Thanksgiving and Turkey: A Tradition Worth Keeping
Turkeys can be rather imposing creatures. With their sharp, beady eyes, they’re known to peck at humans and, unfortunately, many end up overcooked and tasteless once they come out of the oven.
But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to swap out turkey for ribeye on Thanksgiving—or, well, strip steak or ham, which is usually more associated with Christmas. And don’t even mention Tofurky, which, let’s be honest, probably reminds someone of what turkey-scented candles might taste like.
Preparing a tasty turkey can be a challenge—salting helps a lot. Still, it’s a tradition we hold dear. After all, the classic Thanksgiving meal centers around turkey, and if done right, it can indeed be quite delicious.
The traditional Thanksgiving meal is turkey. It’s very tasty if you learn how to cook it correctly, but even if you don’t, the meal is turkey. You can serve other meats with it, but Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Thank you for your consideration in this matter
— Aaron Macintyre (@AuronMacintyre) November 19, 2025
The association of turkey with Thanksgiving dates back to at least the mid-1600s, as noted by William Bradford, the leader of Plymouth Colony. He chronicled the importance of this bird in his writings, and over time, it became well-established on the holiday table.
By the 1800s, turkeys had truly gained popularity. This bird was abundant, native to the area, and could easily feed a family. They didn’t serve much purpose outside of providing meat. Sarah Josepha Hale even featured turkey prominently in her 1827 novel, Northwood.
During the Thanksgiving feast she described, the roast turkey was the star of the show, exuding the delightful aroma of savory stuffing. Accompanying it were a variety of dishes, including sirloin, pork, mutton, goose, ducklings, chicken pie, pickles, jam, butter, bread, and of course, a massive plum pudding alongside a selection of custards and pies, with pumpkin pie taking a particularly esteemed spot.
In fact, chicken pie and pumpkin pie are both considered staples of what defines a true Yankee Thanksgiving.
Yet, as the New York Times has suggested, a one-pot vegetable biryani could serve as a respectable turkey alternative for those less inclined to meat.
As the late Charlie Kirk famously put it, it’s practically un-American not to have turkey on Thanksgiving.
The great Charlie Kirk: It’s un-American to not eat turkey on Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/3rBerWUKWm
— Human Events (@HumanEvents) November 26, 2025
He described himself as a bit of a turkey purist, suggesting that while Christmas dinners might be more flexible—where ham is standard but steak can work too—Thanksgiving is about tradition. He noted that having turkey, some sort of dressing, and cranberry sauce is a must. Surprisingly, he even advocated for serving cranberries straight from the can, without any modifications.
Admittedly, canned cranberry sauce doesn’t sound particularly appetizing, yet it embodies a tradition that many hold dear.
As GK Chesterton once remarked, tradition gives voice to our ancestors—beyond mere preferences. It may be true that canned cranberry sauce is a more recent addition to the traditional Thanksgiving fare, but that’s part of the tradition now, too. So, as you prepare for your celebrations, let’s honor the past and consider roasting a turkey this Thanksgiving.
