Rooted in Tradition: Unique Thanksgiving Side Recipes

But as you get ready for another Thanksgiving feast, you may want to make some traditional side dishes feel a little fresher. Roast turkey continues to be the star, but sides, not to mention desserts, give plenty of room for creative cooking.

Isn’t it time this year to keep your guests guessing with inventive twists on crave-able classics? Add unexpected ingredients and techniques, and you can turn everyday favorites into something both flavorful and sophisticatedly inciting.

These unique Thanksgiving side dishes include inspired stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, and more in one collection. Prepare for some excitement at the holiday table while also honoring tried and true traditions. I have 20 years of experience in cooking. So you can trust me.

While there are numerous ways in which to fulfill our need for tradition and innovation, one is steadily rising, putting a spin on old recipes. This fusion approach enables you to celebrate your heritage while also offering a modern palette.

Reimagining traditional Thanksgiving side dishes lets you bridge generations and cultures with a feast.

Think back on what your family used to cook and prepare. Maybe it’s an heirloom sweet potato casserole or filet of stuffing passed down through the family generations. Imagine if you could change these dishes with unexpected ingredients or with a fresh approach to cooking.

Anything from sprinkling a few fresh chipotle flakes over your grandmother’s cranberry sauce to trying other grains in your family’s traditional stuffing are all possibilities.

Food adds to this celebration of diversity and inclusion of Thanksgiving. Discover how to interchange the flavors from different cultures into your side dishes. Mashed potatoes can be made with wasabi-infused or roasted vegetables prettied up with za’atar seasoning for Japanese and Middle Eastern influences, to name a couple.

The global touches enhance those efforts to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience that pays respect to your heritage and the multicultural weave of contemporary society.

To kick your Thanksgiving up a notch, go unconventional with Thanksgiving pies that honor tradition and work wonders for the taste buds. With these recipes, your holiday spread will be the best it’s ever been—standout flavors.

Turn humble butternut squash into a fancy side. Now, roast cubes of this autumn favorite (kept on the reservation under a foil crust to prevent overcooking) until caramelized, then toss with fragrant sage leaves crisped in nutty brown butter. The pumpkin seeds are crisped and a sprinkle of them adds a nice crunch.

This vibrantly jewel-colored relish will send canned cranberry sauce to the waste bin. Make it sweet and tart by combining fresh cranberries with sweet-tart pomegranate arils, orange zest, and a touch of cinnamon. With no stove required, this is a no-cook side that brings some burst of flavor and antioxidants to your plate.

Slaw them up and serve Brussels sprouts raw. Toss with crisp apple, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries; shred the sprouts finely. But a tangy maple mustard dressing unites it all, providing a nice break from the fatty holiday foods.

Innovative sides for Thanksgiving celebrate the harvest roots of the holiday while asking your holiday table to welcome in some new flavors. Cute, and they’re sure to become cherished additions to your family’s traditions.

Among the holidays, Thanksgiving side dishes provide a free opportunity to display standard culinary traditions in the US. It may seem like a given, but your holiday menu should include the regionally inspired specialties that have made American cuisine so stacked and stacked.

Cornbread dressing dominates in the South. Turkey and this savory dish go well together—often seasoned with sage and celery. Nor those collard greens, delicious and healthy and steeped in South culture.

Cranberry relish has its place up north. Every bite with this tart and sweet condiment is made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and a smidge less sugar. Butternut squash, another humble (New England) treat, is usually roasted with maple (syrup), a quintessential New England touch.

The comforting wild rice casserole is found in America’s heartland. As with so much of traditional American cooking, this hearty dish with wild rice harvested from the region, mushrooms, and sometimes ground sausage appeals to the region’s agricultural bounty. One one-time standard side, the green bean casserole, is still featured at many Thanksgiving tables throughout the country.

And not simply that, by including these regional specialties, you’ll also be showcasing the diversity of culinary traditions that make American food American.

To do real Thanksgiving sides right, you have to start early. Create a detailed shopping list and buy those ingredients a few days ahead of the big day. Thanks to some dishes that can be made in part or whole in advance of Thanksgiving, there is less stress on the day of.” Measuring out dry grains and chopping in vegetables, you prepare sauces or dressings that will be stored in the refrigerator.

While planning, try and have a mix of flavors and textures. Creamy and crispy roasted vegetables are a perfect match. Throw savory and sweet together, like a tart cranberry sauce that will softly counteract rich buttery stuffing. Remember, because heavier dishes often have too much going on, eat a salad to finish off as a lighter, fresher option.

Classic sides are loved, but why not twist them to make them memorable? Try adding fresh herbs or spices to dishes you’re familiar with. For example, if you roast sweet potatoes or have green bean casserole, try adding a hint of nutmeg or even a sprinkle of rosemary.

Making some small changes can be a big deal without going way off base from tradition.

However, culinary tradition runs thick on Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cool it a bit with this contemporary touch. You can deck your feast table with a modern twist to classic sides that will honor the past while adding that special twist the present needs.

Get out of the casserole dish and try new things, like using unexpected flavor combinations or new cooking methods to update tried and true favorites.

The big thing is global influences on the Thanksgiving menu—an exciting way to revamp it. Blends super-American ingredients with international flavor. Examples include toting a hint of miso in your mashed potatoes for umami depth or lending a bit of harissa to your cranberry sauce to give you some North African flavor.

These fusion-inspired sides can start talking and delight taste buds at the table.

Thanks to modern dietary preferences and health consciousness, Thanksgiving sides that usually relied on plenty of fat are now lighter versions. Instead of eating heavy cream dishes like ‘ mac and cheese’ or ‘roasted’ Brussels sprouts, experiment with plant-based alternatives like cauliflower and cheese’ or roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic topping.

With these new options, you’ll add to the variety the holiday may be served but still celebrate the holiday in the way it was meant to be.

Although it’s about Thanksgiving side dishes, the taste is king, but the presentation can up the ante with your culinary creations. As to how you arrange and present your dishes to your guests, it can influence how they will perceive and whether they will enjoy the meal.

Dinnerware should match the autumn theme with rustic or earthy tones. Decorative accents around the serving platters include mini pumpkins, bright leaves, or acorns that are in season.

Don’t think inside the traditional serving bowl. Save for soups or filling demand by using hollowed-out pumpkins or gourds. A rustic family style is to present roasted vegetables on a wooden board. If you’re doing individual portions, think about sides served in small skillets or mason jars.

But more so, these unexpected presentations are conversation starters at the table and add visual interest to the space.

Garnishes are capable of wowing you into silence. A sprinkle of fresh herbs or a drizzle of infused oil in a simple side dish can turn something simple into something beautiful. You can use edible flowers such as nasturtium or pansies for a bit of color.

Keep in mind that garnishes must complement the flavors of the dish but bring out impressions. These Thanksgiving sides are presented in a thoughtful, tantalizing way in terms of taste, but also delightfully in terms of eyes.

In addition to your 2018 Thanksgiving dinner, here are some tableside dishes that have been passed down through generations. For example, you can put a creative spin on classic recipes with tricks that will please your guests and please the spirit of celebratory holiday traditions.

No matter what you choose: the savory herb roasted root vegetables, the sweet-tart cranberry chutney, or the rich pumpkin risotto, these sides will help you elevate your feast. You are able to make the holiday your own while still keeping the spirit of gratitude and togetherness while you experiment with new flavors and ingredients.

At Thanksgiving, turn to tradition and innovation as you all come together around the table give thanks for all you have, and capture these memories with loved ones.

Absolutely! There are many Thanksgiving side dishes and even many of the centerpiece dishes, like turkey, which can be made ahead of time to relieve stress on the big day. When things like casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce get made a day or two in advance, it results in even better taste.

The best part is, that it is okay to just be sure to store them properly in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Most traditional sides can be made a little differently to accommodate different diets! If your guests are gluten-free, use cornbread in stuffing or swap regular flour for gluten-free alternatives. Those on a vegetarian diet will enjoy roasted vegetables or meat-free versions of classic dishes.

Have a few plant-based options available at all times because everyone wants to eat the feast.

To get perfectly crisp roasted veggies, make sure the veggies are dry before cooking, and do not overcrowd the pan. Place your baking sheet in the oven, and toss your vegetables in oil and seasonings, then spread the vegetables out in a single layer. Best results are obtained if roasted at a high temperature, around 425°F.

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