Don’t Plan Thanksgiving Dinner Until You See These Side Dishes
Can I let you in on a little secret? The side dishes are the real stars of the dinner table.
Yes, they are.
You might be thinking that everyone comes for the turkey sitting at the centre of the table or the beautifully browned, glazed baked chicken.
But think about it: eating these on their own might not be all that exciting for your taste buds.
Now, pair a slice of turkey with some creamy mashed potatoes, buttery roasted carrots, or a spoonful of delicious stuffing, and suddenly, you have a combination of flavours that will make your taste buds and stomach do a happy dance!
Like, imagine taking a juicy slice of turkey, scooping it up with creamy mashed potatoes, and enjoying that perfect blend of savory, buttery goodness.
Now, that’s what I call a delicious bite!
So, if you ask me, side dishes are the life of the party on the dining table.
They elevate your meals, introduce you to exciting flavor combinations, and make every bite even more enjoyable.
And what better way to bring all that deliciousness to your Thanksgiving table than with these incredible thanksgiving side dishes?
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to enjoy good food and spend quality time with family and friends.
So, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, you will want a menu filled with delicious side dishes that make the meal more exciting and give everyone something to look forward to.
Inspired by some of the best Thanksgiving dinner experiences, I’ve put together a collection of creamy, crunchy, savory, cheesy, and fresh thanksgiving side dishes that will make your dinner one to remember.
These recipes are delicious, easy to prepare, full of flavor, and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Get ready to give everyone another reason to come back for seconds.
Let’s get started.
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Top Ten Thanksgiving Side Dishes:
1. Mashed Potatoes
Credit: damn_delicious
You can never go wrong with a plate of mashed potatoes as a side dish for Thanksgiving.
Imagine soft, fluffy potatoes mashed with a generous amount of cream and butter, then seasoned with your favorite spices for an extra burst of flavor.
Now, pair a spoonful of those creamy potatoes with a juicy slice of turkey, and you’ve got yourself a delicious combination that will have you singing with every bite and reaching for another serving.
2. Glazed Carrots
Credit: damn_delicious
This is a lovely way to add color and a touch of sweetness to the basic carrots sitting in your kitchen. They’re incredibly tasty, easy to make, and add freshness to your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Fresh carrots cooked in a mixture of butter, honey or brown sugar until they’re tender and coated in a sweet, glossy glaze, with a little seasoning to balance the sweetness, sound like absolute paradise for your taste buds
They pair especially well with roasted turkey, baked ham, glazed chicken, and roasted beef.
3. Easy Skillet Dinner Rolls
Credit: damn_delicious
Dinner couldn’t get any better with these soft, buttery, and fluffy skillet rolls.
Use them to scoop up some gravy, complement your mashed potatoes, or simply spread a little butter over them for an extra delicious bite.
Best of all, they’re easy to prepare and make a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving spread.
4. Cornbread Stuffing
Credit: damn_delicious
When you have crumbled cornbread, onions, celery, butter, broth, and a generous blend of seasonings coming together in one dish, you’re bound to give your taste buds a five-star restaurant experience.
And when you serve it alongside a juicy roasted turkey, the combination takes your Thanksgiving meal to a whole new level of deliciousness.
This cornbread stuffing is flavour town itself, with different herbs and seasonings coming together to create a rich, savoury taste in every bite.
I’m definitely adding this one to my menu for this year’s Thanksgiving, and you should too! It’s one of those thanksgiving side dishes that deserves a spot on your dinner table.
5. Skillet Buttermilk Biscuits
Credit: damn_delicious
Have this as a little snack to enjoy while waiting for the main meal or something to munch on as you catch up with friends and family after all the Thanksgiving cooking and serving hassle.
These skillet buttermilk biscuits are soft, fluffy, tender, and buttery, with a slightly golden exterior that makes every bite so satisfying.
Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk, a cup of hot chocolate, or even a little honey or jam spread over the top.
They’re simple, delicious, and the kind of treat everyone will keep reaching for.
6. Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Credit: damn_delicious
Vegetable dishes might not be everyone’s favorite, but this recipe could change your mind about thanksgiving vegetable side dishes.
You can start with baby steps by giving Brussels sprouts gratin a try.
It is coated in a rich, creamy mixture of butter, cream, cheese, and seasonings, which helps balance their slightly bitter, earthy taste.
They’re then baked until the top develops a beautiful golden-brown, cheesy crust.
Doesn’t that sound delicious?
It’s a wonderful way to get creative with your vegetables while still enjoying their nutritional benefits (don’t worry, you’re not missing out on those).
It’s also a clever way to introduce your kids to vegetables and get them excited about trying something different without having to turn dinner into a wrestling match.
Who knows? They might even ask for a second serving.
7. Sheet Pan Scalloped Potatoes
Credit: damn_delicious
I am a lover of crispy meals, and when you get layers of thinly sliced potatoes with golden, crispy edges, paired with soft, tender meat, you can’t help but feel excited about going back for another serving.
These sheet pan scalloped potatoes are a beautiful side dish made with thinly sliced potatoes layered in a creamy mixture of butter, milk, garlic, cheese, and delicious seasonings.
As they bake, the potatoes soak up all that creamy goodness while the edges turn beautifully golden and crisp.
The aroma alone will have your mouth watering before they even make it to the dinner table!
Pair them with roasted turkey or glazed ham, and you’ve got yourself a satisfying combination.
The creamy layers and crispy edges make every bite so delicious that you’ll find yourself looking forward to another plate.
8. Cranberry Orange Sauce
Credit: damn_delicious
Say you want a sauce to serve with your turkey, one that will elevate its taste and make every bite more interesting.
You can head into the kitchen and make your own cranberry orange sauce with fresh cranberries, half a cup of orange juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, some orange zest, and a little sugar.
Simply combine everything in a saucepan and let it cook until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens into a beautiful sauce.
And just like that, you’ve made yourself a delicious sweet-and-tangy cranberry orange sauce that pairs wonderfully with your main dishes.
It has that lovely balance of sweetness and tanginess that makes it the perfect companion for juicy roasted turkey or glazed ham.
Every bite gives you a burst of fruity, sweet, and slightly tart goodness that complements the savory flavors of the meat.
It’s exciting, delicious, and definitely one to add to your list of thanksgiving side dishes
9. Buttermilk Cornbread
Credit: damn_delicious
A little sweetness, a soft, crumbly center, and a beautifully golden crust are all the reasons you should add buttermilk cornbread to your list of thanksgiving side dishes.
The goal is to add a little flavor and color to your main dishes, and that’s exactly what this meal does.
Its flavor comes together beautifully with ingredients like cornmeal, buttermilk, butter, eggs, and a little sugar, giving you a moist, tender center with a lovely golden crust.
For a sweet tooth like me, this is what I live for.
Enjoy it warm with a little butter or honey spread over the top.
Serving it alongside BBQ chicken or roasted turkey will work wonders for your taste buds, too. It’s a simple, comforting dish that makes a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal.
10. Baked Mac and Cheese
Credit: damn_delicious
Our famous mac and cheese is a staple at regular family dinners, but you can give it a special Thanksgiving twist by adding a little extra flavor and dressing it up for the occasion.
Think of combining sharp cheddar with mozzarella or Gruyère for a richer cheese flavor, then adding garlic, a little mustard, black pepper, and smoked paprika to give the sauce more depth.
You can also sprinkle breadcrumbs and extra cheese over the top before baking to create that beautiful golden, crispy crust.
I mean, I will definitely look forward to tenderly cooked macaroni coated in rich, creamy cheese sauce and topped with even more cheese.
That satisfying crunch when you bite into the golden crust, followed by the soft, cheesy goodness underneath, will definitely make butterflies flutter in your stomach.
Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dishes
11. Stuffed Butternut Squash
Credit: juliasalbumblog
This is a side dish packed with goodness and a wonderful variety of flavors.
I love a meal that surprises you with something delicious in every bite, and this stuffed butternut squash definitely delivers.
Pair it with your favorite main dish, and you’ll have a meal that’s even more enjoyable.
12. Sweet Potato Casserole
Credit: modern_honey
This is a sweet potato classic that I will definitely be trying out as one of my side dishes for thanksgiving.
In this sweet potato casserole, you get to enjoy a creamy mixture of mashed sweet potatoes, butter, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a little nutmeg, all baked together with a delicious topping of melted butter and brown sugar.
The soft, smooth texture of the sweet potatoes combined with the slightly crunchy, sweet topping makes every bite so satisfying.
It’s the kind of comforting side dish that brings a little extra warmth and sweetness to your Thanksgiving dinner.
13. Spinach Salad
Credit: loveandlemons
Give your Thanksgiving dinner a refreshing touch with this delicious spinach salad.
It’s a wonderful thanksgiving salad that introduces something light and refreshing to your dinner table, especially when you already have several rich and creamy dishes on the menu.
This spinach salad hits differently when served alongside a juicy steak, creating a delicious combination of fresh, sweet, crunchy, and savory flavors.
14. Kale Salad
Credit: sheela.m.prakash
Having kale salad as one of your thanksgiving side dishes is another way to step up your cooking with vegetables.
Combine fresh kale leaves with sliced apples, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and a little crumbled feta or Parmesan cheese.
Then drizzle everything with a light honey-lemon dressing to bring all those flavors together.
Serve this salad alongside roasted turkey, baked chicken, or roasted pork for a delicious and refreshing combination.
It’s colorful, refreshing, and a lovely way to add more greens to your Thanksgiving spread.
15. Au Gratin Potato Stack
Credit: girlwiththeironcast
For the potato lovers, I mean, who isn’t?
You can put your potatoes to good use by turning them into these delicious, creamy, and cheesy au gratin potato stacks.
A dish made of thinly sliced potatoes tossed in a rich mixture of butter, cream, cheese, garlic, and seasonings, then carefully stacked in layers and baked until tender on the inside, with beautifully golden, crispy edges on the outside.
Yeah, I am totally sat with my plate and spoon ready for this!
I love it when a meal soaks up all the seasonings and flavors added to it, allowing you to taste every bit of that delicious goodness with each bite.
Cut into your juicy piece of roasted turkey or steak, scoop up a layer of these creamy, cheesy potatoes, and enjoy them together in one mouthful.
I promise, your taste buds will definitely thank you for it!
16. Miso Glazed Carrots
Credit: cooking_with_wine
If you want to add another vegetable side dish to your dinner table, you can give your carrots a delicious makeover with these miso glazed carrots.
Coat them in a mixture of butter, white miso paste, honey, and a little garlic before roasting until they’re tender and beautifully caramelized.
Eating them on their own gives you that lovely combination of sweet, slightly crisp, and salty flavors.
But when you serve them alongside rice, turkey, or your preferred main dish, they add an extra burst of flavor that makes the entire meal even more enjoyable.
17. Spinach Mashed Potatoes
Credit: cookingformysoul
You can definitely include some vegetables in your mashed potatoes for an extra herby flavor.
While the mashed potatoes give you that creamy, buttery goodness, the spinach adds a fresh, earthy taste that brings everything together for a unique flavor.
Scoop some onto your plate, cut into your juicy steak, and enjoy them together in one mouthful.
You’ll love how the fresh, creamy texture of the spinach mashed potatoes complements the rich, savory flavor of the steak.
18. Southern Pea Salad
Credit: thesouthernladycooks
This is one of the best side dishes I have ever tasted!
It’s one of those dishes where you have a variety of flavors just waiting for you to explore them.
In it, you get tender peas, bacon, red onions, and a creamy, tangy dressing; a side dish packed with different textures and flavors that come together beautifully.
It’s the kind of meal that makes every bite exciting and even more delicious as you keep digging in.
The peas are soft and creamy, then you get that lovely crunch from the bacon, all topped off with a sweet and tangy creamy dressing.
It’s a side dish I definitely don’t want to miss out on making this Thanksgiving.
19. Mashed Potato Casserole
Credit: dinneratthezoo
Potatoes make some of the best side dishes.
They are so versatile, delicious, and comforting in almost every form they’re prepared. So, why not create another delicious potato side dish with this mashed potato casserole?
I mean, who wouldn’t look forward to a meal packed with the rich, creamy goodness of mashed potatoes, melted cheese, butter, sour cream, and delicious seasonings?
You can even top it with extra shredded cheese and crispy bacon bits before baking until the top is beautifully golden and bubbly.
I definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on a meal bursting with all these flavors.
20. Green Beans Gremolata
Credit: inagarten
You can make an elegant side dish with your green beans by trying out this delicious gremolata recipe.
Make a fresh mixture of finely chopped parsley, garlic, and lemon zest (which is what makes up the gremolata). Then, toss your green beans in a little olive oil or butter and cook until they’re tender but still slightly crisp. Finish by mixing in that fragrant parsley mixture.
The result is a lovely combination of fresh flavors that brings so much life to a simple vegetable.
21. Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin
Credit: spoonforkbacon
Nothing makes a great side dish quite like combining all your everyday vegetables into one delicious baked meal.
You get thinly sliced potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips arranged in layers, covered in a rich mixture of cream, garlic, cheese, and seasonings, then baked until the vegetables are tender and the top develops a gorgeous golden crust.
Every layer soaks up that creamy, cheesy goodness, giving you a delicious combination of earthy vegetable flavors and rich, comforting textures.
And when you top it all off with that beautiful golden crust, you’ve got yourself a little taste of paradise with a colorful variety of vegetables on your dinner table.
22. Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Credit: theheartylife
One of the best ways to spend quality time with your loved ones during the holiday season is by making super delicious meals together. So, why not elevate your main dish with these incredible scalloped potatoes?
Made with cream, butter, garlic, cheese, and seasonings, this dish packs plenty of flavor into every bite. The potatoes turn out soft, tender, and creamy on the inside, with a slightly crispy, golden top.
You might just win the host of the year award if you serve this at your Thanksgiving dinner because, trust me, this delicious dish will be the talk of the table!
23. Roasted Carrots
Credit: lazycatkitchen
If you’re looking for good thanksgiving side dishes, the trick is to get creative with your vegetables, and you can certainly do that by making these roasted carrots.
They’re simple, easy to prepare, and incredibly delicious when served alongside your main dish or even enjoyed on their own as a standalone side.
All you need are fresh carrots, a little olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs.
Toss everything together and roast until the carrots become tender, slightly caramelized, and beautifully golden around the edges.
You can also add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, cranberries and nuts for a little sweetness that makes them even more delicious.
Sometimes, the simplest meals are the ones that leave you wanting more, and roasted carrots are a perfect example.
24. Slow Roasted Vegetables
Credit: loveandlemons
Vegetables are not boring; we just haven’t explored all the different and delicious ways to prepare them.
You can get creative with them by combining your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, butternut squash, red onions, Brussels sprouts, and bell peppers.
Toss them with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper, then roast them slowly until they’re beautifully tender, lightly caramelized, and packed with flavor.
The vegetables soak up all those lovely seasonings while their natural sweetness comes through as they cook.
A colorful plate of vegetables is always a lovely sight, especially when they’ve been slow-roasted until tender and full of flavor.
So, they’re definitely worth trying out for this coming Thanksgiving!
25. Sweet Potato Salad
Credit: choperella
This isn’t your regular potato salad, so get ready for something a little different.
Start with sweet potatoes cut into bite-sized cubes, toss them with olive oil and seasonings, and roast until they’re tender with beautifully caramelized edges.
Once they’ve cooled slightly, combine them with chopped red onions, fresh spinach or arugula, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans.
Finish everything with a light honey-mustard or maple-Dijon dressing to bring those sweet, tangy, crunchy, and savory flavors together.
You can even add some crumbled feta cheese for an extra creamy and salty touch. Every bite gives you something different to enjoy.
Serve it alongside grilled pork chops, baked salmon, or roasted chicken for a delicious and colorful Thanksgiving meal.
26. Southwest Creamed Corn
Credit: modern_honey
Let’s say you’ve made a delicious, perfectly roasted chicken or a juicy, tender steak, and you want something to elevate the taste of your meal and add even more flavor to it. You can go ahead and make yourself a bowl of creamed corn!
This will take the taste of your steak or chicken up a notch with its creamy, sweet, and mildly spicy flavors.
When you cut into that juicy piece of steak and pair it with a spoonful of creamed corn, you get a unique, special, and deeply flavorful combination that just makes perfect sense and will have your taste buds singing.
Honestly, anything that combines sweet and spicy flavors always takes the top spot for me when it comes to delicious dishes.
So, give this one a try for your Thanksgiving dinner, and I promise you won’t regret it!
27. Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Credit: loveandlemons
The key here is to get creative with your vegetables to make the best Thanksgiving side dishes because we all need that extra nutritional value in our meals.
You can definitely do that by trying another carrot side dish: Roasted Rainbow Carrots.
This particular side dish brings a beautiful splash of color to your dinner table, thanks to the different varieties of carrots used.
Unlike the regular orange carrots, rainbow carrots come in shades of purple, yellow, red, white, and orange, giving you a colorful mix that’s just as lovely to look at as it is delicious to eat.
Each one offers different nutritional benefits, making them a healthy and colorful addition to your meal.
So, be sure to include these beautiful rainbow carrots on your Thanksgiving dinner table.
28. Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
Credit: kalejunkie
This side dish is a wonderful choice for your vegan guests who want something delicious to enjoy at the Thanksgiving table.
The combination of soft, naturally sweet squash, fluffy quinoa, crunchy pecans, and sweet-tart cranberries creates a lovely balance of flavors and textures.
It’s filling, nutritious, and satisfying enough to enjoy as a main dish on its own, too.
29. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Credit: eatwell101
I know the idea of roasted Brussels sprouts might not sound appetizing at first, but hear me out.
These little vegetables can be a game changer for your Thanksgiving meal.
The magic happens when you roast them until those outer leaves get nice and crispy while the inside stays soft and tender.
They develop this lovely nutty, slightly sweet flavor that makes you want to keep reaching for more.
And when you add a little garlic, butter, or even some Parmesan cheese, oh my goodness, you’ve got yourself a delicious vegetable side dish for Thanksgiving.
The best part? It pairs beautifully with almost any main dish.
You might just end up loving Brussels sprouts more than you expected.
30. Smashed Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Credit: cleanfoodcrush
The key to making delicious thanksgiving side dishes is not to stress yourself out trying to source new ingredients or come up with entirely new recipes.
Instead, it’s about getting creative with the ingredients you already have at your disposal and turning them into something truly delicious and outstanding.
For example, if you have sweet potatoes in your kitchen, you can go ahead and turn them into these smashed roasted sweet potatoes.
They’re simple to prepare, full of flavor, and a wonderful way to give an everyday vegetable a delicious makeover.
Additionally, you can toss them with olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper before roasting them until they’re beautifully golden and crispy around the edges, with a soft, fluffy center.
The best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune or go out of your way to make something special.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity to turn the ingredients you already have into a side dish everyone will love.
31. Roasted butternut Squash
Credit: walderwellness
Butternut squash is one of those vegetables that becomes even more delicious when roasted.
Its natural sweetness develops beautifully in the oven, giving you a tender, slightly caramelized side dish that’s full of flavor.
Cut your squash into bite-sized cubes, toss with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper, then roast until the edges are golden and the centers are soft.
You can even add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for a little extra sweetness, along with some chopped pecans for crunch.
It’s a simple but delicious way to bring more color and flavor to your Thanksgiving dinner.
This is will go hard with your roasted turkey, pork chops, or grilled salmon.
32. Green Beans with Mushrooms
Credit: skinnytaste
This is one of those simple vegetable combinations that brings so much flavor to your dinner table.
Start by cooking your green beans until they’re tender but still slightly crisp.
Then, cook the mushrooms with butter, garlic, onions, salt, and pepper until they’re beautifully browned and fragrant.
Toss everything together and finish with a little fresh parsley.
The green beans bring that lovely, fresh crunch, while the mushrooms add a rich, earthy flavor that makes every bite so satisfying.
33. Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds
Credit: reciperunner
Sweet potatoes are so versatile, and these roasted sweet potato rounds are another delicious way to put them to good use this Thanksgiving.
Simply slice your sweet potatoes into even rounds, toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, then arrange them on a baking sheet and roast until they’re tender with beautifully golden edges.
You can finish them with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or even a little Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
They’re slightly sweet, savory, and deliciously tender, with just the right amount of crispiness around the edges.
34. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Credit: dishingouthealth
Another way to step up your meal plate with Brussels sprouts is by tossing them in a delicious balsamic glaze.
The sweet and tangy flavor of the glaze adds a lovely touch to the slightly nutty taste of the Brussels sprouts, making them even more delicious and enjoyable.
