This year, I’ve been experiencing for the first time many holidays I had only seen in the movies and TV shows I grew up watching. Among them was Thanksgiving—a holiday that doesn’t exist in Brazil and one I never fully understood. Still, I knew from what I’d seen how important it is in the United States.
What Is Thanksgiving?
After doing some research, I learned that Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, just before Black Friday. Interestingly, while Brazil has embraced Black Friday, Thanksgiving itself hasn’t made its way there.
Thanksgiving is a day dedicated to celebrating gratitude—appreciating family, friends, and the good things life has brought throughout the year. I find this meaning so beautiful that I wonder why we don’t have something similar in Brazil.
Historically, the holiday originated as a way for English settlers to give thanks for successful harvests and hunts after a period of scarcity. This historical context adds even more depth to its purpose and traditions.
Thanksgiving Expectations
The week of Thanksgiving brought a break from school for my kids and time off work for my husband. This was exciting for me because I’m usually home alone during the day, and having the whole family together for an entire week felt like a treat.
At my younger son’s school, they had a fun activity called “Turkey Disguise,” where we had to dress up a turkey to hide it. They also hosted a pre-Thanksgiving meal where the kids learned about the holiday’s meaning and tried traditional dishes like apple pie and turkey.
However, knowing our family’s taste preferences, I realized we wouldn’t be trying those traditional dishes at home. Instead, I decided to make a meal inspired by flavors we love from Brazil but adapted to the ingredients I could find here.
Our Thanksgiving Meal
For appetizers, I made pão de queijo, Brazil’s famous cheese bread. While you can find frozen versions at Costco, I used a family recipe that always turns out just right. To pair with it, I roasted a pork shoulder, sliced it, and served it alongside the cheese bread. This combination was a hit!
For the main dish, I cooked Brazilian-style white rice. While similar to the rice sold here in the U.S., ours has a slightly different flavor because we sauté it with garlic and salt before cooking. I also made a small portion of arroz à grega (Brazilian-style vegetable rice) for myself, adding corn (not the sweet kind), peas, and shredded carrots.
Although turkey is the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece, it’s not something my family enjoys. Instead, I prepared a flavorful meatloaf as the main protein, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes—a dish we all love.
For dessert, I made “Pudim de leite condensado“, a classic Brazilian Flan-like dessert. It’s much sweeter than the flan typically found here, but in my opinion, it’s far more delicious. It was a nostalgic and comforting end to our meal.
A Special Thanksgiving Moment
One of the most challenging things for our family is sitting down together for a meal at the same time. But on Thanksgiving, I made it a point to create a special moment for all of us. I suggested we follow the tradition of expressing gratitude, though I wasn’t sure my kids would participate.
To my surprise, they both joined in, even my teenager! Hearing them share what they were thankful for brought tears to my eyes. This past year has been incredibly challenging for our family, filled with big changes and adjustments. Yet, seeing my kids start to understand why we’re on this journey was a moment of pure joy.
Everyone loved the meal, and the dessert was nearly gone by the end. We shared laughter and meaningful conversation, making it one of the most memorable evenings we’ve had in a while.
Thanksgiving: A New Tradition for Us
I fell in love with this holiday and its beautiful message of gratitude and togetherness. Thanksgiving has officially become part of my life, and I can’t wait to celebrate it again next year—with more stories, recipes, and moments to be thankful for.
