1800's Thanksgiving Day Menus - The 1800's Housewife

cook books from the 1800's — Photo Credit: The 1800’s Housewife.

Dear friends ~

Thanksgiving Day is just three weeks from yesterday, can you believe it?

This fall has whipped right by, and it’s really boggling my mind that we’re already on the brink of the holiday season, but here we are!

If you’d like to celebrate with an 1800’s style Thanksgiving meal this year, today’s email has some inspiration you might enjoy. Now and then, these nineteenth century cook books contain menu suggestions, for various occasions throughout the year.

Below, you’ll find the suggested menus for Thanksgiving Day, from both The New England Economical Housekeeper (published in 1845), and The White House Cook Book (1887).

From now until Thanksgiving, all of the recipes you’ll see here in the newsletter will be from one or the other of these menus, so keep your eyes open for some fun old-fashioned holiday recipes. (Real mince pie? Yes, please!)

~ Anna

THE NEW ENGLAND ECONOMICAL HOUSEKEEPER
and Family Receipt Book

By Mrs. E. A. Howland
1845

a page from an 1800's cook book — The New England Economical Housekeeper, 1845. Photo Credit: The 1800’s Housewife.

I try to not have favorites among my cook book collection, but as one of the oldest volumes on my shelves, it’s hard not to have a special place in my heart for this one.

It’s a small, no-nonsense sort of cook book, so it feels especially significant that an entire page is dedicated to the suggestion of what to serve on Thanksgiving Day.

It’s also convenient that the instructions for most of these dishes are included right there on the page. I’m especially looking forward to trying the Plum Pudding, as well as the Gravy, Oyster, and Turnip Sauces. They did take their sauces seriously in the 1800’s, and I love that!

This cook book also has the apple pie recipe that I’m looking forward to trying and sharing here.

THE WHITE HOUSE COOK BOOK

By Mrs. F. L. Gillette
and Hugo Ziemann, Steward of the White House
1887

a thanksgiving menu from an 1800's cook book — The White House Cook Book, 1887. Photo Credit: The 1800’s Housewife.

After looking at this menu, all I can think about is how I want Porterhouse Steak, Buckwheat Cakes, and Maple Syrup on Thanksgiving morning. Talk about a holiday breakfast!

I’m also especially looking forward to trying that Hickory Nut Cake (which sounds just amazing), the Venison Pastry, and the Mince Pie.

a winter luxury pie pumpkin in a field — *First introduced in 1893, “Winter Luxury” will always have my heart as the ultimate pie pumpkin variety.* Photo Credit: The 1800’s Housewife.

The Thanksgiving Day menus from these two cook books are ones I’m focussing on this year, but I do feel quite certain I’ve encountered at least one other Thanksgiving Day menu while reading through 1800’s cook books. As I come across any others, I’ll come back and add them.

As always, thanks for being such a part of what I do. Your emails, questions, and input make my day. Feel free to send me an email anytime, with recipe requests! ‘Til next time, ~ Anna

This article was originally published in the 1800’s Housewife newsletter. Not on the mailing list? You can join here to receive full recipes with cooking notes straight to your inbox!

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