Thanksgiving side dishes to add to your festive menu in 2021

by John Griffith
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Well, now that Halloween is gone, it is time to start preparing for the holiday season. And as we all know, the holiday season starts with one of the best days of the year – the day to give thanks and be grateful for everything and everyone in your life. Needless to say, one of the biggest traditions of Thanksgiving is the dinner with family and closest friends. Because of that, today, we have prepared a few Thanksgiving side dishes you definitely need to add to your festive menu in 2021. And, although we’ve kept it traditional, we have still included a few more interesting recipes.

A Delicious baked Brie recipe, courtesy of our very own Archzine Studio

baked brie wrapped with prosciutto garnished with jam thyme walnuts thanksgiving food ideas

Thanksgiving side dishes – baked Brie recipe

Ingredients:

  • Brie cheese
  • garlic
  • fresh thyme
  • fig jam
  • prosciutto slices
  • raw walnuts

These are the ingredients you are going to need

ingredients for baked brie thanksgiving food ideas prosciutto garlic walnuts jam thyme arranged on wooden surface

Cut slits into the Brie and put garlic and fresh thyme between them

brie cheese with small slits with butter placed on parchment paper on marble cutting board thanksgiving dinner ideas wooden surface

Spread the prosciutto slices and arrange them so that they can cover the whole cheese

prosciutto slices arranged together thanksgiving dinner ideas spread on marble cutting board placed on top of wooden surface

Place the Brie in the middle of the prosciutto and drizzle with fig jam

brie cheese covered with jam spread onto prosciutto slices thanksgiving dinner ideas placed on marble cutting board

Wrap the Brie in the prosciutto and place on a paper lined baking dish

brie cheese covered with prosciutto placed on parchment paper lined baking sheet thanksgiving dinner ideas on wooden surface

Bake at 200 degrees for 15/20 minutes

thanksgiving food ideas baked brie wrapped with prosciutto covered with ham and walnuts placed on parchment paper

Serve with raw walnuts and a drizzle of fig jam

piece of baked brie wrapped in prosciutto on slice of bread thanksgiving food ideas covered with jam thyme walnuts

Another recipe from Archzine Studio – stuffed Portobello mushrooms

stuffed portobello mushrooms with baby mozzarella and cherry tomatoes what to make on thanksgiving placed on black and blue plate

Easy Thanksgiving side dishes

Ingredients:

  • 4 Portobello mushrooms
  • melted butter
  • 125gr mini buffalo mozzarella balls
  • 150gr cherry tomatoes
  • black pepper
  • wild onion

For the mousse:

  • 1 avocado, pureed
  • 1/2 red onion
  • juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 5 tbsp olive oil

This is such an easy recipe

ingredients laid out on gray surface what to make on thanksgiving stuffed portobello mushrooms recipe

Cover the mushrooms with butter on both sides

four portobello mushrooms covered with melted butter thanksgiving side dish recipes placed on paper lined baking dish

Fill with mozzarella balls and halved cherry tomatoes

four portobello mushrooms stuffed with baby mozzarella cherry tomatoes thanksgiving side dish recipes placed on paper lined baking sheet

Sprinkle with black pepper and bake for 10/12 minutes at 180 degrees

four portobello mushrroms placed on paper lined baking sheet thanksgiving side dish recipes stuffed with baby mozzarella cherry tomatoes

In a bowl mix all of the ingredients for the mousse

green sauce made with onion olive oil inside black and white ceramic bowl thanksgiving side dish recipes with spoon on the side

Use a piping bag to decorate the mushrooms with the mousse

thanksgiving side dishes 2020 two portobello mushrooms stuffed with baby mozzarella cherry tomatoes placed on black and blue plate

Garnish with wild onion

thanksgiving side dish recipes stuffed portobello mushrooms with baby mozzarella cherry tomatoes placed on black plate

Traditional mashed potatoes recipe

mashed potatoes in white ceramic bowl garnished with wild onion best thanksgiving side dishes stirred with gray spatula

Thanksgiving dinner ideas

Ingredients:

For the roasted garlic:

  • 1 whole garlic bulb
  • olive oil
  • salt

For the mashed potatoes:

  • 1 lbs potatoes, peeled
  • 2 tsp salt, divided
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • black pepper
  • butter
  • chopped chives and rosemary

potatoes in a bowl garlic salt pepper rosemary olive oil thanksgiving vegetable side dishes mashed potatoes recipe

Instructions:

For the garlic:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Cut the top of the garlic bulb and place it cut-side up on a piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, then wrap the garlic in the foil and roast for about 50 minutes. Once ready, mash and set aside.

For the potatoes:

  1. Boil the potatoes, drain, reserving 1 cup of the water.
  2. Mash the potatoes and add the roasted garlic, olive oil, 1/4 of the reserved water, 1 tsp salt and black pepper. Fold until creamy and add more water if desires.
  3. Serve hot with butter, chives and rosemary.

best thanksgiving side dishes mashed potatoes in white ceramic bowl being stirred with spatula other ingredients around it

Source: Love & Lemons

Creamy potatoes au gratin

woman holding black skillet best thanksgiving side dishes creamy potatoes au gratin inside

Best Thanksgiving sides

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 shallots, diced
  • 4 Kale leaves, chopped
  • 2 lbs red potatoes
  • 2 oz Gruyere cheese, grated
  • 1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated

close up photo of creamy potatoes au gratin best thanksgiving side dishes baked in black skillet

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. In a saucepan mix the cream, salt, black pepper, garlic and thyme. Cook over medium heat, while stirring for about 4 to 6 minutes until the cream starts to bubble. Remove from heat and keep stirring until the mixture cools slightly.
  3. Melt butter in a skillet and saute the shallots and kale leaves for about 4 minutes.
  4. Slice the potatoes into 1/8-inch slices and fan them out over the kale in the skillet. Remove the thyme and garlic from the cream mixture and pour it over the potatoes. Cover with foil and bake for about 80 minutes.
  5. Remove the foil and sprinkle with the cheeses. Broil for 5-6 minutes.

creamy potatoes au gratin best thanksgiving side dishes baked in black skillet placed on wooden surface

Source: Inquiring Chef

Traditional mac & cheese

baked mac and cheese inside small black casserole dish thanksgiving vegetable side dishes placed on marble surface

What to make on Thanksgiving?

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb elbow pasta
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 12-oz cans evaporated milk
  • 12 oz shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp chopped chives

mac and cheese baked in small ceramic casserole thanksgiving vegetable side dishes arranged on marble surface

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
  3. In a skillet melt the butter and whisk in flour, paprika and onion powder. Cook for about a minute.
  4. Gradually add the milk and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, then add 2 cups cheddar cheese and parmesan. Add the pasta and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  5. Transfer the mixture into ramekins and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  6. Bake for about 25 minutes and serve with chives.

marble surface thanksgiving vegetable side dishes small black casserole dish with mac and cheese cooked inside

Source: Damn Delicious

Butternut squash for dessert

roasted butternut squash with honey cinnamon walnuts best thanksgiving sides placed on white plate on marble surface

Thanksgiving dessert recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 butternut squash
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper

For the maple pecan:

  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp chopped pecans

For the brown butter sage:

  • 1/2 tsp ground sage
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • fresh sage leaves

butternut squash with slits covered with walnuts cinnamon placedon baking sheet thanksgiving food ideas roasted

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut the squash lengthwise and remove the seeds and peel the outside. Transfer to a baking dish with the cut-side down, cover with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  3. Make slices into the squash as shown in the photos. Drizzle with olive oil again and sprinkle to halves with sage and nutmeg and the other two with cinnamon and nutmeg. Roast for additional 20 minutes.
  4. To make the first glaze bring the butter, maple syrup and pecans to a simmer and let cool.
  5. To brown the butter, in a saucepan melt butter and stir it as it bubbles for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes brown. Remove from heat and add the sage leaves.
  6. Two halves of the squash drizzle with pecan mixture, the other two with the brown butter sage. Transfer back to the oven and bake for another 20-30 minutes.

best thanksgiving sides roasted butternut squash with walnuts cinnamon honey placed on white plate

Source: How Sweet Eats

Everyone’s favorite candied yams

candied yams covered with marshmallows baked in white casserole dish best thanksgiving sides spoon on the side

Thanksgiving food ideas

Ingredients:

  • 4 lbs sweet potatoes
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • dash of nutmeg
  • dash of ginger
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cups mini mashmallows

sweet potatoes marshmellows sugar butter herbs best thanksgiving sides candied yams ingredients

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Peel the sweet potatoes, cut them into cubes and arrange them in a shallow casserole.
  3. In a saucepan mix the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and ginger. Bring to a boil and stir consistently for about 8 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the sugar mixture over the potatoes and cover the casserole with foil. Bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and stir gently. Bake additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Increase the temperature to 400°F and cover the potatoes with the mini marshmallows. Bake for additional 3 to 5 minutes.

sweet potatoes cut into cubes placed in white casserole dish best thanksgiving sides covered with marshmallows

Source: The Spruce Eats

Delicious corn casserole

close up photo of corn casserole baked in white round casserole dish easy thanksgiving side dishes

Thanksgiving side dishes 2020

Ingredients:

  • 15-oz can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 15-oz can cream-style corn
  • 8-oz box corn muffin mix
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

easy thanksgiving side dishes corn casserole baked inside white casserole piece missing placed on white surface

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a bowl mix all of the ingredients and spread evenly onto a greased casserole dish.
  3. Bake for 55 minutes.

piece of corn casserole on spatula easy thanksgiving side dishes white casserole dish filled with corn in the background

Source: Seeded At The Table

Easy recipe for roasted broccoli

close up photo of lots of broccoli arranged in baking dish what to make on thanksgiving

Thanksgiving side dish recipes

Ingredients:

  • 2 heads broccoli
  • 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

roasted broccoli with cheese walnuts placed on white plate what to make on thanksgiving placed on white surface

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Place the broccoli florets in a baking sheet. Toss in the garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.
  3. Remove the oven and toss with pecans, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese.

what to make on thanksgiving close up photo of lots of broccoli arranged in baking dish

Source: Jo Cooks

Delicious roasted carrots

honey roasted carrots with pomegranate seeds inside black baking dish easy thanksgiving side dishes metal spoon

Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced into long pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp thyme leaves
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

spoon inside black baking dish easy thanksgiving side dishes honey roasted carrots with pomegranate seeds

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  2. Place the carrots in a greased baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, maple syrup and honey. Toss in coriander, salt and pepper and spread out the carrots on the pan in a single layer.
  3. Roast for 10 minutes, stir and roast for additional 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
  4. Serve with sesame seeds and pomegranate seeds.

thanksgiving vegetable side dishes roasted carrots with pomegranate seeds in blue and white plate spoon on the side

Source: The Cafe Sucre Farine

More Thanksgiving side dish ideas

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Be grateful and give thanks

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The Thanksgiving Day has one of the most versatile festive menus

white surface with different thanksgiving side dishes in different plates and bowls with spoons and stack of plates wooden surface with three thanksgiving side dishes in white plate casserole spinach potatoes stuffing wooden table full of different thanksgiving side dishes in white plates casseroles mashed potatoes ham carrots casseroles

John Griffith
John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.

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