Discover Latin-Inspired Dishes Perfect For Thanksgiving Dinner

Ready to bring bold, vibrant flavors to your Thanksgiving table this year? This guide is filled with Latin-inspired Thanksgiving recipes that are delicious and easy to make, perfect for adding a fresh twist to your holiday feast.

From savory starters to indulgent desserts, these dishes will bring warmth and excitement to your gathering, creating a memorable meal your loved ones will talk about for years to come. 

As a bonus, you'll get some tips on organizing a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving is a holiday to celebrate with family and friends and be grateful for all we have. It is traditionally celebrated in the United States and Canada.

Thanksgiving may not be a traditional observed holiday in Panama. Still, with the influence of American culture, and the presence of many expatriates, we've embraced it in our own way. 

Most supermarkets and catering services provide Thanksgiving meals.

The Christmas and New Year's recipes in Panama are ideal for celebrating Thanksgiving, as they are festive, delicious, and perfect for sharing with family.

So, let me share a list of Panamanian and Latin-inspired recipes you can add to your special dinner this holiday.

Crema de calabaza (creamed roasted pumpkin soup) is made with roasted pumpkin, carrots, and apples. Served it with some bread to prepare yourself for the following dishes on the menu.

A ¾-1 cup serving per person is enough if serving as an appetizer. This soup recipe will serve a bigger crowd, so you can freeze the leftovers if you are making it only for two people.

Almojabanos, the Panamanian corn "cheese curl," which I like to call them. They are traditionally enjoyed during breakfast but can also be served as appetizers. Perfectly paired with salty dips, like a cheese ball or artichoke dip.

Serve 2-3 pieces per person, or place on a platter after freshly fried with the dips and let the guests serve themselves. If cooking for two, make a smaller batch and serve on a small plate with some dips.

Salchichas guisadas (Hot dogs in tomato sauce), a humble yet beloved dish, add a comforting spiced flavor to any meal like breakfast, as usually served in Panama.

They are perfect as an appetizer. Use cocktail sausages to make the recipe, and you can serve them on a platter with toothpicks for the guests to enjoy.

Arroz con guandú y coco (coconut rice with pigeon peas) is a holiday dinner Panamanian staple that uses guandú (pigeon peas) for a slightly nutty taste that complements the rice perfectly. 

This version with sofrito and coconut milk gives it a rich flavor. Use canned pigeon peas and omit the coconut milk for a quicker version.

Rice with raisins (arroz con pasas), a sweet and salty option served during the holidays in Panama. If you are not a Raisins fan, swap it for some cranberries. 

These rice options, paired with turkey or other meats, offer a distinct Latin flavor profile that will surprise and delight your guests.

These rice recipes can be done for bigger or smaller gatherings.

Serve each rice portion from ½-1 cup depending on serving more side dishes. Your guests will be able to enjoy different flavors in smaller portions. 

Garlic Mashed Potatoes are super simple to make using an instant pot with no milk. Add evaporated milk or cream cheese when mashing it if you prefer a creamier version.

This recipe serves 4 people, so if you need more, double the recipe.

Puré de yuca (yuca mash) is another simple recipe with a few ingredients. Swap your potatoes with yuca or cassava. This is a versatile side dish; you can dress it up by adding chives, cream cheese, or even gratin style.

Ensalada de feria (Panamanian potato and beet salad), a fresh and colorful salad typical in Panamanian celebrations, is perfect for adding a vibrant touch to your Thanksgiving table. 

Plátanos en tentación (caramelized plantains), a Panamanian sweet side dish that complement turkey or other salty mains. This recipe is simple, and you can double it for bigger crowds. 

Serve about 1-2 pieces of plantain per person. This side is usually served with other sides.

These main dish recipes pair well with the mentioned sides; you can mix and match based on your preferences or get your Thanksgiving guide for a menu idea using turkey. Subscribe 👇🏽

Chorizo Stuffed Turkey Breast + Gravy is a fusion of Latin flavors. Chorizo, culantro, and queso fresco are the main ingredients for the stuffing of your traditional turkey breast. Plus a bonus! It's made in the Instant Pot and perfect for smaller gatherings, serving between 2 and 4 without leaving leftovers. 

The gravy is made with the drippings of the turkey tenderloin and the gravy packet in the pressure cooker, a simple one-pot meal.

For every 4 guests, plan for one stuffed turkey breast (about 2-3 pounds). If you have a larger serving in mind, consider two breasts to ensure everyone gets a generous portion. You can reduce the portion size by about 4 ounces per person if serving other mains.

Jamón Glaseado (Glazed Ham), a twist to the original pineapple flavor, this apple glaze is one of my family recipes. Made with apple puree, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, resulting in a sticky and shiny glaze perfected for smoked ham. 

This recipe serves a bigger crowd. You will sure have a lot of leftovers cooking for max 4 people. Plan for ½ pound per person, but this can vary depending on whether you have other mains.

You could reduce the serving size to ⅓ pound per person, which would stretch the ham.

Flan de Calabaza (pumpkin flan) keeps the pumpkin flavor, but instead of pie, serve a delicious custard made with eggs, milk, sugar, and spices. Add pumpkin spice to amplify fall flavors. 

Prepare it 1 or 2 days before Thanksgiving to set in the fridge. This recipe serves 10 slices.

Mamallena (Panamanian bread pudding) is another make-ahead dessert for a small crowd. It's made with bread, raisins, eggs, milk and spices. Serve it with some ice cream, powdered sugar, or condensed milk.

Make it a festive version, swapping the raisins for cranberries. Serve a slice per person. You can double the recipe to make for a more extensive gathering.

Arroz con leche (Panamanian-style rice pudding) is a small batch of the traditional version. I recommend making it early on Thanksgiving day, so it's as you want it after all the meals are served and enjoyed. 

This recipe serves 4; if needed, double the recipe and serve them in individual portions so that each guest takes their own and enjoys it when the time comes.

Bonus Dessert

Cheesecake is a universal dessert, this time in individual portions. It is made in the instant pot, so no oven must be turned on. You can customize them with your favorite toppings like cranberry jam to make it festive, guava jam, or dulce de leche for a more Latin-accurate flavor.

I know cheesecakes are not Latin-inspired, but they are worth a mention! 😉

These 4 step tips will help you feel organized and stress-free when you are preparing for a special occasion dinner like Thanksgiving.

You can use these same tips for planning any holiday dinner, like Christmas or New Year's Eve.

1. Plan ahead

Planning ahead is essential for a smooth Thanksgiving! Start early, around late October or early November, by deciding on your guest count and menu, especially if you're adding diverse, Latin-inspired dishes.

Organize your menu into appetizers, sides, mains, and desserts, and note what can be prepped in advance, like marinating turkey or making pie crusts.

Next, create a shopping list with quantities based on your menu. For turkey, plan on 1-1.5 pounds per person or slightly more if your guests have hearty appetites. Decide if you'll cook everything yourself or prefer to buy some items pre-made. Don't hesitate to ask guests to bring a dish, like a "fiesta de traje" as we say in Spanish.

Double-check your pantry and fridge to avoid duplicate purchases. If clean-up is a concern, consider using quality disposable tableware (add them to your list). For example:

• serving platters or dishes
• baking dishes
• aluminum foil
• parchment paper
• digital meat thermometer
• oven thermometer
• electric knife
• disposable roasting pans
• food storage containers

With these steps, you'll be well-prepared for a relaxed and enjoyable Thanksgiving!

2. Go shopping before the crazy begins

The days leading up to Thanksgiving can get hectic at the grocery store. Shopping early will save you from the last-minute scramble.

If needed, plan the trip to the different stores and avoid going on the same week of the event, so you stay away from crowded stores.

Shop for non-perishable items like spices and canned goods a week beforehand. This ensures that you can focus on fresh produce and refrigerated items when it's closer to the day.

Get your fresh ingredients early. Some stores offer pre-ordering, so you can pick up everything at once.

3. Strategize your cooking and prepping schedule

Cooking for a large group requires careful planning to ensure everything is ready at the right time. If you prefer cooking for two, these tips will also help you finish your cooking early.

Create a cooking timeline or schedule for the things you need to defrost in the fridge and your game plan for cooking. Ensure you have enough space in your refrigerator to keep the things that need to be refrigerated.

Turkey Prepping

Here is a simple cheat sheet for thawing turkey in the fridge:

You can use the Butterball calculator, to know how much turkey you'll need for each guest. Plus, thawing time per pound of turkey!

Prepare as much as possible in advance: pies, casseroles, salads, and seasoning for your turkey or ham. Chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and bake on the big day, or consider cooking everything, even the turkey, beforehand to simply reheat on Thanksgiving.

For a smoother day, start early with larger dishes, set the table the day before, and allow time for reheating sides. This approach minimizes your time in the kitchen, so you can relax and enjoy the meal with your guests!

4. Enjoy your thanksgiving dinner + less clean up

Thanksgiving is about savoring the meal and time with loved ones, so don't let clean-up take over. Use a mix of disposable and reusable serving ware to simplify it.

Clean as you go; wash prep tools after each dish to avoid many dishes. Once the meal is done, do a quick clean-up or ask guests to pitch in 😜.

Store leftovers or send some home with guests. Most importantly, take a moment to relax and enjoy the time with your loved ones—clean-up can wait!

Make Thanksgiving easy with my free guide, featuring a Latin-inspired menu for two! It includes a complete shopping list and prep schedule, perfect for a cozy, stress-free holiday without any guesswork.

Download it now to enjoy a flavorful and well-organized Thanksgiving about spending quality time together—without the extra hassle!

Free Thanksgiving Guide

Get my Thanksgiving Menu with Latin Flavors for 2 people. Shopping List and Schedule included!

Download Now

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. For me, there's no better way to express that than by sharing recipes that bring back memories and flavors from home. I hope these dishes add warmth and variety and become a new tradition for your holiday table this year.

I hope you try these recipes and tips, and let me know your favorite Thanksgiving recipe in the comments.

Happy Thanksgiving!