Thanksgiving can be such a whirlwind, can’t it? I remember my first year hosting—I was juggling a turkey, stuffing, and a dozen desserts, all while trying to keep my sanity intact! That’s when I discovered the magic of *make ahead thanksgiving sides*. Not only do they save you time on the big day, but they also help you avoid that last-minute kitchen chaos. My family has fallen in love with these creamy mashed potatoes and vibrant green beans, and they’ve become a staple on our holiday table. Trust me, prepping these sides ahead of time means you can focus on what really matters—enjoying the company of loved ones and indulging in delicious food without the stress!
Ingredients for Make Ahead Thanksgiving Sides
- 4 cups diced potatoes (peeled and cut into even chunks for even cooking)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or your favorite alternative works well)
- 1/2 cup butter (unsalted, because we can always add salt later!)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (I love sharp cheddar for that extra flavor punch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for that savory depth)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste, but this is a good start)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly cracked, if you can, for the best flavor)
- 2 cups green beans (trimmed and ready for blanching)
- 1 cup chopped onions (yellow or sweet onions add a lovely sweetness)
How to Prepare Make Ahead Thanksgiving Sides
Let’s break it down step-by-step, so you’ll have everything ready without a hitch! First up, we’re making those creamy mashed potatoes. Start by peeling and dicing your potatoes into even chunks—this helps them cook uniformly. Toss them into a pot of boiling water and let them cook for about 15 minutes, or until they’re fork-tender. Once they’re ready, drain them and return them to the pot. Add in the milk, butter, shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Now, grab that potato masher and mash away until it’s smooth and creamy, just the way we like it!
Preparing the Mashed Potatoes
For the mashed potatoes, it’s all about timing and technique! After you’ve mashed them, give them a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can make these a day ahead; just cover them and pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat. When reheating, I suggest doing it gently on the stove with a splash of milk to bring them back to life!
Blanching the Green Beans
Now, let’s get to those gorgeous green beans! Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the trimmed green beans. Blanch them for about 5 minutes until they turn a vibrant green and are crisp-tender. After that, plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. This keeps them looking fresh and bright!
Sautéing the Onions
Finally, let’s sauté those onions for maximum flavor! Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a bit of oil or butter. Toss in your chopped onions and sauté them until they’re golden brown, which should take about 5-7 minutes. This caramelization brings out their natural sweetness, making them the perfect pairing with your green beans!
Tips for Success
To really nail your *make ahead thanksgiving sides*, here are some insider tips! First, don’t skip the ice bath for your green beans—it locks in that bright green color and crisp texture. Also, consider making the mashed potatoes a day in advance; just be sure to give them a good stir and a splash of milk when reheating to keep them creamy. If you’re short on time, you can always use pre-shredded cheese, but trust me, freshly shredded really does make a difference in taste! And remember, tasting as you go is key—adjust those seasonings until it’s just right!
Variations on Make Ahead Thanksgiving Sides
There are so many fun ways to switch things up with these *make ahead thanksgiving sides*! For the mashed potatoes, try adding different cheeses like pepper jack for a spicy kick or cream cheese for an ultra-creamy texture. You can also mix in roasted garlic or fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an aromatic touch. If you want to jazz up the green beans, toss in some toasted almonds or crispy bacon bits right before serving for added crunch and flavor. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and make these sides your own!
Nutritional Information Disclaimer
Okay, let’s chat nutrition! Keep in mind that the nutrition facts can vary based on the specific brands and ingredients you use. For a serving size of about 1 cup, you’re looking at around 250 calories, 10g of fat, and 6g of protein. Plus, you’ll get a nice dose of carbs at 35g! But hey, don’t stress too much about the numbers—just enjoy these delicious sides with family and friends!
Serving Suggestions
These *make ahead thanksgiving sides* pair beautifully with a juicy roasted turkey or a honey-glazed ham. You can also serve them alongside a flavorful stuffing and a fresh cranberry sauce for that perfect holiday balance. And don’t forget a side of fluffy rolls to soak up all those delicious flavors! Trust me, your Thanksgiving table will look and taste absolutely divine!
FAQ Section
Can I prepare these sides the day before?
Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend prepping these *make ahead thanksgiving sides* a day in advance. You can make the mashed potatoes and green beans ahead of time, just be sure to store them in the fridge. This way, all you have to do on Thanksgiving is reheat and serve!
How do I reheat the sides?
For the mashed potatoes, I suggest reheating them gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of milk to keep them creamy and stir until heated through. As for the green beans, a quick sauté in a skillet with a bit of butter will bring them back to life and add a nice shine!
Can I freeze these dishes?
You can definitely freeze both the mashed potatoes and green beans! Just make sure to let them cool completely before transferring them to airtight containers. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat as mentioned above. Keep in mind that the texture of the potatoes might change slightly, but they’ll still taste delicious!
What to Do Next
I’d love to hear how your *make ahead thanksgiving sides* turned out! Please leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts or any tips you have. If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to rate it! Sharing your own twists on these sides is always welcome too!
Imprimer
Make Ahead Thanksgiving Sides: 5 Stress-Free Wonders
- Temps Total: 55 minutes
- Rendement: 8 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Easy make-ahead sides for Thanksgiving.
Ingrédients
- 4 cups diced potatoes
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups green beans
- 1 cup chopped onions
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes.
- Boil the potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add milk, butter, cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Mash until smooth.
- Blanch green beans in boiling water for 5 minutes.
- Heat a skillet and sauté onions until golden brown.
- Mix green beans with sautéed onions.
- Transfer the mashed potatoes and green beans to serving dishes.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Make the potatoes a day in advance.
- Reheat the potatoes and green beans before serving.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Temps De Préparation: 30 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 25 minutes
- Catégorie: Sides
- Méthode: Boiling and sautéing
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sucre: 2g
- De Sodium: 400mg
- La graisse: 10g
- Graisses Saturées: 5g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 3g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 35g
- La fibre: 4g
- La protéine: 6g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 25mg
Mots-clés: make ahead thanksgiving sides
