With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I have been getting super inspired to make all the Thanksgiving things! Potatoes, green beans, cranberries, butternut squash, garlic bread, and of course a fresh and vibrant salad! I honestly sometimes get more excited for the sides than the actual turkey.
If this is your first time cooking Thanksgiving or your 45th time cooking Thanksgiving dinner then you definitely know how much work it can be, especially if you are making everything from scratch. That’s why I have put together 7 simple Thanksgiving side dish recipes to make your Thanksgiving fresh and a little bit easier on the cooking process.
Garlic & Rosemary Mashed Potatoes Recipe:
Mashed potatoes are one of my all-time favorite things. I could eat a whole pot of them. They are delicious, especially when you add garlic, rosemary, and loads of salty buttery goodness. My mouth is salivating just thinking about it. Mashed potatoes are not only super simple but also relatively quick to make and a great staple for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Tips For Making Mashed Potatoes:
- Potato Masher: Using a potato masher is a game-changer when it comes to achieving fluffy mashed potatoes! Alternatively, you can whip them up in your stand mixer with a balloon whisk. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, a potato masher is the way to go. I recently got one, and it completely transformed my mashed potatoes!
- Boil the Garlic: Boiling the garlic with the potatoes helps infuse the garlic flavor throughout the entire cooking process, from start to finish. This allows the oils to be released and infuses each potato. When draining the potatoes, make sure to keep the boiled garlic in them and mash it all together. This gives the potatoes a really nice garlic flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Add heavy cream and milk. Heavy cream will give the mashed potatoes the ultra-creamy texture that you are looking for.
If you are looking to vamp up your traditional mashed potatoes this year and want to learn some more tips and tricks consider checking out my garlic and rosemary mashed potato recipe. This is a great go-to for holidays and year-round!
Garlic & Fresh Orange Green Beans Recipe:
Green beans are a great way to add some color and a little extra protein to your plate on Thanksgiving. This year, I wanted to simplify the green bean casserole and create a healthier, and might I say, better version. These garlic orange green beans have quickly become one of my side dish staples. They are not only perfect for Thanksgiving but also for Christmas or anytime we have a nice steak or roasted chicken. The fresh zestiness of the orange, combined with the garlicky butter, is absolutely delicious and a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving spread.
Tips for Making Green Beans:
- Use Fresh or Frozen Green Beans: Always use fresh ingredients – this is a game-changer. Say goodbye to the canned green beans that have been on the shelf for a year. These are not only mushy and dull in color but also lack a lot of the natural sweetness that a fresh green bean contains. Using fresh or frozen green beans will keep your green beans sweet and crunchy.
- Blanching: If you are using fresh green beans, make sure that you blanch your green beans prior to sautéing them in the hot pan. Blanching is a process of boiling the green bean for 15-30 seconds and then immediately taking them out of the boiling water and into an ice water bath. Blanching followed by ice water helps preserve the crisp green color of the bean.
Check out my garlic orange green been recipe to find the whole recipe and learn some more tips and tricks for making green beans this Thanksgiving.
Cranberry Sauce Recipe:
You can’t have Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce. The spice from the cinnamon and nutmeg, combined with the cranberries and orange juice, adds the perfect sweet and tangy spiciness to the Thanksgiving table. I recommend making this a little bit earlier in the day to allow it time to cool and gelatinize.
This is not only a great side dish but also great for making your apple pie or apple crisp. It adds a perfect hint of cranberries and orange to your cinnamon apples. It also goes amazingly well with vanilla ice cream!
Tips for Making Cranberry Sauce:
- Maple syrup: Traditional cranberry sauce is made from white sugar; however, subbing out the white sugar for maple syrup, is not only a healthier choice of sweetener but also provides a nice maple flavor to your cranberry sauce.
- Orange Peel: For additional flavor, steep the cranberries with orange peels. This will release a lot of zesty citrus oils into your sauce, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish/. Make sure that you use an organic orange and thoroughly wash the orange prior to using it.
To find the recipe and more here.
Roasted Cardamom & Apple Butternut Squash Recipe:
Roasted butternut squash is a recipe that has quickly become a regular fall side dish in my home this past year. I have been loving the warm fall spice of the cardamom mixed with the sweet seasonal apple and maple syrup. Roasted butternut squash is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal as it complements all of those warm and fresh fall flavors that we all love!
Tips for Making Roasted Butternut Squash:
- Super Easy: This is quite honestly one of the easiest things to make and will leave your guest wanting more. The mixture of apples with the squash complimented by the sweet warmth of the cardamom takes a simple dish and gives it a flare of sophistication with no extra work to you. This is a great dish not only for weeknight staples but also for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
- Caramelize: Roasting the apples and butternut squash at 420° F. allows for caramelization in your squash and apples. The caramelization is going to give your dish a lot of flavor and really take it from a bland dish to a luxurious side dish that your guests will fall in love with.
If you want to get the recipe and more tips for roasting butternut squash, check out the recipe here.
Sourdough Rosemary Garlic Bread Recipe:
You can’t go wrong with garlic bread, and this sourdough rosemary garlic pull-apart bread will take it to the next level!
Oozing with rosemary-infused garlic butter, and cheesy goodness, this bread is a showstopper and will vamp up any Thanksgiving dinner.
Tips for Making Rosemary Garlic Pull-Apart Bread:
- Easy: This is a super easy recipe to make and can easily be made with fresh or day-old store-bought sourdough bread or any boule-shaped bread. You could even use a rosemary-infused sourdough bread boule to give a bit of additional flavor to the dish.
- Homemade Sourdough Bread: If you are using homemade sourdough bread, I highly recommend using THIS RECIPE. It is super easy and can be made on the same day.
- Make Deep Cuts: When cutting your bread make sure that you create really deep cuts. You want to cut about 3/4 of the way down. Do not but all the way through the bottom crust of the bread.
To read the full recipe click here.
Arugula Apple Pomegranate Salad with Brussel Sprouts, Smoked Bacon & Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe:
We are saying goodbye to the classic chef’s salad and welcoming a new and fresh twist to the Thanksgiving salad this year. The juices from the apples and pomegranate, combined with the smokiness of the bacon and the sweet vinegary tang of the balsamic dressing is a perfect compliment to your orange green beans, cardamom butternut squash, and cinnamon cranberry sauce. This fall salad will leave your dinner party asking for more!
Tips for Making:
- Texture: Adding various types of ingredients provides an abundance of texture to the salad. The brussels sprouts, apples, pomegranate, and bacon contribute a beautiful crunch that will elevate any salad.
- Crisp Bacon: When cooking the bacon, make sure that it is crispy. This will add an additional charred flavor to the salad, which complements the salty Parmesan well. It will also contribute additional texture, as noted above.
To get the full recipe and tips and tricks, click here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope these recipes bring you joy this Thanksgiving. I personally love to make these all fall and winter long, mixing and matching them with different meals. They are staples that will keep you satisfied all year long.
Wishing you all the best this holiday season!
Happy cooking!
