Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dishes

Updated November 24, 2015
Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Out of time for a delicious, homemade Thanksgiving spread? Think again! Check out these super-simple and quick recipes for traditional dishes before you resort to calling the local diner for pick-up.

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Corn Fritters with Jalapeño Jelly

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Corn Fritters with Jalapeño Jelly Recipe

From the Kitchen of…Laraine Perri, Longtime Contributor

"The Perris would sooner sacrifice the turkey than spend Thanksgiving in New York City fritter-less."

Avoid overmixing the batter to keep fritters from becoming too heavy and dense. You can make them earlier in the day and quickly reheat; arrange fritters on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a 425° oven until thoroughly heated and crisp.

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Crispy Green Beans with Sriracha Mayo

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards; Styling: Ginny Branch

Crispy Green Beans with Sriracha Mayo Recipe

No leftovers? Sub in a bag of microwaved steamed beans.

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White Balsamic and Rosemary Cranberry Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Causey

White Balsamic and Rosemary Cranberry Sauce Recipe

If you’re looking for a way to amp up your traditional sauce, this is it. Fresh rosemary gives the sauce a light herbal flavor (the berries are robust enough to stand up to the piny herb). White balsamic vinegar balances the sweet and adds a dimension of fruity tang to the tart cranberries. If you don’t have white balsamic, use white wine vinegar or cider vinegar—regular balsamic is a bit too strong and would darken the finished sauce. Beyond your holiday plate (and inevitable holiday leftovers), add to a cheese plate or sandwich buffet.

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Caramelized Leek and Spinach Dip

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Caramelized Leek and Spinach Dip Recipe

Beautifully caramelized leeks and onions cannot be rushed; resist the urge to crank up the heat. Leeks become especially silky and sweet when left to cook awhile. If they start to stick to the bottom of the pan, add a tablespoon or two of water, and stir (the liquid will evaporate during cooking). Instead of bread or crackers, serve the dip with an array of vegetables, such as baby carrots, endive leaves, radishes, diagonally sliced cucumber, and mini sweet bell peppers for a bit of freshness, color, and crunch. You'll also save calories and room for the rest of the meal.

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Marinated Goat Cheese

Credit: Greg Dupree

Marinated Goat Cheese Recipe

We steep aromatics in olive oil for a fragrant and flavorful marinade. It’s a great use for high-quality oil—the low heat won’t affect its flavor, and you can strain leftover oil to use to both cook and finish dishes. Aleppo pepper is slightly milder and fruitier than red pepper flakes, but an equal amount of red pepper flakes won’t overpower the cheese. Use the marinated cheese to spread on bread or crackers, or as a salad or sandwich topper.

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Cheese Platter

Credit: Melanie Acevedo

Cheese Platter Recipe

While everyone's awaiting the "big meal," let them nibble on an assortment of cheese, fresh fruits, and bread. A simple cheese platter is a snap to put together and looks elegant when you put "nametags" on the cheeses so they'll know which ones they're enjoying.

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Easy Corn Casserole

Easy Corn Casserole Recipe

Our 6-ingredient corn casserole has two instructions: combine and bake! Making the most of convenience products, this sweet potluck dish comes together in a snap as an ideal side for your Thanksgiving table.

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Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Deliciously creamy and rich mashed potatoes can be on your table in just 30 minutes thanks to this quick, 5-ingredient recipe.

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Raw Spiced Applesauce

Credit: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Dan Becker

Raw Spiced Applesauce Recipe

No-cook applesauce? You heard right! Simply combine the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth for a quick apple treat!

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Roasted Cranberries and Grapes with Rosemary

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Roasted Cranberries and Grapes with Rosemary Recipe

Hello, under-10-minute cranberry sauce! Simply combine the ingredients on a jelly-roll pan and broil 4 minutes (or until the fruit begins to brown) for this too-easy roasted cranberry and grape dish.

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Quick Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Quick Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Quick Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole is ridiculously easy and goes into the oven in only 10 minutes, thanks to sweet canned yams.

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Green Bean Casserole

Credit: Oxmoor House

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

To quickly soften green beans, microwave them in water for 7 minutes. Then, simply combine with parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and a can of cream of mushroom soup and toss this quick-casserole into the oven for 20 minutes!

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Creamy Stove-Top Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Creamy Stove-Top Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

By cooking macaroni on the stove top, you'll save time but still get all the cheesy, delicious flavor you're craving in a mac 'n cheese casserole. This light take on mac and cheese is quick and healthy, yet just as creamy as traditional versions.

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Honey Cloverleaf Rolls

Credit: Mark Thomas; Styling: Susan Vajaranant

Honey Cloverleaf Rolls Recipe

Honey adds a touch of sweetness to these quick homemade yeast rolls that can be ready in just an hour and a half. Topping off warm rolls with a mixture of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and caraway seeds or simply brush with melted butter.

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots Recipe

Garlic, bacon and shallots are all you need to add intense flavor to the Brussels sprouts in this 5-ingredient side-dish recipe that can be on your table in just 16 minutes!

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Herb Stuffing

Credit: Mikkel Vang

Herb Stuffing Recipe

Whip up this easy herb stuffing ready in less than 45 minutes!

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Anytime Turkey Gravy

Anytime Turkey Gravy Recipe

Not cooking a whole turkey but still want homemade turkey gravy? This quick alternative recipe calls for sautéing turkey wings and necks with some veggies and then simmer the mixture with canned chicken broth. Finish it off with poultry seasoning, sage, chopped parsley and a little bit of flour.

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Turkey, Fast and Easy

Turkey, Fast and Easy Recipe

5 minutes of prepping and 2 hours of cook time is all that's needed for this simple turkey! Stock and a little salt and pepper are all you'll need besides the turkey.

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Frosted Pumpkin Cake

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Sabrina Bone

Frosted Pumpkin Cake Recipe

This pumpkin cake is moist and fluffy and a great change-up from classic pumpkin pie. You'll only need 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of bake time for this fast cake with all the flavors you're craving! Glaze with a quick, 4-ingredient frosting for an indulgent pumpkin treat everyone will love.

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Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever Recipe

The name says it all! Refrigerated piecrusts and an easy pumpkin filling are the time-saving secrets to this easy pumpkin pie.

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Pecan Squares

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Pecan Squares Recipe

If you like the taste of pecan pie, you'll love this easy alternative. Serve the squares with vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top dessert.

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