The Eagle staff shares favorite Thanksgiving recipes, traditions and what they are thankful for

It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and the Eagle’s fall 2025 staff is sharing their seasonal favorites, giving you a chance to get to know your favorite writers. The Eagle wishes everyone a joyful holiday filled with festive fun, good company, and lasting memories. Stay alert and enjoy this Thanksgiving season responsibly, including those of you who will play tackle football for free.

My favorite Thanksgiving recipe is Brussels sprouts. I know what you’re thinking: no one wants to eat boiled, mini heads of cabbage. My family, specifically my dad, makes them differently. He bakes/smokes them with butter, bacon, and onions. Please don’t knock it before you try it!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because I get to eat good food with good people. This year, I am especially grateful to have my family to share it with. After Turkey Day, my family and I always spend the Friday after decorating our house for Christmas. If we are efficient, we get to spend the rest of the weekend watching Christmas movies and enjoying the start of the holiday season.

Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday, though I do enjoy the food. My favorite Thanksgiving
food is pie, specifically apple or pumpkin pie.

A fall tradition that I enjoy is playing games on
Thanksgiving with my cousins. The funnest games are any homemade games. Like candy
wrapped in plastic wrap or any Minute to Win It-style games.

I am currently most grateful for
my academic scholarship, and by extension, the chance to be here at Utah State Eastern to get an
education.

Favorite Thanksgiving food: Homemade Turkey Soup, with second place being these sandwiches I make using cheese, homemade turkey gravy, biscuits, and a microwave.

Favorite Thanksgiving tradition: Thanksgiving Break.

Most thankful that aliens haven’t invaded and sucked out our brains, so I can write unhinged satire for this newspaper. (I just wish we had fewer brain-destroying robots).

Favorite Thanksgiving food: Turkey.

Favorite Thanksgiving tradition: Playing touch football in the backyard.

Most thankful for a loving family and great friends.

Favorite Thanksgiving food: Sweet Potato Casserole.

Favorite Thanksgiving tradition: the “Kids Table.”

I’m most thankful for my legs (It’s a long story).

Favorite Thanksgiving Food: Stuffing.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition: Football.
I am most thankful for my family.

My favorite Thanksgiving food has to be stuffing.

My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is just being with my family every year. We all live in different parts of the state, so we don’t get together very often. So being all together is my favorite!

I am thankful for so many things, but I am especially grateful for the great country we get to call home and the freedoms we enjoy.

I believe that this season is one of the best times of the year. Not only do we get to eat delicious food, but it’s also an opportunity to remember what we are truly thankful for. Below, I wanted to share one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, my favorite tradition, and what I am thankful for this season. 

Grandma Paula’s Green Bean Salad:
Ingredients:

• 1 Can of Green Beans
• 1 Can of Garbanzo Beans
• 1 Can of Kidney Beans
• ½ cup of diced red onion

Dressing:

• ½ cup of olive oil
• ¼ cup of red wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Directions: 

Drain and clean green beans, garbanzo beans, and kidney beans. Dice red onion and combine in a bowl with other ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine ingredients to make your dressing. In a large bowl, combine dressing with bean mixture. Stir and enjoy! 

Favorite Tradition: I have had the privilege of growing up very close to both sides of my family. I’m also grateful that both sides of my family live here in Carbon County. Each year, my family switches which side of the family we visit. No matter which side we go to that year, we always go to my grandma’s house on my dad’s side to have dessert. We usually watch football, have pie & coffee, and spend time together. 

What I am thankful for: I will always say that the first thing I’m super thankful for is my family and friends. Without them, I would not be who I am today. This year specifically, I am really thankful for my parents’ encouragement. This has been a super hard semester for me, and my parents have never let me give up. They have believed in me when I haven’t believed in myself, been my shoulder to cry on, and have helped me get through. 

Favorite Family Recipe: Pecan pie, the key is to add a TON of vanilla + homemade ice cream.
Favorite tradition: Going up in the mountains for a picnic to see all the fall colors before the leaves fall.
I’m thankful for all my friends and family who have been so supportive of me during my first year of college.

Favorite Thanksgiving food: My grandma’s homemade rolls.

Favorite Thanksgiving tradition: We don’t really have one. However, every year my mom wakes up bright and early to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, so I’ll watch it with her. During the day I’ll usually make my grandma’s rolls while watching football.

Something I’m thankful for is my family and my best friend, who have all helped me during a rough beginning to the school year.