The Ultimate Collection of Irresistible Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Transform your Thanksgiving feast into an unforgettable culinary experience with this definitive guide to essential side dishes. From heartwarming classic casseroles to innovative twists on beloved traditions, we’ve curated a collection designed to elevate your holiday table. Many of these recipes offer convenient make-ahead options, allowing you to minimize last-minute stress and maximize quality time with your loved ones, gathering around the table to create cherished memories.
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Explore Our Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Essential Tools for Your Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Complete Your Feast: The Perfect Turkey
While the majestic turkey often takes center stage at the Thanksgiving table, it’s the array of delectable side dishes that truly makes the meal shine and creates lasting memories. Ask anyone about their favorite part of the Thanksgiving spread, and you’ll likely hear about Grandma’s legendary green bean casserole, a creamy sweet potato soufflé, or that perfectly seasoned stuffing. These supporting roles are, in many ways, the true stars of the feast, offering a symphony of flavors and textures that complement the main course beautifully.
We’ve meticulously curated a selection of our most-loved Thanksgiving side dishes, blending timeless traditions with exciting, fresh twists. This collection ensures there’s something to delight every palate, from the staunch traditionalists to the most adventurous eaters. Each recipe is chosen not only for its incredible taste but also for its practicality. Many of these dishes are designed with make-ahead convenience in mind, allowing you to prep days in advance and free up valuable kitchen time on Thanksgiving Day. Others come together quickly, offering delicious last-minute solutions.
Whether you’re aiming for creamy comfort, crispy textures, sweet notes, or savory depths, these Thanksgiving side dishes hit all the right notes. They are the elements that transform a meal into a festive celebration, fostering connection and joy around the holiday table. Mix and match these incredible recipes to craft a personalized and utterly perfect Thanksgiving menu that reflects your unique taste and creates cherished holiday memories for years to come.
Looking for inspiring starters for your holiday gathering? Be sure to check out our easy Thanksgiving appetizers for delightful bites before the main event.
Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Caramelized Onion, Apple, & Sausage Stuffing
Elevate your Thanksgiving table with our Caramelized Onion, Apple, & Sausage Stuffing, a delightful twist on a beloved classic. This rich and savory stuffing is generously packed with crumbled sausage, deeply caramelized onions, crisp apple pieces, aromatic herbs, and sweet-tart dried cranberries. Each spoonful offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors – a warm, comforting, and incredibly satisfying accompaniment to your holiday feast. What makes it even better? This dish is remarkably easy to prepare and can be made ahead, saving you precious time on Thanksgiving Day, allowing you to truly savor the moments with family and friends. It’s the perfect stuffing recipe to bring a gourmet touch to your traditional holiday spread.
Creamy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our easy and decadent Creamy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese. This luxurious dish features a mouthwatering blend of four distinct cheeses, melted into a rich, velvety sauce that coats every pasta noodle. It’s the quintessential cheesy side dish for your Thanksgiving celebration, offering a warm and satisfying counterpoint to the turkey. While perfect for a holiday gathering, its irresistible appeal also makes it an excellent main dish for a cozy weeknight meal. Get ready for a side that’s guaranteed to be devoured!
Pumpkin Sage Biscuits
Pumpkin Sage Biscuits are a flaky, buttery, and aromatic delight that will quickly become a new family favorite. These easy homemade buttermilk biscuits are crafted from scratch, boasting a tender interior and a golden, slightly crisp exterior. The subtle sweetness of pumpkin combined with the earthy notes of sage makes them an ideal complement to any autumnal or holiday meal. Whether you’re serving them with turkey, slathering them with gravy, or enjoying them with a smear of honey butter, these biscuits are truly versatile and utterly irresistible.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan
Say goodbye to waiting for water to boil and hello to effortlessly perfect mashed potatoes! Our Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan offer the ultimate easy way to prepare this beloved side dish. The Instant Pot handles all the hard work, yielding incredibly creamy, cheesy, and savory potatoes. Infused with the mellow, sweet flavor of roasted garlic and the nutty richness of Parmesan, these potatoes are pure bliss. They’re a stress-free addition to your Thanksgiving menu, ensuring a delicious and comforting classic without the fuss, ready to absorb all that delicious gravy.
Apple Fennel Salad
Introduce a refreshing crunch to your holiday spread with this easy Apple Fennel Salad. This vibrant, no-cook side dish is perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, or even a light weekday lunch. The exquisite combination of tart, thinly sliced green apples, crisp fennel, savory celery, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy chopped nuts creates a symphony of textures and flavors. Drizzled with a tangy-sweet dressing, this salad stands out as a bright, zesty, and visually appealing addition to your seasonal menu, offering a welcome lightness amidst richer dishes.
Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Carrots and Potatoes
Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Carrots and Potatoes are the quintessential side dish that effortlessly complements any meal, especially your Thanksgiving feast. This classic combination features tender, rich golden potatoes alongside sweet, vibrant carrots, all roasted to perfection with fragrant garlic butter. The simple yet profound flavors make this dish universally appealing. With just a few staple ingredients from your pantry and minimal effort, you can create a comforting and savory side that’s deeply satisfying and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Bacon Butternut Squash Risotto
This Bacon Butternut Squash Risotto recipe is a comforting and sophisticated dish, perfectly crafted to highlight the vibrant flavors of fall. The creamy, Arborio rice base is infused with the sweetness of roasted butternut squash, fragrant fresh sage, and the irresistible crunch and savory depth of crispy bacon. This risotto serves as a truly lovely side dish, capable of complementing any protein on your holiday menu, from roasted turkey to a tender pork loin. Its rich texture and balanced flavors make it a memorable addition to any special occasion, serving 4 beautifully.
Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Lemon
Transform your vegetable game with these Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Lemon. This “killer” side dish boasts an irresistible crunch and a vibrant flavor profile that complements virtually any main course, making it a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Forget bland sprouts; these are roasted to a beautiful crisp, then tossed with a zesty balsamic glaze and a bright squeeze of fresh lemon. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can create this tangy, savory, and slightly spicy dish at home in under 30 minutes, often surpassing what you’d find in a restaurant.
Mashed Potato Fritters
Give your leftover mashed potatoes a sensational second life with these Mashed Potato Fritters! Each fritter is tender and wonderfully creamy on the inside, encased in a beautifully golden and crispy exterior. They are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any day of the week, but especially fantastic for repurposing post-holiday leftovers. Serve them as an innovative side dish for your Thanksgiving spread, or even as a delightful appetizer, garnished with a dollop of cool sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives. They add a unique texture and flavor that will impress all your guests.
Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
This honey roasted carrots and parsnips recipe offers a simple yet incredibly flavorful side dish that pairs wonderfully with virtually any meal. The natural sweetness of carrots and the earthy, slightly spicy notes of parsnips are beautifully caramelized with a touch of honey, creating a rich depth of flavor. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, all you have to do is chop, toss, and bake these vibrant vegetables. They are perfect for elevating weeknight dinners or serving as an elegant, rustic side for grand holiday gatherings, bringing warmth and sweetness to your table.
Honey Butter Biscuits
Homemade Honey Butter Biscuits are the epitome of fluffy, flaky perfection, enhanced with a delicate hint of sweet honey. These irresistible biscuits are baked to a golden-brown crisp on the outside and boast a tender, airy interior. They are an incredibly versatile bread option, perfect for pairing with any meal – whether you’re soaking up savory gravy on Thanksgiving, dunking them into a comforting soup, or using them as the base for a delicious sandwich. Their subtle sweetness makes them a delightful accompaniment to both savory and sweet dishes, ensuring they disappear quickly from any table.
French Parmentier Potatoes
Discover the elegance of simplicity with this delicious recipe for French Parmentier Potatoes. This classic French dish transforms humble potatoes into golden, crispy cubes that are wonderfully tender on the inside, making them a perfect accompaniment to any main course. Requiring only a few ingredients and minimal prep time, these potatoes are incredibly easy to make yet yield impressive results. They offer a delightful alternative to standard roasted potatoes, providing a sophisticated touch and a satisfying texture that is sure to make them a new family favorite, especially for your holiday spread.
Sweet Potato Soufflé
Our Sweet Potato Soufflé is a lighter, fluffier, and truly elegant alternative to traditional sweet potato casserole. This side dish features a creamy, airy filling that derives its delightful sweetness primarily from the natural flavors of the sweet potatoes themselves, with just enough additional seasoning to enhance their richness. Crowned with a crunchy pecan topping, it adds a fantastic textural contrast. This simple yet show-stopping recipe always manages to steal the spotlight at any holiday table, offering a sophisticated and incredibly delicious sweet potato experience that is even better than the classic.
The Best Sage and Onion Stuffing
Look no further for the ultimate stuffing recipe; this is truly the BEST Sage and Onion Stuffing you’ll ever make! It’s a quintessential classic, offering familiar, comforting, and incredibly hearty flavors that evoke the essence of holiday tradition. Made with savory sage and sweet onions, this stuffing boasts a perfect balance of aromatic herbs and tender bread cubes, creating a moist and flavorful texture. The best part? You can easily prepare this Thanksgiving side dish ahead of time, leaving you with minimal work on the big day – simply pop it in the oven to bake and serve, ensuring a stress-free and delicious holiday meal.
Cheesy Maple Bacon Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Elevate your holiday spread with these Cheesy Maple Bacon Hasselback Sweet Potatoes – a wholesome yet indulgent side dish that’s both hearty and visually stunning. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes are baked until tender, with each delicate slice creating pockets of flavor. They are generously seasoned, then topped with a delightful combination of savory cheeses, fresh aromatic herbs, and irresistible maple-candied bacon for a perfect crunchy-sweet contrast. This side offers a sophisticated twist on traditional sweet potatoes, promising a symphony of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors that will impress everyone at your Thanksgiving gathering.
Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions
If you adore crispy potatoes but want to avoid the mess and fuss of deep-frying, these Oven Fried Potatoes and Onions are your perfect solution. This simple, classic side dish delivers beautifully golden, satisfyingly crisp potatoes with a tender interior, made even more flavorful by the addition of sweet, caramelized onions. Baked in the oven, they achieve that coveted “fried” texture without the excess oil. They are ideal for a simple, tasty accompaniment to any weekday meal, or as a hearty, crowd-pleasing side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner, offering comforting flavors with minimal effort.
Green Chile Cornbread Stuffing
For those seeking a departure from traditional holiday flavors, our Green Chile Cornbread Stuffing offers a vibrant and exciting southwestern twist on one of the most classic Thanksgiving side dishes. This moist and incredibly flavorful stuffing is infused with the bold, smoky heat of green chiles, providing a delightful kick in every mouthful. The hearty texture of cornbread absorbs all the savory juices, creating a truly unforgettable side that pairs perfectly with roasted turkey or any holiday protein. It’s a fantastic way to introduce a touch of Tex-Mex flair to your festive spread.
Cheesy Herb Individual Potato Gratin
Make your holiday dinner truly special with our Cheesy Herb Individual Potato Gratin, a charming and delicious twist on a classic side dish. These gratins are perfectly portioned for each guest, offering an elegant presentation that will undoubtedly “wow” everyone at your table. Each mini cocotte holds layers of tender potatoes bathed in a rich, creamy, and incredibly cheesy sauce, infused with fragrant herbs. The individual servings ensure a beautiful golden crust and a warm, comforting interior for everyone, transforming a simple potato dish into a sophisticated and personalized culinary experience.
Bacon Cranberry Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Add a burst of vibrant color and fresh flavor to your Thanksgiving dinner with our Bacon Cranberry Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad. This bright, hearty salad is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal, regardless of what you’re serving as the main course. It boasts a medley of delightful textures and complex flavors, featuring crisp shaved Brussels sprouts, smoky bacon, sweet and tart dried cranberries, and crunchy nuts, all brought together with an easy-to-make, zesty citrus dressing that’s absolutely to die for. This savory, tart, and nutty salad is guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters and refresh your palate.
The Easiest No-Knead Overnight Bread
Prepare to impress your guests with the incredible fresh taste and aroma of homemade bread, made effortlessly! Our Easiest No-Knead Overnight Bread recipe means you don’t need to be an experienced baker to create a stunning, crusty loaf. Simply mix a few basic ingredients the night before, let the dough slowly ferment overnight, and then bake it to golden perfection on Thanksgiving morning. This method yields a beautifully textured bread with a satisfying chew and a wonderful depth of flavor, perfect for soaking up gravy or serving alongside any of your holiday dishes.
Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Sausage, Kale, and Mushrooms
For a naturally hearty and incredibly flavorful side, try our Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Sausage, Kale, and Mushrooms. Sweet acorn squash halves are roasted until tender, then generously filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground sausage, vibrant kale, and earthy mushrooms. This dish is not only a complete meal in itself, making it a fantastic option for a lighter Thanksgiving offering or a main course for guests with dietary preferences, but it’s also Whole30-friendly. It’s ready fast, showcasing the beautiful flavors of autumn in every satisfying bite.
Oven Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple and Cranberries
Elevate your holiday table with this exquisite Oven Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple and Cranberries. This stunning side dish beautifully balances sweet and savory notes, featuring tender cubes of butternut squash glazed with rich maple syrup. Bright, tart cranberries and fresh herbs are dotted throughout, adding pops of color and refreshing zest. The natural sweetness of the squash is enhanced by the maple, while the cranberries cut through the richness, creating a wonderfully complex and utterly delicious side that is both visually appealing and incredibly satisfying for any autumn or winter feast.
Green Bean Casserole
No Thanksgiving meal is complete without the beloved Green Bean Casserole, and this recipe delivers the ultimate comfort food experience. Tender-crisp green beans are lovingly blanketed in a rich, creamy garlic cheese sauce, creating an irresistible depth of flavor. The entire casserole is then crowned with a generous layer of golden, crispy fried onions, providing a delightful textural contrast that everyone craves. This classic side dish is famous for vanishing quickly from the holiday table, a testament to its comforting familiarity and savory deliciousness. It’s a nostalgic staple that binds generations at the feast.
Roasted Dill Carrots
Transform humble carrots into caramelized magic with our Roasted Dill Carrots. This simple yet sophisticated side dish features sweet, tender carrots roasted to perfection, then brightened with the fresh, slightly tangy notes of orange and fragrant dill. The roasting process brings out the natural sugars in the carrots, creating a delightful caramelization that adds depth to their flavor. These vibrant and flavorful beauties offer a refreshing contrast to richer holiday dishes, ensuring a lively burst of fresh taste on any plate and making them an appealing vegetable option for your Thanksgiving menu.