Thanksgiving is about family, friends, gratitude, and lots of delicious food. While turkey is the star of the show, the sides can steal the hearts of your guests. In this article, six show-stopping Thanksgiving side dishes are shared, including creamed spinach, sweet potato casserole, cornbread stuffing, rosemary roasted baby potatoes, green bean casserole, and candied carrots. Each dish comes with a step-by-step guide and recipe to help you whip them up quickly and easily for your big day. These dishes are sure to leave your guests enchanted with your culinary expertise.
Show-Stopping Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Complement Your Turkey Feast
Introduction
Thanksgiving Day is all about family, friends, gratitude, and an unforgettable turkey feast. While turkey is the star of the show, the sides are often what steal the hearts of your guests. Thus, it’s essential to have an assortment of delicious side dishes to complement your glorious bird.
In this article, we’ll be sharing six of the best and show-stopping Thanksgiving side dishes that will leave your guests enchanted with your culinary expertise. We’ll also provide a step-by-step guide and recipe so that you can quickly whip up these recipes for your big day.
Creamed Spinach
If there’s any dish that provides an outburst of flavors with minimal effort, it’s creamed spinach. With the creamy, cheesy texture mixed with fresh spinach, this mouthwatering Thanksgiving side dish can be made in under 30 minutes. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients
- 5 oz baby spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large sauté pan on medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent.
- Add flour while stirring constantly for one minute.
- Slowly add milk while whisking the mixture until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the spinach and Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt, pepper, and cheddar cheese.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Sweet Potato Casserole
No Thanksgiving feast is complete without a “sweet” dish, and this sweet potato casserole is the perfect option. This dish is so simple to make and is always a crowd-pleaser. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil the sweet potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain the water and return the sweet potatoes to the pot.
- Mash the sweet potatoes until smooth.
- Add the butter, brown sugar, eggs, milk, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix until combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, top with mini marshmallows, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top gets brown and the marshmallows are fluffy.
- Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, and serve.
Cornbread Stuffing
A Thanksgiving classic that always satisfies is cornbread stuffing. With its sweet and moist taste added to your holiday meal, your guests won’t be able to resist this American side dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- 2 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 celery stalks (chopped)
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until combined.
- Pour the buttermilk mixture into the cornmeal mixture, and whisk until smooth. Let it rest for five minutes.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil and pour the batter into the dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown, and remove from the oven.
- While the cornbread is baking, sauté celery and onions in olive oil until softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- With a fork, crumble cornbread and add the onion and celery, chicken stock, and mix until everything is wet.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top gets crusty.
- Remove from the oven, let rest for a few minutes, and serve.
Rosemary Roasted Baby Potatoes
Another no-fail side dish that will surely impress your guests is the Rosemary Roasted Baby Potatoes. With its herb-infused aroma and crispy texture, it’s no wonder why it’s a Thanksgiving favorite. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes (halved)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rosemary (chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the potato halves with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper until thoroughly coated.
- Arrange seasoned potatoes on a baking sheet, flat-side down.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and serve.
Green Bean Casserole
Who doesn’t love a classic Green Bean Casserole on the Thanksgiving table? Our recipe is a twist on the old classic that includes a creamy sauce and fried onions that take this comfort side dish to the next level. Here’s what you need:
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans (trimmed and halved)
- 1/4 cup (half) an onion (diced)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup fried onions (crushed for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a pot, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the green beans for 3-4 minutes, then drain, and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in onions and cook until caramelized.
- Add flour and cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and cream until the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer for five minutes or until thickened.
- Season the sauce with garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add the blanched green beans to the sauce and coat evenly.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with the crushed fried onions.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Candied Carrots
If you’ve never tried Candied Carrots, you’re in for a treat. With their sweet and savory taste, this dish is the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add brown sugar, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Cook, stirring until sauce thickens.
- Place sliced carrots on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle the sauce over carrots and toss to coat evenly.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through until tender and caramelized.
- Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Conclusion
And that’s it! With these six show-stopping Thanksgiving side dishes, your guests are sure to enjoy a delicious feast. We hope this step-by-step guide and recipes have inspired you to create meal-prepping magic this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!