11.25.2019
Flavorful, Quick & Easy Thanksgiving Sides
Fast, spice-forward tips for roasted potatoes, spicy Parker House rolls, green bean upgrades, and a make-ahead Bloody Mary base.
- Use bold spice blends to transform simple sides like roasted potatoes and green beans.
- Make ahead where you can: rolls can be baked the day before and reheated, and cocktail bases can be pre-mixed.
- Swap or add spices like berbere, maple-garlic blends, or garlic-pepper to keep classic dishes interesting.
Thanksgiving side dishes can easily steal the show and it’s no wonder: the side dishes are often prepared by a number of cooks with different culinary backgrounds and interests, each of whom is eager to present a dish that’s unique, satisfying, and — most of all — flavorful. Enter the spices.
Spices and the Humble Potato
Simple, unassuming, and ever-present, the potato is a blank slate for an inventive cook’s imagination. Whether you steam them, mash them, fry them, or turn them into pancakes or pillowy gnocchi, potatoes hold up to all sorts of cooking techniques and interventions. But perhaps the simplest technique is also the one that showcases the terrific versatility of this ingredient: oven roasting.
Our recipe has just three ingredients: potatoes, olive oil, and Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper. A chewy exterior, caramelized from the oil’s contact with the roasting pan, gives way to a creamy interior. Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper is hand-mixed from Tellicherry black pepper, garlic, Kosher flake salt, sugar, red bell peppers, shallots, parsley. This spice blend proves to be the perfect complement to the mighty roasted potato.
Parker House Rolls with a Spicy Twist
These classic American dinner rolls delighted guests at the 19th century Boston hotel whose name they bear and they will delight the friends and family who gather around your table this Thanksgiving. But we’ve added a spicy twist. The addition of charnushka seeds contributes a gentle earthiness that lies somewhere between cumin and thyme. White sesame seeds add a nutty crunch and the rolls are finished with a sprinkle of coarse Mediterranean sea salt.
Don’t be afraid to do some baking in advance of the big meal. These can be baked the night before and warmed on Thanksgiving day.
Green Beans Reimagined
Green Beans’ fate has them linked to a mushroom soup-based casserole for a sizable number of America’s Thanksgiving tables. We’re here to liberate the beans and give you a few other ideas.
Use fresh green beans if you have access to them, otherwise, frozen beans will do.
This recipe is simple and direct: green beans, bacon, and Gateway to the North Maple Garlic Seasoning, our hand-mixed blend of pure maple sugar, granulated brown sugar, Kosher salt, Tellicherry black pepper, garlic, onion, and green onion flakes.
Or, how about sautéed Green Beans with Berbere, the star of Ethiopian cuisine?
Or try Green Beans and granulated garlic and ginger.
Enjoy Thanksgiving Cooking
For most families, the Thanksgiving meal is the largest one they’ll prepare all year and for most households, it’s all-hands-on-deck when it comes to the cooking. Someone is given charge of the bird, someone is outside at the smoker, there are salads and casseroles and dinner rolls. Kitchens are crowded with lovely people. We hope you enjoy that time together. You’re creating a great meal and you’re creating memories.
And since cooks get thirsty, here’s our recipe for a Bloody Mary — the perfect cocktail to accompany morning prep work. It relies on our Bloody Mary Mate (celery seed, flake salt, toasted onion, arrowroot, and ground green peppercorns) and Cayenne.
Happy and Spicy Thanksgiving!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper good for roasted potatoes?
Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper blends Tellicherry black pepper, garlic, Kosher flake salt, sugar, red bell pepper, shallots, and parsley. The mix adds savory garlic, bright pepper heat, and a bit of sweetness so roasted potatoes get a crunchy, caramelized exterior and a flavorful, creamy interior.
How do I roast potatoes quickly and reliably?
Cut potatoes into even pieces, toss with olive oil and your spice mix, spread in a single layer on a rimmed pan, and roast at 425°F until golden and tender. Flip once about halfway through. Small pieces usually take 25 to 35 minutes; larger pieces take 35 to 45 minutes.
Can I bake Parker House rolls ahead of Thanksgiving?
Yes. Bake the rolls the night before, cool, then store in an airtight container. Rewarm them on Thanksgiving at 300 to 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes, loosely covered with foil so they steam slightly and stay soft. Add sesame and sea salt just before baking or after warming for best texture.
What is charnushka seed and how does it change the rolls?
Charnushka seed has an earthy flavor that sits between cumin and thyme. In Parker House rolls it adds subtle savory depth and a warm, slightly nutty note that complements sesame and butter without overpowering the dough.
How can I upgrade green beans beyond the classic casserole?
Sauté fresh or frozen green beans with bacon and a sweet-savory maple-garlic seasoning for contrast. Or season simply with berbere for an Ethiopian-inspired kick. Another easy option is a garlic and ginger mix for bright, aromatic flavor. Cook until beans are crisp-tender so they keep texture.
How should I prep a Bloody Mary base to save time?
Mix tomato juice with a Bloody Mary Mate blend (celery seed, flake salt, toasted onion, arrowroot, ground green peppercorns) and a pinch of cayenne. Refrigerate the base up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add vodka and ice, taste, and adjust hot sauce, lemon, or celery salt as needed.
How do I coordinate multiple cooks in a busy Thanksgiving kitchen?
Assign dishes and timelines in advance so everyone knows what to bring and when. Prioritize make-ahead items like rolls and cocktail bases. Stagger oven and stove use, designate prep and plating stations, and communicate reheating steps so dishes arrive hot and ready.
What makes Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper good for roasted potatoes?
Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper blends Tellicherry black pepper, garlic, Kosher flake salt, sugar, red bell pepper, shallots, and parsley. The mix adds savory garlic, bright pepper heat, and a bit of sweetness so roasted potatoes get a crunchy, caramelized exterior and a flavorful, creamy interior.
How do I roast potatoes quickly and reliably?
Cut potatoes into even pieces, toss with olive oil and your spice mix, spread in a single layer on a rimmed pan, and roast at 425°F until golden and tender. Flip once about halfway through. Small pieces usually take 25 to 35 minutes; larger pieces take 35 to 45 minutes.
Can I bake Parker House rolls ahead of Thanksgiving?
Yes. Bake the rolls the night before, cool, then store in an airtight container. Rewarm them on Thanksgiving at 300 to 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes, loosely covered with foil so they steam slightly and stay soft. Add sesame and sea salt just before baking or after warming for best texture.
What is charnushka seed and how does it change the rolls?
Charnushka seed has an earthy flavor that sits between cumin and thyme. In Parker House rolls it adds subtle savory depth and a warm, slightly nutty note that complements sesame and butter without overpowering the dough.
How can I upgrade green beans beyond the classic casserole?
Sauté fresh or frozen green beans with bacon and a sweet-savory maple-garlic seasoning for contrast. Or season simply with berbere for an Ethiopian-inspired kick. Another easy option is a garlic and ginger mix for bright, aromatic flavor. Cook until beans are crisp-tender so they keep texture.
How should I prep a Bloody Mary base to save time?
Mix tomato juice with a Bloody Mary Mate blend (celery seed, flake salt, toasted onion, arrowroot, ground green peppercorns) and a pinch of cayenne. Refrigerate the base up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add vodka and ice, taste, and adjust hot sauce, lemon, or celery salt as needed.
How do I coordinate multiple cooks in a busy Thanksgiving kitchen?
Assign dishes and timelines in advance so everyone knows what to bring and when. Prioritize make-ahead items like rolls and cocktail bases. Stagger oven and stove use, designate prep and plating stations, and communicate reheating steps so dishes arrive hot and ready.
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