Thanksgiving is almost here, and while the turkey might take centre stage, let’s not forget about the real stars of the feast—those amazing side dishes. Sure, the turkey’s great, but let’s be honest, we all know it’s the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce that can make or break a meal.
If you’re looking for a new twist on classic sides to elevate your dinner game (and maybe impress the fam while you’re at it), you’ve come to the right place. You won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen either—these recipes are all about maximum flavour with minimal effort. Here’s our curated list of 6 Thanksgiving side dishes that’ll make you a star this holiday season.
Crockpot Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
You can’t go wrong with potatoes, especially when they’re creamy, cheesy, and cooked in a Crockpot. This is the side dish that requires zero effort but delivers all the flavour. Plus, it frees up your oven for other dishes, which is always a win during the busy holiday season.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes, peeled and cubed
- Unsalted butter
- Heavy cream
- Garlic
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh chives for garnish
Instructions:
- Add the cubed potatoes to your crockpot and cover them with water. Cook on high for about 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are soft.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the crockpot.
- Add butter, heavy cream, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mash everything together until smooth and creamy.
- Keep warm in the Crockpot until it’s time to serve, and top with fresh chives for a little colour.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro and Mushrooms
Stuffed acorn squash looks insanely impressive on your table, and honestly, it tastes even better. If you want to bring a little gourmet to your Thanksgiving spread (and make everyone wonder how you got so good at cooking), this one’s your dish.
Ingredients:
- Acorn squash
- Farro
- Red onion
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Thyme
- Vegetable broth
- Parmesan
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste
- Honey
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice your acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
- Brush each squash half with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle a bit of honey (this is optional, but totally worth it). Roast for 30-40 minutes until they’re soft and golden.
- While that’s roasting, cook your farro in a pot with vegetable broth. Let it simmer for 20 minutes or until tender.
- Sauté mushrooms, onions, garlic, and kale in olive oil. When they’re all tender, mix them into the cooked farro.
- When the squash is done, spoon the farro mixture into each half and top with melted butter and parmesan.
Cranberry Rice with Apples and Pecans
If you’re looking for a side dish that’s a little different, try this cranberry rice with apples and pecans. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savoury, and it adds a pop of colour to your plate. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be a great make-ahead dish.
Ingredients:
- Chicken broth
- Apple juice
- Dijon mustard
- Butter
- Wild rice blend
- Onion
- Apple
- Garlic
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cranberries
- Pecans
Instructions:
- Bring your broth, apple juice, Dijon, butter, salt, pepper, and herbs to a boil. Stir in the rice, cover, and let it simmer on low for 45-60 minutes until it’s tender.
- In another pan, sauté the onion, apple, and garlic until they’re soft and a little caramelized (about 7 minutes).
- Add the cooked rice to this pan, along with cranberries, pecans, and a dash of apple cider vinegar for that zesty flavour.
- Toss everything together and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Creamed Corn Casserole
Creamed corn casserole is a holiday classic that never disappoints. It’s creamy, cheesy, and has a crispy, buttery topping that everyone loves. The best part? It’s super easy to make and perfect for serving a crowd.
Ingredients:
- Corn (kernels removed)
- Unsalted butter
- Half and half
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
For the Topping:
- Ritz crackers (crushed)
- Unsalted butter (melted)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and butter a baking dish.
- In a skillet, cook corn with butter, half and half, salt, pepper, and paprika until tender (about 30 minutes).
- Puree about a cup of the corn, then blend it back into the skillet and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Pour the corn mixture into the baking dish.
- Crush the Ritz crackers and mix with melted butter. Sprinkle over the top.
- Bake for 10 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
Jalapeño Cornbread
Cornbread is already a Thanksgiving favourite, but when you add a little spice with jalapeños and melt some cheese into the mix, it’s next-level. This spicy cornbread will add a little heat to your holiday meal, and trust us, your guests will love it.
Ingredients:
- Whole milk
- Melted butter
- Eggs
- Creamed corn
- Cornmeal
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Baking powder & soda
- Black pepper
- Jalapeno peppers
- Cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, and creamed corn.
- In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and black pepper.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry, then add the chopped jalapeños and cheese.
- Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
Last but definitely not least—the stuffing. You can’t have Thanksgiving without it. It’s the classic, the legend, the side that holds it all together. This stuffing recipe is simple but so good. It’s got all the flavours you love—savoury herbs, tender bread, and the comforting taste of butter.
Ingredients:
- Onions
- Celery
- Fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme
- Butter
- Broth
- Bread (cubed)
- Eggs
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions:
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté the onions and celery until they’re softened.
- In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, sautéed veggies, fresh herbs, and broth.
- Add eggs to the mixture and mix everything together.
- Transfer the stuffing to a greased baking dish and dot the top with more butter.
- Bake to perfection and you’re done!
Images: Pinterest
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