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Here’s how the Indian American diaspora is reimagining Thanksgiving
We spoke to Indian American chefs and home cooks who blend Indian and American traditions on the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s what they had to say.
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Pallavi Mehra - Wed, 26, Nov 2025
- 06:00 EST
- 12
Thanksgiving representative image. / Unsplash
For the Indian diaspora, Thanksgiving is a unique inflection point. It is not merely a day off marked by football and parades, it is an annual act of cultural adoption. This American holiday, rooted in history that often feels distant, has been whole-heartedly adopted, yet expertly reimagined, serving as a powerful lens through which the Indian American diaspora showcases its unique identity.
The Thanksgiving table, above all else, becomes the ultimate canvas for this fusion. The celebration of harvest and gratitude deeply resonates with the South Asian ethos, making assimilation feel organic, but the menu is where they draw the line. The traditional, often dry, turkey is now a showcase of identity, marinated in tandoori spices and freshly ground garam masala.
As Nikhil Khanna, a manager and home cook in New York City, explained of his family's approach: “We always get a turkey, but we typically marinate it with Indian masalas instead of the American way. We’ve been doing this for years and we love it so much more than the usual American version, which is very bland. A few of my American friends have tried it and have enjoyed it so much that now they even cook their turkeys with Indian masalas.”
ALSO READ: How we made Thanksgiving our own: Blending Indian roots with American traditions
Moreover, the conventional American sides are also systematically replaced by the vibrant hues and complex textures of the subcontinent. Prarthana, an avid home cook and entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles captured the perfect substitution, noting, “I make Green beans poriyal, which is a stir fry of green beans with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, and coconut. It is a wonderful side dish because Americans have something called a green bean casserole, this is my version of that!”
Other innovations include turning cranberry sauce into a spicy-sweet achaar and replacing mushy yams with a khatta meetha kaddu ki sabzi (sweet and sour butternut squash). This deliberate blending is not a rejection of the new culture, but a way for Indian Americans to exhibit their distinctive identity.
In addition, the holiday itself resonates with deep-seated Indian values. The central values of Thanksgiving, which include large family gatherings, bottomless feasts, and collective gratitude, are very similar to Indian festivals. Furthermore, Thanksgiving often acts as an extension of Diwali, clustered around the same time of year. For many, the message of the day, making room for all and expressing thanks, is a familiar cultural concept.
As Dhruv Kashyap, a LA-based home chef says: “Thanksgiving is about making room at the table, just like Diwali. You never say no to people.” This sentiment turns the day into a powerful communal event, where families embrace the spirit of seva (selfless service) by volunteering or inviting newcomers to join their feast.”
For the Indian American diaspora, Thanksgiving is an annual reminder that their identity is fluid. The success of this dual celebration confirms that the best way to build a life in a new country is not to erase the old, but to flavor the new. Therefore, this Thanksgiving, make it your own! Who doesn’t love a vibrant, communal, and perfectly spiced Indian American feast?! We sure do!
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