12 Armenian Recipes to Bring to Your Thanksgiving Table

If you want to bring something special to Thanksgiving this year, these Armenian recipes will make your holiday table feel like a family reunion. From a whole stuffed pumpkin to flaky cheese boreg and my grandmother's bulgur pilaf, every dish here is one my family has passed down, and every one is tested in my own kitchen and made doable for a busy holiday week.

Why Armenian Recipes Belong on Your Thanksgiving Table

Holidays like Thanksgiving have always been about the people. Okay, mostly about the food. Just kidding! In our family, the turkey is honestly an afterthought and the least important thing on the table. The real stars are the appetizers, the side dishes and the desserts, and there is always way more of them than anyone could possibly eat.

Even into her 90s, my grandma still made all of the food. My mom was always the one at the sink cleaning up the dishes, and my grandpa would grab as much food as he could before my grandma finally said, "You have had enough." It was the cutest dynamic, and it is one I dearly miss.

I didn't know how to cook when I got married, and cooking my way through these family recipes has become my way of staying close to the people who made them first. Whether you grew up with these dishes or you are trying them for the very first time, I hope one of them finds a permanent spot on your Thanksgiving table.

Armenian Thanksgiving Appetizers

1

Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)

A smoky roasted red pepper and walnut dip that is always the first thing gone. Serve it with pita chips while the turkey rests.

Check out this recipe

2

Cheese Boreg Triangles

Flaky phyllo triangles filled with salty, melty cheese. Everyone grabs one on the way to the table.

Check out this recipe

3

Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves (Sarma)

Vegetarian stuffed grape leaves with lemony rice and herbs. Perfect for a make-ahead appetizer platter.

Check out this recipe

4

Tourshi (Armenian Pickled Vegetables)

Crunchy, tangy pickled vegetables that cut right through a rich holiday plate.

Check out this recipe

Armenian Thanksgiving Side Dishes

5

Ghapama (Armenian Stuffed Pumpkin)

A whole pumpkin stuffed with buttery rice, dried apricots, nuts and honey. This is the showstopper side your Thanksgiving table has been missing.

Check out this recipe

6

Armenian Bulgur Pilaf

My grandmother's bulgur pilaf with tomato and peppers. A heartier, nuttier swap for stuffing.

Check out this recipe

7

Armenian Rice Pilaf

Fluffy, buttery rice pilaf with toasted noodles. The side dish that goes with absolutely everything.

Check out this recipe

8

Grandma's Red Tabouli — Armenian Eech Recipe

Grandma's red tabouli, a bright bulgur salad that adds fresh color to all the heavy holiday sides.

Check out this recipe

9

Spinach Pie

Our family's spinach pie with crispy phyllo. Cut it into squares and it feeds a crowd.

Check out this recipe

10

Armenian Sheet Cheese Boreg

One big pan of cheesy, golden phyllo boreg. Easy to carry to any gathering.

Check out this recipe

Armenian Bread and Dessert for Thanksgiving

11

Cheoreg Recipe (Armenian Sweet Bread)

Soft, lightly sweet braided Armenian bread for the bread basket. Leftovers make the best breakfast the next morning.

Check out this recipe

12

Easy Pistachio Baklava Nests (Baklava Bites)

Pistachio baklava bites that look like they came from a bakery. A sweet Armenian finish next to the pumpkin pie.

Check out this recipe

How to Plan an Armenian Thanksgiving Menu

• Pick one showstopper. Ghapama is beautiful in the center of the table and doubles as a side dish.
• Add one pilaf. Bulgur pilaf or rice pilaf fills in for stuffing and goes with everything.
• Bring something fresh. Red tabouli or tourshi brightens a plate full of rich holiday food.
• Make your appetizers ahead. Muhammara, sarma and tourshi can all be made before Thanksgiving Day, so your oven is free for the turkey.
• End with something sweet. Baklava nests sit perfectly next to the pumpkin pie.

Armenian Thanksgiving Recipes FAQ

Do Armenians celebrate Thanksgiving?
Armenian American families celebrate Thanksgiving just like everyone else, and many of us add the Armenian dishes we grew up with right alongside the turkey.

What is the best Armenian side dish for Thanksgiving?
Ghapama, an Armenian stuffed pumpkin with rice and dried fruit, is the most festive choice. For something simpler, bulgur pilaf is a great swap for stuffing.

Which of these recipes can I make ahead?
Muhammara, tourshi and sarma are great made a day or two ahead. Check each recipe for its make-ahead and storage tips.

What dish can I bring to a Thanksgiving potluck?
Sheet cheese boreg or spinach pie travel well, cut neatly into squares, and taste great warm or at room temperature.

Want to Save These Armenian Thanksgiving Recipes?