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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Thanksgiving Recipes- Side dishes for your holiday table

    Published: Nov 8, 2019 · Modified: Nov 22, 2020 by Chef Dennis Littley

    3.4K shares
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    4.73 from 11 votes
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    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!

    Roasted Sweet Potato and Apples, Thanksgiving recipes

    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.

    Mashed Apple Butter Sweet Potatoes , Thanksgiving Recipes

    One of our family’s 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!

    apple beet compote, Thanksgiving recipes

    It can’t be Thanksgiving without Cranberry Sauce, and in our house, you’ll always find Cole Slaw on our holiday menu.

    Thanksgiving Side dishes, Cole Slaw and Cranberry Sauce

    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.

    If you’re looking for more delicious Thanksgiving recipes try these:

    • Potato Bread Stuffing 
    • How to Dry Brine a Turkey
    • Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake
    • Holiday Pie Recipes

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    mashed apple butter sweet potatoes, Thanksgiving Recipes
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    4.73 from 11 votes

    Thanksgiving Recipes

    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!
    Prep Time1 hr
    Cook Time50 mins
    Total Time1 hr 50 mins
    Course: side dishes
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 280kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    Cranberry Sauce

    • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tsp orange zest

    Cole Slaw

    • 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

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples

    • 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

    Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Apple Butter

    • 6 large sweet potatoes
    • ½ cup apple butter
    • 4 tbsp butter
    • sea salt to taste
    • ½ tsp cinnamon optional

    Apple Beet Compote

    • 3 red beets
    • 3 golden beets
    • 1 fennel bulb
    • 2 large apples
    • ¼ cup walnuts
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
    • sea salt and black pepper to taste
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    Instructions

    Cranberry Sauce

    • place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, allow to continue a slow boil for 5 minutes
    • reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15 minutes, the sauce will thicken
    • allow to cool for about 20 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.
    • Cranberry sauce will become jellied when fully chilled.

    Cole Slaw

    • Mix mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, sea salt and black pepper in a small bowl, blend 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 coleslaw dressing and mix well to make sure the mixture is thoroughly coated.
    • Refrigerate until ready to use.
    • Coleslaw needs to sit at least 4 hours before eating, and its best to make it the day before.

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples

    • 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 a 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.

    Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Apple Butter

    • 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 a serving bowl and serve immediately or keep warm in 200-degree oven until ready to serve

    Apple Beet Compote

    • 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 medium heat.  coat the walnuts with the brown sugar mixture* tossing to get them completely coated.
    • remove the walnuts from the pan and place them on parchment or a plate to allow the sugar to set.
    • When the beets are done, gently mix your compote together and serve warm.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 638mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 11810IU | Vitamin C: 31.6mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Latricia

      November 11, 2019 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love sweet potatoes but have never had them with apple butter. I want to try to make this. Thanks for these suggestions. I am always looking for new dishes to serve and mix our menu up a little

      Reply
    2. Terri

      November 11, 2019 at 1:53 am

      I haven’t heard of Cole slaw as a side dish at Thanksgiving yet I can see the allure. My family loves it! I just made cranberry sauce this weekend and I included dried cranberries for the first time. They are a little sweeter and add a little bit of social flavor to the sauce.

      Reply
    3. Monica Y

      November 10, 2019 at 9:15 pm

      My sister in law and I will be hosting Thanksgiving, so I am going to follow some of your recipes, all looks delicious

      Reply
    4. Amy H

      November 10, 2019 at 7:55 pm

      Oh, These are some great ideas for Thanksgiving Sides! I cant wait to try the roasted sweet potato and apples

      Reply
    5. Heather DiNuzzo

      November 10, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      The sides are everything. I mostly look forward to stuffing and cranberry sauce every thanksgiving. So good!

      Reply
    6. Agnes

      November 10, 2019 at 9:05 am

      Coleslaw my old-time favorite side dish! I can use some of your recipes and work on it for the coming holidays.

      Reply
    7. Ruth I

      November 10, 2019 at 2:22 am

      5 stars
      These are delicious side dish ideas! Cole Slaw and mashed potatoes are the favorites here!

      Reply
    8. Swathi

      November 10, 2019 at 12:32 am

      5 stars
      These thanksgiving recipes looks delicious love those mashed sweet potatoes and apple beets compote. Perfect turkey. Everything makes thanksgiving dinner memorable one for sure.

      Reply
    9. Chris Hoov

      November 09, 2019 at 10:29 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipes, thanks for sharing..! These are definitely worth trying. Now I know what to make for Thanksgiving.

      Reply
    10. Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers

      November 09, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      It has been so long since I’ve cooked a Thanksgiving meal. I’m not sure what I am cooking yet but I don’t want to make too much food. I’ll have to show my kids this list and figure out which ones that I should make. The sweet potatoes sound delicious.

      Reply
    11. Lynndee

      November 09, 2019 at 8:21 am

      All your side dishes look delicious. My SIL always prepares a bunch of delicious side dishes on Thanksgiving too. Can’t wait to pig out. LOL.

      Reply
    12. Amber Myers

      November 08, 2019 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      What great ideas. I know my family will like these sweet potatoes. They can be a nice twist from the regular yams we have.

      Reply
    13. Theresa

      November 08, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      I know turkey tends to be the star of the show, but as a vegetarian, for me it’s all about the side dishes. You have some amazing recipes posted here that I could definitely sink my teeth into!

      Reply
    14. cait

      November 08, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      oh goodness these are all amazing dishes that we always have with thanksgiving. im a huge fan of sweet potatoes

      Reply
    15. Jane kennedy

      November 10, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      Yum to all! Always a pleasure to see ur column! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    16. Lorayne D'Antonio

      November 20, 2017 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      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 😊

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 20, 2017 at 1:49 pm

        thank you Lorayne!

        Reply
    17. Betty Ann Quirino @Mango_Queen

      November 19, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious, as always! Happy Thanksgiving, Chef Dennis!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 19, 2014 at 3:56 pm

        Thank you Betty Ann, Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
    18. JC Marc

      November 19, 2014 at 1:00 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 19, 2014 at 3:55 pm

        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!

        Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 19, 2014 at 4:14 pm

        I can’t believe I forgot to add the Cranberry Sauce recipe….. I just put it in JC, hope you get to try it!

        Reply
        • JC Marc

          November 23, 2014 at 12:16 pm

          Thank you! I’m adding cardamom and cherries. Happy Thanksgiving to you, my favorite Chef Dennis.

    19. anna

      November 18, 2014 at 11:47 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 19, 2014 at 3:56 pm

        Thank you Anna! Not being a big fan of Sweets I always try to find new ways to serve them!

        Reply

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    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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