Potatoes
2. Stuffing (Dressing)
3. Cranberry Sauce
4. Green Bean Casserole
5. Sweet Potato Casserole

These sides pair wonderfully with cutlets, especially turkey or chicken cutlets that add crunch to a mostly soft-textured table.

What Side Dishes Go Well With Turkey?

Whether you’re serving a whole bird or crispy turkey cutlets, these sides complement turkey perfectly:

• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Mac and cheese
• Cranberry chutney
• Gravy with herbs
• Roasted vegetables
• Cornbread

Cutlets work beautifully with all of these because their texture adds the perfect balance.

What Are Some Thanksgiving Appetizers?

Here are some crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving appetizers you can serve:

• Crispy turkey or chicken cutlets
• Cheesy cutlet bites
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Cranberry-glazed meatballs
• Mini cutlet sliders
• Veggie cutlet balls
• Deviled eggs

These keep guests happy while the rest of the food cooks — especially during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

What Is the Most Popular Food at Thanksgiving Dinner?

The most iconic food of Thanksgiving is turkey — whether roasted, smoked, or fried.
But in recent years, many families also include:

• Stuffing
• Mashed potatoes
• Gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Pies

And now, more modern homes are welcoming crispy turkey cutlets as an easier, quicker, and crunchier option. For a deeper look at the most popular Thanksgiving dishes and menu ideas for 2025, don’t miss our detailed guide: The Ultimate Thanksgiving Food Guide 2025

Crispy Thanksgiving Turkey Cutlets

These turkey cutlets are a game-changer if you want something easier and faster than roasting an entire bird. They’re thin, juicy, perfectly seasoned, and coated in a crunchy breadcrumb layer that fries up beautifully.

How to Make Them Even More Flavorful

• Marinate the turkey slices in buttermilk, garlic, paprika, and lemon juice for 2–4 hours
• Use a double coating (egg → crumbs → egg → crumbs) for extra crunch
• Mix herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano into the breadcrumbs for a Thanksgiving aroma

Cutlets with Lemon Butter Sauce

This is the perfect recipe for those who want something bright and zesty to balance the heavy Thanksgiving flavors. The crispy cutlets soak up the warm lemon butter sauce, making every bite comforting yet refreshing.

Why Lemon Butter Works on Thanksgiving

Rich food needs contrast — lemon butter cuts through the heaviness of turkey, stuffing, and casseroles. It brings balance and freshness to your plate.

Tips to Make It Amazing

• Use fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice for maximum flavor
• Add a splash of white wine to deepen the sauce
• Stir in a tablespoon of capers for a bold, tangy kick
• Finish with fresh parsley for color

Cheesy Stuffed Cutlet Balls

If you want something fun, festive, and easy to pop into your mouth while chatting or watching football — this is it. These cheesy cutlet balls have a crispy exterior with a gooey, melty center that nobody can resist.

Filling Ideas

• Mozzarella (classic stretch)
• Cheddar (sharper flavor)
• Pepper jack (adds a mild kick)
• Cream cheese + herbs mixture

How to Make Them Foolproof

• Keep the cheese frozen before stuffing — prevents leaking
• Roll tightly so the cheese stays inside
• Coat in panko + parmesan for extra crisp
• Refrigerate 20 minutes before frying for the best results

Thanksgiving Cutlet Salad

A refreshing option for guests who want something lighter than the usual carb-heavy Thanksgiving sides. This salad has crunch, sweetness, saltiness, and protein, all in one bowl.

What Goes Into the Salad

• Spring mix or arugula
• Dried cranberries
• Crumbled feta or goat cheese
• Candied pecans
• Thinly sliced crispy cutlets
• Red onions (optional)
• Honey-mustard vinaigrette or balsamic glaze

Add Variations

• Add roasted butternut squash for a fall vibe
• Swap pecans with walnuts
• Use grilled cutlets for a healthier version

Leftover Cutlet Sandwich for Black Friday

After Thanksgiving dinner comes Black Friday — a day where everyone needs a quick, hearty, grab-and-go meal. This crispy cutlet sandwich is the perfect way to repurpose leftovers without repeating the same meal.

What Makes It Special

• Combines sweet (cranberry), salty (cutlet), creamy (cheese), and crunchy (lettuce)
• Easy to make for breakfast or lunch
• Perfect energy booster before holiday shopping

How to Build the Ultimate Sandwich

Layer on toasted bread or a brioche bun:

• Leftover crispy cutlets (sliced or whole)
• Cranberry spread
• Lettuce or arugula
• Melted provolone or cheddar
• A touch of Dijon mustard
• Pickles (optional but great!)

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