50 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes Recipes

What’s the most popular, easy Thanksgiving side dish at your house? From my top 10 Thanksgiving side dishes to 40 new twists on the classics, this list of 50 easy side dish recipes will give you plenty of side dish recipe ideas to think about.

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 brave the busiest travel 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!

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes Plus 40 More

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!

More Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

• Wet Or Dry? How To Make The Best Turkey Brine
• 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?

We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more FoodieCrush inspiration.

Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There are affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.  

Sharing is caring!