Thanksgiving side dish favorites

by Justin Segelstrom

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and one of the best parts of this season is gathering with loved ones to enjoy comforting, homemade food. Over the years, I’ve made countless recipes, but there are a few side dishes that I always come back to. These are my absolute favorites—tried and true, and perfect for holiday meals. Whether you’re hosting a feast or bringing a dish to share, these recipes are guaranteed to impress. Let’s dive into these holiday staples that will bring warmth and flavor to your table!

Cornbread and Sausage Dressing

Nothing says the holidays like a hearty dressing. This version, with savory sausage, buttery cornbread, and a mix of fresh herbs, is the ultimate side dish for your holiday spread.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 lb bread, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
• 1/2 lb day-old cornbread, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 1/2–1 cup chopped onion
• 3 medium celery stalks, sliced
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 2 Tbsp chopped sage
• 1 Tbsp chopped thyme
• 2 tsp chopped rosemary
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Butter a baking dish and set aside. Spread bread and cornbread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake, tossing occasionally, until completely dried out, 35–50 minutes. Cool and transfer to a large bowl.
2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, breaking it into small pieces, until browned, 8–10 minutes. Add to the bowl with bread.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and celery, scraping up browned bits, until just starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Add to the bowl and let cool.
4. Whisk eggs, chicken broth, parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Pour over the bread mixture and fold gently to combine.
5. Increase the oven heat to 350°F. Transfer the mixture to the buttered dish, cover with foil, and bake until the center reaches 160°F, about 30–35 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden and crisp on top, another 35–40 minutes.

Make Ahead Tip: Assemble the stuffing (but don’t bake) a day in advance. Cover and chill. Bake as directed before serving.

Easy Classic Stuffing

This classic stuffing has all the traditional flavors you know and love. With soft bread, fresh herbs, and buttery richness, it’s a holiday essential.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish
• 1 lb day-old white bread, torn into 1-inch pieces (about 10 cups)
• 2 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 1 1/2 cups sliced celery
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh sage
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth, divided
• 2 large eggs

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish with butter. Spread bread on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake until dried out, about 1 hour. Cool and transfer to a large bowl.
2. In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and celery until just starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Add to the bread. Stir in parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with half the broth and toss gently.
3. Increase the oven to 350°F. Whisk eggs and remaining broth in a small bowl. Add to the bread mixture, folding gently to combine. Transfer to the prepared dish, cover with foil, and bake until the center registers 160°F, about 35–40 minutes.
4. Uncover and bake until the top is golden and crisp, another 35–45 minutes.

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the stuffing a day ahead, stopping before the second bake. Chill, then bake as directed before serving.

My Favorite Mashed Potatoes

Smooth, creamy, and decadent, these mashed potatoes are a must-have side. A hint of garlic and the option to add sour cream make them extra special.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs potatoes (russet, Yukon Gold, or a mix), peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, plus more for boiling water
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• Chopped fresh chives, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place potatoes and garlic in a large pot. Cover with cold water and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until fork-tender, 15–20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
2. Mash the potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Fold in sour cream if using.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm, topped with butter and chives.

Bay-Rosemary Potato Gratin

Layered with fragrant rosemary and creamy half-and-half, this gratin is luxurious and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 rosemary sprigs, plus 1 Tbsp chopped leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a saucepan, melt butter and cook onion and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes. Add rosemary and bay leaf, cooking until fragrant. Stir in half-and-half, bring to a boil, and let steep for 15 minutes.
2. Discard rosemary sprigs and bay leaf. Add potatoes, sour cream, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Transfer to a greased 8-inch baking dish. Bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Apple & Orange Cranberry Sauce

This tangy, sweet cranberry sauce is a beautiful addition to your holiday table, with bursts of orange and apple for added flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 orange
• 2 cups water
• 1 tart apple, diced
• 3 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Juice the orange and set aside. Dice the rind and boil in water for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, combine diced apple, cranberries, orange juice, rind, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Simmer until thickened, 10–15 minutes.
3. Cool for 1 hour or refrigerate until ready to serve.

These dishes are staples at my holiday table and have been for years. Each one is made with love and packed with flavor — sure to make your celebrations even more special. Happy holidays, and enjoy these family-favorite recipes!

 

Justin Segelstrom is a chef who lives in Bismarck.

Follow him on Instagram at @mycompletecooking and on Facebook at My Complete Cooking

His posts appear on the last Friday of each month at On Your Table, EXCEPT this month, because we wanted to get you these awesome recipes BEFORE the holiday! 

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