As you plan your Thanksgiving feast, the sides deserve just as much love as the big turkey. These old-fashioned side dishes bring warmth, nostalgia and rich, comforting flavors that feel just right this season. From buttery casseroles to simple vegetable classics, they’ll round out your holiday table with timeless appeal and hearty goodness.
1. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
Creamy mashed sweet potatoes layered under a buttery, crunchy pecan streusel—this version skips the marshmallows and goes straight for nutty, caramelized texture and flavor. A true holiday classic for your Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
2. Succotash – A Thanksgiving Classic
Bright, colorful, and full of summer-to-fall transition flavors: corn, lima beans, fresh herbs and a hint of butter make this succotash a vintage side that lightens the plate without skimping on taste.
Get the Recipe: Succotash
3. Green Beans Almondine
Tender green beans tossed with toasted almonds and a kiss of lemon—this simple yet elegant vegetable side has that old-school charm and pairs beautifully with heavy mains.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine
4. 5 Ingredient Corn Casserole
Rich, creamy and gently sweet, this corn casserole is comfort in a dish. It combines whole-kernel corn and creamed corn with a tender golden bake that harks back to holiday dinners past.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
5. Southern Squash Casserole
Mild yellow squash folded into a creamy sauce, topped with a buttery cracker (Ritz) topping and baked until the top is golden and crunchy. A Southern-style vegetable dish that earns seconds.
Get the Recipe: Southern Squash Casserole
6. Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions
Delicate pearl onions and sweet peas cooked down in a velvety cream sauce until just tender—this old-school side dish offers subtle sweetness and a smooth texture that complements richer mains.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions
7. Green Rice Casserole
Fun, vintage and full of character—this green rice casserole uses vibrant veggies, rice and a creamy sauce to create a side dish that stands out on the Thanksgiving table without overshadowing the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Green Rice Casserole
8. Creamed Corn
Sweet corn kernels smothered in a creamy, buttery sauce and baked or simmered until thick and satisfying. Classic, comforting and sure to be a crowd-pleaser this holiday.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former worldwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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