Thanksgiving side dishes make every holiday meal feel complete. It’s not all about the turkey—it’s the side dishes that bring everything together and let everyone customize their plates. Whether you need dishes that are easy to make ahead, fit dietary needs, or make the best use of your slow cooker, there’s something here for you.
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Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Classic Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving staple. This version is easy to prep ahead, with fresh ingredients that give it an extra pop. Skip the canned beans and opt for fresh or frozen beans—they keep their flavor and texture better.
Ingredients
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste
1 cup crispy fried onions
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Boil the beans for a few minutes until just tender, then drain.
Mix the soup with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Add beans to the soup mix and top with fried onions.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
If you want a richer flavor, sprinkle some grated cheddar over the top before baking.
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans trimmed
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
- Salt pepper, and garlic powder, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Boil the beans for a few minutes until just tender, then drain.
- Mix the soup with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Add beans to the soup mix and top with fried onions.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a must-have, but making them at the last minute can be stressful. These make-ahead mashed potatoes solve that problem and let you enjoy creamy potatoes without the rush.
Ingredients
5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream or milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 garlic cloves, peeled (optional)
Instructions
Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain.
Mash the potatoes, adding butter and cream until smooth.
Season with salt and pepper, and add garlic if you like.
Transfer to an oven-safe dish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
When it’s time, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20–25 minutes. Give them a final stir before serving to bring out that creamy texture.
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 garlic cloves peeled (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain.
- Mash the potatoes, adding butter and cream until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper, and add garlic if you like.
- Transfer to an oven-safe dish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Notes
Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Pecans
Using your crockpot for Thanksgiving side dishes can save a lot of space on your stovetop and in the oven. This sweet potato recipe is warm, cozy, and sweet, thanks to a hint of cinnamon and a sprinkle of pecans.
Ingredients
4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Place sweet potatoes in the crockpot.
Add butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon.
Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, until tender.
Stir in pecans right before serving.
These crockpot sweet potatoes will stay warm until it’s time to eat, making them a low-maintenance side.
Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Pecans
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place sweet potatoes in the crockpot.
- Add butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, until tender.
- Stir in pecans right before serving.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Roasted Carrots with Honey and Thyme
Carrots don’t always get the spotlight, but this recipe makes them shine. They’re sweet, savory, and easy to cook ahead of time. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, and a drizzle of honey adds a subtle glaze.
Ingredients
1 lb fresh carrots, peeled and sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt, pepper, and thyme, to taste
2 tbsp honey
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, or until tender.
Drizzle with honey before serving.
Roasted carrots pair perfectly with any Thanksgiving main course, bringing a pop of color and a fresh, healthy taste to the table.
Roasted Carrots with Honey and Thyme
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt pepper, and thyme, to taste
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, or until tender.
- Drizzle with honey before serving.
Savory Cornbread Stuffing
If you’re looking for a side that’s a bit heartier, try this cornbread stuffing. It’s filling, flavorful, and a nice twist on traditional stuffing. Plus, it can be made gluten-free with the right cornbread.
Ingredients
4 cups cubed cornbread, toasted
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1 tsp each sage, rosemary, and thyme
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Sauté onion and celery until soft.
Toss with toasted cornbread and herbs.
Add broth until the stuffing is just moist.
Bake for 30 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp.
Savory Cornbread Stuffing
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed cornbread toasted
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1 tsp each sage rosemary, and thyme
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Sauté onion and celery until soft.
- Toss with toasted cornbread and herbs.
- Add broth until the stuffing is just moist.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp.
Cranberry Relish with Orange Zest
Forget canned cranberry sauce; homemade cranberry relish is easy and so much tastier. The tartness of the cranberries pairs with the bright citrus of the orange, creating a flavor that’s as fresh as it is festive.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
Zest and juice of one orange
Instructions
Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and juice in a saucepan.
Cook over medium heat until the cranberries pop and the mixture thickens.
Let cool before serving.
This relish can be made ahead and stored in the fridge, freeing up time on Thanksgiving Day.
Cranberry Relish with Orange Zest
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- Zest and juice of one orange
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and juice in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat until the cranberries pop and the mixture thickens.
- Let cool before serving.
Creamed Spinach with Garlic and Parmesan
Creamed spinach is a rich, creamy addition to the table that complements everything. This recipe skips the heavy cream for a lighter take, but it’s still full of flavor. As one of the classic Thanksgiving side dishes, it’s a comforting option that brings both taste and a pop of green to the table.
Ingredients
1 lb fresh spinach, washed and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Melt butter in a skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant.
Add spinach, stirring until wilted.
Stir in a handful of Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper.
This dish is easy to whip up last minute or make ahead, and it’s naturally gluten-free, which is a bonus.
Creamed Spinach with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh spinach washed and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add spinach, stirring until wilted.
- Stir in Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Corn Pudding
Corn pudding is one of those dishes that brings a creamy, comforting texture to the table. With corn as the star ingredient, it’s naturally sweet but still savory enough to fit in with the meal.
Ingredients
2 cups corn kernels (canned or fresh)
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup flour (or gluten-free substitute)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
Pour into a greased baking dish.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until set and golden.
Corn pudding is a great option if you want a softer, spoonable side dish to round out the meal.
Corn Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn kernels canned or fresh
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup flour or gluten-free substitute
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Pour into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until set and golden.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Brussels sprouts are a healthy, vegetable-packed side that’s easy to love, especially when roasted to perfection. A balsamic glaze adds a tangy sweetness that balances their earthy flavor, making them one of the most delicious Thanksgiving side dishes you can serve. This dish is sure to win over even the pickiest eaters and bring a fresh, vibrant element to your holiday table.
Ingredients
1 lb fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Roasted Brussels sprouts are a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters tend to enjoy.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Gluten-Free Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Stuffing doesn’t have to be off-limits for those avoiding gluten. This recipe uses gluten-free bread and incorporates sausage and apples for a savory-sweet twist that’s hearty and satisfying. As one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes, this stuffing adds traditional holiday flavors with a delicious gluten-free option that everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients
4 cups gluten-free bread, cubed and toasted
1/2 lb sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 apple, diced
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
Cup of chicken or vegetable broth
1 tsp sage
1 tsp thyme
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Sauté onion, celery, and apple with sausage.
Toss with gluten-free bread cubes, herbs, and broth.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is golden.
This stuffing has the classic flavors of Thanksgiving but with a twist to keep it gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Ingredients
- 4 cups gluten-free bread cubed and toasted
- 1/2 lb sausage cooked and crumbled
- 1 apple diced
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Sauté onion, celery, and apple with sausage.
- Toss with gluten-free bread cubes, herbs, and broth.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is golden.
Herb-Roasted Root Vegetables
For a side that’s vibrant and full of nutrition, herb-roasted root vegetables are the way to go. They add a mix of colors and flavors to the table, perfect for balancing richer dishes. As one of the must-have Thanksgiving side dishes, these veggies bring a wholesome, fresh element that complements every part of the meal.
Ingredients
4 cups mixed root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes), diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and herbs.
Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, or until tender.
Herb-Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed root vegetables carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and herbs.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, or until tender.
Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving Side Dishes Everyone Will Love
With a variety of flavors and textures, these Thanksgiving side dishes are sure to make everyone at the table happy. From the creamy to the crispy, the sweet to the savory, there’s a dish here for every palate. The best part? Many of these dishes can be made ahead, keeping Thanksgiving stress-free and giving you more time to spend with family.
