These delicious Thanksgiving side dishes will steal the spotlight away from the turkey. There is truly something for everyone on this list from vegetables to potatoes and salads.
Other Thanksgiving recipes that guests will love include this Thanksgiving punch and fall charcuterie board!
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Best Guide to Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Many would argue that the array of side dishes are the best part about the Thanksgiving menu. While the Thanksgiving appetizers, roasted turkey, pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream (or your favorite pies) and other holiday desserts are delicious, it’s usually the side dishes that are the star of the show.
Every year, my plate is always jam packed with all the Thanksgiving side dishes. There are so many delicious options to choose from and you will find all your favorites here in this round up of the best Thanksgiving sides!
Be sure to save room for a few of the best Thanksgiving dessert recipes!
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Potatoes
Whether you like your potatoes topped with turkey gravy or love cozy, comforting and cheesy potatoes, make a few to appeal to all guests at the table.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Rich and creamy mashed potatoes are whipped smooth and fluffy with cream cheese, butter and heavy cream! A favorite side dish at any meal or holiday table.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These cheesy scalloped potatoes are a classic side dish made by layering potatoes with a rich and decadent cheese then baked until tender. They are the perfect comfort food!
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole is the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish with a delicious creamy filling of tender sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar and streusel pecan topping.
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
This easy cheesy potatoes recipe is going to be your new go-to side dish for the holidays. Flavorful potatoes in a simple cheddar cheese sauce is creamy and comforting!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These EASY instant pot mashed potatoes are made in just 30 minutes! Everything comes together in one pot, making clean up a breeze!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Mashed Red Potatoes
These garlic mashed red potatoes are creamy, buttery and a family favorite comfort food! Serve this easy side dish for the holidays or alongside any weeknight dinner.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
These savory scalloped sweet potatoes are made with sweet potato rounds in a creamy, herb sauce with cheese. Sweet potato gratin is a rich and luxurious twist on a classic!
Total Time: 50 minutes
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Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
These rosemary roasted potatoes are simple to make but a classic side dish recipe that you'll enjoy over and over again! They are flavorful, crisp on the outside with a fluffy center.
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
These crockpot mashed potatoes are easy to make in your slow cooker and result in creamy, smooth and velvety mashed potatoes! Best of all there is no boiling on the stovetop involved.
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Easy oven roasted sweet potatoes made with just 5 simple ingredients. Perfectly crispy and caramelized with amazing flavor!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Roasted Red Potatoes
These roasted red potatoes are perfectly seasoned, crispy and flavorful! They are easy to make and an irresistible side dish to just about any meal.
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
These crockpot cheesy potatoes are a simple and quick, fix and forget potato side dish recipe that are a crowd pleasing favorite for holiday potlucks or weeknight family dinners!
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
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Twice Baked Potatoes
A crowd pleasing side dish these twice baked potatoes are made with baked potato shells stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes then topped with cheese!
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Mac and Cheese
Not just for the kids table, everyone loves when a mac and cheese side appears on the Thanksgiving menu!
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe
Creamy slow cooker mac and cheese with cream cheese is a family favorite that is easy to make in the crockpot with elbow macaroni noodles cooked in a cheesy sauce!
Total Time: 2 hours
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Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Baked macaroni and cheese topped with an extra layer of golden, bubbly cheese. This delicious side dish is creamy, comforting and loaded with flavor.
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Homemade Mac and Cheese
This easy homemade mac and cheese recipe is made on the stovetop with 8 ingredients in 25 minutes! It's so creamy and rich, you'll never go back to boxed mac and cheese.
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Stuffing
Save your calories for the important stuff—like pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream! :) These are some of my favorites—all the flavor and none of the guilt. Plus, these are a good option to accommodate various diets like gluten-free or vegetarian.
Cornbread Stuffing
This easy make-ahead cornbread stuffing will easily become the star of any festive meal. Slightly sweet cornbread, sage sausage, veggies, and herbs result in unforgettable mouthwatering flavors and textures that cannot be found in a box!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Old Fashioned Sausage Stuffing Recipe
This old fashioned sausage stuffing is a family favorite! Made from scratch with dried bread, savory sage sausage and herbs and seasonings then served casserole style!
Total Time:
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Crockpot Stuffing
This classic crockpot stuffing has timeless flavors and mouthwatering aromas! Add a little calm to the holiday chaos by making a simple delicious slow cooker stuffing!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Salads
I love how a salad can add a bright pop of color to the Thanksgiving table!
Fall Salad
This easy fall salad is filled with chopped greens, apples, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and roasted butternut squash. Then topped with a maple balsamic dressing that brings out the delicious fall flavors!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad
Apple cranberry spinach salad filled with greens, crisp apples, dried cranberries, walnuts, feta cheese and a delicious honey dijon dressing. An easy salad recipe that's full of flavor!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Pear Salad
Fresh pear salad filled with mixed greens, juicy sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, feta cheese and topped with a balsamic dressing. This is the perfect salad to serve at your holiday dinner this year!
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Cranberry Fluff Salad
This fluffy cranberry salad is made with fresh cranberries, pineapple, marshmallows, apples and whipped cream. It's a sweet, tangy holiday side dish that's a favorite!
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
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Raspberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Raspberry jello pretzel salad is sweet, salty and crowd-pleasing! A cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture sits on a pretzel crust layered with Jell-O for an irresistible dessert salad.
Total Time: 4 hours
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Easy 3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce
An easy 3-ingredient cranberry sauce recipe made with fresh cranberries, sugar and an orange. It's simple to make from scratch and tastes better than the canned version.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Vegetables
These sides will help complete your meal and add a dose of healthy to your table. You can make virtually any veggie you like with one of these clever ideas, whether you prefer them roasted, in a casserole, or covered in cheese—there’s an option for you.
Fresh Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This fresh green bean casserole is a classic holiday favorite! This version is just as creamy as the original with fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup and fried onions.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Creamed Spinach Recipe
This creamed spinach is rich, flavorful and a quick and easy side dish made with frozen spinach and heavy cream. The silky white sauce pairs perfectly with the tender spinach!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Jiffy Corn Pudding Recipe
This jiffy corn pudding is a simple, classic, and easy side dish recipe that fits with any holiday menu. Only 5 simple ingredients and ready in under an hour!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Crockpot Green Beans
These crockpot green beans are a simple side dish made with fresh green beans, onion and smokey bacon! This easy recipe made in the slow cooker will be your new favorite.
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
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Oven Roasted Butternut Squash Cubes
These roasted butternut squash cubes are oven baked until tender, caramelized and full of flavor. The best fall side dish that can easily be adapted to a variety of seasonings!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Maple Roasted Vegetables Recipe
These maple roasted vegetables are sweetened with maple syrup and bacon for a crowd-pleasing side dish worthy of the holidays but easy enough for a weeknight meal!
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
These green bean bundles are wrapped in bacon then brushed with butter and brown sugar. Simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner or make ahead for the holidays!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Roasted Asparagus Recipe
Crisp-tender oven roasted asparagus is fresh, healthy and ready in 15 minutes. This simple vegetable side dish is easy to make and a great addition to any meal.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Corn Casserole
With only 5 minutes prep and 7 ingredients, this classic corn casserole recipe with Jiffy mix and creamed corn is the best creamy side dish for any holiday meal.
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Roasted Vegetables
These oven roasted vegetables are tender and packed with flavor from olive oil, balsamic vinegar and seasonings. Use this method and adapt it to any veggies!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Green Beans
Buttery, fresh sautéed green beans are an easy classic side dish recipe any night of the week. All you need are four simple ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Glazed Carrots Recipe
These glazed carrots are made with 3 ingredients including brown sugar and butter then roasted until caramelized until tender. An easy side dish for dinners and holidays.
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Roasted Parmesan Broccoli Recipe
This parmesan roasted broccoli is healthy, delicious and the best broccoli ever. Broccoli florets are tossed with seasoning, baked and then coated in Parmesan for a crispy side dish full of flavor!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
This bacon wrapped asparagus is one of my favorite side dish recipes with oven roasted asparagus wrapped in smoky, crispy bacon slices. It's simple yet elegant and ready in 20 minutes!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Easy and flavorful, garlic Parmesan roasted cauliflower will be your new favorite side dish! It's oven roasted until tender with the best crispy edges.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Parmesan Roasted Carrots Recipe
These Parmesan roasted carrots are an easy side dish with a flavorful crispy coating of Parmesan with a hint of garlic. They will be your new favorite way to eat carrots.
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Candied Yams
Buttery with a sweet brown sugar glaze, candied yams are a classic southern side dish that are baked until caramelized. This easy side is the best served with any holiday meal!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted brussels sprouts are easy to make, perfectly caramelized, and fork-tender. They're the best 30-minute classic side dish that no one can resist!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Crockpot Creamed Corn
This crockpot creamed corn is easy to make in the slow cooker with canned sweet corn in a rich and creamy sauce. It's the best creamed corn side dish for the holidays!
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
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Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe
Using only 4 ingredients, these easy brown sugar glazed carrots are a definite crowd-pleaser. Coated in a butter and a brown sugar glaze, it's the perfect balance of tender and crunch in every bite!
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
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Creamed Corn
Quick and easy creamed corn is made with frozen sweet corn simmered in a rich and creamy sauce. Simple ingredients make it easy to ditch the can and make this homemade!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
This crockpot green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish made hands off in the slow cooker. This creamy dish is a holiday favorite plus frees up oven space!
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Rolls and More
Don’t forget to round out your plate with a warm piece of homemade bread or dinner roll. I love to dip mine in turkey gravy or spread some garlic herb butter or dreamy orange butter on top. So yummy!
Best Homemade Dinner Rolls
Soft and fluffy with golden brown tops, these are the best dinner rolls! This recipe makes one dozen homemade rolls making it the perfect holiday side dish.
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
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Sweet Cornbread
This sweet cornbread is one of my favorites to make during the fall. It's super moist, fluffy, and is an easy recipe that pairs well as a side dish to so many meals!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Potato Rolls
These potato rolls are made with instant potatoes and yeast for the best soft and fluffy homemade dinner rolls that are easy to make from scratch!
Total Time: 3 hours
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Sweet Cornbread Muffins
These sweet cornbread muffins are light and fluffy muffins with the perfect amount of sweetness! So easy to make from scratch and tastes amazing with chili and soup.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Lion House Roll Recipe
These Lion House Rolls may have originated in Utah, but you can now make them at home with the same soft, fluffy and buttery taste. The perfect dinner roll!
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
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Homemade French Bread Recipe
The BEST homemade french bread recipe made in just 90 minutes! So easy to make and comes out golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and chewy on the inside.
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
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Easy Deviled Eggs Recipe
Easy deviled eggs are a classic recipe made with simple ingredients including hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish and a sprinkle of paprika on top! Perfect for potlucks and parties.
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Which recipe will you make this year? I can’t wait to load up my plate!
More Thanksgiving Favorites
Categorized as: Recipe Roundup, Side Dishes, Thanksgiving
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Yum! Lots of great ideas here. I Pinned this to my Recipes~Side Dishes on Pinterest. Dawn~A Quirky Crafter
Amazing and lovly information. I really so much happy for your tips. I will try to make my own. thanks
Love your recipes!
I’m a sweet potato casserole girl through and through!
Paige
So many beautiful and delicious looking sides perfect for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing!