The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Let’s be honest: the Thanksgiving turkey may be the centerpiece, but the Thanksgiving side dishes are what everyone really gets excited about. Creamy potatoes, savory stuffing, roasted vegetables, sweet potatoes, and homemade cranberry sauce are what turn Thanksgiving dinner into a feast. I’ve rounded up my favorite Thanksgiving Recipes, from classic holiday staples to seasonal sides that bring something a little different to the table.

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The best Thanksgiving menu isn’t necessarily the one with the most dishes. Pick a few recipes your family loves, add something new, and make sure there’s plenty of variety on the plate. Then sit down, grab a fork, and enjoy the feast.

For more Thanksgiving inspiration, browse the Casual Foodist Thanksgiving recipes for appetizers, turkey, side dishes, desserts, and more.

Potato Side Dishes

You can’t have Thanksgiving without potatoes. Whether you prefer them creamy and buttery or crisp and golden, these potato recipes are made for piling next to turkey and gravy.

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mascarpone, Parmesan, butter, and fresh herbs give these mashed potatoes an elegant upgrade while keeping all the comfort of a classic Thanksgiving side.

Mashed Potatoes with Leeks – Buttery sautéed leeks add subtle sweetness and savory flavor to creamy mashed potatoes, making this a delicious twist on a Thanksgiving favorite.

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes – These roasted potatoes have crispy golden edges, tender centers, and plenty of garlic and Parmesan flavor. Even better, they come together in about 30 minutes.

Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere – Layers of tender potatoes and creamy cheese make this a rich, comforting side dish that’s right at home on a holiday table.

Sweet Potato Side Dishes

Sweet potatoes are practically made for Thanksgiving. Their natural sweetness pairs beautifully with savory herbs, creamy sauces, and plenty of butter.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans – Creamy sweet potatoes topped with crunchy pecans make this classic holiday casserole a Thanksgiving favorite.

Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Fresh herbs, garlic, and butter give sweet potatoes a savory makeover that’s a welcome alternative to sweeter Thanksgiving casseroles.

Sweet Potato Gratin – Thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked with cream and nutty Gruyère create a rich, savory gratin that’s an elegant addition to the Thanksgiving table.

Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Smoky chipotle peppers balance the natural sweetness of these creamy mashed sweet potatoes for a side dish with a little extra kick.

Stuffing and Dressing

Stuffing is one of those Thanksgiving dishes that simply belongs on the table. This version packs plenty of seasonal flavor into every bite.

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Stuffing – Cubed sourdough, roasted butternut squash, earthy mushrooms, and fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme make this hearty stuffing a flavorful centerpiece of your Thanksgiving side dish spread.

Cranberries

A pop of bright tartness from cranberries is the perfect contrast to all the rich food on your Thanksgiving plate.

Cranberry Sauce with Apple Cider – Fresh cranberries simmer with apple cider, honey, and cinnamon for an easy homemade cranberry sauce that comes together in just 15 minutes.

Cranberry Orange Sauce – Fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey and cinnamon come together for a delicilous traditional cranberry sauce.

Sugared Cranberries –  With just three ingredients these candied cranberries will add a bit of sparkle to your holiday table.

Vegetable Side Dishes

Thanksgiving dinner needs a few colorful vegetables to balance all those creamy and comforting sides. Roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, green beans, and winter squash bring plenty of seasonal flavor to the table.

Maple Roasted Carrots – A simple maple and olive oil glaze transforms everyday carrots into a tender, caramelized side dish that’s ready in about 30 minutes.

Roasted Carrots with Honey and Thyme – Honey and fresh thyme bring a sweet-savory flavor to these easy roasted carrots, making them an effortless addition to a holiday dinner.

Balsamic Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of Brussels sprouts while a balsamic maple glaze gives them beautifully caramelized edges and plenty of flavor.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon– Brussels sprouts, crispy bacon and parmesan come together for a side that’s practically made for Thanksgiving.

Garlic Roasted Green Beans – Fresh green beans are roasted with garlic for an easy vegetable side that’s big on flavor and ready in about 20 minutes.

Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots – This homemade take on the Thanksgiving classic combines fresh green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce and crispy fried shallots for plenty of texture and flavor.

Hasselback Butternut Squash with Garlic Sage Butter – Thinly sliced butternut squash gets roasted with fragrant garlic and sage butter for a beautiful holiday side that’s as impressive as it is flavorful.

Honey Roasted Parsnips – A simple honey glaze brings out the natural sweetness of roasted parsnips, creating an easy sweet-savory vegetable side.

Comforting Corn Dishes

Some Thanksgiving sides are all about comfort, and these cozy corn recipes fit the bill. They’re hearty, satisfying, and perfect for serving alongside turkey.

Creamy Corn Pudding – Sweet corn bakes into a tender, creamy pudding that’s an easy crowd-pleaser and a delicious addition to the Thanksgiving table. 

Pumpkin Polenta with Sage – Creamy polenta gets a fall makeover with pumpkin and fresh sage, creating a seasonal side that’s ready in about 25 minutes.

Grain and Pasta Side Dishes

If you’re looking for something beyond the usual potatoes and stuffing, these side dishes can bring a little variety to your Thanksgiving menu.

Brie Macaroni and Cheese – Traditional mac and cheese gets a holiday update with the addition of creamy brie cheese.

Israeli Pearl Couscous with Spinach and Pine Nuts – Chewy pearl couscous, tender spinach, and toasted pine nuts make this a flavorful side that works beautifully alongside a traditional holiday meal.

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Risotto – Creamy risotto combines earthy mushrooms with sweet butternut squash for an elegant vegetarian side that’s especially good for a holiday dinner.

Thanksgiving Salads

A fresh salad gives your Thanksgiving plate a much-needed contrast to all the rich and savory dishes.Harvest season produce make these salads feel right at home on the holiday table.

Kale and Apple Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette – Hearty kale and crisp apples are tossed with a sweet-tangy maple Dijon vinaigrette for a fresh fall salad that balances the richer dishes.

Fennel and Apple Salad with Pecans – Crisp fennel, sweet apples, and crunchy pecans make this fresh, flavorful salad a refreshing addition to a Thanksgiving feast.

How Many Thanksgiving Side Dishes Do You Need?

You definitely don’t need to make every recipe on this list. For a well-rounded Thanksgiving menu, choose a combination of sides with different flavors and textures.

A good starting point is:

• 1–2 potato dishes
• 1 sweet potato or squash dish
• 1 stuffing
• 2–3 vegetable sides
• 1 cranberry sauce
• 1 fresh salad
• 1 additional casserole, grain, or specialty side

And don’t forget to think about oven space. Thanksgiving cooking gets much easier when you balance recipes that need the oven with sides that can be made on the stovetop or prepared ahead of time. Don’t forget about dessert either! Finish your Thanksgiving menu with one of my delicious Thanksgiving dessert recipes!

If you make any of these Thanksgiving Side Dishes please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Youtube, Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram or Tiktok, I’d love to see what you guys are making!