Dutch Oven All-in-One Thanksgiving recipe!

We’re excited about this one! What a great way to start off the holidays! 

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner can be made fun, quick, and easy just by using one pot; the Dutch Oven! The Dutch Oven is not famous just for being Dutch! Its most important quality, aside from being Dutch, is its ability to make a full meal all in one pot! No need to break out every pot, pan, and baking dish in your kitchen! In fact, all the essential dishes of the Thanksgiving meal can be cooked together in a single pot. We suggest using a 5.25-quart Dutch oven brand of your choosing. 

The key to producing a succulent meal is in the layering. With the one pot meal, you can layer mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, and a juicy herbed turkey breast and cook all these one time sides all together for the ultimate one-pot meal. Dutch ovens are also gorgeous enough to be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table. 

 

Minding your Turkey! 

Browning the turkey to make a flavorful base is key to creating a scrumptious gravy. Easily enough you can sear a bone-in turkey breast right in the pot. Pour off and set aside to make the gravy later. Rub the turkey with oil and herbs, and it’s ready for roasting. Follow the instructions carefully on the packaging as to how to handle your turkey safely. 

Now for the Sides 

Next up! Mashed potatoes! White potatoes, sweet potatoes, or a combination of both are perfectly usable. They will properly bake right in the Dutch oven until tender. This eliminates the need for boiling and draining. Cover with the lid and let them bake while you prepare the stuffing and green beans. 

While your potatoes are baking, you can prepare your stuffing in a frying pan! You can make a lovely homemade stuffing simply by mixing a stuffing herb mixture with dried bread cubes and broth. Finally, prepare your green beans by drizzling a bit of olive oil and garlic, and you’re ready to layer! The fun part! Time for the fun part! 

When the potatoes are ready, add some milk and mash them right in the pot. Then comes the fun part: layering everything! Place the green beans on top of the mashed potatoes and cover them with the stuffing. Finally, put the turkey breast on top. The stuffing insulates the green beans to essentially steam them, absorbs all the tasty juices from the turkey, and even browns a little for those that like the crispy bits. 

Bake this layered masterpiece uncovered until the turkey is ready! When the turkey’s ready, let it rest while you make the gravy on the stovetop, and then you’re done! Carve the turkey, bring your Dutch Oven right to the table, and enjoy your delicious one-pot Thanksgiving feast. 

Author's note: Le Creuset makes a lovely royal blue Dutch Oven. And any one of our exquisite Royal Delft dish collections would compliment it so very nicely! And paired with our linens, you’ll have a spectacular table setting indeed! 

Think Blue! Because we do, too! 

 

Cook a whole Thanksgiving dinner, including turkey breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing, all in a single pot in just a few hours! 

YIELD
Serves 5 

PREP TIME
1 hour 

COOK TIME
2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes 

INGREDIENTS

For the turkey and gravy: 

• 1 (2 1/2 to 3-pound) bone-in or boneless split turkey breast 
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage or thyme  leaves, or a combination
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce Cranberry sauce, store-bought or homemade, for serving

For the smashed potatoes and green beans: 

• 3 pounds Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes, or a combination
• 1/2 cup whole or 2% milk 
• 1 pound green beans
• 2 cloves garlic

For the stuffing: 

• 8 slices hearty white sandwich bread (about 10 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage or thyme leaves, or a combination
• 1 medium sweet apple
• 1/2 medium yellow onion
• 2 medium celery stalks

Shared pantry ingredients: 

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 3/4 cups low-sodium turkey or chicken broth
• 11 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,
  
  

INSTRUCTIONS

The Stuffing 

1. Cut or tear 8 slices white sandwich bread into 3/4-inch pieces (about 8 cups). Place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Let sit uncovered at room temperature until dried out, 1 to 2 days. Alternatively, bake in a 275ºF oven until dried out but not browned, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

The Turkey, (or protein of your choice) 

1. Heat the oven to 375ºF. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a deep Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it begins to simmer. Place skin-side down in the pot and sear until light golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
2. Remove the pot from the heat. Carefully pour in 1/4 cup broth and scrape the browned bits at the bottom of the pot with a spoon. Put the deglazed mixture aside..

The Potatoes 

1. Cut 3 pounds Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks (no need to peel). Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the potatoes, season with salt, and stir to coat in the butter.
2. Cover and bake until the potatoes are cooked, 45 to 50 minutes Approximately.
3. Season the turkey, prepare the stuffing, and prepare the green beans.

Turkey, Stuffing,& Green Beans 

1. Dice 1/2 medium yellow onion. Dice 2 medium celery stalks. 
2. Finely chop 3 tablespoons of fresh sage or thyme leaves. Place 1 tablespoon of the chopped herbs in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and stir to combine. Rub the mixture all over the turkey.
3. Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until softened and starting to brown. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons chopped herbs and cook for no more than a minute or two. 
4. Pour in 1 cup broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and stir until the bread is evenly moistened. Season with salt and pepper. 
5. Place the green beans in a large bowl. Finely chop 2 garlic cloves. Place in the bowl with the green beans, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and black pepper, and toss to combine. 

Happy Dutch Thanksgiving!