Your last minute Thanksgiving Side Dishes – that are healthy!

Published November 18, 2016

Thanksgiving is fast approaching! Do you have your menu ready? If not, don’t fret because we’ve got you covered with some amazingly-deliciously-healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

What’s on Family Wellness Cooking Instructor, Melissa’s menu? Green Bean Casserole with fresh and healthy ingredients, Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Mustard Soy Vinaigrette, and Homemade Cranberry Sauce!

Green Bean Casserole
Let’s start out with the famous Green Bean Casserole.

Here’s what you need:

  • 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried ground thyme
  • 1 1/2 cups skim milk
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup fresh whole-grain bread crumbs

Here’s what you do:

  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. Heat 2 tsp oil over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 15 to 20 minutes until golden. Remove from pan and set aside.
    TIP: Carmelization takes time and patience, don’t rush the process!
  3. Add 1 tsp oil to pan. Add onions and garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Add water and mushrooms and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
    TIP: If you have some extra Chicken Stock in the fridge, you can use this instead of water to add extra flavor!
  4. Sprinkle flour and thyme over mixture and stir. Gradually add milk. Increase heat to medium high and stir constantly until sauce thickens.
  5. To cook green beans, boil for 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  6. Spray casserole with cooking spray and add green beans. Pour sauce over and top with sauteed onions and breadcrumbs.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes, or until top is golden brown

Serves 10 – 78 Calories – 2 g Fat – 12 g Carbs – 3 g Protein

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Mustard Soy Vinaigrette
Next up on the menu, Roasted Brussel Sprouts with a Mustard Soy Vinaigrette. Everyone has this impression brussel sprouts are nasty, but not so fast! The cooking technique can totally change the texture and taste, so give this recipe the chance it so deserves.

Here’s what you need:

  • 2 lbs brussel sprouts, trimmed and halved (if large, quartered)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper

Mustard Soy Vinaigrette

  • 2 tbsp grainy mustard
  • 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey

Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
  2. Cut the brussel sprouts in to pieces and place into bowl.
  3. Add 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, and salt & pepper.
  4. Fold the ingredients so the sprouts are event coated.
  5. Place in oven for 15-20 minutes. The longer you let roast in the oven, the more soft the brussel sprouts will become.
    TIP: Taste your sprouts at 15 minutes, if it’s not the tenderness you enjoy, let them cook for the remaining of the time.
  6. Mix the Mustard Soy Vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl
  7. Combine the roasted brussel sprouts and the vinaigrette together, fold until coated evenly.

Serves 8 – 89 Calories – 3.8 g Fat – 12 g Carbs – 4 g Protein

Cranberry Sauce
To complete your Thanksgiving side dishes, Fresh, homemade Cranberry Sauce. Your family may love the can shaped sauce, but after one bite they will have a new favorite Cranberry Sauce!

Here’s What You Need:

  • 1 12 oz package of cranberries, rinsed
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp cloves
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 medium orange, zested and juiced

Here’s What You Do:

  1. Combine all ingredients, reserving orange zest, in a saucepan over medium heat
  2. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have popped and softened, about 15 minutes
  3. Remove cinnamon stick (if used) and stir in orange zest
  4. Sauce will continue to thicken as it cools

Serves 8 – 70 Calories – 0 g Fat – 17.6 g Carbs – 0 g Protein

This fresh, tasty and healthy Cranberry Sauce will have all your guests talking!

Are you ready to change up the way you see your traditional side dishes for Thanksgiving? We think you and your family will enjoy these tasty dishes and benefit from the healthy twists!