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This list of 40+ Thanksgiving side dishes covers both the classics and recipes with a twist, to give you plenty of recipe ideas to add to your holiday table. Best of all, these are all easy-breezy to make (and many can even be assembled in advance and reheated on Turkey Day!).
In Our House, The Sides Steal the Show on Turkey Day!
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and tradition, and when it comes to the Thanksgiving table, where would the Thanksgiving bird be without a bountiful bunch of side dishes to go with it?
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 gearing up to travel to see loved ones this time of the year, this list of easy side dishes for your Thanksgiving dinner is sure to set the mood for a festive feast.
From fresh takes on classic comfort sides to flavorful twists on tradition, take a look and add a few new side dishes (or keep at it with some of our fave classics) to go with that big, juicy bird.
And, if you ask me, the sides are what Thanksgiving dinner is really all about!!!
Dig in!
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Classic Thanksgiving Casseroles
1
Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole recipe is made with creamy baked sweet potatoes and topped with a pancetta, sage, and pecan crumble, for the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
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2
Green Bean Casserole Recipe
There's no canned soup and no mushrooms in this classic green bean casserole recipe! I prefer using frozen and thawed green beans for ease, but you can use fresh green beans that have been blanched, if desired.
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3
Best Ever Homemade Stuffing
This easy stuffing recipe is made from scratch and with bread cubes, butter, onion, celery, and savory aromatics. It's perfect for a Thanksgiving feast or as a side for chicken or pork.
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4
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“Made this last night. Came out perfect. Best oven baked macaroni and cheese I have made so far.” -Sherie, FoodieCrush Reader
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5
Broccoli Casserole with Crispy Onions
This easy broccoli au gratin casserole can be made with fresh or frozen broccoli folded into a simple cultured butter and cheese roux. Crispy fried onions add crunch to this creamy, sublime side dish that can be prepped ahead of any meal.
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6
Heavenly Funeral Potatoes
Funeral potatoes are an easy-to-make and even easier-to-love comfort food casserole that is totally heaven sent.
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7
Green Bean Casserole with Onion Rings
The green bean casserole recipe gets a real makeover with fresh green beans and a simple, homemade mushroom sauce, plus a surprise crispy ingredient-crunch.
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8
Au Gratin Potatoes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “After searching for the perfect Au Gratin Potato Recipe I found yours Heidi! It was easy to follow and understand. The result was delicious and out of this world. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in to making us all look like we know what we’re doing.” -Carole, FoodieCrush reader
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9
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These easy cheesy scalloped potatoes are as comforting a dish as you can make. Pair this hearty side dish with roast chicken, steak, ham, and more!
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Thanksgiving Vegetable Sides
10
Grandma’s Potato Salad (Reader Favorite!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”Don’t usually comment, but after a year of making this recipe over and over, I have to give credit where it’s due. Look no further, this’s the only potato salad you’ll ever need.” -Tee Tee, FoodieCrush reader
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11
Creamed Spinach
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.
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12
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
This mashed potatoes recipe is easy to make and sublimely creamy, butter, rich, and flavorful.
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13
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These sweet glazed carrots with butter and brown sugar can be cooked on the stovetop, in the microwave, or baked in the oven.
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14
Easy Creamed Swiss Chard with Garlic Breadcrumbs
This easy creamed Swiss chard gets the comfort food treatment thanks to a light but creamy sauce topped with crispy garlic Panko breadcrumbs for a side dish so good it’ll give creamed spinach a run for its money.
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15
Ham and Potatoes au Gratin
No one can resist thinly sliced potatoes layered with gooey cheese and juicy pieces of ham — especially not when coated in a silky, sage-infused cream sauce. Serve this ham and potatoes au gratin recipe alongside your favorite holiday mains at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
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16
Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage and Browned Butter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Absolutely delicious! My boyfriend cooks once a week and he made this tonight and I was impressed! Great flavors and perfect for autumn.” –Claire, FoodieCrush reader
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17
Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These chipotle pepper mashed sweet potatoes are a spiced alternative to regular mashed potatoes, and go deliciously with roast chicken, pork chops, and more.
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18
Roasted Acorn Squash
Roasting acorn squash is so easy, and it's my favorite way to enjoy this sweet fall squash, which caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Add to salads and pastas, or purée into soups.
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19
Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
These Brussels sprouts with pancetta and maple syrup are perfectly caramelized for the best salty-sweet, crispy bite that goes with anything.
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20
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
This classic creamed corn made with cream cheese is so quick and easy to prepare thanks to a little help from your slow cooker.
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21
Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Cauliflower florets cooked in chicken broth and then pureed until smooth make a healthier but equally delicious alternative to butter- and cream-loaded mashed potatoes.
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22
Sweet Potato Soufflé
This silky sweet potato soufflé is made with baked sweet potatoes and warm spices for an easy to make side dish or dessert that's perfect for fall.
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23
Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Browned Butter
This roasted butternut squash is drizzled with a to-die-for maple syrup-flavored browned butter with rosemary, and sprinkled with flaky sea salt for a delectably savory-sweet fall side dish.
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24
Green Beans with Browned Butter Almondine
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.
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25
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes With Maple Bacon
These twice-baked sweet potatoes are an all-in-one side dish served in their own jacket with maple syrup, melty white cheddar cheese, and brown sugar bacon. To save time, meal prep them ahead of time, then heat just before serving.
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Thanksgiving Breads, Rolls, and Carby Goodness
26
Cornbread Dressing with Sausage
This cornbread dressing recipe features the best homemade cornbread mixed with country sausage, aromatics, and plenty of savory herbs. You can easily make it in advance to save time on Turkey Day.
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27
The Fluffiest Dinner Rolls EVER
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I made these last night – 2 batches. I couldn’t get them in the freezer fast enough. My whole family kept sneaking them while they cooled.” -Amber, FoodieCrush reader
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28
Best Ever Cornbread
Medium grind cornmeal adds more corn taste with a tender crumb the buttermilk provides, making this easy skillet cornbread recipe ready in under 30 minutes.
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29
Cranberry and Walnut Stuffing
This simple turkey stuffing recipe is studded with dried cranberries, walnuts, celery, and onions, and scented with a mix of fresh herbs, for an easy and comforting addition to your Thanksgiving table.
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30
Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
With just 5 minutes cooking time, this lush and creamy Instant Pot mac and cheese recipe is made with 100% real cheese and couldn't be easier or faster to make.
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31
Farro, Butternut Squash, Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing
Farro, a healthy whole grain, adds a nutty bite to stuffing’s traditional flavors with sausage, squash and sage with a sweet taste of dried cherries.
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32
Macaroni Salad
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe! I have made it probably 20 times & receive the best compliments each time! And, it is super convenient to adjust the serving size!” –Brandi, FoodieCrush reader
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Thanksgiving Salads
33
Classic Waldorf Salad
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Excellent recipe! I made a double batch for book club and got requests for the recipe.” -K. Belk, FoodieCrush reader
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34
Pear Gorgonzola Salad
This simple pear gorgonzola salad is the perfect balance of sweet and tart and matches so deliciously with everything. You can easily change up the cheese or nuts, or even add a protein to make it a main dish salad.
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35
Kale Salad with Wild Rice and Roasted Butternut Squash
This filling kale salad with warm wild rice and roasted butternut squash, toasted pecans, goat cheese, and sweet-tart dried cranberries is dressed with an apple cider and maple dressing full of fall flavors.
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36
Roasted Beet Salad with Ricotta
Honey and orange zest flavor ricotta cheese dolloped on sweet roasted beets in an easy, flavorful dressing that makes a healthy side dish beet salad that tastes great warm or at room temperature.
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37
Kale Salad with Cranberries, Apple, and Cheddar Cheese
Because kale is a sturdy leaf, this easy salad lasts longer than a green leaf salad once it’s been dressed, making it a perfect choice for serving at potlucks or parties or any time you want a salad to last.
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38
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This is the best ambrosia salad ever!! I love ambrosia and have been wanting to make it the past year for my family but everyone always turns their nose up but FINALLY I made it and everyone has gone crazy for it!! I’ve made it twice in one week :D” -Lindsey, FoodieCrush reader
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39
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad With Roasted Beets, Pecans and Goat Cheese
This hearty Brussels sprouts salad sweetened with roasted beets and crunchy pecans is delicious as a vegetarian main dish or served as a side. The tangy mustard dressing softens the bite of the Brussels sprouts with a hint of maple syrup that’s topped with creamy goat cheese.
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40
Salad with Curried Butternut Squash and Roasted Grapes
This vibrant salad is full of awesome textures and flavors, comes together easily, and is super versatile. It's a light but filling meal on its own, but you could easily add grilled chicken, salmon, or chickpeas for extra protein.
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Thanksgiving Gravies and Sauces
41
How to Make Turkey Gravy From Drippings
Here's how to make the best silky, savory, homemade turkey gravy recipe ahead of time or the day of your Thanksgiving feast.
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42
THE BEST Cranberry Sauce
This homemade cranberry sauce recipe calls for both fresh and dried cranberries to make it tart, sweet, and jammy with a dash of orange flavor.
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43
No-Cook Cranberry Relish
Sweet and tangy cranberry relish is an easy holiday side dish that can be made up to 2 weeks in advance.
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Chelsea
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!!
sabrina
thank you for all of this Thanksgiving inspiration, bacon and corn sourdough stuffing, wow, like the creamed swiss chard too
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
There are so many yummy options! Thank you Sabrina! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Elisa
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
Elisa, that sounds so incredible! Thank you for sharing!
el naismith
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
Baby Bleu
Making us hungry over here!!!
Ashley Sorenson
Dig in!
kim
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
So glad Kim! Let me know how you like the creamed corn!