What’s the most popular side dish at Thanksgiving at your house? This list of 50 Thanksgiving side dishes cover the classics and recipes with a twist, to give you plenty of recipe ideas to add to your holiday table.
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and tradition, and when it comes to the Thanksgiving table, everyone has their favorite traditional dishes to share.
Ironically, the Thanksgiving side dish is one area of turkey day where you can tweak tradition with a simple twist or two.
Whether you’re hunkering down at home, or getting ready to braving traveling to see loved ones this time of the year, this list of Thanksgiving favorite sides is sure to set the mood for a festive feast.
From fresh takes on classic comfort sides to flavorful new additions, take a look and add a few new side dishes to your table. Dig in!
What to Serve With Thanksgiving Dinner
When it comes to Thanksgiving, it’s never a bad idea to stick with the classics. I’m starting my list with my top 10 Thanksgiving side dishes to find on my table and adding some fun twists to family faves with 40 more recipe ideas to follow..
1. How to Make the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
FoodieCrush
There are lots of different techniques to make mashed potatoes including using a potato ricer or a potato masher. And I have tried them all. But in the end, I go back to the same way my mom and my grandma always made them and this is how.
2. The Best Easy Traditional Stuffing Recipe
FoodieCrush
There’s nothing fancy about this traditional stuffing. It’s totally basic. But its simplicity is exactly why I crave it year after year after year.
3. Easy Glazed Carrots
FoodieCrush
Sweetened with brown sugar, orange juice, and butter, this glazed carrot side dish is a one-pan side cooked right on the stove, in the microwave, or baked in the oven, too.
4. My Favorite Ambrosia Salad Recipe
FoodieCrush
This classic fruit salad is one of my favorite family holiday recipes because nobody can pass up its tropical fruit and marshmallows bathed in tangy whipped sour cream.
5. Easy Green Beans With Browned Butter Almondine
FoodieCrush
These green beans almondine are made in one skillet, steaming the beans right in with the butter and almonds then finishing them off with some lemon juice.
6. 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
FoodieCrush
Whichever side of the table my husband’s sitting on, as along as this 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Creamed Corn is on it, he’s going to be one happy harvest feaster.
7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
FoodieCrush
This amazingly easy, 5-ingredient recipe makes traditionally bitter brussels sprouts sweet and crazy delicious thanks to roasting in a cast-iron skillet to create a caramelized bite of baby cabbage and salty pancetta for one of our very favorite Turkey day side dishes.
8. Creamed Swiss Chard
FoodieCrush
If you scream at the idea of creamed greens (try saying that five times fast!), don’t run the other direction before you try these. Healthy swiss chard puts a modern spin on this comfort-food dish, with a light but creamy sauce, and topped with crispy garlic panko breadcrumbs.
9. Creamy Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
FoodieCrush
Using other appliances to do the cooking frees up cooking space. This Instant Pot mac and cheese is fast and easy to make and everyone will be asking for more.
10. 5-Ingredient Stovetop Creamed Spinach
FoodieCrush
All you need is five simple ingredients and time for cream to reduce with savory Parmesan cheese for a restaurant-style creamed spinach cooked right on the stovetop.
11. New Green Bean Casserole
FoodieCrush
This is THE quintessential Thanksgiving side dish, but I’ve given it a healthified makeover by swapping out canned veggies for fresh, lightening up a homemade creamy sauce, and topping with baked onion rings for classic crunch.
12. Sweet Potato Casserole
Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Another classic side dish with a sweet inside that’s somehow made even better with a sweet marshmallow topper.
13. Roasted Butternut Squash Gratin
Recipe Girl
Gratins are a way of Thanksgiving life, and this cheesy roasted squash recipe is one that jump starts the dinner, but surprisingly its on the healthier side. Get a head start on this recipe with my Instant Pot Butternut Squash.
14. Sauteed Leeks with Parmesan
The Cookie Rookie
Made with just a handful of ingredients this simple leeks are a great addition to any meal.
15. Maple Buttered Sweet Potato Wedges
FoodieCrush
Who says sweet potatoes have to be mashed and topped with marshmallow to have a seat at the Thanksgiving table? Not I! These wedge-style potatoes are seasoned with chili powder, cinnamon, thyme, and a swirl of maple syrup, then oven-roasted to caramelized perfection.
16. Hasselback Butternut Squash
How Sweet Eats
So totally seasonal appropriate, these sliced squashes with a nutty topping announce the holiday’s have arrived.
17. Broccoli Casserole with Crispy Onions
FoodieCrush
This easy broccoli casserole au gratin topped with crispy onions could challenge even the best green bean casserole at the Thanksgiving table, and definitely win.
18. Roasted Acorn Squash
The Modern Proper
Paired with with savory spices like chili powder and cumin, this recipe is about minimal intervention, minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
19. Green Goddess Mashed Potatoes
The Bojon Gourmet
Creamy, tangy, and vibrant green goddess mashed potatoes get a kick from classic green goddess herbs – parsley, chives, and tarragon. And it’s gluten-free.
20. Beet, Carrot and Pomegranate Salad
FoodieCrush
The dressing for this roasted beet salad calls for a bit of red wine, and while you can leave it out, I think it adds a nice smoothness to the traditional vinaigrette flavorings and loads of color to the Thanksgiving table.
21. Slow Roasted Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Grilled Cheese Social
Because she shares recipes like this cheesy green beans, it’s one reason you’ll want to listen to your Mother-in-law.
22. Heavenly Funeral Potatoes
FoodieCrush
Funeral potatoes are an easy-to-make and even easier-to-love comfort food casserole with a crispy topping that is totally heaven sent for a crowd.
23. Creamy Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash
Cooking for Keeps
A brown butter base creates this creamy pumpkin topper that’s made even better with a dose of mozzarella for the ultimate veggie melt.
24. Citrus Fennel and Avocado Salad
FoodieCrush
Fresh, bright and clean, this citrus salad add a whole lot of variety and cuts through the heaviness of the traditional turkey day dinner.
25. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
FoodieCrush
These twice-baked sweet potatoes are an all-in-one creamy side dish served in their own jacked made sweet with maple syrup and savory with white cheddar and brown sugar bacon.
26. Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
The Woks of Life
These honey sriracha Brussels sprouts with chili oil definitely deliver the zing to your Thanksgiving table.
27. Cranberry Walnut Stuffing
FoodieCrush
This simple stuffing hits the holiday high notes with seasonal cranberries, walnuts and fresh herbs in a traditional bread-based casserole.
28. Thanksgiving Salad
Chelsea’s Messy Apron
A simple Thanksgiving salad loaded with roasted butternut squash, fresh baby spinach, candied almonds, feta cheese, and dried cranberries this salad gets even easier with a three-ingredient balsamic dressing
29. Maple Chipotle Sweet Potatoes
FoodieCrush
A little spice from chipotle peppers makes these creamy sweet potatoes a welcome touch to the table.
30. Jalapeño Corn Souffle
How Sweet Eats
I had never hear of corn pudding until a few years ago when we did friendsgiving with a neighbor who grew up in Texas. This recipe ups the ante with crispy jalapenos–a crunchy contrast to the sweet corn souffle.
31. Buttermilk Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes
FoodieCrush
Give your guests something to talk about (anything but politics, please!) with these tangy taters. Smooth potatoes are whipped with rich buttermilk and bold blue cheese for a quick and tasty side all parties can agree on.
32. Sweet Carrots with Tarragon
FoodieCrush
A simple—aka light—glaze of honey and butter sweetens up the orange little jewels with tarragon and orange zest giving them the ying and yang of earthy licorice and fresh citrus in each bite.
33. Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Diethood
Garlic roasted smashed brussels sprouts finished off with a balsamic reduction results in a sweet, caramelized perfection that will enhance any main dish.
34. Brown Butter and Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes
A Spoonful of Flavor
Four ingredients are all you need to make these delicious savory inspired brown butter and rosemary mashed sweet potatoes!
35. Miso Roasted Butternut Squash
FoodieCrush
East meets west (did you know butternut squash originated in Mexico and Central America?) in the best way with this unique side featuring season squash in a tempting miso-molasses marinade. If you have leftovers from this recipe, try dicing up the squash to to my Kale Salad with Butternut Squash, Chickpeas and Tahini Dressing.
36. Easy Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
FoodieCrush
When your main dish recipe needs a decadent side dish sidekick, there’s nothing like a creamy, thyme-infused cheesy potatoes au gratin recipe to do the job, and to do it easily too.
37. Spicy Green Beans with Sesame Walnuts
Heartbeet Kitchen
These ingredients are a unique way to dress up green beans that still allows the full, fresh flavor of the beans to shine!
38. Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Two Peas and Their Pod
Maple and cinnamon work together to bring a delicious sweetness to these roasted sweet potatoes topped with pecans.
39. Delicata Squash Stuffing
Kim’s Cravings
I’ve been obsessed with delicata squash since discovering it in the grocery store a couple of years ago. This savory stuffing uses healthier chicken sausage and pecans as a balance to tender squash and soft bread.
40. Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan
FoodieCrush
I’m not saying it’s right to lie to people…but it IS wickedly fun to watch someone’s reaction when they learn this smooth and fluffy cauliflower dish isn’t prepared with potatoes. This is tasty way to trim off a few of those holiday calories, and sneak in a few healthy veggies along the way.
41. Bacon and Corn Sourdough Stuffing
Nutmeg Nanny
So much goodness that this stuffing doesn’t even need a turkey. Loads of fresh herbs make this side dish a happy one to stuff yourself with.
42. Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash and Crispy Fried Sage
FoodieCrush
Butternut squash, with its mild taste, it’s a natural veggie to add in for a little more health in the mac.
43. Cauliflower Casserole
Well Plated
This Cauliflower Casserole with bacon is not only worthy of Thanksgiving, but it’s also a side dish to put in the archives for future dinner parties and date nights.
44. Sweet Potato Casserole with Peppery Pecan Topping
The Endless Meal
The sweet potatoes are shingled (sliced thin) then stacked in a casserole dish with a little maple syrup poured over the top sprinkled with peppery pecans over top.
45. Avocado Grapefruit and Fennel Salad
FoodieCrush
This salad’s flavor combination of fennel’s sweet licorice flavor, juicy tart grapefruit and smooth avocado topped with salty Parmesan is a welcome addition to any meal any time of the year.
46. Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole
Yellow Bliss Road
Scalloped Corn is a classic, homey casserole filled with creamy corn and topped with crushed butter crackers.
47. Farro, Butternut Squash, Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing
FoodieCrush
Farro, a healthy whole grain, adds a nutty bite to stuffing’s traditional flavors with sausage, butternut squash and sage with a sweet taste of dried cherries.
48. Green Beans and Shiitake Mushrooms
FoodieCrush
This green bean recipe was from the first real Thanksgiving I cooked on my own. The crisp beans add a fresh bite leave enough room for seconds.
49. Butternut Squash Casserole
Hip Foodie Mom
Every Thanksgiving Day table needs a stunning and delicious side dish. Roasted butternut squash, leeks, kale, Parmesan cheese and more, you’ve got to try this!
50. How to Make the Best Potato Salad
FoodieCrush
It blows my mind every year when I see a spike in views for my mom’s potato salad at Thanksgiving. But then, it’s so good, of course you’d give thanks to eat it all year long!
The Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Here's how to make the best mashed potatoes with just a few simple ingredients and a few tricks to make them turn out perfect every time.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 4 tablespoons butter cut into chunks
- 1/3 cup half and half or cream, or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- chives minced
Instructions
-
Scrub the potatoes clean and add to a deep pot. Completely cover the potatoes with water, about 1/2 inch above the potatoes. Bring the potatoes to a boil and add 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Boil the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes or until they are very easily pierced with a fork and the skin pulls away from the potato where cut.
-
Drain the potatoes, and while still hot, use a paper towel to wipe the skin away from the potatoes, then add back to the warm pot.
-
Gently smash the hot potatoes with the tines of a hand mixer and add the butter to the potatoes. Cover with a lid for the butter to melt, about 3-4 minutes.*
-
Add the half and half or other liquid dairy to the pot and set it in the kitchen sink so the potatoes don't fly around the kitchen while whipping. Cream the potatoes with the hand mixer until smooth, rotating the pot counter-clockwise as you mix. Don't over mix the potatoes. Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and black pepper to taste, and add more dairy to get the consistency you like best.
-
Add more butter if you'd like, and garnish with minced chives, green onion, or serve plain.
Recipe Notes
*Adding the butterfat to the potatoes before adding the cream, half-and-half, or milk, coats the potato starches and acts as a barrier to ensure your mashed potatoes won’t turn out gummy, sticky or overmixed.
More Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
- Turkey Brine 101: The Best Wet AND Dry Brines
- Juicy Roast Turkey Breast
- Herb Butter Rotisserie Turkey
- 31 Quick and Healthy Veggie Side Dishes in 30 Minutes or Less
- 10 Easy and Healthy Brussels Sprouts Recipes to Fall For Now
- 21 Easy Recipes for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
What are you looking forward to making this year—are you trying something new, or sticking with your favorites?
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kim says
I’ve been on the lookout for a creamed corn recipe and I love that the one you included can be made in the slow cooker. I seriously want so many of these sides, they all look and sound delicious!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
So glad Kim! Let me know how you like the creamed corn!
Baby Bleu says
Making us hungry over here!!!
Ashley Sorenson says
Dig in!
el naismith says
Thanks for some great sounding recipes, Heidi! I routinely use your green bean & shiitake recipe, as well as the roasted Brussels sprouts recipe. A few others that I’ll try – the broccoli and cauliflower dishes. I do a very similar recipe with the delicata squash recipe you’ve included – the only real difference is in the spicing – try using nutmeg and/or allspice in place of or in addition to the cinnamon. REAL maple syrup is a must, not the maple flavoured stuff. Vermont or Quebec maple syrup are the best!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Cheers, El
Elisa says
I’m excited to try some of these ideas :) I love food and I love to try new recipes. Lately I did a Naples food tour and discovered new tastes. It is the most beautiful thing :D So I thank you for the sharing.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
Elisa, that sounds so incredible! Thank you for sharing!
sabrina says
thank you for all of this Thanksgiving inspiration, bacon and corn sourdough stuffing, wow, like the creamed swiss chard too
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
There are so many yummy options! Thank you Sabrina! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Chelsea says
Thanks for sharing my recipe Heidi; I love these round-ups you do and it also reminds me how GORGEOUS your photography is; you’re such an inspiration. <3 Hope you are doing well!!