Let’s be honest: suggesting a change to the Thanksgiving menu can feel like fighting words in some families. The mac and cheese recipe has been perfect since before you were born, the greens are seasoned with ancestral wisdom, and the sweet potato pie? It’s basically a family heirloom. However, let’s also acknowledge that sometimes a little shake-up isn’t a bad thing.
Whether it’s due to dietary changes—like going vegan, cutting out pork, or leaning into healthier options—or just the desire to break out of the same-old-same-old, it’s okay to want something new. If that’s you, we’re not here to snitch. Instead, we’re here to help.
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These five options deliver bold, fresh takes on soul food, offering a way to expand your table while keeping all the flavor and heart that makes Thanksgiving sacred. From beer-infused creations to vegan brilliance, these tips will make you the talk of the table this year.
1. Harlem Brew Soul: A Beer-Infused Soul Food Cookbook by Celeste Beatty
Celeste Beatty, the first Black woman to own a brewery in the United States, brings her love of beer and food together in Harlem Brew Soul. This colorful cookbook features over 80 beer-infused recipes, including everything from Beer Smac ’n’ Cheese to Beeraised Collard Greens.
“Cooking with beer is not new. It’s been done since our ancestors made beer (hekt) with barley and emmer wheat in terra-cotta vessels,” Beatty shared with I Love Us. “Beer hydrated, healed, and uplifted the spirits… It was drunk along the rails and rivers in the early 1800s in America, brewed and served up by the hands of Patsy Young, known as the Fugitive Brewer.”
We love the idea of elevating Thanksgiving classics with Beatty’s creative recipes. Imagine starting the day with Buttermilk Waffles topped with Beeraised Peaches, or serving up a Marvtastic Brisket that’s slow-cooked to perfection. The cookbook’s engaging stories about African American brewing history add even more flavor to the experience.
2. Field Peas to Foie Gras: Southern Recipes with a French Accent by Jennifer Hill Booker
Chef Jennifer Hill Booker’s cookbook merges the comfort of Southern cooking with the elegance of French cuisine. A Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and Cutthroat Kitchen finalist, Booker’s recipes are perfect for adding a sophisticated touch to your holiday table.
One standout is her Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Galette, an elegant yet simple dessert that blends tart apples, sweet cranberries, and nutty pecans in a flaky homemade pastry.
Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Galette Recipe
Yields: 8 servings
Ingredients:
- Pastry Dough:
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 large egg, beaten + 1 tablespoon water
- Filling:
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 4-5 medium apples (Honey Crisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), peeled and sliced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup water
- Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup toasted pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Make the dough by cutting butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly, then adding water until it forms a loose ball. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Combine apples and brown sugar in a bowl. Simmer cranberries with water for 10 minutes, then mix with apples.
- Roll out dough, spoon filling into the center, and fold edges over. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Garnish with powdered sugar and pecans.
This dessert pairs beautifully with any Thanksgiving spread, and the recipe is approachable enough for home chefs of any skill level.
3. Sweet Potato Soul by Jenné Claiborne
Jenné Claiborne reimagines soul food through a vegan lens in her cookbook Sweet Potato Soul. Inspired by her Atlanta upbringing, Claiborne transforms classic dishes into plant-based masterpieces, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the flavors of soul food.
Her recipes include Peach Date BBQ Jackfruit Sliders, Jalapeño Hush Puppies, and Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls—all packed with flavor and heart. For a healthier yet indulgent Thanksgiving, try her Bootylicious Gumbo or Georgia Watermelon & Peach Salad.
What makes this cookbook truly special is how Claiborne weaves in the cultural history of soul food, emphasizing its plant-based roots. Her creative approach proves that vegan cooking doesn’t have to compromise on taste or tradition.
4. Tiana’s Cookbook from Disney Princess
If you’re cooking with kids this Thanksgiving, Tiana’s Cookbook is a must-have. Inspired by Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, this book features 50 recipes that are easy, fun, and delicious.
Tiana-Style Beignets and Chicken and Sausage Gumbo bring the flavors of New Orleans to your table while teaching kids valuable kitchen skills. The book’s colorful illustrations and step-by-step instructions make it a joy to use for chefs of all ages.
We love how this cookbook encourages family bonding while honoring Tiana’s legacy as Disney’s first Black princess. It’s the perfect way to get little ones involved in creating a magical holiday meal.
5. Healthier Soul Food Tips from Chef Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith, co-founder of Cornbread, offers a modern, health-conscious approach to soul food. Originally from Georgia, Smith’s cooking focuses on reducing fats and salt while enhancing flavors with fresh herbs and spices.
For Thanksgiving, Smith shared some suggestions with I Love Us:
- Using Vegetable Alternatives: Swap smoked meats for onions, peppers, and garlic in collard greens.
- Reducing Fats: Opt for baking, grilling, or steaming to retain flavor without extra oil or butter.
- Cutting Back on Salt: Marinate meats with herbs and spices to achieve bold flavors without over-seasoning.
These simple yet effective tips ensure you can enjoy soulful, flavorful dishes while keeping them lighter and healthier.
Which Cookbook Will You Try This Thanksgiving?
Whether you’re drawn to Celeste Beatty’s beer-infused creations, Jennifer Hill Booker’s elegant desserts, or Jenné Claiborne’s vegan reimaginings, these cookbooks offer something for everyone. And don’t forget the kids—Tiana’s Cookbook is a fantastic way to make Thanksgiving magical for the whole family.
Which recipes are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments, and share your favorite Thanksgiving traditions with us!
Cover photo: 5 Ways to Give Your Thanksgiving Menu a New Twist
Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Galette Recipe taken from Field Peas to Foie Gras: Southern Recipes with a French Accent by Jennifer Hill Booker, © 2014 Jennifer Hill Booker, used by permission of the publisher, Pelican Publishing Company, Inc.
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