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Thanksgiving Side Dishes Made Easy

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Donna Urso

Let's face it: Thanksgiving dinner is a marathon, not a sprint. Between the turkey, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, and all the other delicious dishes, it can be overwhelming to think about what to make. 

But don't worry, if you are looking for easy green vegetable side dishes for Thanksgiving, I've got you covered. In this blog post, you'll find three easy and delicious green vegetable side dishes that will be a hit at your Thanksgiving table.

Three Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

A platter of roasted Brussels sprouts and a dish of green beans almondine on a blue mat.

These recipes are simple to follow and require minimal prep time, so you can spend more time enjoying your holiday with loved ones. Plus, they're packed with flavor and nutrients, so you can feel good about serving them to your guests. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by these simple and delicious Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

Why You'll Love These Side Dish Recipes

Easy to prepare: These recipes are simple and straightforward, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your family and friends.  

Delicious and flavorful: Simple doesn't mean flavorless. These are side dish favorites that your guests will love.

Healthy and nutritious: These recipes are made with fresh, healthy ingredients, so you can feel good about serving them to your family and friends. These healthy Thanksgiving side dishes for family gatherings will add fresh flavors to your table and keep things simple.

Perfect for Thanksgiving: These tasty side dishes will complement any Thanksgiving meal.

How to Make Three Vegetable Side Dishes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dried Cranberries



Get the Brussels Sprouts recipe.




Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe below.

Get the Parmesan Roasted Asparagus recipe.





 Tips for Preparing Green Vegetable Sides in Advance

Planning your Thanksgiving menu can be overwhelming, so here are a few tips for make-ahead green vegetable sides for Thanksgiving.

Chop ahead: Wash and chop vegetables like green beans, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus a day or two ahead. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge.

Pre-mix seasonings: When your recipes call for garlic, herbs, or spices, pre-mix these and store them in small containers. This makes adding flavor a breeze.

Blanch vegetables: For dishes like green beans, a quick blanch the day before can make final cooking faster and help preserve their color.

What to Pair with These Sides 

Wondering which main dishes these green sides work best with? Here’s a quick pairing guide:

 Green Beans Almondine: Pairs well with turkey or ham, bringing a fresh, tangy balance.

 Parmesan Roasted Asparagus: Great with turkey, but also complements beef roast if you’re serving something non-traditional.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dried Cranberries: This dish’s slightly sweet and tangy flavor goes well with rich stuffing and mashed potatoes.

 A Make-Ahead Timeline for Thanksgiving Prep

In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, planning makes all the difference. Here’s a sample timeline:

2-3 Days Before: Wash and prep your vegetables, and chop any additional ingredients.

1 Day Before: Blanch vegetables (if applicable), and prepare any sauces or seasonings.

Thanksgiving Morning: Arrange your serving dishes, and set out ingredients you’ll use closer to dinnertime.

1 Hour Before Serving: Finish cooking your vegetable sides right before serving so they’re fresh and hot.

With these easy and delicious green vegetable side dish recipes, you can create a Thanksgiving feast that your guests will never forget. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!  We hope these recipes inspire you to create a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving meal. Happy cooking and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Green Bean Almondine Recipe

vegetable side dishes, Thanksgiving sides
dinner
American
Yield: 4
Author: Donna Urso
Green Beans Almondine

Green Beans Almondine

A simple, delicious green bean side dish perfect for special dinners.
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 15 Min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Rinse and trim the green beans. Bring a pot of water to a boil with the salt.
  2. Add the beans to the water all at once. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender crisp.
  3. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the almonds and cook until lightly browned. Add the shallots, drained green beans, and lemon zest. Toss to cover the beans with the butter mixture. Squeeze lemon over the beans.
  4. Serve warm.

Notes

When making the beans in advance, cool the cooked beans in a water bath. Drain and refrigerate until ready to assemble the dish.

Recommended Products

Silicone Spatula Set
Citrus Juicer
Zester/Grater

Nutrition Facts

Calories

127

Fat (grams)

9 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

4 g

Carbs (grams)

10 g

Fiber (grams)

4 g

Net carbs

6 g

Sugar (grams)

4 g

Protein (grams)

4 g

Sodium (milligrams)

1752 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

15 mg

Similar Recipes

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

Twice Baked Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

©Just One Donna

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 25, 2025 at 9:28 AM

    Thank you for your tips on prepping the veggies in order to survive the holiday meal preparations. I parboiled my veggies (brussel sprouts and carrots) yesterday and I know it will help me today. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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