Make Your Thanksgiving Bright | National Honey Board

This year sure has flown by, hasn’t it? The holiday season is one of our favorite times of the year, not because the year is coming to an end, but because we get to spend so much precious time with our family and friends. 

Thanksgiving is here again and we are ready for a tasty celebration! As we look forward to the weeks ahead and finalize our holiday menus, we wanted to share with you some of our best tips and recipes that are sure to make your Thanksgiving holiday bright.

There is no denying that honey is delicious on its own, but did you know that it can take even the simplest dish to the next level? More than just a sweetener, honey has many functional benefits that span your entire menu:

• Sweetener: Honey is slightly sweeter than sugar, so less can be used to achieve the same sweetness intensity.
• Flavor: Honey not only imparts a unique flavor to any dish, but it also balances and enhances the flavor profiles of other ingredients used in a recipe.
• Emulsifier: Honey acts as a binder and thickener for sauces, dressings, marinades, and dips.
• Humectant: Honey provides and retains moisture to a variety of dishes and can even extend the shelf life of baked goods.

If you’re new to cooking with honey or wanting to try working more honey into your menu, here are some simple tips to remember:

• When you substitute honey for granulated sugar in recipes, begin by substituting honey for up to half of the sugar called for in the recipe.
• For easy measuring and clean-up, coat measuring cup or spoon with cooking spray before adding honey.
• A 12-ounce jar of honey equals a standard measuring cup.

Of course, it is best to use recipes developed for using honey, but with a little experimentation, honey can be substituted for all the sugar in some recipes. From quick breakfasts for a crowd to traditional dinnertime favorites, we’ve got a few festive recipes to get you started, all inspired by the upcoming holiday.

Do you have a favorite honey recipe that you’re making this holiday? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!

Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!