A Homemade Thanksgiving: Three Classic Recipes From Scratch
At Arcadia Kitchen & Bath, we believe the kitchen is more than a room — it’s the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. Thanksgiving is when the smell of roasting vegetables, herbs, and warm bread fills the air, calling everyone together. This year, we’re celebrating the comfort of homemade dishes with three classic Thanksgiving recipes from scratch: green bean casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Each one is simple, timeless, and designed to bring people around your table.
Classic Green Bean Casserole
No canned soup, no shortcuts — just clean ingredients and rich flavor.
Ingredients
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
2 tbsp olive oil
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 ¼ cups whole milk
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 cup crispy fried onions (homemade or store-bought)
Homemade Crispy Onions
Ingredients
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Prep the onions: Thinly slice the onion into rings.
Coat: In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper. Toss the onion slices in the flour mixture until fully coated.
Heat the oil: In a deep skillet or pot, heat ½ inch of vegetable oil over medium heat.
Fry: Shake off excess flour and add the onions in batches. Fry 2–3 minutes per batch, until golden brown.
Drain: Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. They will crisp further as they cool.
Use immediately: Fold into the casserole or sprinkle on top before baking.
Instructions for the Casserole
Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath and set aside.
Make the mushroom base: In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add mushrooms and cook until browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Create the creamy sauce: Add butter to the pan. Once melted, whisk in flour to form a roux. Slowly pour in milk and broth, whisking until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine: Add green beans to the sauce and stir to coat. Transfer to a baking dish.
Bake: Top with homemade (or store-bought) crispy onions and bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until bubbling and golden.
Herb & Garlic Stuffing
Crusty bread, fresh herbs, and simple aromatics make this stuffing the star of the table.
Ingredients
1 loaf day-old French or sourdough bread, cubed
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
1 large onion, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2–2 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Dry the bread: Spread cubed bread on a sheet pan and bake at 300°F for 20 minutes, until lightly crisp.
Cook the aromatics: In a large skillet, melt butter. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until soft (7–8 minutes).
Mix: In a large bowl, combine the bread, cooked vegetables, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Add liquid: Whisk eggs with 2 cups broth. Pour over the mixture and gently fold until combined. Add more broth if the bread seems dry.
Bake: Transfer to a greased casserole dish and bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes, until the top is lightly crisp.
Fresh Orange Cranberry Sauce
Bright, tangy, and nothing like the canned version — this sauce comes together in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
12 oz fresh cranberries
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup water
½ cup orange juice
Zest of 1 orange
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Combine cranberries, sugars, water, orange juice, and salt in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat.
Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
Stir in orange zest and let cool completely before serving.
A Kitchen Made for Holiday Traditions
Whether you’re cooking for two or for the whole extended family, having a thoughtful, well-designed kitchen makes all the difference. From extra prep space to smart storage and double ovens, the right kitchen can turn holiday stress into holiday joy. If you’re dreaming about upgrading your kitchen for next year’s celebrations, our team is here to help bring those ideas to life.