Life
11 Last Minute Thanksgiving Recipes That'll Taste Like You Had Everything Under Control
Turkey is the diva of your Thanksgiving table. It may not look like much, but this little bird is more demanding than Beyoncé on a world tour. It needs to be thawed, brined, and basted — and if you pull it out of the oven five degrees too late? May the poultry gods have mercy on your soul. Here’s the thing: By the time you finally get that bird onto a serving plate, you’ve forgotten the most important part of all — your Thanksgiving sides.
Never fear, procrastinators. With a little creativity, it’s still not too late to get some magnificent side dishes on the table. Whether you’re an hour out or five minutes to dinnertime, we rounded up the perfect supporting cast, from bacon-wrapped asparagus to polenta chips and a stunning citrus salad. Thanksgiving isn’t a competition — but if it were, you’d totally dominate. Here’s to that holiday spirit.
Image: My Name Is Yeh
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Got 40 minutes? This side dish has your name all over it. Just bundle up a few asparagus stalks, wrap in bacon, and roast in the oven. How Sweet Eats brushes hers with sesame-infused oil, but if you’re short on time, good old olive will do.
Image: How Sweet Eats
Roasted Eggplant
The beautiful thing about these roasted veggies is that you can stuff them with whatever you have on hand. Made extra wild rice? Sure. Cranberry sauce? Go for it. Lady and Pups finishes hers off with an easy, four-ingredient yogurt dressing.
Image: Lady and Pups
Fried Brussels Sprouts
Think Brussels sprouts are gross? Think again. Like most everything in life, they’re better deep fried, à la How Sweet Eats.
Image: How Sweet Eats
Buttered Mushroom Toast
When it comes to last-minute sides, toast has your back, every single time. Half Baked Harvest tops hers with mushrooms and chèvre, but just about any combo of veggies and cheese will work.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Mini Baked Brie
You already know how much I love puff pastry — and when you wrap it around some gooey, creamy brie? That’s what I call heaven. Joy the Baker’s recipe is an adorable take on the holiday classic.
Image: Joy the Baker
Grilled Polenta Chips
No time to stir a pot of polenta for hours? No problem. Half Baked Harvest turns her cornmeal into chips, in under 15 minutes.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Mixed Greens
Blanched veggies make a surprisingly delicious side, especially when they’re all dressed up with homemade hollandaise. With help from our friends at Tucker, you’ll have this dish on the table in 20 minutes, flat.
Image: Tucker
Quinoa Salad
When it comes down to the wire, salad is your best friend. Oh, Ladycakes tosses together a wholesome salad with quinoa — but feel free to sub in whatever cooked grains you already have on hand.
Image: Oh, Ladycakes
Fig Salad
This sweet-meets-savory salad is so pretty, no one will guess it took you five minutes to whip up. Thanks, Tucker!
Image: Tucker
Citrus Fennel Salad
This zippy citrus salad from Jelly Toast is just the thing to brighten up your Thanksgiving table.
Image: Jelly Toast
Panzanella Kabobs
Finally, the lazy girl’s side dish: Kabobs from My Name Is Yeh. All you need are skewers and a few leftover ingredients, like bread, herbs, and tomatoes, to make a showstopping appetizer.
Image: My Name Is Yeh
