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Thanksgiving sides ideas (to purchase already made)

A

ace2000

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We've decided to skip the cooking for Thanksgiving this year and purchase everything already made. We'll have a group of 10-12 people.

The turkey and ham will be the main course. What about some good side ideas? Restaurant or grocery suggestions would be great.
 
Don't forget your local Farmers Markets, some of the vendors may be offering prepared dishes alongside their produce. Ours are taking orders this week and will be back for pick-ups next Tuesday or Wednesday.
 
I go to the Farmer's market every Saturday to buy our bread. What kind of sides do they sell?

I should clarify on my original post. There will be cooking involved to heat whatever we do, but only heating, but we're hoping to avoid the all-day prep and keep it simple.
 
Well, a lot of supermarkets will do the whole dinner for you to just come and pick up. Desert is easy- you just need to go to a bakery for some pies. You could also have everyone bring something already made and you'd be all set.
 
I've heard good things about Whole Foods prepared Thanksgiving fare (specifically dressing and gravy) if you have one nearby.
 
Here's what I do: about a week before Turkey Day, I start preparing my side dishes (just one dish per day) and I freeze them in a casserole dishes. On Turkey day I just pop them in the oven to bake, and them come out fresh, just like I made them that morning. This has made Thanksgiving incredibly easier for me.
 
Side dishes

Boston zMarket makes excellent Mashed potatoes, stuffing, string beans, and corn bread
 
I've been using Boston Market for my "holiday dinners" for the past few years. Their turkey & hams are delicious, and as the previous poster mentioned, you can order the "complete meals" w/ sides. :whoopie:
My mom loves their meat loaf, and has asked that I add that to our "Thanksgiving dinner" this year. We will make a few sides, (easy veggie dishes), but for everything else, it's Boston Market.:D

Deb
 
Open up a can of cranberry jelly and call it good. ;)

Kurt
 
Whole Foods

Elan said:
I've heard good things about Whole Foods prepared Thanksgiving fare (specifically dressing and gravy) if you have one nearby.
Click to expand...

I second Whole Foods dressing and gravy. Mashed potatoes were good too.
We did the whole meal twice in a row. First year great, the second not so, except for the three I mentioned above.
 
A couple of ideas we're thinking about... Olive Garden ToGo (Salad and breadsticks), Honey-Baked Ham store, and our local grocery store also prepares a meal.

I didn't know if our local Sam's has anything worth trying or not, but thought I'd scout it out this weekend.
 
PigsDad said:
Open up a can of cranberry jelly and call it good. ;)

Kurt
Click to expand...

That stuff is vile, we usually just boil Costco cranberries to make sauce, one time we decided to try the canned stuff, gelatinous goo that's way over sugared and tastes nothing like cranberries....
 
persia said:
That stuff is vile, we usually just boil Costco cranberries to make sauce, one time we decided to try the canned stuff, gelatinous goo that's way over sugared and tastes nothing like cranberries....
Click to expand...

Agreed, but it makes such a nice, irresistible "shlooop" sound when coming out of the can. :rofl:

Kurt
 
persia said:
That stuff is vile, we usually just boil Costco cranberries to make sauce, one time we decided to try the canned stuff, gelatinous goo that's way over sugared and tastes nothing like cranberries....
Click to expand...

Really? With no sugar? That would be awfully tart!
 
By us, small specialty grocers do a lot of holiday catering orders. We have an Italian grocery nearby that makes an amazing Thanksgiving meal, all very home-cooked tasting, for a good price per person. They also sell side dishes separately if you pre-order.

Also, many caterers make quantities of food for holidays, and they can make exactly what you like. Sometimes the cost is surprisingly good for the quality. And some caterers are willing to make something from a family recipe that you provide to them.
 
wackymother said:
By us, small specialty grocers do a lot of holiday catering orders. We have an Italian grocery nearby that makes an amazing Thanksgiving meal, all very home-cooked tasting, for a good price per person. They also sell side dishes separately if you pre-order.

Also, many caterers make quantities of food for holidays, and they can make exactly what you like. Sometimes the cost is surprisingly good for the quality. And some caterers are willing to make something from a family recipe that you provide to them.
Click to expand...

Yes, they do ... because most do NOT cook using published cookbooks but recipes pasted down thru their families AND new ones from customers' families.

I just love the butter cream cake icings ... and sausages.
 
Thanks to my mother-in-law we use this dish and everyone likes it. You could get this in the oven faster than a trip to the store...make it the day before and reheat in microwave.

Corn Casserole

Total Time:
1 hr 8 min
Prep:
8 min
Inactive:
5 min
Cook:
55 min

Yield:
6 to 8 servings

Level:
Easy

Next Recipe
Ingredients

1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.
 
b2bailey said:
Thanks to my mother-in-law we use this dish and everyone likes it. You could get this in the oven faster than a trip to the store...make it the day before and reheat in microwave.

Corn Casserole

Total Time:
1 hr 8 min
Prep:
8 min
Inactive:
5 min
Cook:
55 min

Yield:
6 to 8 servings

Level:
Easy

Next Recipe
Ingredients

1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.
Click to expand...



A woman at work makes this and gave me the recipe. Going to try it! It is delicious!
 
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