Thanksgiving dinner is all about the sides. Sure, turkey takes center stage. But the side dishes steal the show.
These 15 Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes are simple and delicious. Your family will ask for seconds. Some are classic favorites. Others add a fun twist.
Each recipe uses easy ingredients. You probably have most at home already. No fancy cooking skills needed here.
1. Classic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving must-have. Everyone loves this comfort food classic. They pair perfectly with turkey and gravy.
Use butter and cream for richness. Don’t skip the salt and pepper. Whip them until smooth and fluffy.
Ingredients: 5 lbs potatoes, 1 cup butter, 1 cup cream, salt, pepper
Instructions: Boil peeled potatoes until soft. Drain and mash with butter. Add cream and mix well. Season to taste.
2. Green Bean Casserole
This dish is pure comfort food heaven. Crispy onions top creamy green beans. It’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Use fresh or frozen green beans. The creamy sauce brings everything together. Kids and adults both love it.
Ingredients: 4 cups green beans, 1 can cream soup, 1 cup fried onions
Instructions: Mix beans with soup in a dish. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Top with onions and bake 5 more minutes.
3. Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes get even sweeter in this dish. The marshmallow topping makes it special. It’s like dessert as a side.
Mash the potatoes with butter and sugar. Top with mini marshmallows before baking. Watch them turn golden and gooey.
Ingredients: 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions: Mix potatoes, butter, and sugar together. Spread in a baking dish evenly. Top with marshmallows and bake until golden.
4. Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce beats the canned version. Fresh cranberries pop as they cook. Add orange zest for extra flavor.
This sauce is sweet and tangy. It cuts through rich turkey perfectly. Make it a day ahead.
Ingredients: 12 oz cranberries, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, orange zest
Instructions: Boil water and sugar until dissolved. Add cranberries and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in zest and cool completely.
5. Stuffing
Classic stuffing is a Thanksgiving essential. Crispy on top, soft inside. Use your favorite bread for best results.
Add celery and onions for flavor. Chicken broth keeps it moist. Herbs make it taste amazing.
Ingredients: 8 cups bread cubes, 2 cups broth, 1 cup celery, 1 cup onion, herbs
Instructions: Toast bread cubes until slightly dry. Sauté vegetables in butter until soft. Mix everything and bake until golden.
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These sprouts are crispy and caramelized. Even sprout haters will love them. Roasting brings out their sweetness.
Cut them in half for best results. Toss with oil and seasonings. High heat makes them perfectly crispy.
Ingredients: 2 lbs Brussels sprouts, 3 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper
Instructions: Halve sprouts and toss with oil. Spread on a baking sheet evenly. Roast at 425°F for 25 minutes.
7. Mac and Cheese
Creamy mac and cheese pleases everyone. Kids especially love this cheesy favorite. It’s rich and super satisfying.
Use sharp cheddar for best flavor. A breadcrumb topping adds nice crunch. Bake until bubbly and golden.
Ingredients: 1 lb pasta, 3 cups cheese, 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions: Cook pasta and drain well. Make cheese sauce with milk and cheese. Mix together, top with breadcrumbs, and bake.
8. Honey Glazed Carrots
Sweet glazed carrots add bright color. They’re simple but so delicious. The honey glaze makes them shine.
Baby carrots work great for this. Butter and honey create magic together. Add a pinch of thyme.
Ingredients: 2 lbs carrots, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup honey, thyme
Instructions: Boil carrots until just tender. Melt butter and honey in pan. Toss carrots in glaze and serve.
9. Cornbread
Warm cornbread is pure comfort. It’s slightly sweet and perfectly crumbly. Serve it with butter on top.
This recipe is quick and easy. Mix wet and dry ingredients separately. Then combine and bake until golden.
Ingredients: 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 1 egg
Instructions: Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl. Combine and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
10. Roasted Root Vegetables
Colorful root veggies look beautiful together. Roasting makes them sweet and tender. This dish is healthy and delicious.
Use carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes. Cut everything the same size. They’ll cook evenly that way.
Ingredients: Mixed root vegetables, 3 tbsp oil, herbs, salt, pepper
Instructions: Chop vegetables into similar-sized pieces. Toss with oil and seasonings. Roast at 400°F for 35 minutes.
11. Creamed Corn
This side is sweet and creamy. Fresh or frozen corn both work. It’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Cream cheese makes it extra rich. A little sugar enhances the sweetness. Everyone always wants the recipe.
Ingredients: 4 cups corn, 4 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions: Melt butter in a pan. Add corn and cook 5 minutes. Stir in cream cheese and sugar.
12. Dinner Rolls
Soft, warm rolls complete any Thanksgiving meal. They’re perfect for soaking up gravy. Make them fresh or buy frozen.
Brush with butter right when done. This makes them shiny and tasty. Serve in a cloth-lined basket.
Ingredients: 3 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter
Instructions: Mix yeast with warm milk. Add flour and butter, then knead. Let rise, shape rolls, and bake.
13. Sautéed Spinach
Simple sautéed spinach adds healthy greens. It cooks down quickly in minutes. Garlic makes it extra flavorful.
Fresh spinach works better than frozen. It only needs a quick sauté. Season with just salt and pepper.
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh spinach, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions: Heat oil and sauté minced garlic. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
14. Baked Apples
Baked apples smell like fall. They’re sweet but not too heavy. Cinnamon and brown sugar taste amazing together.
Core the apples but keep them whole. Fill the centers with the sweet mixture. Bake until soft and tender.
Ingredients: 6 apples, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, cinnamon
Instructions: Core apples and place in dish. Fill centers with sugar and butter. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
15. Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower gets crispy and golden. It’s a lighter side dish option. Add parmesan for extra flavor.
Cut into florets for even cooking. High heat makes it caramelize nicely. It’s surprisingly addictive to eat.
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower, 3 tbsp oil, 1/4 cup parmesan, salt
Instructions: Cut cauliflower into florets. Toss with oil and spread out. Roast at 425°F for 25 minutes.
Conclusion
These 15 sides will make Thanksgiving special. Pick your favorites or try them all. Your guests will be impressed.
Most recipes can be made ahead. This saves you time on the big day. Reheat and serve when ready.
Remember, Thanksgiving is about being together. Don’t stress about perfection. Good food and family are what matter most.
