Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

This post may contain affiliate links.  For more information, read my disclosure policy here  

These are some of the best Thanksgiving side dishes to add to your holiday menu. The main event might be the turkey, but some of the best Thanksgiving recipes are the sides that go with it.


SAVE THIS RECIPE!

Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.

Save Recipe Final

Some of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving are eating the side dishes! I’ve scoured the internet and my recipe boxes to bring your the best Thanksgiving side dishes I could find. You can find everything from traditional sides, vegetable sides, cold sides, and crock-pot sides.

The best Thanksgiving side dishes will always leave you wanting more. These side dishes of all kinds are delicious, from mashed potatoes to mac and cheese. Some may be traditional, some may be a little more creative, but they all will leave you stuffed and thankful.

If you’re looking for our favorite Thanksgiving Day recipes, try these: Slow Cooker Mushroom Stuffing, Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie and Crispy Brown Sugar Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

Expert Tips for Making The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Sometimes it can be difficult to create fun and creative side dishes, but these tips can help you wow your crowd with the perfect turkey compliments

  • Recipes Can be Doubled: When cooking for a crowd, sometimes you need more than expected.  Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
  • Leftover Ideas: Too much food? No worries. There are many recipes that use leftovers to create something else. There are so many creative ways to utilize your leftovers. Try these leftover options
  • Replace Turkey with a Different Main Dish: Not all your guests like turkey? There are so many other alternatives, like chicken, ham, and lamb chops.
Meal planning printables
Get Our Free Meal Planning Bundle

With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.

FAQs About Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Depending on how big your crowd is, it may be a good idea to have appetizers along with your sides. For instance, if you have 4 people at your gathering, serve 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, serve 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides, 16 people, serve 2-4 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

Most side dishes can be made in advance, like green bean casserole and scalloped potatoes. You can make these dishes as far as two days in advance, then cover and stick it in the fridge until the big day.

Almost all dishes can be left out to grab for around two hours. If there are some yummy leftovers, just stick them in the fridge after two hours for tomorrow!

Traditional Turkey Sides

Sometimes there’s just nothing better than the classics. These traditional Thanksgiving side dishes will leave you feeling good and wanting more.

Mashed potatoes with turkey gravy without drippings on them.
Turkey Gravy Without Drippings
It works whether or not you have pan drippings from a roasted turkey. Cut the fat but have all the flavor with this easy gravy.
GET THIS RECIPE
A casserole dish of cheesy mashed potatoes dish.
Loaded Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
It is filled with all the wonderful flavor of a decadent loaded baked potato blended together into one giant casserole!
GET THIS RECIPE
Stuffing
It’s rich and savory, made with fresh herbs, celery, butter, and leeks.
GET THIS RECIPE
Green Beans Almondine
Toasted almonds, with their delicate crunchy texture, are a perfect foil for these garlicky green beans.
GET THIS RECIPE
A white plate of Italian Brussel sprouts.
Italian Brussel Sprouts
Crispy and golden brown on the outside, coated with garlic and cheese and still tender on the inside, these sprouts have so much flavor, they are amazing!
GET THIS RECIPE

Thanksgiving Vegetable Sides

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without some mouth-watering vegetable options. These Thanksgiving vegetable recipes are so tasty, you would never know you’re eating a vegetable.

A serving of the jiffy cornbread casserole.
Jiffy Cornbread Casserole
This casserole recipe is easy and only takes 6 simple ingredients. Plus it features one of peoples favorite vegetables, sweet corn.
GET THIS RECIPE
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
A classic side dish made without canned soup. Like a French gratin, with everything made from scratch.
GET THIS RECIPE
Vegan Stuffing
Onions, celery, and sautéed mushrooms fill it with delicious savory flavor.
GET THIS RECIPE
Roasted Root Vegetables
Fresh herbs and a fragrant sage oil pack the veggies with rich, earthy flavor.
GET THIS RECIPE

Cold Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Cooking everything all in one day can be a hassle, but these cold side dishes for Thanksgiving are a great appetizer option that you can make the day before and pull out of the fridge when your company arrives.

Thanksgiving Deviled Eggs
A recipe for deviled eggs flavored with sage and shallots and topped with bacon, perfect as an appetizer for Thanksgiving.
GET THIS RECIPE
Easy ocean spray cranberry sauce.
Homemade Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
This recipe is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, making it a must-have for your festive feast.
GET THIS RECIPE
Broccoli Coleslaw
Broccoli Coleslaw
This Broccoli Coleslaw is creamy and complex and just puts a different twist on traditional Cole slaw. If you have the opportunity to make this delicious side dish, you will become addicted.
GET THIS RECIPE
Roasted Carrot Dip
This creamy vegan roasted carrot dip is savory, smoky and sweet. It’s the healthy and easy make-ahead appetizer you need this holiday season.
GET THIS RECIPE
Fresh Cranberry Salad with Oranges with mint and orange rind on top.
Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish
Leftovers are delicious on salads, and in fruit salads. Or just to eat straight out of the fridge with a fork. It’s easy to make and always on our holiday table.
GET THIS RECIPE

Crockpot Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Hate standing over a stove and cooking all day? Well these crockpot side dishes will make your Thanksgiving day so much easier. Just throw the ingredients in and you can go enjoy time with your family while the food stays warm.

Crockpot Mac and Cheese
This creamy crockpot mac and cheese starts with uncooked macaroni. Just throw the milk, cheese and seasonings in the slow cooker for a meal everyone will love!
GET THIS RECIPE
A crockpot green bean casserole.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole is a super easy and family-friendly dish that will leave your guests craving for more. Made with simple ingredients, this recipe is a must-have for your holiday gatherings.
GET THIS RECIPE
Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes
What’s not to love about this easy dump-and-go slow cooker recipe? It has potatoes and ooey-gooey cheese, all combined with a can of condensed cream of chicken soup! Whip up this kid-friendly side dish anytime you have a crowd to feed.
GET THIS RECIPE
Slow cooker mushroom stuffing on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Mushroom Stuffing
Slow Cooker Mushroom Stuffing is a rich and flavorful stuffing that will leave your guests begging for seconds. Ditch the stovetop boxed stuff this year and try this easy and delicious recipe.
GET THIS RECIPE
Slow Cooker Collared Greens And Ham Hocks
Here’s what you need: collard green, large yellow onion, ham, brown sugar, black pepper, salt, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth.
GET THIS RECIPE

Final Thoughts About Thanksgiving Side Dishes

These Thanksgiving side dishes will compliment your turkey perfectly! The many different kinds of side dishes, from cold to warm, oven to crockpot, will make your crowd happy during the holiday season.

Leave a Comment