Perfect Side Dishes for a Memorable Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to begin new traditions and reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones. If you're on side dish duty, one of these recipes is sure to be a hit at your holiday get-together.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reconnect with the people in your life who you think of as family, whether you're related or not. Chances are you've got a lot of catching up to do and plenty of laughs to have, so split up the cooking among your loved ones to guarantee an easy, relaxed, and memorable day—the category that all Thanksgivings should fall into. If you're on side dish duty, one of these is sure to be a hit.
1. Golden Fried Rice
Who says fried rice doesn't deserve a spot at your Thanksgiving table? Twenty minutes is all it takes to assemble this stunning ensemble of crisp vegetables, tender shrimp, and fried rice with a golden egg yolk coating. Your guests will appreciate a refreshing alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving starches, and any leftovers can be remixed into a satisfying stir fry the next day.
2. Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread with Scallion Butter
For those looking to do the absolute most for their Thanksgiving feast, this two-in-one side dish recipe is an excellent choice. Once the sweet and salty cornbread comes out of the oven to cool, double down on your side dish efforts with a quick batch of creamy scallion butter for guests to slather on every warm, cheesy slice.
3. Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs
Hear us out: deviled eggs may be a timeless appetizer all on their own, but a few sprinkles of everything bagel seasoning can take any beloved finger food up a notch. Pair these crisp and crunchy deviled eggs with buttered bagel pieces for a budget-friendly remix of everybody's favorite breakfast flavors.
4. Eggs Benedict Bread Pudding
Mix things up this year when you skip the traditional cornbread or stuffing, and instead, surprise your friends with this sourdough bread pudding. Like a perfect stuffing, it had a soft, bready interior with a golden oven-kissed top. Unlike most stuffing, it's scattered with Parmesan cheese and drizzled with hollandaise sauce.
5. Popovers
There's rarely room left on the plate (or in your stomach) for those dense dinner rolls after you've filled up on turkey and mashed potatoes, so bring a lighter, airier option to the Thanksgiving table: popovers. They require just five ingredients and 35 minutes in the oven. No more waiting around for the buns to rise!
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Jammy Eggs
A balanced Thanksgiving spread requires a vegetable side dish, and soggy green bean casseroles never do the trick. Opt for a platter of these roasted Brussels sprouts topped with homemade breadcrumbs and jammy eggs. They bring the fresh flavor and crispy texture that most holiday meals are missing.
7. Loaded Breakfast Egg Rolls
Everyone loves a side dish that doubles as an irresistible appetizer, and these loaded breakfast egg rolls fit the bill perfectly. Stuffed with comfort foods like spiced breakfast sausage, shredded potato, scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar, these egg rolls will pull double-duty starting Thanksgiving Day off right and keeping the party going until every delicious bite is gone.
8. Butternut Squash Risotto with Soft Boiled Eggs
If the thought of preparing a labor-intensive rice dish doesn't sound like a match for your relaxed Thanksgiving gathering, take heart: this butternut risotto recipe tends to be very forgiving. You'll only be stirring every couple of minutes before delivering a pan of creamy, luscious rice finished with salty Parmesan and a boost of protein from tender soft-boiled eggs.
9. Caramelized Onion and Gruyére Quiche
Quiche is an excellent addition to any get-together because it's a classic crowd-pleaser. This one is layered with caramelized onions, melty Gruyére, and a creamy, custardy filling that all rests atop a garlicky almond flour crust. Got family or friends who eat low-carb or avoid gluten? The recipe is keto-friendly and gluten-free.
10. Asparagus and Morel Salad with Black Truffle Vinaigrette
Side salads aren't exactly up there on most Thanksgiving favorites lists, but this year is the perfect time to create new traditions. That's why you should bring this over-the-top stunning asparagus, truffle, and morel salad. Reason number two: the port wine vinaigrette that you'll want to toss all future salads in.
11. Sweet Potato Deviled Eggs with Candied Pecans
Pressed for time? Just another reason why deviled eggs are always a good idea. These are filled with an ultra creamy sweet potato and yolk mixture, then topped with crunchy candied pecans. You probably have all the required ingredients on hand already, given that it's November, so this recipe is an excellent choice for those last-minute Thanksgiving plans.
12. Creamy Cauliflower Salad
If you're the out-of-the-box thinker in your family, this bacon-studded cauliflower salad is your out-of-the-box solution to being assigned side dish duty. It's impossibly creamy and savory, making it a great mashed potato substitution for keto friends. And for all others, it's sure to be a welcome break from all the piping hot dishes on the table.
13. Brioche Strata
Think of strata as the stuffing of breakfast. Instead of chicken stock and aromatics, it's filled with an eggy milk mixture that transforms the slightly sweet pieces of brioche into a savory casserole dotted with rosemary and Italian sausage.
14. Asiago Gougères
Even if you're not a pro pastry chef, these French-style puffs of choux dough and sweet, nutty Asiago cheese are completely attainable as a last-minute contribution to this year's Thanksgiving. They can be a stand in for dinner rolls or be served as an appetizer for peckish attendees before the whole group has arrived.
15. Swiss Onion Quiche
Be bold with your Thanksgiving offering by whipping up this head-turning Swiss onion quiche. Living up to its name, it's filled with onion and gooey Swiss cheese, plus fresh thyme and crispy bits of bacon that manage to sneak their way into every forkful.
