Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving: 14 John Kanell Recipes Ranked by Views, and the Turkey Isn’t Number One
Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving videos are where millions of first-time hosts learn to pull off the big day. John Kanell started Preppy Kitchen in 2015 after more than a decade teaching middle school math and science, and that patient teacher style shows in every recipe. He learned to cook from scratch in his mother’s kitchen, studied fine arts at UCLA and has become a two-time New York Times bestselling cookbook author, with 6.26 million YouTube subscribers. Here is the surprise: his most watched Thanksgiving video is not the turkey. His mashed potatoes have more than 6.1 million views, while the turkey sits at about 1.58 million. This gallery ranks 14 of his Thanksgiving recipe videos by views, giving you a complete holiday menu and a fun debate for the table. Let’s start the countdown..
No. 1: Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Top Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving Video
With more than 6.1 million views, creamy mashed potatoes are the most watched Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving video by far. Fluffy, buttery and smooth, they are the side nobody can skip. The tip: start the potatoes in cold, salted water so they cook evenly, then warm the butter and milk before mashing, which keeps them light and fluffy instead of gluey. Love holiday sides? See old-fashioned Thanksgiving recipes. Gravy on top..
You will need: 3 lb Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and cubed), salt, 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 garlic cloves (minced), pepper, chives
How to make it: 1. Cover potatoes with cold salted water and simmer 15 to 20 minutes until tender. 2. Warm butter, milk and garlic. 3. Drain and mash the potatoes. 4. Stir in the warm milk mixture and sour cream. 5. Season and top with chives.
No. 2: Herb Roasted Chicken for a Small Thanksgiving
His roasted chicken video has about 1.87 million views, and it is a smart choice for a smaller Thanksgiving. A golden, herb-rubbed chicken cooks in about an hour and tastes just as festive as a turkey. The tip: tuck herb butter under the skin over the breast, which keeps the meat juicy and flavors it from the inside. Roast until the thigh reaches 165 degrees F. Love easy holiday mains? See roast chicken from famous chefs. Chicken or turkey this year?
You will need: 1 chicken (4 to 5 lb), 4 tbsp soft butter, 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp thyme, 2 garlic cloves, salt, pepper, 1 lemon (halved), 1 onion (quartered)
How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. 2. Mix butter, herbs and garlic. 3. Rub under and over the skin and season. 4. Fill the cavity with lemon and onion. 5. Roast 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until 165 degrees F and rest 15 minutes.
No. 3: Classic Roast Turkey
The turkey video lands third with about 1.58 million views, proving the sides really do steal the show. Still, a golden roast turkey is the centerpiece of any Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving menu. The tip: let the turkey sit at room temperature for an hour before roasting, and start at high heat for crisp skin before lowering the temperature. Rest 30 minutes before carving. Love holiday roasts? See turkey breast recipes. Who carves at your house?
You will need: 1 turkey (12 to 14 lb, thawed), 1/2 cup soft butter, 2 tbsp chopped herbs, salt, pepper, 1 onion, 1 lemon, 2 cups broth
How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F and pat the turkey dry. 2. Rub with herb butter and season. 3. Fill with onion and lemon and add broth to the pan. 4. Roast 30 minutes, then lower to 350 degrees F and roast until the thigh reaches 165 degrees F. 5. Rest 30 minutes and carve.
No. 4: Easy Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs rank fourth with about 1.37 million views, and they are the Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving appetizer that vanishes first. Creamy, tangy filling piped into tender egg whites never goes out of style. The tip: steam the eggs for 12 minutes and cool them in ice water, which makes them easy to peel and gives bright yellow yolks with no gray ring. Top with paprika and chives, or a tangle of shredded carrot and fresh herbs for crunch and color. Love party bites? See classic holiday appetizers. Paprika or bacon on top?
You will need: 12 eggs, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp Dijon-style mustard, 1 tsp vinegar, salt, pepper, paprika, chives
How to make it: 1. Steam eggs 12 minutes and chill in ice water. 2. Peel and halve. 3. Mash yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. 4. Pipe into the whites. 5. Sprinkle paprika and chives and keep chilled.
No. 5: Fluffiest Dinner Rolls for Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving
His fluffiest dinner rolls have about 1.27 million views, and soft, buttery rolls are a must on every holiday table. These pull apart into tender, cloud-like pieces. The tip: knead the dough until it is smooth and stretchy, and let the shaped rolls rise until doubled, which is the secret to that light, fluffy texture. Brush with melted butter as soon as they come out. Love homemade bread? See pillowy milk bread bakes. How many will you eat?
You will need: 4 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup warm milk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup soft butter, melted butter for brushing
How to make it: 1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt. 2. Add milk, eggs and butter and knead 8 minutes. 3. Rise 1 hour. 4. Shape 16 rolls in a greased pan and rise 45 minutes. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 22 minutes and brush with butter.
No. 6: Quick Dinner Rolls, a Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving Shortcut
With about 961,000 views, his quick dinner rolls are perfect for busy hosts who still want homemade bread. They go from bowl to table in about an hour. The tip: use instant yeast and a warm spot for rising, like an oven with just the light on, which speeds up the rise without killing the yeast. Brush with honey butter for a sweet finish. Love easy breads? See easy flavored butters. Honey butter or plain?
You will need: 3 1/2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast, 1 tsp salt, 1 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup warm water, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 egg
How to make it: 1. Mix dry ingredients and add milk, water, butter and egg. 2. Knead 5 minutes. 3. Shape 12 rolls and place in a greased pan. 4. Rise 25 to 30 minutes in a warm spot. 5. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 to 18 minutes.
No. 7: Sweet Potato Casserole, Pecans or Marshmallows
His sweet potato casserole has about 885,000 views, and it settles the great pecans or marshmallows debate at a Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving. Creamy spiced sweet potatoes bake under a buttery pecan streusel or a blanket of toasted marshmallows. For cute single servings, roast the potatoes, scoop out the flesh, mix the filling and pile it back into the skins. The tip: roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them, which keeps the filling rich and not watery. Love sweet potatoes? See forgotten Thanksgiving sides. Pecans or marshmallows?
You will need: 4 lb sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon. Streusel: 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 4 tbsp melted butter, or 2 cups mini marshmallows for the topping
How to make it: 1. Roast sweet potatoes at 400 degrees F for 1 hour, peel and mash. 2. Mix with butter, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. 3. Spread in a 9×13 dish. 4. Mix the streusel and sprinkle over. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes. 6. For single servings, spoon the filling into the roasted skins, top with marshmallows and bake 15 minutes until toasted.
No. 8: Classic Pumpkin Pie From Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving
His best pumpkin pie video has about 849,000 views, and no Thanksgiving dessert table is complete without one. The silky, spiced custard sits in a flaky, golden crust. The tip: bake until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly, then cool completely, which keeps the filling smooth and prevents splits on top. Serve with whipped cream. Love holiday pies? See a mini pie bar. Whipped cream or ice cream?
You will need: 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust, 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup evaporated milk, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp salt
How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. 2. Whisk pumpkin, sugar, eggs, milk, spices and salt. 3. Pour into the crust. 4. Bake 15 minutes, then lower to 350 degrees F and bake 40 to 45 minutes until just set. 5. Cool completely.
No. 9: Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
His buttermilk biscuits have about 795,000 views, and tall, flaky biscuits are a Southern Thanksgiving favorite. They are perfect with butter, honey or gravy. The tip: grate frozen butter into the flour and fold the dough over itself a few times, which creates the flaky layers. Cut straight down without twisting so the biscuits rise high. They round out any Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving bread basket. Love biscuits? See Southern breakfast classics. Honey or jam?
You will need: 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 cup frozen butter (grated), 1 cup cold buttermilk
How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. 2. Mix dry ingredients and toss in grated butter. 3. Stir in buttermilk. 4. Pat out, fold 3 times and cut. 5. Bake 15 to 18 minutes until golden.
No. 10: Southern Pecan Pie
His pecan pie video has about 696,000 views, and this rich, gooey pie is a holiday must for nut lovers. Toasted pecans sit on a caramel-like filling in a flaky crust. The tip: toast the pecans before adding them, which deepens their flavor and keeps them crunchy. Bake until the center is just set with a slight wobble. It is the sweetest finish to a Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving. Love pecans? See crustless holiday pies. With ice cream?
You will need: 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust, 3 eggs, 1 cup light corn syrup, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans
How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Whisk eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla and salt. 3. Stir in pecans. 4. Pour into the crust. 5. Bake 50 to 60 minutes until just set and cool.
No. 11: Wet-Brined Turkey
His turkey brine video has about 587,000 views, and brining is the Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving way to a juicy, well-seasoned bird. A salt and herb brine soaks into the meat overnight. The tip: cool the brine completely before adding the turkey, and keep everything below 40 degrees F in the fridge or a cooler with ice. Rinse and pat dry before roasting for crisp skin, and if you roast in a foil pan, set it on a sheet tray for support. Love juicy turkey? See smoked turkey legs. Have you ever brined?
You will need: 1 turkey (12 to 14 lb), 1 gallon water, 1 cup kosher salt, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 orange (sliced), 4 garlic cloves, 3 bay leaves, 1 tbsp peppercorns, fresh herbs, 1 gallon ice water
How to make it: 1. Simmer water, salt, sugar, orange, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and herbs until dissolved. 2. Add ice water to cool completely. 3. Submerge the turkey and chill 12 to 24 hours below 40 degrees F. 4. Rinse and pat dry. 5. Roast until the thigh reaches 165 degrees F.
No. 12: Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
His pumpkin bars have about 484,000 views, and they are a crowd-friendly alternative to pie. Soft, spiced pumpkin cake gets tangy cream cheese frosting, spread thick or piped in little swirls on each square. The tip: let the bars cool completely before frosting, then chill for 30 minutes for clean squares. A sprinkle of cinnamon on top looks festive. Love pumpkin desserts? See leftover pumpkin ideas. Bars or pie?
You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp salt, 4 eggs, 1 2/3 cups sugar, 1 cup oil, 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree. Frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla
How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 10×15 pan. 2. Beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin. 3. Stir in dry ingredients and spread in the pan. 4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes and cool. 5. Beat frosting ingredients and spread.
No. 13: Classic Bread Stuffing for Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving
His stuffing video has about 349,000 views, and a pan of herb bread stuffing is pure Thanksgiving comfort. Toasted bread, butter, celery, onion and sage bake into a golden side. The tip: dry the bread cubes in a low oven first, so they soak up the broth without turning mushy. Bake uncovered at the end for a crisp top. Love stuffing? See stuffing mix recipes. Crispy top or soft?
You will need: 1 loaf day-old bread (cubed, about 12 cups), 1/2 cup butter, 1 onion, 3 celery stalks (diced), 2 tbsp chopped sage, 1 tbsp thyme, 2 eggs, 2 1/2 cups broth, salt, pepper
How to make it: 1. Dry bread at 250 degrees F for 20 minutes. 2. Cook onion and celery in butter and add herbs. 3. Toss with bread. 4. Whisk eggs with broth and pour over. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F covered 30 minutes, then uncovered 15 minutes.
No. 14: Green Bean Casserole From Scratch, Preppy Kitchen Thanksgiving Style
His green bean casserole video has about 192,000 views, and the from-scratch version is a big upgrade from the classic. Crisp-tender beans in a creamy mushroom sauce get topped with crispy onions. The tip: blanch the green beans for 4 minutes and plunge them into ice water, so they stay bright green and keep a little snap after baking. Love classic sides? See casseroles from scratch. Extra crispy onions?
You will need: 1 1/2 lb green beans (trimmed), 3 tbsp butter, 8 oz mushrooms (sliced), 2 garlic cloves, 3 tbsp flour, 1 cup broth, 1 cup milk, salt, pepper, 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions
How to make it: 1. Blanch beans 4 minutes and chill in ice water. 2. Cook mushrooms and garlic in butter. 3. Stir in flour, then broth and milk, and simmer until thick. 4. Fold in beans and pour into a dish. 5. Top with onions and bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes.
