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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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!
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.
Jiffy Cornbread Casserole
This casserole recipe is easy and only takes 6 simple ingredients. Plus it features one of peoples favorite vegetables, sweet corn.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
