This Thanksgiving, we want to make your life easier! Simple side dishes with loads of flavor are the name of our game, and these are without a doubt our FAVORITE Thanksgiving side dishes. From stove top green bean casserole, to slow cooker mashed potatoes, we got your side dish needs covered this Thanksgiving!
When we put together this recipe list of Thanksgiving side dishes, we wanted to include recipes we serve on our own tables. We love recipes that have huge flavor, with whole ingredients, but simple instructions. We have a smaller family so we’d usually make a smaller batch of high quality side dishes. When Rachel got married, she married into a bigger family, so for a few years, we went with bigger sides like potatoes au gratin, and a big hearty rustic salad bowl. I love that you can customize these recipes no matter the size of your gathering!
Autumn Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Maple Cider Vinaigrette
This salad is chock full of goodes- apples, pecans, roasted sweet potatoes, and we’ve even included a recipe for homemade maple cider vinaigrette. Use this as a 1st course for your Thanksgiving meal, on the side, or top leftover turkey on it for lunch the next day.
Easy Make Ahead Mushroom Gravy
This make ahead mushroom gravy combines simplicity, and loads of flavor. Use turkey drippings, or not- the choice is yours. Simple and tasty.
Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin
If potatoes could be sexy, these ‘taters would be. Drenched in cream, fresh garlic, and cheese, these Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin are double daked- once with foil to soak them in garlic cheesy goodness, and a second time to get that delicious crust you see in the picture. If you make one thing off this list- make these!
Homemade Skillet Green Bean Casserole
No cream of soup needed for this delicious skillet side dish, all homemade here! Save some oven space for the turkey, too since this is all cooked on the stove top. Winner winner, green bean dinner.
Easy Homemade Rolls
One of our most popular recipes of all time. These one rise beauties (they rise in the oven, then bake up) are easy to make for cooks of all levels. Slather these homemade rolls with honey butter, and you got yourself some of the best Thanksgiving Rolls you’ve ever had (seriously…these are dense, delicious, and moist!).
Wedge Salad Platter for a Crowd
This works great as an appetizer, or to accompany your Thanksgiving table! It only takes a few minutes to prepare, and you can do it as a ‘build your own salad’ bar style, or, serve them already made.
Creamy Cauliflower Au Gratin
This delicious side dish spruces up a new take on an old favorite; vegetarians, rejoice! This big flavored side dish/casserole will have everyone scraping their plates. Far healthier than potatoes, but just as flavorful.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Now, if you say you liked sweet potatoes and marshmallows, we won’t judge you, but we will challenge you. But this easy to make Sweet Potato Casserole is incredibly creamy with just the right amount of sweet to it!
Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Earlier with our green bean casserole, we talked about saving oven space- and we’re done it again with these creamy slow cooker mashed potatoes! Keep your oven clean and mashed potatoes creamy and warm.
Make Ahead Ciabatta, Sausage and Apple Stuffing
Simple, light, savory and sweet- this is the ultimate stuffing recipe. Even better? Ciabatta is sturdy enough to hold up overnight- make ahead Thanksgiving chefs, unite!
Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole
This has been on every Holiday table that we can remember! A delicious change up from potatoes and so easy to make!
Need more Thanksgiving inspiration? Check out this Turkey Roulade with Stuffing. It’s a family favorite and saves you ALL the fuss of a whole turkey- but with loads of flavor, AND it slices up beautifully!
This Honey Baked Ham never dissapoints! Use a pre cut spiral ham and slather on the good stuff! In the oven it goes for a super easy Holiday Main Dish!
More Thanksgiving Dishes We Love:
- Thanksgiving Stuffing (traditional, just like grandma’s!)
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
- Orange Cranberry Sauce
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Turkey Shepherds Pie
If you like these recipes enough to serve them to your friends and family on Thanksgiving- upload a pic to Instagram and tag us @laughingspatula or #laughingspatula- we love to be apart of your holiday!
Eat lots, enjoy your family, and make the kids clean up. : ) Have a great Thanksgiving, dear readers!
Clink!
Kathi and Rachel
The Best Thanksgiving Side Dish: Skillet Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds trimmed fresh green beans, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 6 ounce container crispy fried onions like French’s brand
- salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Fill large soup pot with water and bring to a boil. Blanch green beans for about 3-5 minutes until crisp tender. Drain and rinse with COLD water to stop cooking process. Set aside
- In large skillet melt 2 tablespoons butter.
- Add sliced mushrooms and saute’ until slightly brown. Add garlic, continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the mushroom mixture and cook for 3-4 minutes or until flour is fully incorporated and slightly browned.
- Add chicken stock and cook until simmering and thickened.
- Add half and half, salt and pepper. Cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and stir.Taste for seasoning. More salt? More pepper? If using low sodium chicken stock you may have to add a considerable more amount of salt.
- Add blanched green beans, toss well. Cover and cook for 6-7 minutes or until beans are at desired tenderness.
- Top with fried onions, cover and cook an additional 5 minutes.
Notes
- Time Saver! Â Buy already trimmed, washed green beans. Â You will pay a little more but I found it to be worth it.
- Make ahead prep: Blanch beans and slice mushrooms a day or two in advance. Â The cream sauce is best made on the day you are serving.Â
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