Kitrusy’s Thanksgiving Sides

Main image of Kitrusy's Thanksgiving Sides Listicle

Thanksgiving dinner is often celebrated by the grandness of the entrée which is usually a gorgeously roasted and basted ham or turkey. But let’s be real, the day wouldn’t be anything without a healthy helping of various sides to compliment the star! Here are some of our favorite side dishes…

1. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

An overhead image of a bowl of roasted garlic parmesan mashed potatoes topped with a pat of butter, fresh cracked pepper and chives on a blue linen napkin

We’re starting this list off with the most common pairing, a bowl of mashed potatoes. Creamy, starchy, perfectly salted and seasoned, we’re amping this dish up by including some mild and sweetly umami roasted garlic to take this side to the next level.

 

2. Mac and Cheese (Gluten Free)

An overhead image of a plate of homemade mac and cheese topped with chipped greens.

Using a combination of cheeses for maximum flavor and punch, this mac and cheese is simple, delicious, and best of all the types of cheese can be switched up to include your personal favorites. Ooey and gooey it’s a guaranteed to be a hit.

 

3. Thanksgiving Meat Stuffing/Dressing

A close up tilt shifted image of thanksgiving meat stuffing/dressing in a glass dish

Stuffing is a thanksgiving classic, usually used to stuff the star of the day – the turkey – it serves the dual purpose of flavoring and keeping your bird moist while also being able to be enjoyed as a side. Here at Kitrusy we like to make our stuffing as a dedicated side (though you can absolutely use it to stuff your bird if you like!) that has the added benefit of having meat in it for unbelievable flavor.

 

4. Easy Cornbread Muffins (Made With Whole Wheat)

A composite image of baked cornbread muffins.
Keeping things classic, these cornbreads are portioned into easy to serve muffins that are made using whole wheat. They can be whipped up in no time and for those who like an extra kick, adding a couple tbsp of chopped jalapenos is a great and easy way to zhoosh things up!

 

5. The Best Ever Green Bean Casserole

A close up image of crispy onions on a green bean casserole

Our green bean casserole has earned the title of being the best thanks to using whole, fresh green beans that are skillet charred to keep them tender and smoky but with great bite. They get smothered in our homemade mushroom sauce and finally topped with freshly fried crispy onions for the ultimate bite of green bean heaven.

 

6. Amazing 1-Hour Dinner Rolls (100% Whole Wheat)

An overhead image of a stack of Hawaiian dinner rolls on a blue cloth on top of a wood grain table

Forever an iconic side, a warm, freshly baked dinner roll makes a great to nibble on or sop up any leftover gravy on your plate. Or why not make a mini thanksgiving sandwich by layering in some turkey, gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes!

 

7. Cheesy Bacon Butternut Squash

An overhead tilt shifted image of cheesy bacon oven roasted butternut squash on a baking tray topped with fresh parsley
A fall favorite, squash makes a great side dish and this one is no exception. Roasted until tender and slightly caramelized, we use some thick cut bacon that renders it’s flavor into the squash for extra oomph! Finished with a touch of shredded cheese and fresh herbs, this side is as tasty as it is pretty!

 

8. Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

An overhead image of a dish of maple bacon brussels sprouts topped with finely shredded cheese

Elevate the humble Brussels sprout to a whole new level in 15-minutes using just 5 ingredients. Caramelized, maple syrup-kissed and tossed with bits of crispy bacon, each bite is guaranteed to be a balance of sweet and salty that even the pickiest of eaters or sprout haters will enjoy.

 

9. Honey-Glazed Carrots

A head on close up image of honey-glazed carrots garnished with fresh chopped parsley

Even though carrots are sweet all on their own, we’re adding a touch of honey butter and some spices to create an almost candied side of carrots that are just begging to be served alongside some creamy mashed potatoes and succulent meat.

 

10. Sour Cream and Chive Cheddar Biscuits (Gluten Free)

A close up image of three sour cream and chive cheddar biscuits on a piece of parchment with a bundle of herbs and a block of cheddar in the background
While it may not be a traditional buttermilk biscuit, these cheesy little gluten-free drop biscuits are made using a healthy blend of Greek yogurt, eggs, blanched almond flour and freshly grated cheddar cheese to create a soft interior and almost crunchy outside.

 

11. Homemade Gravy

An angled image of a bowl with gravy being streamed in on a blue linen napkin with a wooden board with onion, celery green pepper, roasted garlic and a carton of broth in the background

Gravy is one dish that has a place on every table at any point of the year so it would be amiss to not have it make an appearance at your Thanksgiving celebration! Made with a classic roux and a good quality stock (or drippings from your roasted bird) this gravy is the unquestioned VIP of the table.

 

12. Homemade Cranberry Sauce

An angled image of a bowl of homemade cranberry sauce garnished with orange peel slivers surrounded by fresh oranges, pine cones, a cinnamon stick and fresh cranberries

This year, skip the canned stuff and opt to make your cranberry sauce using fresh, seasonal cranberries. This easy-to-follow recipe results in a sauce that has a bright burst of citrus and a warm combination of spices that is sure to impress.

What About Dessert??

Okay so dessert isn’t technically a side, but it most certainly follows a celebratory meal, and I’ll be honest in saying sometimes it’s my favorite part of the meal. So in honor of that, here are three of our  Thanksgiving dessert favorites, and as a bonus, they’re both clean eating AND gluten free!

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

A close up image of a slice of pumpkin pie on a plate topped with a dollop of coconut whipped cream on a plate with a pie tin and pumpkins in the background

Pumpkin pie isn’t just seasonal it’s a staple dessert at most Thanksgiving tables and while it might be easy to buy a store-bought pie, this recipe allows you bragging rights and as a bonus the crust is flavorful and gluten-free too!

 

Wild Blueberry Crisp (served with a homemade vanilla ice cream)

A close up image of a dish of blueberry crisp with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream

A fruit crumble or crisp is a simple dish that somehow never fails to impress. Made using wild blueberries, this crisp features almond flour and oats to give it a wonderfully crisp topping. And while it can more than stand on its own, serving a helping of this with a scoop of creamy homemade vanilla ice cream is just…well the proverbial cherry on top!

 

Homemade Apple Pie

Head on image of a slice of gluten-free, paleo, homemade apple pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream

This apple pie features a gluten-free cookie-like crust that also doubles as a crumble topping. No longer is the crust just an afterthought or vessel for the filling, here it’s a star in its own right, and one that complements the warm, spiced apple filling that has notes of caramel thanks to the coconut sugar. This apple pie is a must-try!

These are some of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes that never fail to disappoint and get served up year after year.

What are some of yours? Let us know in the comments below. Happy holidays everyone! 🎊