25 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Complete Your Holiday Feast
The turkey might steal the spotlight, but let’s be honest: Thanksgiving is really all about the side dishes! From creamy mashed potatoes to tangy cranberry sauce, the sides are what turn a simple meal into a memorable feast. Here are 25 of the best Thanksgiving side dishes to complete your holiday table.
Side dishes are where you can get creative, accommodate different dietary needs, and mix timeless classics with fresh new flavors.
When I taught cooking classes, vegetables were one of my favorite subjects, because a few simple techniques like roasting can turn an everyday vegetable into something special. You’ll find plenty of those recipes here, along with the traditional favorites your guests expect to see on the table.
Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving or you’re a seasoned pro looking to refresh your menu, you’ll find make-ahead options to save your sanity on the big day and showstopping dishes that look as impressive as they taste.
We are so close to Thanksgiving and menu planning can begin.
The biggest meal of the year requires a lot of early preparation. As a hostess, We don’t want the hostess to go crazy with last-minute tasks.
I love the flavors of fall. I know what I traditionally like to serve and what my family considers “must-have” dishes. But sometimes, I still like to shake things up a bit.
I have hundreds of cookbooks and thousands of recipes in my files to choose from. Sometimes, it’s easier to scroll through Pinterest for some new twists on Thanksgiving recipes.
I gathered 25 recipes that I know will appeal to different tastes, abilities, and age groups.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes for the Holiday: 25 Turkey Day Recipes
These Thanksgiving side dish recipe ideas are gathered from my Pinterest search. You can see more holiday ideas on these Pinterest Boards:
What are the most traditional Thanksgiving side dishes? I think mashed potatoes, dressing, and green bean casserole are the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes. I included my recipe for the Perfect Mashed Potatoes. I also shared all the tips and techniques you will need to make the best mashed potatoes.
What are other side dishes for Thanksgiving?
- dressing, or you may call it stuffing
- cranberry sauce
- butternut squash, acorn squash
- pumpkin
- sweet potatoes
- green bean casserole
- Brussels sprouts
- potatoes
- corn
- carrots
- any casserole
Just FYI: I’m picky about my dishes, so I scrolled and read a lot of recipes to choose these 25 Thanksgiving side dish recipes.
I looked for fairly easy-to-prepare recipes. I also looked for some lighter versions of traditional dishes. I have multiple recipes of the same vegetables to offer variety and appeal to different tastes. I’ve grouped similar recipes so you can compare. Here’s the order and the number of recipes for each group:
- Cranberry: 2
- Green Beans: 2
- Broccoli: 2
- Brussels sprouts: 2
- Kale: 1
- Peas: 1
- Vegetable Tian: 1
- Potatoes: 4
- Squashes: 5
- Corn: 1
- Carrots: 2
- Cauliflower: 2
You may notice that there is no recipe for dressing (that’s what we call it in the South); you may call it stuffing. There are just too many versions, even within one family. I’ve been using my mom’s version (She didn’t have a recipe, and neither do I.) since I was old enough to host my own Thanksgiving meal.
NOTE: Never cook dressing/stuffing inside the turkey; it is actually a sanitation hazard.
Let’s start with an interesting way to make Cranberry Sauce.
NOTE: Check out my FREE PRINTABLE, 23 Steps to Get Ready for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner, at the end of the post.
A Different Preparation for Cranberry Sauce
Barbara of Butter and Baggage shares a new way to make homemade cranberry sauce. I love that this approach uses the oven to cook the cranberries. That frees up the stovetop. I also love the addition of walnuts (which are good for you) for crunch.
Cranberry Chutney
Move over, canned cranberry sauce! Holly and Natalie of The Modern Proper simmer fresh cranberries with apples, dried figs, cinnamon, and cloves, plus a little jalapeño for subtle warmth. It takes about 25 minutes and keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, so you can make it well before the holiday rush. Leftovers are delicious on turkey sandwiches or with aged cheddar on a cheese board.
Sautéed Green Beans
Sautéed Green Beans are the perfect vegetable side for Thanksgiving. It’s a simple dish without heavy cream or condensed soups. There are no extra calories in the form of onion rings or bread crumbs. It lets the green beans be the star. This is the method that I always use to prepare green beans, whether fresh or frozen. You can add all sorts of flavor enhancers, such as nuts or herbs. I love how Michelle of Barefoot in the Pines explains this easy Thanksgiving side dish.
Creamy Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
This is the green bean casserole I would make. No canned soup required! Sally of Sally’s Baking Addiction makes the classic green bean casserole completely from scratch, with fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom gravy, and crispy baked onions. Short on time? Sally says store-bought fried onions work just as well, and you can assemble the whole casserole the day before.
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
I always serve Brussels sprouts for Thanksgiving. This version from Eat Well 101 presents one of the prettiest and most delicious versions I’ve seen in a long time. I will be using this rendition on my Thanksgiving menu. The garlic and the browned Parmesan cheese make my mouth water.
Garlicky Creamy Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin
Marzia of Little Spice Jar bakes tender Brussels sprouts in a garlic butter cream sauce under a bubbly blanket of Parmesan, cheddar, and fontina. A pinch of nutmeg is her secret ingredient to make it taste like the holidays. It all comes together in one skillet in about 30 minutes. Even people who say they don’t like Brussels sprouts will ask for seconds! I love Brussels sprouts, so I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Cheesy Creamed Kale
If you love creamed spinach, you’ll love this richer twist from Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking. Tender kale is folded into a creamy sauce of cream cheese, fontina, and a squeeze of lemon, then topped with crunchy lemon panko. It’s made on the stovetop, so your oven stays free for the turkey. You can make it a day or two ahead; just add the panko topping right before serving.
Best Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic
Erren of Erren’s Kitchen says that this is the best broccoli recipe. This method is almost exactly how I make my roasted broccoli. It always tastes delicious. If you read the ingredient list, you’ll see why it’s so good.
Cheesy Garlic Broccoli
Karo of All Nutritious made this cheesy garlic broccoli with just three ingredients. If you need a gluten-free, high-protein, and vegetarian dish, this one is a showcase of broccoli goodness. How can a cheesy and garlic topping ever be wrong? This recipe is quick to cook, too!
Peas with Pears and Pancetta
Talk about fancy peas. Are peas too common to be included on Thanksgiving? Not if you serve this lovely dish from Lisa of Downshiftology. The addition of pears for sweetness and pancetta for saltiness adds a delicious flavor contrast. Plus the dish is so pretty to serve.
Pretty Vegetable Tian
I couldn’t believe it when I saw this recipe on Pinterest. I used to teach a vegetable class using this same recipe from Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa. This vegetable tian transforms ordinary kitchen ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that celebrates seasonal produce. It isn’t a traditional Thanksgiving recipe, but if you want a lighter, pretty recipe for a crowd, this one is it.
Perfect Mashed Potatoes
This is my recipe and I vouch for it. Making light, smooth, and fluffy mashed potatoes is really about using the right type of potato and following the correct cooking procedure. Follow all the tips and techniques for the best mashed potatoes.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
If you absolutely must have a potato casserole on your Thanksgiving menu, then this Thanksgiving side dish from Tania of Cooktoria sounds like a really great option. I love the addition of fresh herbs and how pretty this dish is. And, of course, it can be made ahead.
Brown Sugar Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes and pecans are iconic Thanksgiving ingredients. I like this lighter version. Brown sugar is far less filling than the traditional gooey marshmallow topping. Try this Thanksgiving side dish take on sweet potatoes from MinShien of Joyous Apron.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Catalina of Sweet and Savory Meals creates a special version of sweet potatoes seasoned with warm spices, a brown sugar cinnamon filling, and topped with a streusel topping, toasted pecans, and marshmallows. This is a classic Thanksgiving side dish.
Sweet and Sour Roasted Squash
Catherine of Weelicious, a fellow culinary school graduate, roasts delicata and kabocha squash until caramelized, then pours a tangy-sweet glaze of red wine vinegar, honey, and golden raisins over the top. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a little heat. It’s delicious warm or at room temperature, which makes it perfect for a busy holiday table. It’s also vegan and gluten-free.
Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Hazelnuts
Pumpkin isn’t just for making into a jack-o-lantern. Laura of Six Hungry Feet shares a side dish that is sweet from the natural caramelization that pumpkin goes through when roasted and added maple syrup. It’s packed full of flavor from the different spices, such as nutmeg, ginger powder, and sweet paprika, as well as crunch from the toasted hazelnuts added before serving.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
Did you know that butternut squash is good for you? Here’s another simple Thanksgiving side dish. With only five ingredients, this butternut squash recipe is one you can assemble in a short time. Amy of Chew Out Loud used cinnamon for lots of fall flavor.
Crispy Pumpkin Fritters
Rosemary of An Italian in My Kitchen shares these crispy pumpkin fritters as a delightful fall side dish, with a crunchy exterior and soft, flavorful interior. They’re easy to make and perfect for any autumn meal.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Jennifer of The Rebel Chick uses a panko and Parmesan crispy topping to take this butternut squash dish over the top. And, bonus: it’s another way to sneak some veggies in without the kiddos even knowing!
Nantucket Corn Pudding
Disclosure: Although I love corn (it’s one of the few frozen vegetables that I like.), I’ve never included it on my Thanksgiving menu. This Thanksgiving side dish sounded so good that I had to include it. It is a simple recipe, but one that I think would be a hit. It comes from Martha and Jack of A Family Feast.
Easy Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Carrots
This carrot side dish will free up your oven and stovetop since these delicious Maple and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are made in your slow cooker. This perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish from Dolly of Dash for Dinner is vegetarian, gluten-free, and perfect for the whole family. I thought kids especially would like this dish.
Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans
Michael of Inspired by Charm dives into the flavors of fall with these Roasted Carrots topped with sweet Candied Pecans and tangy goat cheese. It’s a side dish that’s not only bursting with color, but also rich in taste. Perfect for holiday gatherings.
Keto Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Carla of Mom Secrets provides a yummy alternative to traditional mashed potatoes with this side dish of mashed cauliflower made with garlic and topped with cheddar cheese.
Crispy Parmesan Cauliflower
I couldn’t resist adding another cauliflower dish to this list of the best Thanksgiving side dishes. We love cauliflower and why not include it on your Thanksgiving menu? Pam of Flavor Dishy shares Crispy Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower; it’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will make even the most ardent cauliflower skeptic a believer.
NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER? GET YOUR 23 STEPS TO GET READY TO HOST THANKSGIVING DINNER.
Can’t get enough recipes for your Thanksgiving collection? Try these great ones.
- 25 Delicious Breakfast Recipes for Thanksgiving
- 17 Super Salad Recipes for Thanksgiving
- 25 Tasty and Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers
- 19 Must-Try Thanksgiving Desserts
- 25 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes for Thanksgiving
Visit my Pinterest Boards: Holiday Side Dishes and Thanksgiving Recipes and follow for more ideas.
Let me know what you think of these Thanksgiving side dishes. Which ones were your favorites? I hope you PIN this post, visit each selection, and PIN each one to keep these recipes handy.
