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Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes – From green bean casserole to mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, find stand-out Thanksgiving side dish recipes from Eatwell101! These side dishes are a snap to fix and cook and will leave you plenty of time to focus on more important tasks. Enjoy!
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes - Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
1. Extra-Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
2. 2-Minutes Instant Pot Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Cream Cheese Parmesan Sauce
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
3. Balsamic Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
4. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
5. Roasted Garlic Butter Parmesan Potatoes
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato with Balsamic Honey Glaze
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
7. Simple Butternut Squash Steaks with Garlic Butter
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
8. Lemon Garlic Butter Green Beans Skillet
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
10. Cinnamon-Honey Glazed Carrots
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
11. Thanksgiving Apple Sage Stuffing
Cooking time: 75 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
12. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Cooking time: 6 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
13. Creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
14. Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
16. 15-Minute Green Beans with Bacon Mushroom Sauce
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
17. Pan-Roasted Brussel Sprouts in Maple Garlic Butter
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
18. Cheesy Green Beans Casserole
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
19. Baked Four Cheese Garlic Spaghetti Squash
Cooking time: 50 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
21. Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Butter Sauce
Cooking time: 40 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
22. Fried Butter Gnocchi with Garlic & Parmesan
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
23. Grilled Corn with Garlic and Parmesan
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
23 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Extra-Creamy Mashed Potatoes
by eatwell101
Yield: 8 servings Prep Time: 10 min Cook time: 20 min
Silky-smooth and delicious, these creamy mashed potatoes make the perfect side for any occasion.
Ingredients you need for the Extra-Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Directions
1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender but not overcooked and soggy, about 20–25 minutes.
2. Drain the cooked potatoes, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid if making potatoes ahead (see note). Return potatoes to the pot and set over low heat. Gently dry up the potatoes, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. This step will ensure they absorb much of the infused milk.
3. Meanwhile, heat milk, rosemary sprigs, sage leaves, and 3/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat.
4. Mash hot potatoes with a potato masher.
5. Discard herbs from the infused milk mixture. Gradually add the milk mixture to potatoes, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until combined and smooth; adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Transfer mashed potatoes to a large serving bowl, and serve with a few pats of butter on top. Enjoy!
Note: You can make the mashed potatoes ahead. Mash cooked potatoes and cover. Just before serving, reheat over low, gently stirring in some reserved potato cooking liquid as needed to loosen, then add the warm infused milk.
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Tips for better Thanksgiving side dishes
- You don’t have to make all your Thanksgiving sides yourself. Picking up a couple of high-quality side dishes from the grocery store (hello Whole Foods and Fresh Market!) is a good idea because it gave you fewer things to juggle with.
- Buying pre-cut veggies will be helpful. Pre-chopped butternut squash, as well as halved Brussels sprouts, ensure quick preparation and less mess on your kitchen counter!
- Peel your potatoes in the morning or several hours in advance when making mashed potatoes. Put them in a bowl of cold water, cover, and refrigerate. Put a piece of bread in the water and the potatoes won’t discolor. Make the mashed potatoes in advance and reheat them adding more butter and cream. You can also keep them warm in a slow-cooker.
- Some casserole-type Thanksgiving side dishes such as sweet potato gratins can be assembled the day before baking.
- If you don’t have a lot of oven space, use the outdoor grill. It’s like having an extra oven! You can cook the turkey on the grill and use your oven for side dishes or do the opposite if you feel more comfortable. A toaster oven can be helpful, plus it’s cheap and doesn’t take much counter space.
