Last-Minute Thanksgiving Sides You Can Make In Under 30 Minutes

By Mary Shannon Wells
August 17, 2017
Credit: Iain Bagwell
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your house, it’s likely you’ll be stressed about what china pattern to put out, how to cook the turkey, and most of all, if Mama will approve of your Thanksgiving hosting skills. That’s a lot to think about (plus more), so we’ve gathered 20 quick Thanksgiving side dishes to help you out on Thanksgiving Day. All of these easy Thanksgiving side dishes come together from start to finish (including prep time) in 30 minutes or less—really. We’ve found the quickest Thanksgiving sides recipes that include vegetables, casseroles, cranberries, and even cornbread. These quick Thanksgiving side dishes are exactly what every busy hostess needs. Thanksgiving sides that are ready in less than 30 minutes? Yep, sit back, relax, and give thanks for these fast and easy recipes.
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Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Recipe: Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Mouths will water when you bring this deliciously creamy macaroni and cheese to the table. Perfect for a quick dinner on weeknights, this recipe combines extra-sharp Cheddar, cavatappi, bacon, hot sauce, pimientos, and panko. Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese will please guests of all ages, and is a warm, filling entree for cool winter nights.

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Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

This amazing mashed potato recipe combines tangy goat cheese with sweet heavy cream for a fluffy, flavorful side dish that’s ready in 30 minutes.

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Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Asparagus

This delicious veggie side dish has a short ingredient list and only takes 10 minutes in the oven.

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Buttermilk Cornbread

Credit: Howard Lee Puckett

Recipe: Buttermilk Cornbread

No Southern table is complete without cornbread, and this cast-iron skillet version will be ready in less than 30 minutes.

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Honey-Roasted Carrots

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Honey-Roasted Carrots

You can substitute apple juice for bourbon in this recipe, but our test kitchen recommends buying carrots that are similar sizes so they’ll cook evenly.

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Sweet Potato Hash

Credit: Dhanraj Emanuel

Recipe: Sweet Potato Hash

If you don’t have time to make a classic sweet potato casserole, you can still have sweet potatoes on your Thanksgiving plate in under 20 minutes with this easy, colorful hash.

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Broccoli-and-Cauliflower Gratin

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin

With this recipe, you get two vegetables in one cheesy dish.

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Easy Mac and Cheese

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Easy Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese will be a hit at the kids’ table, and it only takes 20 minutes to get it there.

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Broccolini with Pecans and Cane Syrup Vinaigrette

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Broccolini with Pecans and Cane Syrup Vinaigrette

You can use broccoli florets in place of Broccolini for this side dish that's topped with pecans and pomegranates.

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Pepper Jelly-Glazed Carrots

Credit: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Pepper Jelly-Glazed Carrots

The sweet glaze on these carrots has a little kick, but if your family likes spicy food, use hot jalapeno pepper jelly instead.

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Double Cranberry-Apple Sauce

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Double Cranberry-Apple Sauce

You’ll want to mix this cranberry-apple sauce with everything on your Thanksgiving plate.

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Sautéed Green Beans with Bacon

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sautéed Green Beans with Bacon

Video: Sautéed Green Beans with Bacon

We’ll take our greens topped with chopped bacon, please.

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Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Credit: Jim Franco

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

We think the best way to cook Brussels sprouts (and, well, anything) is with bacon, especially Italian bacon.

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Creamed Corn

Credit: Tina Cornett

Recipe: Creamed Corn

This easy creamed corn recipe is a Thanksgiving must.

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Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Video: Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

This 20-minute mac and cheese recipe has tons of flavor from pimientos, bacon and hot sauce.

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Hot-Water Cornbread

Credit: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Hot-Water Cornbread

You can prepare this quick cornbread option right before you serve.

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Any Greens Sauté

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Any Greens Sauté

Whether you go with collards or turnip greens, this easy recipe is quick and delicious, and you probably have the ingredients already.

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Spicy Cranberry-Orange Chutney

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Spicy Cranberry-Orange Chutney

This dish has texture and flavor from red pepper jelly, applesauce, orange zest, and dried cranberries. Spoon this spicy cranberry-orange chutney over any dish on your Thanksgiving plate for an extra kick.

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Cornbread Panzanella with Squash

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Cornbread Panzanella with Squash

Instead of cornbread dressing, make a lighter and faster dish with this Southern twist on panzanella, an Italian original.

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Whipped-Cream Corn Salad

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Whipped-Cream Corn Salad

This no-cook recipe is the easiest way to add corn to your Thanksgiving menu.

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Arugula with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Arugula with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

The warm bacon vinaigrette is the star of this simple arugula salad with goat cheese and bacon.

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By Mary Shannon Wells