Shake up the holidays with fresh twists on tradition—my favorite seasonal recipes are here to inspire your next celebration.
This post is sponsored by McCormick®; the content and opinions are my own.
This year’s unpredictable weather has changed plans for many farmers, ranchers, and home cooks. After talking with readers across the country, I learned that some of you are celebrating the season a little differently—harvesting late, catching up on fieldwork, or sharing meals in the middle of a busy workday.
No matter where you are or how you’re celebrating, you can still enjoy bright, flavorful holiday food. I stopped by my local store for inspiration and stocked up on McCormick® spices—especially classic holiday sage—to bring familiar seasonal flavors into easy, portable dishes.
Turkey Burgers with Cranberry Mayo
These turkey burgers are a relaxed, flavorful take on holiday turkey that work equally well for a family dinner, a field lunch, or a casual gathering. Ground turkey is seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and McCormick® Sage to keep the profile warm and savory. A quick homemade cranberry mayo adds the bright, festive touch that turns a burger into a holiday handheld.
Tips for success: use a 16-ounce package of ground turkey to form four evenly sized patties. Mix the meat gently—overworking can make burgers dense. Cook in a hot cast iron or nonstick skillet until the edges begin to set, flip, and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Serve on soft rolls or Hawaiian buns with crisp greens and a generous smear of cranberry mayo for color and balance.
Mulled Apple Cider
Mulled apple cider is a simple, aromatic drink that fills your home with holiday scent and warms guests from the inside out. This slow-cooker version is effortless and keeps a steady supply of warm cider for family gatherings or after a cold day in the fields.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 3 hrs (on high) or 6–7 hrs (on low)
Total Time: about 3 hrs 5 mins (depending on setting)
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- ½ gallon fresh apple cider
- 1 medium orange, sliced
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 3 McCormick® whole cinnamon sticks
- 10–15 McCormick® whole cloves
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® apple pie spice
- Optional garnish: fresh orange slices and whole cinnamon sticks
Method
- Place the apple cider, orange slices, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, ground cinnamon, and apple pie spice into a slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or on low for 6–7 hours. When finished, remove and discard the cooked orange slices and whole cinnamon sticks.
- Ladle warm cider into mugs and garnish with fresh orange slices and a cinnamon stick, if desired.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 174 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Sodium: 14 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 34 g
Stock up on McCormick® spices like sage, cinnamon, and clove to bring consistent, pantry-ready flavor to both savory dishes and warming drinks. These small additions make a big difference when you want food that feels like the holidays, even when your schedule is anything but traditional.
Wherever you are celebrating, I hope these recipes bring warmth and good flavor to your table. Enjoy the season—whether you’re gathered around a kitchen table or sharing a meal between chores.
Made with love,
Deanne