Every family’s Thanksgiving table tells a story. Each has its own unique traditions, recipes, and memories passed from one generation to the next. Adding a few international Thanksgiving recipes can turn that story into a celebration of connection that spans continents. Families who host au pairs often discover that sharing culinary traditions can become one of the simplest and most joyful ways to express gratitude, exchange culture, and show love.
How Food Connects Cultures and Gratitude
Many families have staple dishes that have been passed down through generations and bring botb comfort and connection. For many, Thanksgiving is that once-a-year chance to share them all — mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, turkey, and gravy. By adding recipes from around the world, your meal can become even more meaningful!
Cooking together or sharing recipes can foster a sense of gratitude that goes beyond the food itself, as stories, laughter, and people gathered in the kitchen become the catalyst for feeling thankful! When an au pair joins your family, that moment can expand to include new flavors, memories, and traditions — all while strengthening family bonds.
6 Global Recipes to Try This Thanksgiving
1. Brazilian Brigadeiros
These small chocolate truffles made with condensed milk are simple and fun for kids to roll in sprinkles. They add a sweet, festive touch to any dessert table.
Pro-Tip: Host an au pair from Brazil to learn more about Brazilian culinary traditions!
2. German Red Cabbage with Apples
This comforting side dish called Rotkohl is made by simmering red cabbage with apples, vinegar, and cloves. It’s colorful and naturally complements turkey or roasted vegetables.
Pro-Tip: Host an au pair from Germany to learn more about German culinary traditions!
3. Chinese Chángshòu Miàn
Chinese Longevity Noodles are often served at celebrations as a wish for a long, happy life. Families cook and share them to honor connection, prosperity, and the hope of many more meals together — a perfect fit for a Thanksgiving table.
Pro-Tip: Host an au pair from China to learn more about Chinese culinary traditions!
4. French Gratin Dauphinois
This creamy potato bake made with garlic and cream is elegant yet easy. It’s a fantastic replacement for or complement to mashed potatoes!
Pro-Tip: Host an au pair from France to learn more about French culinary traditions!
5. South African Bobotie
Bobotie is a fragrant dish made with spiced ground beef and a baked egg topping. A definitive crowd-pleaser, it will make for a great conversation starter about traditions from South Africa.
Pro-Tip: Host an au pair from South Africa to learn more about South African traditions!
6. American Pumpkin Pie with a Twist
Invite your au pair to add a favorite spice or topping from their home country — a drizzle of dulce de leche, a sprinkle of cardamom, or a coconut crust.
Cooking as a Family Tradition
Ask your au pair to share a recipe from home and let your kids help prepare it. Cooking together teaches teamwork, patience, and appreciation for other cultures. It’s also a tangible way to show gratitude — for good food, for family, and for the people who make home feel special.
Creating a “World Feast of Thanks”
Picture a Thanksgiving table that reflects every culture represented in your home — international recipes and dishes from different continents, stories from different childhoods, and shared laughter that needs no translation.
That’s the beauty of cultural exchange: meals become a celebration of gratitude and belonging.
Explore more global traditions of giving thanks.
Hosting an au pair for intercultural, live-in childcare means your table will always have a global flair. Bring new traditions home with Au Pair in America!
