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Let’s be real, the turkey gets all the glory, but Thanksgiving side dishes are where the actual magic happens. They’re the reason your plate looks like a beautiful mess of mashed potatoes, casseroles, and that one dish your aunt makes that nobody can replicate.
Whether you’re team classic and buttery or team “let’s get a little fancy this year,” there’s a side for every kind of Thanksgiving personality.
Consider this your official permission slip to fill half your plate with sides and call it balanced.
So here are the Thanksgiving Side Dishes Worth Saving Room on Your Plate For.
1. Roasted carrots and asparagus
A simple, nutritious oven-roasted side that pairs beautifully with almost any Thanksgiving main — tender carrots and crisp asparagus seasoned and roasted until caramelized and golden.
Pro Tip: Add the asparagus halfway through roasting time — it cooks much faster than carrots and will turn limp and mushy if roasted the full duration.
2. Sausage, cranberry & apple stuffing
A sweet and savory stuffing masterpiece combining hearty sausage, tart cranberries, and sweet apple — described as the best thing on the Thanksgiving table. Make-ahead friendly and deeply flavorful.
Pro Tip: If the stuffing looks a little dry before baking, drizzle with a little extra broth or melted butter — it should be moist but not soggy before it goes into the oven.
3. Gluten-free vegan stuffing
A buttery, herb-packed stuffing that’s completely plant-based and gluten-free — it delivers all the comforting flavor of the classic without eggs, dairy, or gluten. A great option that pleases everyone at a mixed-diet Thanksgiving table.
4. Brown butter mashed white sweet potatoes
White sweet potatoes mashed with nutty brown butter for a subtler, less sweet take on the classic — an elegant, sophisticated twist that stands out on a holiday spread. Smooth, rich, and deeply satisfying.
Pro Tip: Watch the butter closely as it browns — it goes from golden to burnt quickly, so pull it off the heat the moment it smells nutty and turns amber.
5. Thanksgiving Jello salad
A fun, retro Thanksgiving side made with cranberry or orange Jello, cream cheese, and festive mix-ins — a nostalgic crowd-pleaser that brings color and a little sweetness to the holiday table.
6. Apple walnut salad
A fresh, crisp salad with sliced apples, toasted walnuts, and a light vinaigrette — a healthy, make-ahead-friendly option that brings brightness and crunch to a heavy holiday spread.
7. Broccoli quinoa casserole
Roasted fresh broccoli, creamy quinoa, sharp cheddar, and garlicky whole grain bread crumbs baked into a healthier casserole that tastes indulgent. A vegetarian side that’s easy to make and genuinely impressive.
8. Cranberry apple farro
Chewy farro tossed with tart cranberries, sweet apple, and a light dressing — a wholesome whole-grain side that holds up beautifully after cooking and fits right into a Thanksgiving menu or holiday feast.
9. Garlic butter fondant potatoes
Restaurant-style potatoes cooked low and slow in butter and broth until golden and crispy outside and meltingly tender inside — a showstopper Thanksgiving side that’s far more impressive than the effort required.
Pro Tip: Use a heavy oven-safe skillet and don’t move the potatoes while they sear — letting them sit undisturbed gives you that deeply golden, caramelized crust that makes fondant potatoes special.
10. Bacon, sage & onion stuffing
A classic stuffing elevated with smoky bacon, fresh sage, and caramelized onions — a savory, crowd-pleasing side that’s equally at home on a Thanksgiving or Christmas table.
11. Rosemary cinnamon balsamic glazed beets
Earthy beets roasted and glazed with rosemary, cinnamon, and tangy balsamic — warming, herbaceous, and an impressive holiday side that adds stunning color to the table.
12. Stuffing muffins
Classic stuffing baked in a muffin tin so every serving has crispy edges all the way around — a genius Thanksgiving hack for people who fight over the crunchy bits. Make ahead and reheat easily on the day.
Pro Tip: Press the stuffing firmly into each muffin cup so it holds together when unmolded — loosely packed muffins fall apart the second they come out of the tin.
13. Skillet creamed corn cornbread
Moist, golden from-scratch cornbread baked in a preheated cast iron skillet for a crispy, crackly crust you can’t get from a baking dish — ready in 30 minutes and perfect alongside any holiday spread.
Pro Tip: Preheat the cast iron skillet in the oven before adding the batter — a hot skillet starts crisping the bottom immediately, giving you that signature golden crust.
14. Thanksgiving fruit salad
A light, refreshing fruit salad with seasonal fall fruits — a welcome burst of brightness and sweetness among all the rich, savory Thanksgiving sides on the table.
15. Maple roasted Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts roasted until crispy and caramelized, then finished with a drizzle of pure maple syrup for a sweet, slightly charred finish — a simple, vegan, and paleo-friendly Thanksgiving side everyone actually wants seconds of.
Pro Tip: Preheat the baking sheet in the oven before adding the sprouts — a hot sheet pan starts browning them immediately and prevents steaming, which is what makes them soggy instead of crispy.
16. Hash brown casserole
A cheesy, creamy, crowd-pleasing hash brown casserole that’s been a Southern Thanksgiving staple for generations — easy to make and an instant hit with kids and adults alike.
17. Roasted butternut squash & garlic soup
Velvety butternut squash and roasted garlic blended into a deeply savory, comforting soup — a beautiful Thanksgiving starter or light side that’s naturally gluten-free and easily made vegan.
18. Corn maque choux
A classic Cajun creamed corn dish made with sweet corn, onion, bell pepper, cream, and a kick of spice — a rich, deeply flavorful Southern side that brings something unexpected and delicious to the Thanksgiving table.
19. Easy cheesy scalloped potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes layered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and baked until bubbly and golden — a timeless Thanksgiving side that always draws a crowd around the serving dish.
Pro Tip: Slice the potatoes as evenly as possible — uneven slices cook at different rates, leaving some undercooked and mushy while others are done. A mandoline makes this effortless.
20. Cottage cheese cauliflower gratin
A creamy, golden, high-protein gratin made without cream or flour — cottage cheese stands in for both and creates a surprisingly rich sauce that you’d never guess isn’t the classic version.
21. Cottage cheese mashed potatoes
Ultra-creamy mashed potatoes made with blended cottage cheese instead of heavy cream — higher in protein, lighter in fat, and just as fluffy and satisfying as the classic version.
22. Sourdough stuffing with fennel
Tangy sourdough bread cubes baked with fennel, fresh herbs, and a splash of white wine for a deeply savory, aromatic stuffing — stale sourdough absorbs the broth better and keeps it from turning soggy.
Pro Tip: Use stale sourdough rather than fresh — stale bread absorbs the broth without falling apart, giving you stuffing with great texture instead of a mushy interior.
23. Sourdough dinner rolls with rosemary
Fluffy, pillowy sourdough rolls fragrant with rosemary — a perfect Thanksgiving bread basket addition that pairs beautifully with gravy, butter, and turkey. Make ahead and reheat just before serving.
24. Mexican mac and cheese
A bold, creamy mac and cheese loaded with Mexican-inspired flavors like green chiles, jalapeños, and pepper jack — a fun, crowd-pleasing twist that adds serious flavor to a Thanksgiving spread.
25. Gluten-free cornbread stuffing with sausage
Savory gluten-free cornbread stuffing packed with crumbled sausage, herbs, and aromatics — all the comforting, hearty flavor of traditional Thanksgiving stuffing without the gluten.
26. Broccoli pomegranate salad
A vibrant, fresh salad combining crisp broccoli with juicy pomegranate arils, nuts, and a bright dressing — a beautiful, colorful addition to the Thanksgiving table that cuts through all the rich, heavy sides.
27. Butternut squash pesto rounds
Roasted butternut squash rounds topped with savory pesto, Parmesan, and crispy toasted pine nuts — an easy, impressive Thanksgiving appetizer that doubles as a low-carb side. Adults absolutely love them.
Pro Tip: Cut the rounds to ⅛ inch thickness for a true appetizer feel — thicker rounds take longer to roast and feel more like a side dish than a finger food.
28. Vegan meatloaf with lentils & quinoa
A hearty, sliceable vegan lentil meatloaf built on a classic mirepoix base with lentils, quinoa, and a caramelized ketchup glaze — a worthy plant-based centerpiece for a holiday table. Holds its shape, slices clean, and satisfies meat eaters too.
Pro Tip: Drain the lentils thoroughly, mash only half of them, cook the veggies until all liquid is gone, and press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined pan — these four steps are what make or break the loaf’s texture.
29. Cheesy leek and potato patties
Crispy golden potato patties packed with sweet sautéed leeks and melted cheese — a simple, satisfying side that’s great for using up leftover mashed potatoes and works beautifully alongside a Thanksgiving spread.
30. Muffin tin potatoes
Individual crispy potato cups baked in a muffin tin — perfectly portioned, golden-edged, and a fun, elegant alternative to a standard potato side dish for a holiday table.
Pro Tip: Grease the muffin tin generously — thinly sliced potatoes will stick if the tin isn’t well-coated, and they’ll fall apart when you try to unmold them.
31. Avocado deviled eggs
Classic deviled eggs made with creamy avocado in the filling instead of mayo — a lighter, fresher, kid-friendly Thanksgiving appetizer that comes together quickly and always gets scooped up fast.
32. Easy herb stuffing
A classic homemade herb stuffing with a soft, custardy interior and a golden, crispy top — simple enough for beginner cooks and deeply satisfying as a Thanksgiving staple.
Pro Tip: Use day-old or slightly stale bread rather than fresh — stale bread absorbs the broth without turning mushy, giving you the right balance of tender interior and crispy top.
33. Ricotta meatballs in tomato sauce (Polpette di Ricotta)
Light, pillowy Italian ricotta meatballs simmered in a simple tomato sauce — a unique, crowd-pleasing side or starter that brings something unexpected and delicious to a Thanksgiving or holiday table.
Pro Tip: Don’t overwork the ricotta mixture when forming the balls — the less you handle it, the lighter and more tender the finished meatball will be.
34. Oyster dressing
A classic savory Southern holiday dish of fresh oysters mixed with seasoned bread cubes, softened vegetables, Cajun spices, and Parmesan — a rich, flavorful alternative to regular stuffing that’s hugely popular across Louisiana and the Deep South. Leftovers keep up to 5 days in the fridge.
Pro Tip: Dry out the bread cubes in a low oven before mixing — this helps the bread absorb all the moisture from the oyster liquor and broth without turning the dressing into a soggy mess.
35. Smothered green beans
Green beans and red potatoes simmered low and slow with thick-cut bacon, garlic, butter, and Cajun seasoning until everything is tender and coated in smoky, savory flavor — a Southern-style holiday side that feeds a crowd and reheats beautifully for up to 5 days.
Pro Tip: Use fresh green beans over canned — canned beans turn mushy during the long simmer time and won’t hold up the way fresh or frozen will.
36. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows
A classic Thanksgiving sweet potato mash baked with a topping of toasted mini marshmallows and pecans — sweet, creamy, and gooey in all the right ways. Make ahead up to 3 days and bake right before serving for maximum ease on the big day.
Pro Tip: Add the marshmallow topping only in the last 5–10 minutes of baking — putting them on too early causes them to over-brown or burn before the casserole is heated all the way through.
37. Southern candied sweet potatoes (yams)
Fork-tender sweet potato slices baked in a buttery brown sugar and cinnamon glaze until caramelized and sticky — a soulful Thanksgiving staple that can be prepped up to 2 days ahead and reheated with ease. Finish with mini marshmallows or candied pecans if you like.
Pro Tip: Don’t use canned sweet potatoes — they’re pre-cooked and will turn to mush when the buttery syrup is added, leaving you with a texture that’s more pudding than candied yam.
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