Simple Thanksgiving Sides
3 Simple Thanksgiving Sides with a Homemade Presentation
Here are 3 simple Thanksgiving sides that look beautiful on presentation, but are actually super simple to make. Not everyone has time to be put together several from-scratch side dishes, and that’s ok! Each of these dishes still has nourishing ingredients for your thanksgiving table this year and tips for how to make it look “homemade”, but that will just be our little secret.
Thanksgiving dinner is such a special time to kick off the holiday season with all the familiar and cherished family recipes. For my family we like to spend our efforts on a fantastic turkey, rich gravy, my grandma’s creamed corn, fresh green bean casserole, and our beloved pumpkin pie bars. Everything else a great side dish, but they aren’t where we like to flex our culinary finesse. I’ve pulled together 3 Simple Thanksgiving Sides that will still be enjoyed by all at your thanksgiving table, but still allow you to focus on what’s really important this year. And since we eat with our eyes first, presentation tips are also included for keeping that homemade touch.
Simple Thanksgiving Sides: Broccoli, Kale Slaw
I love this Trader Joe’s Broccoli, Kale Slaw for year-round potlucks, but I think it is especially helpful at Thanksgiving. I’ve also seen similar salads/slaws at Walmart and Costco. The dried cranberries and kale harness the fall flavors that we love at Thanksgiving. This dish is fresh, so easy to assemble, doesn’t require oven space, and looks striking in a beautiful serving platter.
Simple Thanksgiving Sides: Foolproof Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are definitely cheating when it comes to homeade Thanksgiving side dishes, but I argue that when you can find premade mashed potatoes with good ingredients and flavor, it’s worth taking the shortcut. However, our guests don’t need to know it was store-bought. The key is how to dress it up and present it.
- Prepare according to package instructions.
- Once it warmed, move to an oven-safe serving dish that has a lid.
- Stir in fresh cracked pepper to taste. Fluff and arrange the mashed potatoes as desired.
- Top with a pat of butter and sprinkle dried parsley over the top for that artisan signature touch! Cover and keep warm in the oven on 200F until serving–no one will be the wiser!
Simple Thanksgiving sides: Cranberry Baked Brie
This baked brie is basically 2 ingredients and doesn’t require you to do any slicing and dicing for this cheese and cracker platter. Use a cranberry sauce or spread of your choosing and follow this recipe below for another beautiful side dish or appetizer for Thanksgiving table. You can even steal from the cranberry sauce that someone else is bringing, they probably won’t notice.
- Preparation Time
5 minutes - Cooking Time
20 minutes - Serves
8 adults - Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
- 8oz round of brie cheese
- about 1/4c cranberry sauce or spread
- Crackers for serving
- Toppings of your choice: fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, pumpkin seeds, orange zest, honey, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Line a round baking pan with parchment paper. Place brie round on the paper and score into about 8-16 wedges.
- Top brie round with cranberry sauce/spread. Spread the sauce to the edge so it will drizzle down the side during cooking.
- Bake at 350F for 5-10 minutes. Watch it closely. When the interior is soft and gooey, remove from the oven.
- Using parchment paper, lift out of pan and onto serving platter. Top with desired toppings and arrange crackers, nuts, etc. nearby for serving.
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