Prep for Thanksgiving with Cannabis

As Thanksgiving 2024 rolls around, the feast prep isn’t just about basting turkeys and perfecting apple pies—it’s about adding a little extra relaxation to the table this year. Let’s face it: holidays can be as overwhelming as they are heartwarming, with bustling kitchens, overflowing plates, and travel. But this Thanksgiving, why not let cannabis join the lineup of main ingredients? Whether you’re hosting or just bringing a dish, here are easy ways to incorporate cannabis into your holiday meal.

The “Cousin’s Walk” 

Before we kick off the meal, we have to be real: cannabis has had its place at the Thanksgiving table for ages in the form of the time-honored tradition of the “cousin’s walk.” You know, that pre-dinner tradition where the cousins mysteriously vanish, returning with smiles, laughing, and suddenly every dish looks even more delicious because they have the weed munchies? This year, why not make the cousin walk official? Instead of sneaking out, embrace it as a fun way to connect with your friends and family. A nice little stroll before dinner (especially in the crisp autumn air) can be the perfect way to work up an appetite and set the tone for a laid-back meal. Maybe invite them over 30 minutes before the rest of your guests so that you don’t miss any time with the whole family. 

But if you’d prefer not to sneak out on a brisk walk, how about adding some cannabis right into your Thanksgiving menu? Here are simple, tasty options, like sauces, butters, and desserts, where you can control the dosage and hand out the goodies yourself. 

Weed for Appetite: Menu Planning and Prep 

When working cannabis into the meal, think of it as an enhancement, not the main event. It’s important to choose strains that complement the vibe of Thanksgiving. Maybe, skip the sleep-inducing strains—the cooking, eating, excitement, travel  and build-up of the day already has us covered when it comes to causing us to be tired on Thanksgiving—and consider a balanced hybrid or sativa-leaning strains. Look for strains that can enhance conversation, and make the crowd feel comfortable without leaving you or your guests snoozing on the couch before the first football game ends.

Since not everyone at the table may want to indulge in cannabis infused dishes, focusing on creating easy-to-separate components might be a better game plan. Infused oils, butters, gravies and desserts are a safer bet then an entire pan of infused baked Mac & Cheese, a turkey, ham and a green bean casserole, this way anyone who wants to add cannabis to their meal can and you won’t have to do extra cooking infused and uninfused dishes. 

Gobble Until You Wobble

With cannabis-infused Thanksgiving options, it’s all about taste and timing. Infusing cannabis can take a bit of patience, but these suggestions below are designed for simplicity. Remember, potency matters—start with small doses, especially if you’re new to cooking with cannabis. Too much could turn that delightful buzz into a day-ending nap. The goal is to try to ensure that each individual serving is not more than 5mg of cannabis.

Timing and dosage is key. If you provide your guests with all of the cannabis infused options at the beginning of the meal they may not realize how much they are consuming. With edibles you may find that a little bit goes a long way. Here are a few cannabis infused recipes for Thanksgiving 2024: 

Get Things Started: Whipped Ricotta with Infused Honey

Ingredients:

• 8 oz of whole milk ricotta cheese 

• 1 loaf of focaccia bread 
• 4 tablespoons of crushed pistachios 
• 2 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds or 6 tablespoons of cubed and roasted butternut squash
• sea salt to taste 
• 2 tablespoons of infused honey 
• 4 tablespoons of infused butter 

Quick Instructions: 

Slice the focaccia bread and spread the infused butter evenly on each slice, grill and set the bread aside. In a bowl whip the ricotta cheese with 1 tablespoon of infused honey and a sprinkle of sea salt. Once smooth, top with honey, crushed pistachios, pomegranate or roasted butternut squash, a sprinkle of sea salt and infused honey. Serve with warm, grilled focaccia bread. 

This bread and dip is a flavorful way to start the evening without overpowering the palate. Just the right amount of richness to kick off the meal and ease you into Thanksgiving Dinner. For an optional addition garnish with crispy sage or fresh thyme. Don’t forget to clearly label the dish and keep it out of reach of children and pets. 

Rock the Gravy Boat: Infused Turkey Drippings

Ingredients:

• Seasoned Turkey drippings (about 1/4 cup, adjusted based on size of turkey)
• 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1–2 tbsp cannabis-infused butter (dosage at your discretion)
• Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt, Adobo, rotisserie Seasoning, paprika and Belle Seasoning to taste

Quick Instructions: 

After you’ve roasted your turkey, collect the drippings from the pan. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour with drippings to form a roux. Stir until smooth and slightly browned. Gradually whisk in broth and bring to a simmer. Let cook for a few minutes until the gravy thickens. Add cannabis-infused butter, stirring until melted. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.

Pour a small amount of infused gravy into a separate serving dish or gravy boat, and have a regular, uninfused gravy for anyone who’d prefer to skip the extra “seasoning.” A pro tip here is to pour the gravy tableside or hand it directly to your guests who want to indulge—this keeps it safe for everyone.

The Grand Finale: Spiced Pumpkin Infused Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Biscoff Cookie crumbs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla bean
• 1 large egg
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1–2 tsp cannabis-infused coconut oil or butter (again, aim for 5mg per serving)

Quick Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 baking dish.In a bowl, combine Biscoff Cookie crumbs, melted butter, sea salt and sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. In a stand mixer combine, cream cheese, pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond extract, vanilla bean and egg until smooth. Stir in the cannabis-infused oil or butter. Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 30 minutes, or until set. Cool before slicing into 20 servings. These can be served chilled or at room temperature.

These bars are creamy, comforting, and perfect for enjoying after the dishes are cleared and everyone’s lounging around the living room, full and happy. Be sure to slice and distribute them to your guests that are 21 or over. But, if you’re looking for a chocolate option, weed brownies may be a good choice. 

A Helpful Reminder

Since Thanksgiving gatherings often involve multiple generations, it’s crucial to remember that not everyone can or wants to consume cannabis. Make sure that each infused dish is clearly marked, and take the time to personally offer any infused options to those who are old enough and interested. This way, there’s no accidental indulging, and everyone can enjoy the holiday with a relaxed and festive spirit. 

If your Thanksgiving crowd does decide to enjoy cannabis this year, make sure that each guest has a safe way home—either a designated driver or the option to stay overnight. Sometimes, the best post-Thanksgiving plan is a game night or karaoke overnight with friends and family, followed by leftovers for breakfast. 

Looking for the perfect strain of Thanksgiving weed for the cousin’s walk? Contact the Doobie Concierge at (888) 8Doobie or visit trydoobie.com for more information.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Please consume cannabis responsibly and follow all local laws and regulations.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash