The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

ByErin Parker Posted on Updated on

If you’re looking for new, delicious and easy Thanksgiving side dishes to make for the holiday table this year, we’ve got you covered! From make-ahead casseroles to fun takes on favorite veggies, there’s a little something for everyone here in this list of 15+ of the BEST Thanksgiving side dishes.

collage of 4 images of side dishes with the text the best thanksgiving side dishes

Thanksgiving is coming! If you’re anything like me, you’re looking for a new recipe or two to add to your Thanksgiving dinner menu this year.

Let’s be real: while Thanksgiving turkey is always delicious, I am always in search of the most delicious side dishes because they are the star of the show. To me, at least.

So today, I want to share some of the best and easiest side dishes I have to offer to add to your Thanksgiving spread. I’m also pulling in some recipes from friends of mine to widen our net. We’re using fresh ingredients and striking the perfect balance at this year’s Thanksgiving table. 

I’ve categorized these side dish recipes to make it easier on you to figure out what fits the bill for YOU.

These categories are:

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    • Make Ahead Casseroles… for those of us who need easy side dishes that can also be made in advance. These recipes are also good for travel, too. Make ’em ahead of time and bring ’em along warm or to bake at your final destination.
    • Veggie-Centric Side Dishes. Because everyone has at least one vegetarian at their Thanksgiving celebration and because we want them to enjoy the meal as much as any meat-eater!
    • Side Dishes with Meat. Why? I shockingly have a lot of sides that involve bacon, and they needed their own category.
    A spoon holds a helping of Sage Stuffing for turkey

    What kinds of side dishes are listed here?

    We’ve got a little something for everyone and are spanning various ingredients. Here, you’ll find a classic recipe or two (AKA the traditional recipes we all know and love), as well as some more unique dishes that make a great addition to the holiday table.

    So we’ve got green beans, cranberry sauce (or cranberry chutney), green bean casserole, butternut squash and more. There are brussels sprouts, corn casserole (with sour cream), fall salads and more that are all bursting with so much flavor. 

    Basically… we’ve got tons of ideas to fill out your Thanksgiving menu and honestly, these are some of the BEST Thanksgiving side dishes around that pair with the main dish, whether it’s a roast turkey, a holiday ham or something else.

    How many side dishes to serve 

    Two is a good place to start, especially if you have a smaller crowd of 4 people. That being said, I’m of the mind to always have MORE sides to where everyone can get a taste of something, as well as provide pickier eaters have a selection to choose from. 

    Add another side dish for every additional 3-4 people. From there, you’ll just want to scale up your production of each offering for a bigger crowd.

    So how do you choose the best side dishes for your group? I like to have a little bit of everything for different tastes and dietary requirements! Also, you KNOW everyone has their own favorite Thanksgiving sides, so it’s good to ask them.

    We like to vary it up in our household, but there are classics that are included in our feast every year, including my mom’s stuffing, mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole.

    A woman in orange holds a casserole dish of Fresh Green Bean Casserole

    Occasions for Thanksgiving side dishes

    Beyond the main event, there are so many times you can serve up these side dishes for Thanksgiving, not just on Thanksgiving day.

    • Friendsgiving celebrations before Thanksgiving
    • Thanksgiving office parties 
    • Weeknight dinners… in case you want a taste of these delicious Thanksgiving side dishes before or after the big day
    • For sustenance before the local Turkey Trot or volunteer shift 
    • To enjoy as a part of leftovers (looking at you, Turkey Cranberry Sandwich)
    • Throughout the holiday season

    If you’re bringing these Thanksgiving side dishes on the road with you, just make sure they’re safely packaged. Nobody wants a crushed dish when it arrives at the big dinner.

    ALSO, many of these easy Thanksgiving sides also double as Christmas and New Year’s sides, so Thanksgiving can work as a test run for other events you might have coming up. 

    Close up of a white bowl holding creamy mashed potatoes
    the best mashed potatoes

    Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

    It’s fun to have delicious side dishes for turkey day. Here are some of my favorite things to do if I’m hosting the feast…

    • Aim for a variety of flavors and textures. Not only will your guests possibly have different preferences than you, but it’s nice to have a mixture.
    • Plan out how to serve each side dish before you make it. This means deciding what casserole dish (or serving platter) you’ll place it on, as well as if you need tongs, spoons, etc. Set these aside early.
    • Stock up on disposable storage containers to send guests home with leftovers after your big feast.

    So if you’re looking for new Thanksgiving side dishes to make this year or just want to peruse some different options, we’ve got you covered. 

    Need more Thanksgiving advice?

    • Need hosting help? Check out How to Host Friendsgiving, then read my list of Friendsgiving Food Ideas!
    • Want to serve the best Thanksgiving desserts? I’ve rounded up 33+ Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie for ya…
    • Need some ideas about appetizers for the big day? Check out my Best Thanksgiving Appetizers post.

    Check out these delicious recipes below. I hope that you’ll find a new family favorite!

    Make-Ahead Casseroles

    1
    Fresh Green Bean Casserole on a baking dish, after baking
    Fresh Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
    Celebrate Thanksgiving this year with a twist on a tradition: Fresh Green Bean Casserole, which is made with all-fresh ingredients and vegan.
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    2
    A close up of Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Casserole, shown in a purple baking dish with a serving spoon
    Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Casserole
    Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Casserole makes the PERFECT Thanksgiving and holiday side dish! Creamy russet potatoes are cooked with garlic cloves, then mashed with butter, milk and parmesan cheese. Top with additional parmesan before baking to create a crispy exterior on this comforting casserole.
    Get the Recipe
    3
    A purple casserole dish holds a Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole, displayed with an orange towel for serving
    Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
    Knock the socks off your guests with this slightly sweet Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole, covered with a crunchy streusel topping. The bourbon sings, the sweet potatoes are light and creamy, and the streusel topping adds texture to this take on a holiday classic.
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    4
    Creamed Cornbread Casserole out of the dish
    Creamed Cornbread Casserole
    This from-scratch Creamed Cornbread Casserole is a Southern classic and a decadent casserole for the holiday table. Combine cream corn with a homemade sweet cornbread and a jalapeño to delightful side dish that's perfect for sharing.
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    5
    www.theanthonykitchen.com
    Southern Old-Fashioned Cornbread Dressing
    Savory, with a hint of sweet, and completely full of flavor, this is a Southern recipe tradition, and one the whole table is hoping will turn out beautifully for the holiday feast.
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    Veggie-Centric Side Dishes

    6
    Close up of chilled spiced cranberry sauce in a silver serving bowl with maple leafs on the corners
    Drunken Cranberry Sauce
    Sweet and spicy, Drunken Cranberry Sauce pairs perfectly with a traditional holiday dishes like turkey, gravy and stuffing. Ready within 15 minutes, this lightning fast spiced cranberry sauce side dish adds sweetness to a meal.
    Get the Recipe
    7
    Close up of steamed green beans with pine nuts on a white platter from above
    Vegan Green Beans with Toasted Pine Nuts
    Vegan Green Beans with Toasted Pine Nuts make the BEST accompaniment for any meal or celebration. Steamed green beans are topped with toasted pine nuts and a diced shallot, then finished with olive oil. This simple side dish is sure to be a winner any time of year.
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    8
    Orange bowl filled with garlicky spaghetti squash on linens
    Garlicky Spagetti Squash
    In search of a vegan, grain-free Thanksgiving side? Look no farther than this simple, but incredibly flavorful Garlicky Spaghetti Squash. Spaghetti squash is baked, then shredded and sauteed with red pepper flakes and tons of garlic.
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    9
    braziliankitchenabroad.com
    Roasted Acorn Squash Salad
    This roasted acorn squash salad is a fall-favorite recipe with roasted veggies, fluffy quinoa, crumbly queso fresco and roasted pumpkin seeds, all tossed in a delicious honey-lemon dressing and sprinkled with pomegranate.
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    10
    Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic in a yellow and white striped bowl sitting on a marble counter
    Roasted Broccoli with Lemon
    Need a delicious side that comes together in less than 30 minutes? Try Roasted Broccoli with Lemon, which is light, tasty and super easy to make!
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    11
    www.simplywhisked.com
    Rosemary Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
    These stunning homemade Rosemary Pumpkin Dinner Rolls are filled with flavors of the season! Make 'em a day ahead and heat them up right before it's time to eat.
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    12
    A white plate holds Bourbon Butter Sweet Potatoes with a skillet of cornbread in the background
    Baked Sweet Potato Cubes with Butter and Bourbon
    Be still, my bourbon-, butter-, and sweet potato-loving heart! Bourbon Butter Sweet Potatoes make a DELICIOUS, flavorful side for the Thanksgiving table this year and are SO simple to make!
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    13
    Overhead close up of honey roasted carrots on baking pan
    Honey Roasted Whole Carrots
    Honey Roasted Whole Carrots make the perfect accompaniment for any weeknight meal or a side at the holiday table! This versatile dish bakes up easily and tastes delicious.
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    14
    Grated cheese sprinkling on top of brussels sprouts in yellow dish
    Italian Brussels Sprouts
    Roasted Parmesan Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto are a decadent side dish recipe that are simple to make and easy to eat. This unique roasted brussels sprouts recipe is delicious for any occasion and perfect for sharing.
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    15
    Close up of hasselback sweet potatoes after roasting in a baking dish
    Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
    Hasselback Sweet Potatoes are a delicious twist on a classic potato side dish. All you need is a handful of ingredients and about an hour to make the best sweet potato recipe! It’s perfect to serve alongside any meal or as a fancier side dish at a holiday table.
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    16
    A blue pottery dish holds roasted Maple Cranberry Butternut Squash
    Oven Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple and Cranberries
    Oven Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple and Cranberries is a flavorful and stunning dish to serve for any occasion, especially a holiday dinner! This baked butternut squash recipe strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory and is ready in less than an hour.
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    17
    A white bowl holds a serving of creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes while sitting on a blue and white striped towel
    Homemade Mashed Potatoes
    These Homemade Mashed Potatoes are the easiest, most comforting side dish. All you need are a few ingredients and about 30 minutes to make the best mashed potatoes! Perfect for holidays or weeknights—potatoes are wonderful anytime.
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    Side Dishes with Meat

    18
    Close up of a bowl holding a serving of Cranberry Feta Brussels Sprout Salad with a fork on a dark blue tiled surface
    Cranberry Feta Brussels Sprout Salad with Candied Pecans and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
    Serve Cranberry Feta Brussels Sprout Salad with Candied Pecans and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette as a festive side dish this season! Slightly sweet, savory, salty and crunchy, this salad is a delicious new way to enjoy Brussels sprouts!
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    19
    Bacon and Baguette Stuffing in blue baking dish
    Bacon and Baguette Stuffing
    A spin on traditional French bread stuffing, Bacon and Baguette Stuffing is sure to be a hit at this year's Thanksgiving table! This decadent stuffing dish calls for day-old baguettes and bacon, as well as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, fresh herbs, cheese and broth.
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    20
    bacon streusel stuffed apples in a white baking dish
    Bacon Streusel Stuffed Baked Apples
    If you're in the market for a melt-in-your-mouth decadent side dish for the holiday table, you're in luck! Sweet-savory-salty Bacon Streusel Stuffed Baked Apples are a THING.
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    21
    Green beans wrapped in bacon in blue baking dish
    Green Bean Bacon Bundles
    Green Bean Bacon Bundles make the BEST fresh holiday side dish! Fresh green beans are wrapped in bacon and baked with a homemade mustard vinaigrette until crisp and delicious.
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    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…

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    4 Comments

      1. Haha. I love that you want to come over for Thanksgiving. 🙂 I’ve been tapped for dessert, so the rest of our meal is a mystery to me… Where will you be spending your Turkey Day?

        Reply

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