Although the turkey will surely take center stage at your Thanksgiving table, a few unforgettable side dishes can't hurt.
These simple Thanksgiving sides won't take very much time or effort to pull together, but look (and taste) like a million bucks.
This Thanksgiving Day, give your family a feast they won't forget by including a few of these easy-to-make dishes to accompany the big star.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Delish dishes up an easy-to-make cranberry sauce that turns out right every time.
Time required: 25 minutes
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries
- 2 teaspoon orange zest
- Pinch of salt
Directions:
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan, and place over low heat until sugar dissolves.
- Pour in cranberries, and cook around 10 minutes until berries burst.
- Add in orange zest and a pinch of salt.
- Remove from heat, and allow mixture to cool completely.
- Refrigerate before serving.
French Green Beans with Garlicky Almond Breadcrumbs
Just because a dish looks fancy, doesn't mean it's complicated to make. Country Living raised the bar with this elegant and easy French green bean side.
Time required: 30 minutes
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups sourdough breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup almonds, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chives, chopped
- 1 1/2 pound haricots verts (French green beans)
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
Directions:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over low to medium heat.
- Add in sourdough breadcrumbs and sliced almonds, stirring for 5 minutes.
- Add in minced garlic, and stir for 2 more minutes.
- Remove saucepan from heat, and stir in chopped chives, salt and pepper.
- Steam French green beans, then toss in butter or olive oil, adding salt and pepper to taste.
- Move green beans to a serving dish, then cover with seasoned, garlicky breadcrumbs.
Martha's Mini Cornbread Puddings
Martha always knows how to add flavor and simplicity to any Thanksgiving feast. Her Mini Cornbread Puddings will steal the show at this year's event.
Time required: 40 minutes
Serves 24
Ingredients:
- Butter for greasing
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels, thawed
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and butter muffin tin cups.
- Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the mixture, and whisk egg, sour cream and corn together inside the well.
- Continue mixing until just combined.
- Spoon mixture evenly into muffin tin cups, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until browned and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow puddings to stand for 5 minutes in tin before removing them.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
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This nutty, buttery sweet potato casserole recipe from Taste of Home truly symbolizes a Southern Christmas dinner.
Time required: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves 12
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (40 ounces each) sweet potatoes, drained
- 8 eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the topping:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup cold butter
Directions:
Giada's Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips and Brussels Sprouts
Giada De Laurentiis with Food Network created this delicious and hearty root vegetable recipe that will satisfy even the pickiest palate.
Time required: 1 hour
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium carrots, sliced into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
- 1 pound red potatoes, sliced into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 3 medium parsnips, sliced into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, sliced into 1 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions:
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Not only are these tasty wraps from Damn Delicious damn good, they're super easy to make and take only 15 minutes to prepare.
Time required: 15 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 6 ounces prosciutto, sliced and halved horizontally
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions:
- Wrap a slice of prosciutto at an angle around an asparagus spear. Repeat to wrap all asparagus spears with prosciutto.
- Pour olive oil into a large skillet, and cook wrapped asparagus over medium high heat until asparagus is tender and prosciutto appears crispy.
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