Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

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Thanksgiving will be here soon! Get thinking about your menu with some of these delicious side dish recipes.

Thanksgiving is our family’s favorite holiday. Oh sure, we like Christmas and Easter. But the food on Thanksgiving rocks it, you know? And really? It’s the side dishes for me. That’s what makes Thanksgiving. I’d rather eat side dishes than anything else.

Well, except for pie.

Yesterday I made mashed potatoes and gravy to go with sausages. We did that whole English Sausage and Mash thing, complete with green peas on the side. FishPapa and our 17yo were supposed to go out to dinner. They almost canceled their plans when they saw me whipping up the mashed potatoes and gravy. Oh yeah. That’s what I’m talking about.

If you’re starting to plan out your Thanksgiving menu — as you should be — consider some of these favorite side dishes that make dinner worth staying home for.

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

This is my go-to recipe for Mashed Potatoes and Gravy with Dill Weed or Thyme. You can make both of these recipes ahead of time and freeze for later use. If you’ve got mushroom lovers at your house, you may want to fix this make-ahead Mushroom and Onion Gravy. But, if a gravy from drippings is more your thing, give this Pan Gravy a try.

If you want to change things up a bit, try these Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Olive Oil and Garlic. They’re a delicious way to bring a little sweet to the holiday table which makes a nice foil for the other flavors on the plate. An added plus is that they would be considered vegan as well as paleo-friendly, giving your dinner guests options without too much effort.

Stuffing (aka Dressing)

Some folks must have stuffing cooked IN the bird, but I prefer to cook it separately in a 9 x 13 pan. This Herbed Stuffing is my traditional recipe, but this Mushroom-Tarragon Stuffing is also a crowd pleaser.

Green Beans and Corn

Green beans are a classic Thanksgiving side dish. Keep it simple with these Easy Garlic Green Beans or kick up green bean casserole a notch by making this Really Homemade Green Bean Casserole.

Corn also makes a nice side dish as well. We love this simple Sauteed Corn with Fresh Thyme, but my dad is always happy if Escalloped Corn or Corn Souffle is on the menu.

Salads and Salad Dressings

Green salads are a nice way to add something cool and crisp to your holiday meal. Caesar Salad or Poorman’s Caesar Salad are always delicious. If you want to try something a little fancier, this Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Maple Spiced Toppings is so good.

Of course, you can keep it simpler too with a standard green salad with a homemade dressing like this Homemade Ranch or a Basic Vinaigrette. Homemade croutons are always a nice touch!

Cranberry Sauce

Years ago, my family chose the canned cranberry sauce hands down. Now that I’ve been reforming their eating habits, they go for homemade. This Easy Cranberry Sauce is simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

What’s your must-have side dish for Thanksgiving?

About Jessica Fisher

I believe great meals don't have to be complicated or expensive. There's a better way, and it won't take all afternoon.

Comments

Melissa says:
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My grandmothers stuffing with sausage,apples,raisin, and pecorino cheese. Yum!!!
- Jessica Fisher says:
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  Sounds yummy!
Joshua Hampton says:
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Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without mashed potatoes and my mother-in-law’s stuffing. But we always try out something new every year.
- Jessica Fisher says:
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  Trying something new on Thanksgiving can be tricky. Some people revolt.
Leslie says:
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I always make either Spiced Peaches or Brandied Peaches. A great dish that you make ahead and serve cold or room temp so it’s easy to get it on the table. And of course we’ve gotta have the jumbo olives for the kids’ fingers!
- Jessica Fisher says:
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  How do you make that? Interesting.
  - Leslie says:
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    Brandied Peaches
    1 29 oz can cling peach halves in heavy syrup
    6 whole cloves
    2 cinnamon sticks
    2 Tbsp brandy
    Drain syrup into saucepan, add cloves and cinnamon sticks.
    Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove
    from heat and add brandy. Pour over peaches that are in a
    glass or plastic bowl. Let cool, then refrigerate. Will last
    several weeks. Best made a day or two ahead of serving.
    Spiced Peaches
    1 29 oz can cling peach halves in heavy syrup
    1/4 cup white vinegar
    1/3 cup white sugar
    1 tsp whole allspice (pellets)
    1 or 2 cinnamon sticks
    Drain syrup into saucepan, add vinegar, sugar,
    allspice, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil and
    then carefully add peaches to pot. Simmer 5 minutes.
    Cool and store covered in glass or plastic bowl in
    refrigerator. Will last several weeks. Best made several
    days before serving.
    - Jessica Fisher says:
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      Thanks for sharing! I imagine you could do this with fresh pears, too.
      - Leslie says:
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        Actually for pears I’ve done this one at Christmas, because they come out bright red —
        http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Christmas-Cinnamon-Pears/
        In fact last year I had extra of the bright red cinnamon syrup left over and it’s in my freezer awaiting this year’s pears!