50 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes for an Unforgettable Feast
They might just steal the spotlight this year!
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As the main course on your Thanksgiving menu, the roasted bird naturally gets the most attention. But let's be honest: the Thanksgiving sides really steal the show! Even Ree Drummond says the creamy mashed potatoes and savory stuffing are her favorite parts of this annual fall feast. "Sometimes, I even forget to put the turkey on my plate," Ree admits. And she's not alone! Many surveys have shown that most Americans actually prefer sides to the turkey entrée.
If you're looking to fill your plate with all the best side dishes, you've come to the right place. Below, you’ll find the ultimate roundup of family-friendly Thanksgiving sides, such as show-stopping veggies, comforting casseroles, dreamy biscuits, and so much more. Of course, this list includes all the traditional dishes like sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and green beans. But there are also plenty of creative fall dishes, such as twice-baked sweet potatoes with streusel topping, pumpkin mac and cheese, and cheesy pull-apart garlic bread.
Not sure which direction to go? Start by choosing some standard Thanksgiving sides before finishing off your menu with a few new and exciting recipes that will satisfy every guest. Don't worry about holding back, though. It's better to stock your dinner lineup with a variety of vegetables, starches, and sauces than opt for a pared-back spread. If you end up with extras after the feast, reimagine the holiday classics with these Thanksgiving leftover recipes!
Complete your turkey dinner with these tasty ideas:
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
You'll definitely want to add Ree's extra-creamy mashed potatoes to your holiday menu. Buttery, smooth, and utterly delicious, this Thanksgiving side will have everyone asking for seconds. You can also prepare this dish ahead of time, which will make your day-of hosting duties much more manageable!
Get Ree's Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Thanksgiving Dressing
With an airy, crumbly center and a crispy, golden top, Ree’s Thanksgiving dressing is a definite crowd pleaser (and it’s one of her personal favorites!). In addition to onions, celery, parsley, and dried herbs, this Thanksgiving side dish features three different types of bread!
Get Ree's Thanksgiving Dressing recipe.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
If you love sweet potato casserole but want to make something a little easier on the big day, these stuffed sweet potatoes are your new best friend. They're still topped with ooey, gooey marshmallows and tons of flavor!
Get Ree's Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Green Bean Casserole
This Thanksgiving, shake things up with a green bean casserole made from scratch. With Ree's creamy, veggie-packed recipe, you won't find any canned soup! Instead, panko breadcrumbs, pimento slices, and cheddar cheese take center stage.
Get Ree's Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow
Break up all the savory Thanksgiving sides with a sweet and seasonal option that everyone (both kids and adults!) will reach for. Fluffy sweet potatoes and a pecan streusel topping are obvious headliners, but the mini marshmallows take it a step further!
Giblet Gravy
Made with giblets and the drippings from a roasted turkey, this gravy will be the ultimate finishing touch on your Thanksgiving plate. The consistency strikes the perfect balance between thick and thin, which makes it just right for pouring over your meal.
Get Ree’s Giblet Gravy recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
With a mix of natural sweetness and savory goodness, these roasted carrots coated in honey-herb butter are guaranteed to be a sought-after side on Thanksgiving. Not to mention, they'll add a pop of color to your spread and an extra dose of vitamins to your plate!
Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash
To balance out all the hearty Thanksgiving sides, you might want to mix in something light and refreshing. A seasonal salad with baby kale is a great option. Featuring roasted acorn squash, dried cranberries, and roasted pumpkin seeds, this dish is packed with autumnal flavor.
Get Ree's Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash recipe.
Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potatoes are delicious on their own, but to take this staple Thanksgiving side to the next level, turn it into a casserole! Ree’s recipe includes bacon, cheese, fried onions, and potato chips, which means it'll be an automatic hit!
Get Ree's Mashed Potato Casserole recipe.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
To save yourself time and free up space in your oven, you'll definitely want to add a few quick and easy Thanksgiving sides to your menu. These air-fried Brussels sprouts are the ideal candidate: They're a crispy delight, and they take just 25 minutes to come together!
Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole
Integrating this cheesy casserole into your Thanksgiving buffet will be a smashing success, even with the picky eaters who don't typically gravitate toward vegetables! In this recipe, broccoli gets an indulgent upgrade with buttery crackers and cheese sauce, so it'll obviously be an in-demand option!
Get Ree's Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole recipe.
Apple Cranberry Sauce
If you’re looking for an innovative take on classic cranberry sauce, try this recipe that’s made with seasonal apples, fresh cranberries, and zesty orange. It also comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it’ll be your new favorite, too!
Get the Apple Cranberry Sauce recipe.
Sausage Stuffing
Want to make your Thanksgiving stuffing even heartier? Add pork sausage to the mix! This recipe also uses a combination of soft white sandwich bread and crusty French bread, which gives it a fluffy, pudding-like texture.
Get the Sausage Stuffing recipe.
Thanksgiving Salad
For lighter fare that’ll balance out your feast, consider this Thanksgiving salad. With crisp apples, bitter radicchio, crunchy fennel, and smoked almonds, each bite of this medley is packed with irresistible crunch. Plus, it’ll brighten up your kitchen!
Get the Thanksgiving Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Green Beans
These green beans are slow-cooked in a comforting sauce of tomatoes, garlic, paprika, and thick-cut bacon, so you better believe they're loaded with flavor. Even the kids in the room will enjoy this Thanksgiving vegetable!
Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.
Roasted Delicata Squash
This sweet and savory side dish will steal the show on your holiday table. The fresh sage and crispy coating of parmesan is actual quite simple to make.
Get the Roasted Delicata Squash recipe.
Potato Rolls
These rolls are fluffy, light, and warm from the oven—just the way you like 'em. Don't forget to serve them up with butter or turn them into slider buns for your leftover turkey.
Get the Potato Rolls recipe.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Give your ooey-gooey mac and cheese an autumnal twist by adding pumpkin puree in with gouda and fontina cheeses. Crispy bread crumbs and crumbled sage make it even more comforting.
Get the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe.
Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes
A cheesy, creamy sauce made with gruyère and sharp white cheddar makes these potatoes the ultimate comfort food! It might just become your new family favorite.
Get the Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipe.
Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
Everything is better with garlic-butter, especially dinner rolls. This variation is baked in a loaf pan with pieces that you can pull apart.
Get the Pull-Apart Garlic Bread recipe.
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