The turkey might be the star of the show on Thanksgiving, but it wouldn’t be a real holiday without all the delicious side dishes that go with it. From green beans to mashed potatoes to wine, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this post to make your Thanksgiving a memorable one. But keep in mind that you have to save some room for the turkey – which might be difficult when your table is loaded up with these goodies!
Bundt Pan Stuffing – As much as I enjoy stuffing, I’ll admit that it’s not always the most attractive side on the table. Mix up your presentation by baking it in a bundt pan this year! My post includes a recipe for an easy stuffing, but you can use the technique with your favorite recipe.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Wrap a head of garlic in aluminum foil and throw it in the oven while your turkey is roasting, then you’ll be ready to make these rich, delicious garlic mashed potatoes. Roasted garlic is surprisingly sweet, so it will give the potatoes a terrific garlic flavor without overpowering the other dishes at the table.
Eat Your Veggies – Don’t forget the greens on your plate! I have several recipes for different Green Bean Sides and a tutorial on How to Cook Brussel Sprouts over on the Craftsy blog. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Brown Butter is one of my personal favorites.
Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole – Some versions of this dish almost qualify as dessert, they’re so sweet. This version uses less sugar and lets the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes come through more easily. I still sprinkled on a few mini marshmallows (because I love them) and pecans, for crunch.
Cinnamon Cherry Cranberry Sauce – Sweet, tart cranberry sauce is a lovely contrast to some of the heavier items on a holiday table. My favorite new variation introduces sweet cherries and a bit of spice for something that is a little more complex than your average cranberry sauce. Leftovers work well in my Crazy Cranberry Sauce Pie.
How to Pair Wines with Thanksgiving Dinner – Thanksgiving may be all about the food, but you’re going to need some beverages to wash it down! I always put out ice water, a couple of bottles of wine and – of course – a bottle of sparkling apple juice for those who want to skip the alcohol, but still want a bubbly, festive drink. This post has suggestions for reds, whites and roses and will make picking out a bottle a little bit easier.
What do you think?