5 Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas with a Fruitful Twist

The holiday season is upon us, and there’s no better time to infuse your Thanksgiving table with the delightful flavors of fresh fruits from The Fruit Company. From the crisp sweetness of our apples to the vibrant burst of our pomegranates, these fruits can transform your traditional Thanksgiving sides into something truly extraordinary. Here are five mouthwatering Thanksgiving side dish ideas featuring our premium fruit pomegranates, apples, pears, oranges, and pineapple, complete with simple and scrumptious recipes that will impress your guests.

  1. Pomegranate-Pear Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing

    Ingredients:
    2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
    1 cup pomegranate seeds
    4 cups mixed greens
    1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
    1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
    1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
    2 tablespoons honey
    Salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions:
    In a large bowl, combine sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, mixed greens, feta cheese, and toasted walnuts.
    In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
    Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine.
  2. Baked Cinnamon Apples

    Ingredients:
    4 large apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    3 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
    Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (for serving, optional)

    Instructions:
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
    Peel, core, and slice the apples into medium-thick slices. If you prefer softer apples, you can slice them thinner.
    In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, melted butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract (if using). Toss the apples until they are evenly coated with the mixture.
    Transfer the coated apples to a baking dish or a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading them out into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and slightly caramelized, stirring once or twice during the baking time to ensure even coating.
    Remove the baked cinnamon apples from the oven and let them cool slightly for a few minutes. Serve the apples warm, either on their own, with a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
  1. Orange-Glazed Carrots with Ginger

    Ingredients:
    1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced
    1/4 cup fresh orange juice
    2 tablespoons honey
    1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
    Salt and pepper, to taste
    Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

    Instructions:
    In a saucepan, combine carrots, orange juice, honey, and grated ginger.
    Cook over medium heat until the carrots are tender and the glaze has thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
    Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
  1. Pineapple and Bacon Brussels Sprouts

    Ingredients:
    1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
    1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
    6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    Salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions:
    Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
    Toss Brussels sprouts and pineapple with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet.
    Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are crispy and golden.
    Remove from the oven, sprinkle with crumbled bacon, and serve hot.
  1. Citrus-Pomegranate Quinoa Salad
    Ingredients:
    1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
    1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
    1/2 cup diced apples
    1/2 cup diced pears
    Zest and juice of 1 orange
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
    Salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions:
    In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, pomegranate seeds, diced apples, diced pears, orange zest, and chopped mint.
    Squeeze the orange juice over the salad. Toss gently to combine.
    Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for an hour before serving to enhance the flavors.

These delectable fruit-filled Thanksgiving side dishes will add a burst of freshness and creativity to your holiday feast. Try out these simple recipes and watch your guests delight in the unique flavors and vibrant colors. The fruit featured in these recipes are available to purchase on our website and will be delivered straight to your door! Wishing you a flavorful and fruitful Thanksgiving celebration!

More from The Fruit Company
Get Lucky with The Fruit Company’s Saint Patrick’s Day Collection
Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th every year, is a cultural...
Read More
Join the Conversation

1 Comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *