5 Quick & Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Anyone who has ever prepared Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd will understand what I mean when I say that time has a way of disappearing that day. One minute you are popping out of bed with a list of things to do, and then next you're rushing to get dressed while the first guests are already ringing the doorbell.

That’s why I’ve come up with five incredible Thanksgiving side dishes that each take only 15 minutes or less of active time to prepare. Whether you're looking for something traditional or craving a dish that's a little spicy and exciting, I'm sure you'll find something in this list that you like. Just a few quick minutes in the kitchen and you can let the oven or stove take over while you go and try to find those last two missing napkin rings.


1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Walnuts


Eugene and I are a little bit obsessed with this dish and it’s a regular on our weekday dinner menu. Sometimes, we don’t even put it on a plate; we just plop the baking sheet right on the coffee table and go to town with our forks while watching The Office.

It’s also one of my favorite side dishes to serve when I have company over. The sprouts crisp up on the outside while staying nice and tender inside. Add the salty/smoky bacon and a few handfuls of toasted walnuts and you are golden! It’s easy and an almost guaranteed crowd pleaser. It’s totally one of those dishes that people who claim to hate Brussels sprouts eat and then say “wow! These are good!”

You can prep these ahead of time on Thanksgiving. Simply trim and quarter the sprouts, toss with some olive oil, walnuts, and diced bacon then spread out on a big baking sheet. When the turkey comes out of the oven, crank up the heat to 400, then pop these in while the turkey rests. Both will be ready to serve at the same time.


2. Creamed Kale


This is a wonderful and unexpected twist on the usual creamed spinach. Unlike the latter, which can sometimes be mushy or soggy, Creamed Kale offers a bit more bite and substance for a lush side dish that will stand up quite nicely to any kind of turkey. A rich cream sauce of butter, cream, and just a hint of nutmeg play wonderfully against the natural nutty taste of the kale. (And yes, you MUST use the nutmeg. It makes the dish.)

You can use any kind of kale, but for a quick shortcut, grab a package of (fresh! NOT frozen) pre-washed and pre-cut kale. I've seen these at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, BJs, and pretty much every major supermarket (look for it near the "salad in a bag"). If you can’t find it, you can use whole kale, but you’ll have to tack on an extra 3 minutes to your prep time while you quickly rinse and shred the leafy green. (scroll down for the complete recipe)


3. Chipotle & Cola Braised Sweet Potatoes

Anyone who loves Southwestern flavors or a little spice will fall madly for these sweet and spicy sweet potatoes. I save time by skipping the peeling. The peel on the sweet potato is completely edible and actually packs a great nutrient punch.

To prepare, just scrub them well and slice into thick one-inch rounds. Layer these into a baking dish then drizzle with olive oil and pour in the braising liquid: a blend of cola (Coke, Pepsi, or Malta), chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, plus a few pats of butter. Cover tightly with foil then pop in the oven alongside your turkey for 35 minutes.

The potatoes will come out of the oven tender and flavorful. (Scroll down for the complete recipe.)


4. Roasted Plum Tomatoes with Garlic & Shallots

It's very late in the season, but in most places you can still find some lovely plum tomatoes. Drizzled with olive oil, crushed coriander, garlic, and whole shallots, and roasted in the oven for an hour, the tomatoes come out sweet and dripping with rich and flavorful juices.

Serve the roasted tomatoes at room temperature along with your dinner, or use them to top slices of toasted baguette that have been spread with cream cheese or chevre for a easy appetizer your guests can enjoy along with their first glass of champagne. (Scroll down for the recipe)


5. Napa Cabbage Slaw with Mustard & Apple Butter Vinaigrette


This autumnal take on the classic coleslaw would be a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. Unlike the summery version that's heavy with mayonnaise and...well...basically it's just mayonnaise, this one gets its creaminess from a warm and tangy dressing redolent with the flavors of mustard and and apple butter. Toasted pecans add a lovely crunch and like all the best Thanksgiving sides, it can be prepared well ahead of time. Get the recipe here.


Still need a great cranberry sauce recipe? Try my Spiced Cranberry Orange Sauce.

Still trying to decide the best way to cook your turkey? Try my Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey for the juiciest turkey breast you've ever tasted.

Looking for Thanksgiving dessert ideas? Come back tomorrow because that's next on the agenda!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Walnuts

Ingredients
2 pounds Brussels sprouts
3/4 cup walnuts halves
Extra virgin olive oil
3 strips bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
kosher salt
black pepper

To make:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees

First prepare the Brussels sprouts: trim off the stems and then quarter. Combine the Brussels sprouts in a large bowl with the walnuts and drizzle liberally with olive oil. Use your hands to mix and maker sure they are all coated well.

Spread the Brussels sprouts and walnuts in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Scatter the bacon pieces evenly throughout the pan, then season with kosher salt and black pepper.

Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the sprouts and bacon are crisp.

Creamed Kale

Ingredients
2 pounds kale, washed and sliced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg


To make:
Blanch the kale in salted boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain, then return to a medium size pot or saute pan. Add the butter, cream, and nutmeg and cook over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes or until has reduced and thickened slightly. Season to taste and serve.

Chipotle & Cola Braised Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients
6 large sweet potatoes
12 oz Malta (can be purchased in the Latin aisle in most major grocery stores). Use cola or cream soda as a substitute. Look for brands made with real sugar as they cook down better).
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped coursely
3 tablespoons adobo sauce (from chipotles)
4 tablespoons butter
kosher salt
black pepper

To make:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

1. Scrub the sweet potatoes well, then dry and slice into thick 1" rounds. Layer into a baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the soda, broth, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce. Pour over the sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Dot with pats of butter then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. Wrap the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and flip the sweet potatoes then return to the oven to bake for another 15 minutes. Check for seasoning and serve.

Roasted Plum Tomatoes with Garlic & Shallots

Ingredients
10 Whole Plum Tomatoes (fresh)
2 Whole Shallots
5 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds, crushed roughly
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Kosher salt
Black pepper

To prepare:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
1. Cut each tomato in half and spread in a single layer in a baking dish. Slice the shallots in half (leave peeled) and scatter into the dish along with the crushed garlic cloves.
2. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with crushed coriander, thyme, Kosher salt, and black pepper.
3. Roast in oven for 1 hour. Can be served hot, at room temperature, or cold.