Thanksgiving Side Dishes – Caramelized Corn and Green Beans with Pecans and Blue Cheese
I’ve been looking for Thanksgiving side dish recipes that I could make on the stove instead of the oven. I came across these two wonderful vegetable recipes that kick it up a notch but my kids will still be happy to eat.
I tried them out last night with a succulent grilled pork tenderloin. Both recipes are quick and easy, and will be a perfect addition to our Thanksgiving meal.
- 2 pounds green beans, trimmed
- 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans, return to a boil and cook until bright green and crisp, 3 - 4 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Return the pan to the stove over medium-high heat. Add the butter and pecans and stir until the nuts are lightly toasted and fragrant, 2--3 minutes. Add the green beans and stir until heated through.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Add the cheese and toss until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
I saw this caramelized corn recipe on the Today Show and immediately set out to find it because it’s a great way to dress up corn. It wasn’t on the Today Show site, but was included in a New York Times article.
- Two 16-ounce bags frozen white corn
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper as desired
- Drain corn between layers of paper towels until thawed, about 30 minutes.
- In a wide skillet, melt half the butter over high heat. Add half the corn and cook, stirring often, until golden and browned (kernels may begin to pop), about 10 minutes. Stir in half the parsley and sprinkle with salt. Transfer to a serving bowl. Repeat with remaining corn, butter, parsley and salt.
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings.
(The original recipe called for mint, but I wasn’t sure that would go over as well.)
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In addition to the traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy we are having:
Two Peas and Their Pod Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest
Wives with Knives Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Paula Deen Sweet Potato Bake
My favorite dinner rolls using Lovin’ from the Oven’s Brown & Serve Roll technique
Kids favorite Green Jello Cream Cheese Salad
My streusel topped version of Cranberry Apple Pie
Traditional Homemade Pumpkin Pie
Banana Cream pie in a graham cracker crust
(I’ll update with pictures after Thanksgiving)
This is something that I would try even before thanksgiving.
I love these side dishes Barbara and not just for the holidays. Your menu sounded great, hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
Loving the side dish post. Beautiful and delicious veggie recipes that don't overpower the entire meal are difficult to find. These are sure-fire winners!! Well done and much appreciated.
Blue cheese to the green beans — great idea!
Those recipes look fantastic!!! I love corn and green beans.
Sounds like you ate well for Thanksgiving. Hope it went smoothly. The corn is my favorite recipe which does not mean the others could find themselves on my table, very easily.
Oh, barbara, those green beans and the corn look out of this world! You've created a couple of dishes I'd go nuts for: love the flavors! Happy Thanksgiving, lovely friend!
Happy THanksgiving to you and your family.
The green bean recipe sounds so good, and looks delicious! Happy Thanksgiving!
Great suggestion for stove-top side dishes! I don't have to cook this year (I'm traveling), but I love looking for new recipes anyway!
I saw Kelly Ripa make that corn just this morning. And the green beens, we love blue cheese so I'll have to try both. Dinner looks like it will be lovely! Happy Thanksgiving my friend! 🙂
OMG I am so making these green beans! I love everything in them and I love that it is not sweet. For some reason people want to add sugar to veggies. The corn looks good too, we usually don't have corn often, unless it's on the cob during summer or off the cob at Thanksgiving!
Those recipes look great, I love the idea of making the beans tasty with pecans and blue cheese.
Everything look delicious! I love that caramelized corn…I need to try that 🙂
Wow Barbara! Those look like delicious side dishes. Not too different, but unique enough to be more memorable than the standard green bean casserole. Yum!
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