Incorporating Peanuts Into Your Thanksgiving Traditions

Peanuts are often overlooked as a Thanksgiving staple, but they deserve a place on your holiday table. These versatile nuts offer a variety of benefits, from rich flavor and satisfying crunch to nutritional value and culinary flexibility. Let’s explore five ways to make peanuts a part of your Thanksgiving traditions.

1 | Peanuts make a satisfying appetizer. Anyone who has ever been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner knows that it often takes extra time for the meal to be cooked and served. Peanuts can keep guests satisfied while waiting for the main courses. Supplement your appetizer spread with a few bowls of salted and flavored in-shell peanuts. Or, place them around the table or in the living room during the traditional football game to keep guests content until the meal is ready.

Tip: Peanuts make a wonderful nut for a Thanksgiving charcuterie board.

2 | Peanuts offer a meat-free alternative. If someone at your holiday feast is avoiding meat, peanuts make a flavorful roast that provides a vegetarian-friendly alternative to traditional mains. A nut roast is a tasty meatless dish that became a staple on holiday tables in Britain in the early 1900s. Since it was so appealing to vegetarians of that era, its popularity spread to Canada and the United States. Today, the nut roast is a Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition that makes a great alternative to turkey and ham.

3 | Peanut oil keeps the turkey moist. In many households, deep frying a turkey in peanut oil is an essential holiday tradition. And this approach isn’t as calorie-laden as you might think: As long as the peanut oil is kept at 375° F or higher, the turkey’s skin forms a barrier that keeps the oil out and locks the juices in. You’ll end up with a moist, tender bird that’s a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving table.

4 | Peanut soup is a Southern tradition. A true Virginian can tell you that Peanut Soup is a comfort classic and staple around Thanksgiving. This timeless dish is still served at Colonial Williamsburg’s King Arms Tavern, which opened in 1772. Though many would not consider it as popular as cranberries, harvest peanut soup offers a simple yet satisfying pre-dinner option.

Tip: Some peanut soup recipes even call for adding leftover turkey, making it perfect for an easy day-after-Thanksgiving lunch.

5 | Peanut desserts offer an alternative for those with nut allergies. Pecan pie is a delightful Thanksgiving tradition for many but is inedible for people who are allergic to tree nuts. Thankfully, there are plenty of peanut-based treats that can safely make the holidays sweeter. Add peanut pie, peanut butter chocolate cheesecake, or no-bake peanut butter cookies to your dessert table and your guests will thank you.

Tip: Keep a few jars of Hampton Farms creamy peanut butter in your pantry for quick and easy dessert options.

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving feast, remember to include peanuts in your menu. They offer new possibilities for every course, from savory appetizers to decadent desserts. By incorporating peanuts into your holiday traditions, you’ll be adding a delicious and nutritious element to your Thanksgiving celebration.