Ina Garten Shared Her Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Ina Garten shares recipes that enhance classic Thanksgiving sides.
She presents her favorite recipes for sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Additionally, we include our readers’ top-ranked favorites.

As you finalize your Thanksgiving menu, you may be seeking inspiration to revamp your traditional vegetable dishes, particularly for classic favorites like sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Fortunately, Ina Garten is here to share her tried-and-true recipes for your holiday table.

Here, the Barefoot Contessa presents six of her favorite recipes that promise lots of delicious flavor, while sharing what makes each shine and why you should consider them for your Thanksgiving celebration. Plus, we share some of our top-rated favorites as well. Read on to learn more.

Sweet Potato Recipes

“Whether you like sweet potatoes sautéed with balsamic vinegar, pureed with chipotle peppers and maple syrup or stuffed with Taleggio and thyme, we’ve got you covered,” Garten says. Fans of the starchy veggie are going to love these dishes. These are Garten’s picks to consider adding to your turkey platter.

Glazed Sweet Potatoes

You really can’t go wrong with Glazed Sweet Potatoes, and Garten’s are hard to beat. With this recipe, originally from her Go-To Dinners cookbook, you only need four ingredients—alongside salt, pepper and oil—to whip up this simple side.

If you’re looking for added flavor, we have very similar versions for you to consider. Try these highly rated Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Citrus-Maple Glaze or Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Tamarind Glaze.

Chipotle Smashed Sweet Potatoes

These Chipotle Smashed Sweet Potatoes bring a spicy and sweet twist to your usual mashed potatoes. If you like heat, you definitely need to include this recipe on your table. But if you’re not ready to include the spicy flavor of chipotle chiles in your holiday meal, our recipe for The Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes is called “the best” for a reason.

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

If you have always wanted to try twice-baked potatoes, this is your sign to make Garten’s Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes ASAP. These sweet potatoes are cheesy, herby and their texture is incomparable to your standard baked potato. You can also use russet potatoes if you already have your sweet potato side on lock.

Brussels Sprouts Recipes

“My mom always used to boil Brussels sprouts, and they were just dreadful—sorry, Mom!” Garten jokes. “Roasted or sautéed is so much more flavorful.” These are Garten’s favorite ways to include Brussels sprouts with her holiday dinner.

Sautéed Shredded Brussels Sprouts

Out of the three recipes in this Brussels sprouts collection, Garten states these five-ingredient Sautéed Shredded Brussels Sprouts are at the top of her list.

“My favorite is the shredded ones because it takes 10 seconds to slice them in a food processor instead of cutting them by hand,” she explains. We love that this recipe is so simple, and you can even take it up a notch by adding bacon and onions to your shredded veggies. Yum!

Brussels Sprouts Lardons

These Brussels Sprouts Lardons take less than 30 minutes to prepare, so they’re easy options if you’re looking for a quicker recipe. Plus, they already include the salty-sweet combination of bacon and golden raisins that will have your family asking for seconds.

Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

We’re big fans of balsamic when it comes to roasted veggies, so these Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts get the EatingWell stamp of approval. Besides salt, pepper and oil, you just need three ingredients to enjoy Garten’s balsamic Brussels sprouts. This leaves room to add some sweetness, like maple syrup or honey, to amp up the recipe.

We have a feeling that Garten would love to combine these two veggies, and these Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potatoes make it easy to do so. You only need 10 minutes of active time and simple ingredients for this side. Whatever you decide to make, there is no wrong choice with these tasty veggie sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best sweet potato to use?

For recipes that don’t specify a particular type of sweet potato, an all-purpose orange-fleshed variety, such as Beauregard, Jewel or Garnet, is a reliable choice due to its naturally sweet flavor.

Where should I store sweet potatoes?

To extend the shelf life of sweet potatoes, store them like regular potatoes. Keep them in a cool, dark and dry place. Avoid storing raw sweet potatoes in the refrigerator, as this can cause them to become bitter. Additionally, do not wash them until you are ready to use them. When you do wash them, scrub them thoroughly with a vegetable brush under cold running water.

Are Brussels sprouts on the stalks better than off?

Not necessarily. In fact, if you do choose to buy them on the stalk, find out when they were picked. If it’s recent enough, remove the sprouts from the stalk as soon as possible. Keeping the sprouts on the stalk depletes the moisture in the sprouts. A better option is to select them off the stalk, keeping in mind that small sprouts are sweeter and milder than larger ones.

Where should I store Brussels sprouts?

To maximize shelf life, store them in the fridge in a bag with holes to allow for ventilation. Do not wash or prepare them until you’re ready to cook.