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7 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Wow Your Guests

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and if you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your feast without breaking a sweat, we’ve got you covered. These seven easy Thanksgiving side dishes will not only save you time but will also have your guests singing your culinary praises. So, let’s dive into the recipes and directions, ensuring a stress-free and delicious Thanksgiving celebration!

Introduction

Welcome to a Thanksgiving feast where simplicity meets deliciousness. Thanksgiving is all about coming together, expressing gratitude, and savoring good food. In the spirit of making your holiday preparations a breeze, we present 7 easy and mouthwatering side dishes that will elevate your Thanksgiving table without adding stress to your kitchen adventures.

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

Brussels sprouts
Olive oil
Garlic (minced)
Parmesan cheese (grated)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts.

Toss them with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare:Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Trim the ends of the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half for optimal roasting.

Garlic Infusion:In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and minced garlic, creating a flavorful garlic infusion.

Let the garlic mingle with the oil, intensifying its aromatic essence.

Toss and Coat:Place the halved Brussels sprouts in a large mixing bowl.

Pour the garlic-infused olive oil over the sprouts, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.

Seasonal Harmony:Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the Brussels sprouts, achieving a perfect harmony of seasonal flavors.

Toss the sprouts once more to evenly distribute the seasoning.

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Roasting Brilliance:Spread the seasoned Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet in a single layer.

Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the sprouts are golden brown and crispy on the edges.

Parmesan Perfection:In the last 5 minutes of roasting, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the Brussels sprouts.

Let the Parmesan melt and achieve a golden perfection, adding a savory layer to the dish.

Serve and Enjoy:Transfer the Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts to a serving dish.

Serve immediately, allowing your guests to enjoy the nutty delight while it’s at its peak.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze

Ingredients

Sweet potatoes
Butter
Maple syrup
Salt

Directions

Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into chunks.

Boil until tender, then drain.

Mash with butter, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt.

Adjust sweetness to your liking.

Serve with an extra drizzle of maple syrup.

Instructions

Peel and Dice:Begin by peeling and dicing the sweet potatoes into evenly sized chunks.

This ensures even cooking and a smooth texture for the mashed potatoes.

Boil to Perfection:Place the diced sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water.

Boil until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.

Mash with Care:Once cooked, drain the sweet potatoes and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

Add the unsalted butter, milk, salt, and a dash of cinnamon.

Mash the sweet potatoes until smooth and velvety. Don’t be afraid to embrace a few lumps for added texture.

Maple Glaze Magic:In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup and unsalted butter over low heat.

Stir until the butter is melted, and the syrup and butter meld into a luscious glaze.

Drizzle and Mix:Pour the warm maple glaze over the mashed sweet potatoes.

Gently fold the glaze into the potatoes until it creates a swirl of sweet, buttery goodness.

Garnish with Elegance:For an elegant touch, garnish the Mashed Sweet Potatoes with chopped pecans.

This not only adds a delightful crunch but also enhances the visual appeal of the dish.

Serve and Savor:Transfer the Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze to a serving bowl.

Serve warm, allowing your guests to savor the sweet symphony of flavors with each heavenly spoonful.

Cranberry Orange Relish

Ingredients

Fresh cranberries
Orange (zested and juiced)
Sugar
Water

Directions

Combine cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, and water in a saucepan.

Simmer until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.

Let it cool before serving.

Instructions

Prepare the Cranberries:Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly under cold water.

Remove any stems or blemished cranberries.

Zest and Segment Oranges:Zest one orange using a fine grater. Set aside.

Peel and segment both oranges, removing any seeds.

Blend Ingredients:In a food processor, combine the fresh cranberries, orange segments, and orange zest.

Pulse the ingredients until they are coarsely chopped. You want a mix of textures for a dynamic relish.

Sweeten the Mix:Add granulated sugar to the cranberry-orange mixture.

Pour in honey or maple syrup to sweeten the relish, adjusting the quantity based on your desired level of sweetness.

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Pulse to Perfection:Pulse the ingredients again until well combined.

Be mindful not to over-process; the relish should have a chunky texture.

Taste and Adjust:Take a small spoonful of the Cranberry Orange Relish and taste it.

Adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more honey or maple syrup.

Chill and Serve:Transfer the relish to a bowl and cover it.

Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, enhancing the flavors.

Garnish and Delight:Before serving, garnish the Cranberry Orange Relish with a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of mint.

Delight in the burst of flavor as you pair it with turkey, ham, or your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.

Honey Glazed Carrots

Ingredients

Carrots (sliced)
Honey
Butter
Salt

Directions

Steam or boil the carrot slices until tender.

In a pan, melt butter and stir in honey.

Add the carrots and toss until coated.

Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and serve.

Instructions

Prepare the Carrots:Peel the carrots and slice them into rounds of uniform thickness for even cooking.

Steam or Boil:Choose your preferred method:

Steam: Place the sliced carrots in a steamer basket and steam until they are tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Boil: Alternatively, boil the carrots in a pot of water until fork-tender, usually around 8-10 minutes.

Drain and Set Aside:Once the carrots are cooked, drain them and set them aside.

Create the Glaze:In a pan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter.

Add honey to the melted butter, creating a luscious glaze.

Coat the Carrots:Add the cooked carrots to the pan with the honey-butter glaze.

Gently toss the carrots until they are evenly coated with the sweet and buttery goodness.

Season to Perfection:Season the glazed carrots with a pinch of salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste preferences.

Stir well to ensure every carrot is kissed by the flavors of the glaze.

Garnish and Serve:If desired, garnish the Honey Glazed Carrots with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve warm, allowing the delightful sweetness of the glazed carrots to complement the rest of your Thanksgiving dishes.

Classic Stuffing

Ingredients

Bread cubes
Celery
Onion
Chicken broth
Sage, thyme, salt, and pepper

Directions

Sauté celery and onion until softened.

Mix with bread cubes, herbs, salt, and pepper.

Pour chicken broth over the mixture until moistened.

Bake until golden brown and crispy on top.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare:Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a baking dish to ensure your stuffing doesn’t stick.

Cube and Toast the Bread:Cut the day-old white bread into cubes, aiming for bite-sized pieces.

Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and toast them in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Sauté the Aromatics:In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.

Add finely chopped onions and celery to the melted butter.

Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the stuffing.

Infuse with Herbs:Sprinkle dried sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper over the sautéed vegetables.

Allow the herbs to infuse the mixture with their aromatic essence.

Combine Bread and Aromatics:In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the sautéed aromatic mixture.

Toss until the bread is evenly coated with the herb-infused goodness.

Add Liquid Magic:Pour chicken or vegetable broth over the bread and aromatic mixture.

Add beaten eggs to the bowl, providing the binding magic that brings the stuffing together.

Mix and Transfer:Gently mix all the ingredients until well combined.

Transfer the stuffing mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Bake to Perfection:Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the stuffing is cooked through.

Serve and Enjoy:Once baked to perfection, serve the Classic Stuffing alongside your Thanksgiving turkey or as a stand-alone star.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

Potatoes
Garlic (minced)
Butter
Milk
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper

Directions

Boil potatoes until fork-tender.

Mash with garlic, butter, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Adjust consistency with more milk if needed.

Instructions

Peel and Dice Potatoes:Start by peeling and dicing the russet potatoes into even chunks for consistent cooking.

Boil to Perfection:Place the diced potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water.

Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, usually around 15-20 minutes.

Melt the Butter:While the potatoes are cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat.

Infuse with Garlic:Add minced garlic to the melted butter, allowing it to infuse with the rich buttery goodness.

Simmer for a few minutes, ensuring the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Prepare the Parmesan Mix:In a bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese with the garlic-infused butter.

Stir until the Parmesan melts into the butter, creating a luscious mixture.

Mash and Blend:Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

Begin mashing the potatoes, gradually incorporating the garlic Parmesan mixture.

Add Creaminess:Pour in the milk, a little at a time, while continuing to mash.

Keep mashing and blending until the mashed potatoes achieve a creamy consistency.

Season to Perfection:Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste preferences.

Give the mixture a final stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.

Garnish and Serve:If desired, garnish the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes with chopped chives for a burst of freshness.

Serve warm, allowing your guests to indulge in the creamy and flavorful goodness.

Green Bean Almondine

Ingredients

Green beans
Almonds (sliced)
Butter
Lemon juice
Salt and pepper

Directions

Blanch green beans until crisp-tender.

Sauté sliced almonds in butter until golden.

Toss green beans in the mixture, season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Instructions

Blanch the Green Beans:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender.

Immediately transfer the green beans to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.

Sauté the Green Beans:In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add the blanched green beans to the skillet, tossing to coat them in the flavorful oil.

Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the green beans are crisp-tender.

Toast the Almonds:In the same skillet, add sliced almonds.

Toast the almonds for 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown and fragrant.

Be attentive to prevent burning; almonds can go from golden to burnt quickly.

Combine Green Beans and Almonds:Transfer the sautéed green beans to a serving dish.

Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the green beans, creating a delightful nutty crunch.

Season and Garnish:Season the Green Bean Almondine with salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with lemon zest for a zesty burst of freshness.

Optionally, serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra citrus kick.

Serve and Impress:Present the Green Bean Almondine at your Thanksgiving table as a side dish that not only impresses visually but also tantalizes the taste buds.

In Conclusion

There you have it – seven easy Thanksgiving side dishes that will elevate your holiday feast. These recipes are not only simple but also bursting with flavor, ensuring a memorable dining experience for you and your guests. So, roll up your sleeves, hit the kitchen, and get ready to impress with these delectable sides. Your taste buds will thank you, and your guests will be asking for seconds! Happy Thanksgiving!

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7 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Wow Your Guests

Introduction

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Glaze

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Cranberry Orange Relish

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Honey Glazed Carrots

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Classic Stuffing

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

Green Bean Almondine

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions

In Conclusion

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