21 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic part of a Thanksgiving dinner. It's a wonderful mix of fresh green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. Each bite is savory and comforting.

If you're busy, you can make slow-cooker green beans instead of cooking them in a baking dish. They'll still taste scrumptiously delicious!

Green Bean Salad

If you want a lighter alternative to a green bean casserole, try making this salad! Green bean salad is a fresh and vibrant side dish. The crisp green beans are topped with crunchy pecans and red onion for a light, flavorful option.

There are many ways to make this salad fun! Add a bit of parmesan or pecorino cheese on top for a bit of savory and salty flavor. Or, top the green bean salad with sliced almonds and Honeycrisp apples for a nice crunch.

Apple Cranberry Sauce

A Thanksgiving menu can be quite rich and decadent, that's where cranberries come in. Cranberry sauce adds a tart flavor to the Thanksgiving table, helping balance the savory dishes. This cranberry sauce has a bit of apple to add some natural sweetness.

It's a classic side to add to any holiday table. Make sure the sauce has a slightly runny texture instead of a pudding-like one.

Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are the best way to eat baked potatoes! Thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich mix of butter, parmesan cheese, and cheddar until brown and melty. The Thanksgiving side is a creamy, cheesy delight that even picky eaters will enjoy!

The scalloped, baked potatoes soften up in the sauce but still maintain a bit of crunch. It's a textural delight!

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Give classic mashed potatoes an umami twist with roasted garlic. The garlic adds smokey and aromatic notes that take this Thanksgiving side dish to the next level. I like to add in some fresh chives for extra oomph!

Don't skip out on these creamy potatoes. They are filled with tons of butter for a decadent side dish! To get the creamiest potatoes, I recommend using a ricer to mash the potatoes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Not all casseroles have to be savory. This sweet potato casserole is packed with a natural sweetness that is only made more decadent with marshmallows. Sweet potatoes are cooked with warm spices and brown sugar to add a bit of sugariness to any Thanksgiving lineup.

Butternut Squash Casserole

Don't forget about vegetarian Thanksgiving side dishes! They are just as yummy as meaty ones. Butternut squash casserole is filled with layers of squash, wild rice, fresh herbs, and cheese. What better way to enjoy your veggies?

This side dish is so filling and delicious, that some may mistake it for the main meal!

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are one of the most controversial Thanksgiving side dishes. Roast the brussels sprouts with oil, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder to see just how exquisite sprouts can be.

Each bite is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It's a spectacular blend of textures and taste. If you want to make it heartier, you can add crispy bacon or chopped baked ham on top.

Cornbread dressing

Cornbread dressing is the best way to use extra cornbread. The subtle sweetness of the corn blends in wonderfully with the savory flavors of sausage, celery, and plenty of herbs.

Any cornbread works, whether you're using fresh corn or boxed mix. A Thanksgiving plate isn't complete without a scoop of stuffing!

Candied yams

Candied yams, or candied sweet potatoes, are one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes. The roasted sweet potatoes melt in your mouth while the cinnamon and maple syrup warm you up.

You can bake these in a casserole dish or a dutch oven for a delicious and sweet addition to any Thanksgiving meal.

Apricot stuffing

The perfect turkey day needs a juicy, flavorful turkey in the middle of the holiday table surrounded by scrumptious side dishes like stuffing. This apricot stuffing is the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

The stuffing soaks up all the meaty juices while adding its herbaceous flavors. It will surely get the crowd excited!

Maple glazed carrots

Carrots are cooked in maple syrup for a wonderfully sweet side dish. The maple-glazed carrots are wonderfully tender, and the taste is out of this world.

If you're looking to save oven space, this is one of the recipes to cook. Glazed carrots are a quick and easy recipe you can cook on the stove in under 30 minutes!

Roasted shallots

Roasted shallots are one of the underrated Thanksgiving side dishes on this list. They're easy to make and don't need many ingredients. By cooking them in butter, honey, and balsamic vinegar, the shallots take on a delightful sweet-tangy flavor that will melt in your mouth.

Shallots taste like a hybrid between onions and garlic, but sweet onion can also be used in this recipe.

Roasted Pumpkin with Red Peppers and Onions

This wouldn't be a complete list without some healthier side dish recipes. These roasted veggies are filled with caramelized pumpkin, red peppers, and onion for the perfect blend of sweet and savory.

It's an easy Thanksgiving side dish that takes minimal effort to prepare. You can use any combination of ingredients that you prefer.

Mac and Cheese

A dish full of bubbly, gooey mac and cheese is one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes! Macaroni is cooked in a lovely cheese sauce that's filled with whole milk, half and half, butter, four types of cheese, and seasonings.

Each bite of baked mac and cheese is creamy, decadent, and comforting. Add buttery crackers on top for a little bit of crunch.

Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is a lovely Thanksgiving side dish where you can use those leafy greens hidden in the back of your fridge! Cook spinach with butter and heavy cream to make this smooth and velvety recipe.

It's delicious on its own, but creamed spinach can be spiced up in many ways! Add in some sour cream, spices, or maybe some cream cheese. There are so many directions you can go with this recipe!

Jeweled Wild Rice

There's no reason your vegan friends have to suffer on Thanksgiving day! The dish is full of textures and flavors that are nothing but enticing. Wild rice, green beans, nuts, dried fruits, and spices come together to make for a festive and yummy Thanksgiving side dish.

I recommend making a large pot of this rice because even the non-vegans will want a plate of it!

Creamy Mushroom Gravy

Spice up Thanksgiving by making this rich mushroom gravy instead! Mushrooms are cooked with heavy cream, cheese, and plenty of butter to make a velvety sauce that is packed with umami. The sliced mushrooms add a nice earthy flavor to any main or side dish.

Pour the mushrooms over freshly baked biscuits, rolls, or mashed potatoes. You won't regret making this incredible gravy.

Tator Tot Muffin Tins

Tator tots are cooked in muffin tins to turn them into cups that can hold plenty of toppings. The crisp potatoes are topped with cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits. It's one of the best savory recipes to make during any party.

There are so many ways to experiment with these tator tot muffins. Fill them with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, and parmesan to make breakfast tots! Experiment with toppings to see what you like best.

Pumpkin Bread Buns

These scrumptious bread rolls are shaped like a pumpkin to make a stunning side dish for the Thanksgiving table. Pull apart each roll to enjoy a moist and fluffy piece of warm bread.

The pumpkin puree gives the bread a subtle sweetness, so it pairs beautifully with other savory side dishes like gravy, bacon, or even a salad!

Chipolata Sausages

These glazed sausages are a mouth-watering side dish that you won't get enough of. The chipolata sausages are cooked in hoisin sauce, honey, and sesame seeds. The flavors come together to make the ultimate sweet-savory recipe.

Enjoy the sticky sausages with breakfast biscuits for a Thanksgiving brunch, or pair them with a salad for a light lunch. They're perfect for the holidays, but chipolatas can be eaten any time of the year!