Quick & Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Save time on Thanksgiving with these speedy side dishes that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes.

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Vanilla Scented Sweet Potato Puree

Half a vanilla bean adds sweetness to this creamy puree, making an ultra-decadent side even richer.

Get the Recipe: Vanilla Scented Sweet Potato Puree

Roasted Cauliflower

This cauliflower (one of Michael Symon's favorite go-to sides) gains savory notes from white anchovy and capers; its crunchy texture comes from toasted pine nuts.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower

Cranberry Salad

Kelsey's Thanksgiving-inspired spin on ambrosia salad is the ultimate make-ahead side. Blended cranberries tint the sweet mixture of pineapple, marshmallows and whipped cream, giving the salad vibrant color as it chills. Top with pomegranate arils for a final tangy punch.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Salad

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Sunny keeps her Brussels sprouts delectably simple by sauteing them in a skillet with bacon fat, butter and onions.

Get the Recipe: Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Red, White and Blue Mashed Potatoes

Add some color to your Thanksgiving mash with red new potatoes that are smashed and smothered with garlic, bacon and Gorgonzola cheese.

Get the Recipe: Red, White and Blue Mashed Potatoes

Glazed Carrots

Alton coats these carrot coins in a sweet reduced ginger ale glaze with a secret kick: chili powder. 

Get the Recipe: Glazed Carrots

Green Beans with Blood Oranges

A reliable make-ahead side, this dish holds up well for an hour when kept at room temperature until ready to serve, making room on your stovetop for other dishes.

Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Blood Orange and Tangerine Dressing

Cranberry-Orange Sauce

Orange juice and orange zest add citrus notes and brightness to this cranberry sauce, which would pair well with lemon-scented turkeys and fall fruit salads.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Sauce

Asian-Spiced Butternut Squash

Butternut squash gets an exotic Asian spin with Chinese five spice, a mixture of fennel seeds, Szechuan pepper, star anise, cloves and cassia, which is the Chinese equivalent to cinnamon.

Get the Recipe: Red Cooked Butternut Squash

Fast Mashed Potatoes for Desperate Times

This recipe provides the perfect single serving of classic mashed potatoes to comfort you after a rough day or just because you want some. It can also be multiplied as needed to provide a quick, satisfying side for a holiday meal.

Get the Recipe: Fast Mashed Potatoes for Desperate Times

Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Corn Muffins

Giada's corn muffins are moist and delicious thanks to buttermilk and sour cream, and have a satisfyingly chunky texture in every bite due to whole corn kernels.

Get the Recipe: Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Corn Muffin

Kelsey's Roasted Vegetables

Add a healthy and colorful dish to your Thanksgiving table with a seasonal assortment of veggies that, when sliced thinly enough, only require about 10 minutes in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetables

Artichoke Gratinata

Though it sounds fancy, this dish consists of artichokes baked with breadcrumbs and a melted grated cheese topping — it's a comforting casserole that cooks in only 10 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Artichoke Gratinata

Creamed Pearl Onions

Buy frozen pearl onions –– they're peeled, eliminating the prep work from this dish (and keeping your sanity intact).

Get the Recipe: Creamed Pearl Onions

Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta

Salty pancetta adds enough flavor to this dish to entice even the most adamant Brussels sprouts hater.

Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Haricots Verts with Rosemary

Tender, thin green beans tossed with rosemary and lemon-infused olive oil are the perfect complement to your roasted turkey and mashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Haricots Verts with Rosemary

Sauteed Mushrooms

Give the mushrooms space in the pan –– if they overlap, they'll steam and never develop a richly flavored brown exterior.

Get the Recipe: Sauteed Mushrooms

Parsnip Puree

As rich as mashed potatoes (but with far less starch), whipped parsnips are a welcome alternative to the much-loved spuds.

Get the Recipe: Parsnip Puree

Garlic Sauteed Spinach

This healthy dish needs no cream –– the garlic kicks up the flavor while keeping the rest of the dish light. It's a welcome alternative to the heavier foods on the table. 

Get the Recipe: Garlic Sauteed Spinach

Raw Beet, Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

Slightly under-ripe pears will be crisper than ripe ones, but their flavor will be just as strong. Debi and Gabriele use red and yellow beets to create a beautiful plate.

Get the Recipe: Raw Beet, Pear and Gorgonzola Salad