6 Thanksgiving Classics That Go Beyond the Basics

Bring it!

You'll be the guest of honor when you show up to Thanksgiving with one of these side dishes. Each recipe takes a classic dish to chef-level status with flavor twists and upgrades.

By Caitlyn Dimig, RD

1. Potato Rosemary Knots

For a fun and flavorful upgrade to the usual dinner rolls, this recipe ties rosemary-flavored bread dough into knots and finishes with a sprinkle of flaky salt and more rosemary before baking. You could use 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, if you like. If you don't have a bread machine, here are tips for working with yeast dough by hand or with a stand mixer.

2. Pineapple-Orange Cranberry Sauce

Instead of using sugar, this bright and colorful recipe simmers cranberries in orange juice along with pineapple, honey, orange zest, grated fresh ginger, and cinnamon.

3. Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Bacon and maple are a match made in heaven. Now add in roasted Brussels sprouts and you have a trifecta of tasty goodness.

4. Savory Bread Pudding with Mushrooms & Leeks

Sourdough bread, sautéed leeks, and a generous helping of mushrooms are bathed in a creamy, cheesy custard and baked until ooey, gooey, hot, and crusty. "This savory bread pudding was inspired by a lunch I had at a food cart in Portland long ago. It works well as a vegetarian main dish or as a substantial side dish."—muttoneer

5. Jamie's Pomegranate Spinach Salad

A so-simple homemade vinaigrette with crunchy almonds and pomegranate seeds (also called arils) will have even the veggie-haters reaching for seconds. Try this easy, no-mess way to quickly remove the seeds from a pomegranate.

6. Sweet Potato Gratin

This elegant and creamy take on sweet potatoes is elevated with a sauce made with four fresh herbs.

Check out our collection of Thanksgiving Recipes.

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2019 issue of Allrecipes Magazine.