Thanksgiving Side Dish Options
Thanksgiving side dishes pair flavors as seasonal favorites during the holiday season with rustic sides prepared to perfection. Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States on November 23, 2023 celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the year. The American holiday is rich in symbolism of the traditional fare of Thanksgiving of a meal complete with turkey entree, at least 3 side dishes including bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, desserts and beverages. According to AAA 55.4 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home over Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving dinner is a time to feast with others celebrating with a delicious meal made with an entree of choice including turkey, beef, fish, chicken paired with savory side dishes that are sure to please. Healthy low calorie side dishes are delicious options for your next dinner party with complimenting flavors in every dish.
Mashed potatoes with olive oil spread and a drizzle of turkey au jus gravy is the perfect thanksgiving side dish served during the holidays. Long grain rice made with turkey bouillon cubes sauteed onions and diced carrots gives a rustic flare to your dish. Potato Au Gratin with creamy cheddar cheese sauce is a delicious side dish option. Mashed Cauliflower made with steamed cauliflower then mashed mixed with olive oil spread salt, pepper and a splash of milk to taste whipped to perfection is a mash potato alternative. Grilled cauliflower with hollandaise sauce is simple delicious when paired with roast turkey. Mixed roasted vegetables including onions, broccoli, carrots, string beans. Aspergers, small red potatoes that have been sliced in half then tossed with olive oil seasoned with salt and pepper served as a rustic side dish. Small potatoes with sliced onions and creamy onion gravy is an excellent Thanksgiving side dish paired with roasted turkey or roasted beef options. Sweet potato puree is always a favorite holiday side dish made with sweet potato puree, salt, pepper, olive oil spread, then sweetened with Truvia Sweet Complete brown sugar free sweetener.
It measures cup for cup like brown sugar without any calories per serving. Peas with shallots sauteed in olive oil butter sauce is a delight among guests during the holidays eaten as a fresh Thanksgiving side dish. String Bean Casserole is a classic recipe made by millions of people each year. Low calorie options can be made using canned string beans, Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom soup and homemade dried onions to garnish the string bean casserole. Making dried onions is a simple process and is a great way to preserve them for long time storage. Using the oven method, peel the onions and slice them evenly. Place the onions on a tray and heat them in a preheated oven at 150 degrees F (65 C) or use a food dehydrator until they are completely dry and brittle. Dried onions can be used in any recipe or stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place. String Beans with toasted Maple glazed slivered almonds is especially delicious served alongside a main entree of roasted fish, turkey, beef or chicken is a favorite Thanksgiving side dish option.
Grilled corn on the cob Minnie’s is easy to prepare in advance as a ready to eat Thanksgiving side dish. Frozen Giant corn on the cob Minnie’s include 6 mini corn cobs per package, frozen for storage and easy preparation and no preservatives. It is great for pairing with a wide variety of dishes and sides. Frozen Corn Cob Minnie’s can also be prepared in simmering water to cook through then rolled in olive oil spread and season to taste for any holiday season. Fresh corn salad is always a favorite side dish made with canned, fresh or frozen corn, sliced red Valaida onions, roughly chopped tomatoes, diced squash tossed with olive oil, and salt pepper to taste. Coleslaw slaw pairs nicely with any Entree of choice including chicken, turkey, fish, or beef selections. Make coleslaw slaw with thinly sliced shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, apple cider vinegar, Truvia sugar free sweetener, salt pepper then tossed with olive oil mayonnaise creating a delicious side dish fit for any feast.
Crab dipping sauce made with Greek yogurt, topped with horse radish sauce is a simple side dish paired with cheese crackers of choice. Spinach vegetable spread is easy to prepare combining cooked strained spinach with Greek yogurt and Lipton Vegetable dried soup mix. Combine strained thawed spinach in a bowl with Greek yogurt, and one packet of Lipton vegetable soup mix. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Add the spinach vegetable spread to a hollowed out round loaf of bread used as a bowl. Serve the spinach spread with a crudité of sliced that consists of a verity of fresh sliced vegetables served for dipping including carrots, broccoli, cucumber slices, celery sticks, sliced squash round out the platter. Low fat turkey gravy ties all the flavors of your dinner together when drizzled on your favorite Thanksgiving side dish selections. Turkey Au jus is a French term that means” with juice” It is a thin sauce made from juices that is released from meats while being cooked.
The sauce is typically served with beef dishes and is often used as a dip with sandwiches such as French dip. There are various versions of the au jus gravy that involve simmering beef broth, red wine and seasoning together until the flavors meld. The sauce is strained and served hot on roasted meats and vegetables. Turkey Au Jus is a flavorful sauce made from the juices of a roasted turkey. It is typically served with turkey dishes and is often used as a dip for sandwiches as a French dip. Prepare turkey au jus gravy using the drippings of a roasted turkey fat removed, seasoned with salt pepper, thyme, white wine, olive oil butter to create a delicious low fat gravy that ties all the flavors of your meal together. Herb Roasted Turkey Au Jus is a flavorful turkey au jus that is simple to make using the dripping of a roasted turkey after cooking. While the turkey is resting on a cooling rack add one cup of water to the roasting pan. Scrape up the drippings and brown bits. Pour the gravy into a separator to skim off the fat.
In a saucepan combine the gravy, white wine and seasoning of herbs, Tyme, parsley, sage, salt, pepper white wine olive oil spread to bring the liquid to a simmer. Strain the liquid and serve the turkey Au jus drizzled over roasted turkey, vegetables and mashed cauliflower puree. Feast if you must its Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the years blessings and give thanks for all that we have.
Cheers!
Patricia Lynn
Images Courtesy of Vika Art Photos at AdobeStock
