Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Easy and Inexpensive Ideas
These side dishes are simple to prepare and easy on your wallet. You can add any of them to your Thanksgiving menu for less than $15… and each feeds eight people!
Cranberry sauce – $10
- Boil whole cranberries in water and sugar for 10 minutes.
- Add orange zest and a touch of Grand Marnier.
- Serve warm.
Potato casserole – $12
- Heat cream and butter on stove until hot.
- Stir in frozen hash browns for two minutes or until thawed.
- Place in casserole dish, top with Parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees until potatoes are hot and crust is golden brown.
Sauteed spinach – $10
- Sauté frozen spinach in olive oil.
- Add currants and pine nuts.
Smoked salmon platter – $15
- Buy smoked salmon, cream cheese, a mini pumpernickel loaf, shallots and capers.
- Mince the shallots.
- Arrange all items on a platter and let guests help themselves.
Acorn squash – $10
- Roast cubed squash with maple syrup and butter.
Pureed parsnips – $6
- Boil cubed parsnips in chicken stock.
- Puree with liquid and butter in food processor.
Roasted carrots and shallots – $8
- Drizzle sliced carrots and shallots with balsamic vinegar.
- Place in oven and roast until done.
Pearl onions – $8
- Boil onions in water and remove skins.
- Drain, and stir in one cup of cream and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Roasted butternut squash – $12
- Scoop out squash flesh with melon baller.
- Toss with melted butter and roast at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
- Toss with additional butter, maple syrup and crushed gingersnaps.
Steamed carrots – $6
- Boil water and add allspice berries, cinnamon sticks and star anise.
- Steam carrots in the water.
- Reduce orange juice and chicken stock together to form a sauce and toss with carrots.
Beyond the food
Beyond Thanksgiving dinner itself, there are essential details to creating the Thanksgiving mood.
- A fire in the fireplace
- Mulled apple cider or hot chocolate
- Seasonal table decorations
- Good music
- Cards, games and an after-dinner walk
What are your favorite side dishes? Are you planning to try something new, or will you stick with your family classics?
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