It's easy to make delicious side dishes for Thanksgiving or any time of the year. You'll love these easy to make recipes that will have your guests asking for seconds!
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays…..well except for the ones I’ve worked. It’s a day to see family and friends, a time to come together and give thanks for all the blessings you have in your life. And I’m very happy to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes with you today.
When preparing our Thanksgiving Day Feast, I’m pretty traditional in the fare that I serve Lisa and our guests. Although I can be pretty creative, Thanksgiving is not the time I try to come up with new dishes. For us, it’s the basics. Turkey & Gravy, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce. We don’t usually eat Sweet Potatoes, but this year I will be trying out one of the recipes I’ve shared today my Roasted Sweet Potato-Apple creation.
Of course, they’ll be a few pies for dessert, a traditional Pumpkin Pie with fresh whipped cream, pecan pie and my favorite Apple-Cranberry with a streusel topping.
Below you’ll find two of my Sweet Potato recipes, Roasted Beet Compote, Cole Slaw, and Cranberry Sauce to help you with your Holiday table. The first is really delicious and healthy, my Roasted Sweet Potato-Apple with onions……it’s yummy!
Of course, you can really jazz up your sweet potatoes and make them more family-friendly by mashing them! And adding a few of your own touches will really liven up the flavors. In this version, I added apple butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
One our family favorite vegetables are beets and making them in this delicious compote with apples and walnuts will get even the finicky eaters to try this flavorful combination!
It can’t be Thanksgiving without Cranberry Sauce, and in our house, you’ll always find Cole Slaw on our holiday menu.
Have a Great Holiday, no matter what you serve and remember to count your blessing and be thankful for all you have in your life.
It's easy to make delicious side dishes for Thanksgiving or any time of the year. You'll love these easy to make recipes that will have your guests asking for seconds!
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 head of cabbage - cored and sliced very thinly
- ½ small carrot grated
- ½ cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 4 large sweet potatoes - peeled and sliced
- 3 large apples - peeled and sliced
- 1 small onion - large chop
- Sea Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- olive oil
- 6 large sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 4 tbsp butter
- sea salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon optional
- 3 red beets
- 3 golden beets
- 1 fennel bulb
- 2 large apples
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
- place all ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil, allow to continue a slow boil for 5 minutes
- reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15 minutes, sauce will thicken
- allow to cool for about 20 minutes, then refrigerate over night.
- Cranberry sauce will become jellied when fully chilled.
- Mix mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, sea salt and black pepper in a small bowl, blending the ingredients completely. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes so sugar fully dissolves, then remix the ingredients
- Mix together cabbage and grated carrot, then add in cole slaw dressing and mix well to make sure the mixture is thoroughly coated.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cole slaw needs to sit at least 4 hours before eating, and its best to make it the day before.
- Peel and cut sweet potatoes into medium sized chunks, coat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper add onion chunks and place on a cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes before adding apples.
- Peel and cut apples into medium sized chunks, coat with brown sugar and cinnamon and place on cookie sheet with sweet potatoes after they have cooked 15 minutes and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
remove from oven and mix both together, place on a serving platter and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Peel and cut sweet potatoes into medium sized chunks.
- Place sweet potatoes in boiling salted water and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender
- drain potatoes well and in a mixing bowl add the potatoes and butter and whip until butter is melted.
- Add in apple butter, salt, and cinnamon and whip until fully incorporated
- place in serving bowl and serve immediately or keep warm in 200 degree oven until ready to serve
preheat oven to 375 degrees
- clean and peel beets, then cut into small chunks
mix each color separately with olive oil, sea salt and pepper and place into roasting pan.
- cut fennel bulb into the same size pieces and coat with olive oil, salt and pepper, then place in roasting pan with beets.
Place the roasting pan into the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until beets are soft*
While beets are roasting, peel and cut the apples into bite-size pieces and place them in a saute pan with 2 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Saute apples for 5 minutes just to soften them up some, set aside.
In another saute pan add one tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of brown sugar and mix well.
Add the walnuts and over a medium heat. coat the walnuts with the brown sugar mixture* tossing to get them completely coated.
remove the walnuts from the pan and place on parchment or a plate to allow the sugar to set.
- When the beets are done, gently mix your compote together and serve warm.
anna says
those mashed sweet potatoes look wonderful! it’s not often i find a recipe sure to please everyone in my household, from adults down to 7 month olds. this one ought to do it!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you Anna! Not being a big fan of Sweets I always try to find new ways to serve them!
JC Marc says
I am making your Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples recipe this year!!! I am, of course, going to have to do a test run (or two) in the next couple of weeks. I prepare an incredibly large Thanksgiving spread for my family, serving 4 types of sweet potatoes and I am adding these to the menu. I am also going to add a couple of cole slaws to the table. Would have never thought about cole slaw. Great idea. I do 5 different cranberries, and missed yours. Can’t wait for your version. Thank you so much for sharing such a festive meal. Happy Thanksgiving, Chef Dennis!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I know you’ll find them to be delicious, its the onions that really take it over the top with the contrast of flavors! It sounds like you’re going to have one amazing table and I look forward to hearing about your Thanksgiving!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I can’t believe I forgot to add the Cranberry Sauce recipe….. I just put it in JC, hope you get to try it!
JC Marc says
Thank you! I’m adding cardamom and cherries. Happy Thanksgiving to you, my favorite Chef Dennis.
Betty Ann Quirino @Mango_Queen says
Delicious, as always! Happy Thanksgiving, Chef Dennis!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you Betty Ann, Happy Thanksgiving!
Lorayne D'Antonio says
Hi Chef Dennis. This is a great post for anyone looking to switch up their Thanksgiving feast. I also love the way you set up the recipes and directions. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Your friend @lorishandmadetreats 😊
Chef Dennis Littley says
thank you Lorayne!