Farm-to-Table Thanksgiving Recipes Featuring New York Dairy

As Thanksgiving approaches, we all start dreaming of dishes that bring warmth and comfort to the holiday table. From savory sides to sweet desserts, there’s something special about sharing homemade favorites with loved ones. This Thanksgiving, why not bring a touch of New York's finest farm-fresh dairy to your feast? We've rounded up five holiday recipes from local food bloggers and chefs that celebrate the rich flavors of the season and incorporate ingredients that can be sourced from our cherished New York dairy farms. Whether you’re looking to start with a crowd-pleasing cheese plate or finish with a decadent cheesecake, these dishes are sure to make your Thanksgiving extra special.

Bloody Mary Cheese Plate

Make your Thanksgiving spread a true crowd-pleaser with Marissa Mullen’s Bloody Mary Cheese Plate. Packed with savory, briny, and spicy bites like crispy bacon, fresh heirloom tomatoes, garlic-stuffed olives, and a sprinkle of chili powder, this plate is perfect for kicking off the festivities. We recommend pairing it with Mecox Bay Dairy’s Bascom Blue, a Stilton-style blue that’s crumbly, bright, and distinctive. Handcrafted with care in Long Island’s Hamptons, Bascom Blue adds just the right punch of flavor to complement the board’s rich and refreshing elements. Grab a few ounces to make this cheese plate a little extra special and serve it alongside your favorite Bloody Mary—or just as it is for a savory start to your gathering.

Photo by Marissa Mullen

Macaroni, Cheese and Greens

Add a rich, soulful twist to your Thanksgiving with Marcus Samuelsson’s Macaroni, Cheese and Greens. This dish combines creamy, cheesy goodness with savory collard greens. The rich, velvety sauce combines sharp cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan for a bold, full-bodied flavor that pairs perfectly with the tender orecchiette pasta. We suggest using Shtayburne Farm Creamery’s sharp cheddar for this dish—its deep, robust taste adds just the right depth to every bite. Located in Rock Stream, New York, Shtayburne Farm Creamery produces their cheese in small batches, ensuring top quality. While you’re there, consider picking up a few of their unique cheddars, like smoked bacon cheddar or garlic cheddar. This mac & cheese is sure to add a unique new flavor to an all-time favorite side dish.

Photo by Marcus Samuelsson

Marbled Cranberry Cheesecake

For a dessert that will steal the show, try Adrianna Adarme’s Marbled Cranberry Cheesecake. With a chocolate cookie crust and a creamy filling swirled with homemade cranberry sauce, this cheesecake is the sweetest way to use up your extra cranberries. The cheesecake filling calls for rich, tangy cream cheese. Cream cheese will give your cake a smooth, velvety texture that will leave your guests wanting more. The tart cranberries and rich cheesecake make for a beautiful balance of flavors—perfect for bringing a taste of tradition to your holiday dessert table.

Photo by Adrianna Adarme

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Everybody loves mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving, and Victoria Hart Glavin’s Creamy Mashed Potatoes are a must-have on any Thanksgiving table. These creamy smooth potatoes get their luxurious texture from a blend of butter and perfectly infused heavy cream. For an extra indulgent touch, we recommend using heavy cream from Myers Century Farm in Sullivan County, NY. Known for their natural, hormone-free dairy products, Myers Century Farm’s heavy cream brings a richness and flavor that’s hard to beat— one you simply can’t get from any other heavy cream. Finished with fresh herbs, this dish will have your guests reaching for seconds, and maybe even thirds.

Photo by Victoria Hart Glavin

Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits

For a Thanksgiving classic that’s impossible to resist, try Alexandra Stafford’s Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits— a cherished component of Thanksgiving meals and timeless comfort food. These biscuits, with their buttery, fluffy layers, are the perfect accompaniment to turkey and gravy. The secret to achieving that tender crumb and golden, flaky crust? Cold, high-quality buttermilk. We recommend buttermilk from Hawthorne Valley Farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. As one of the first certified organic dairies in the country, Hawthorne Valley Farm raises cows on a natural, grass-based diet, resulting in a rich buttermilk that brings out the full flavor of these soft, doughy biscuits. These biscuits will hold a special place on your Thanksgiving table year after year.

Photo by Alexandra Stafford

With these recipes, your Thanksgiving spread will have a little something for everyone—a mix of flavors that showcase the richness and quality of New York’s dairy farms. From the first bite to the last, each dish brings a taste of homegrown goodness that’s perfect for gathering around the table. Here’s to a delicious, locally inspired-holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at New York Dairy!