Updating Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes

 

Thanksgiving is arguably the biggest food holiday of the year.  Sure, the turkey is usually the star of the meal but I’ve always been more excited about the supporting players- the side dishes.  Everyone has their favorite side dishes that they look forward to at Thanksgiving.  Some traditional dishes are close to your heart and perhaps should not be messed with but you can also try some new dishes to mix things up this year.  

It’s a good idea to have a variety of sides with a mixture of colors, textures and flavors.  Include some lighter fare to balance out the heavier dishes.  And be sure to have several dishes that can be made ahead of time.  That way you can focus on what's most important on the big day- spending time with family and friends.

In my mind, Thanksgiving side dishes fall into a few categories.  Here’s a breakdown of these categories along with some suggestions for updating classic dishes.

 

Instead of buying boxed stuffing, make homemade stuffing. You can prepare it in advance and then simply pop it in the oven on the big day.  Try using different varieties of bread like baguettes, sourdough, multigrain or cornbread.  Or, skip the bread entirely and make a stuffing with a different grain like wild rice, quinoa, farro or barley.  Try my Naan Bread Pudding with Spinach and Caramelized Onions.  It's a delicious, savory bread pudding that is a unique twist on classic stuffing.

 

Many of us grew up eating the traditional green bean casserole made with cream of mushroom soup and topped with canned, fried onions.  It’s a great way to get kids to eat vegetables at Thanksgiving. Why not try a different vegetable gratin this year?  Spinach, cauliflower, kale or artichokes all would be delicious topped with toasted breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.  Or instead of traditional potatoes au gratin, make a root vegetable gratin by thinly slicing a variety of root vegetables like celery root, parsnips and rutabaga.  If you love corn, you can bake a delicious corn pudding. For an Italian twist, try serving baked polenta with wild mushrooms.  Try my Healthy Creamed Spinach Gratin, which uses protein-packed Greek yogurt instead of cream. 

It’s a good idea to balance the heavier dishes with some dishes featuring fresh vegetables.  Roasting vegetables intensifies their flavor and it’s easy to do.  Squash is everywhere this time of year. You can use butternut squash or for something different, try roasting slices of acorn or kabocha squash brushed with a little maple syrup.  You can even make stuffed squash by filling the cavity with a mixture of rice, vegetables and dried fruit.  Roasted Brussels sprouts are another classic Thanksgiving dish.  For extra flavor, try adding a little bacon or pancetta before popping it in the oven. Or if you want to add some spice to your dinner table, try some new combinations like roasted cauliflower with curry powder or baby carrots with coriander seeds.  Try my Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts.  Miso paste adds delicious, savory flavor to this classic Thanksgiving menu staple. 

 

Salad might not be everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish but it’s nice to have a fresh salad to balance all of the rich food.  Incorporate seasonal ingredients into your salad like roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries and pecans.  A roasted beet salad with goat cheese is another good option.  For you Brussels sprout lovers, try a shaved Brussels sprout salad with walnuts and pecorino cheese.  Try my Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette.  It's a colorful salad featuring delicious fall ingredients.  

 

Canned cranberry sauce may be a staple on your Thanksgiving table or perhaps even a traditional jello mold.  This year, why not make a fresh cranberry relish or chutney?  Or skip the cranberries altogether and try something different like a fresh pomegranate relish?  And who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned sweet potato casserole with marshmallows?  For a simpler, lighter dish, try roasting sweet potato wedges with a bit of maple syrup or brown sugar.  Or for an Italian flare, make sweet potato gnocchi and serve it with brown butter, sage and Parmesan cheese.  For something super simple and delicious, try my Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes.  Top them with some cinnamon maple butter for the perfect sweet treat.

 

 

If you’re looking for a simple side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner table, try my Maple Glazed Acorn Squash.  Acorn squash has a sweet, orange colored flesh and hard green skin that softens and becomes edible as it cooks.  It’s also packed with several nutrients.  I toss the squash with olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme and roast it in the oven. A final brushing with maple syrup enhances its natural sweetness.  It’s the perfect side dish for your holiday table!