I don’t know about you, but I love Thanksgiving for the sides! I couldn’t care less about the turkey or ham, but the spread of sides is where it’s at! So much cooking and preparation goes into a Thanksgiving meal, and we all want to contribute in some way. As mentioned in my blog post about cooking from scratch, I’ve tried to learn how to make as many things from scratch as possible. It’s important to me that I know exactly what goes into my food if I can. If you’re like me, you may be looking for recipes to make your favorite side dishes at little more traditional.
In this post, I’ll give you some great options for your favorite Thanksgiving sides with real ingredients and not-too-much work.
Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole is my absolute favorite side dish at Thanksgiving. There are a million recipes out there that include canned cream soups, and while very delicious, they may pose health risks for people needing to monitor sodium intake. This is also a great recipe for learning how to make a cream-based sauce, and that comes in handy for lots of casseroles and family dinners. This specific recipe by Melissa Stadler from modernhoney.com has wonderful reviews and is definitely making its way to my table this season!
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a simple staple at any Thankful gathering, and really any table year-round. It’s a little hard to make mashed potatoes with too many funky ingredients, but I thought I’d list it for the sake of sharing my secret ingredient. When I make mashed potatoes, I typically add about 1-2 tablespoons of horseradish sauce into my potatoes for an extra bit of tang. I also sometimes add a bit of cream cheese, and always add at least 4 tablespoons of butter.
Deviled Eggs
These might be more of an appetizer, but they’re a family favorite and so easy. This is another item that is pretty well already made with basic and traditional ingredients, but they can always be made with homemade mayonnaise and farm fresh eggs if you have them.
Sweet Potato Mash
This is a great idea for those who like sweet potatoes, but maybe not all that much. I learned this recipe when I was in high school from my culinary arts teacher. It’s so simple and has become a favorite in our house. It’s just like making regular mashed potatoes, but you use half sweet potatoes. Add in a good amount of butter, and a little cream cheese if you’d like, and you’re done! I like to use my stand mixer to mash the potatoes, but you can definitely do it by hand.
Dressing
Some would call it stuffing, some would call it dressing. And while there is a difference, it doesn’t matter for me to tell you that you can make this recipe with little kitchen skills this thanksgiving. This Sourdough Bread Stuffing by Kristy from mommyhatescooking.com is simple to make, uses fresh ingredients, and will knock any boxed dressing out of the running any day. And using sourdough bread may allow your gluten-sensitive friends to enjoy it too! It’s a win-win!
Brown Gravy
You might be a white gravy type of person, but I’m a brown gravy gal all the way. And I don’t know about you, but I never knew that making brown gravy at home was so easy! With just four ingredients, you can whip up by farmwifefeeds.com in just a few minutes. Simple and good ingredients make for a great addition to your holiday spread.
Creamed Corn
I have made this creamed corn recipe for years now, and it’s a hit every time! I know some regions traditionally serve this dish cold, and some serve it hot, and I’m here to tell you this is delicious either way.
This Best Ever Creamed Corn recipe from graceandgoodeats.com lives up to its name with a few simple ingredients and a little bit of spice from cayenne. You can always leave out the spice, but I find that it adds a nice warmth that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the corn.
Rolls
Dinner rolls really round out a Thanksgiving plate. Whether your family makes homemade rolls or buys them at the store, these sourdough rolls from farmhouseonboone.com are sure to take the cake. Sourdough could also allow for your gluten-sensitive family members to enjoy them as well!
With recipes like these, you can ensure that your meal is packed with high quality nutrition while satisfying even the pickiest eater. I’ll definitely be trying new recipes out this year, so be sure to follow me on social media to see how they turn out.
And until next time,
Rebekah
