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Looking for inspiration for your Thanksgiving table? This post is for you! All our favorite, make-ahead holiday sides.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner! The holidays may look different this year, but we can still celebrate with a traditional feast. Does your family have the same side dishes every year or do you mix things up a bit? If you're looking for some fresh ideas, we've got you covered. These are family favorite recipes, adapted to be simple and make-ahead. We think you'll find a new recipe your family will love! Check out our reader's comments below each recipe!
These Honey Glazed Carrots with fresh rosemary don’t take long to make and they’re so delicious, they disappear like candy! That’s a warning to make plenty!
This recipe was the hit of the holiday. It’s been added to my ‘must make’ recipes. Love that it is made on the stove top and can be half prepared ahead of time. Thank you for sharing.
These Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are extraordinarily delicious and, even better, they can be prepped a day in advance for easy entertaining!
Chris these are amazing! I made them for Thanksgiving and they were a big hit. It was so nice to have them done in advance. Keep up the great work. Love your recipes.
Combining sweet potatoes, butternut squash and maple syrup, this healthy, Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Butternut Casserole wows everyone!
Did a trial run recipe of this yesterday. Used the 3 T. of maple syrup. Super hit. Will be bringing this dish as one of our sides. Thanks so much!
This delicious Cranberry Salad is filled with fresh cranberries, red grapes, shredded coconut, toasted walnuts and freshly whipped cream and makes a beautiful presentation on the holiday table!
I just finished making this recipe for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner and made it exactly as written. I hope it makes it until then – we all keep going back to sample it because it’s so darned yummy. I was nervous about serving it because it does sound like a dessert, but the flavors are just right – the tartness of the raw cranberries with the nutty flavor of walnuts and the sweetness from the marshmallows & coconut are perfect! I will serve a traditional cranberry sauce (and even a small can of cranberry jelly for those die-hards that have to have their jelly!) but I have a feeling Nanny’s Wonderful Cranberry Salad will be the hit of the buffet table. Thanks for another fantastic recipe – love your website and all the fun emails you send out. Happy Thanksgiving!
The easiest mashed potatoes ever, with no last minute fussing! These Slow Cooker Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes are super delicious and can be made a few days in advance.
I am used to attending turkey dinners where everything has to be done last minute. I hosted our first turkey dinner with family this year and my mother couldn’t believe I didn’t need help. These potatoes were delicious and a perfect addition to the no-stress dinner that we pulled off with nothing needing to be done just as the turkey was coming out of the oven. Thanks for the recipe.
These Honey Ginger Charred Carrots are lightly charred, sweetly glazed with honey, ginger, soy and a splash of chili garlic sauce – addictively delicious!
These were delicious. My husband who does not like cooked carrots ate these with gusto!
Transform the everyday humble carrot into a spectacular side with this easy, make-ahead Honey Maple Roasted Carrots recipe!
Just made these to reheat for Thanksgiving tomorrow. They are so good that I cooked a second bag.
Super quick and easy, these Caramelized Sweet Potatoes are a healthy alternative to traditional, sticky, marshmallow recipes. And they taste like candy!
This was really good and so easy to make! Definitely a keeper. Very tasty. Thank you for a great recipe!
Stressed over upcoming holiday meals? This Make-Ahead Gravy is the real deal! Made with roasted chicken wings, carrots, onions, fresh herbs and broth, it’s not only super delicious, it makes entertaining so much easier!
Hi Scott and Chris!!! Yippee kye oooooooooh!!!! You guys rock! This was one of the best gravy recipes PERIOD! A deliciously velvet gift for the palate! Making this was a pure joy, and the house was filled with the most amazing aroma of herbs and magic! Using a braising pot is absolutely necessary to make the wings cook evenly. The wing meat, carrots, and onions were used to make an awesome risotto afterwards.
When you stop to think about it, making this ahead of time was perfect, in that you have the gift of time and you can be relaxed, and really enjoy the process of putting love and joy into an important part of the meal……….besides, naked mashed potatoes?
This Easy Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce; with ginger, lemongrass and pomegranates, has a super fresh, vibrant flavor. It takes less than 15 minutes to make!
This cranberry sauce was the hit for our Thanksgiving Dinner, some guests enjoyed it for dessert. I was not able to find lemongrass, so I used lemon zest. The pomegranate was the star. Your recipes are always a favorite of mine to go to.
This delicious Roasted Carrot Salad with Honey Cider Dressing is a perfect (and gorgeous) side for just about any entree. It also makes a fabulous vegetarian meal on its own!
This is so yummy and easy to make. Even my 18 month old devoured it!
Margaret Benson says
Your candied pecans look beautiful and scrumptious. Could you please send me the labels you offered ?
They will definitely be a part of my gift giving this year. Thank you so much. Bon Appetit!
Chris Scheuer says
Sure, sending the labels now, Margaret!
Sandra Smith says
Dear Chris:
Question on your Blueberry Buttermilk Breakfast cake. It's our favorite cake! Can you sub frozen berries for fresh?
Thanks very much, Sandra
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Sandra, yes you can! Just don't let them thaw before adding to the batter. Add them last and leave them in the freezer till the last minute.
Sandra says
Thank you, Chris! That was an instantaneous response! Best wishes, Sandra
Grammy007 says
I agree! The SIDES are Thanksgiving! Turkey is boring! These sides recipes all sound delicious!
Chris Scheuer says
We're on the same page! 🥰