This collection of amazing Thanksgiving Side Dishes will help you put on the best spread ever!
Everyone loves turkey and ham, but for many of us, the sides are the real stars. And there are just so many to choose from.
From you standards like stuffing and cranberry sauce, to unique casseroles and vegetable preparations, this list will give you a ton of ideas.
Go through this whole list, your guests will surely go for seconds this year!
The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes:
1. Mashed Potatoes
We’re starting our list of Thanksgiving Side Dishes with the most classic of all… mashed potatoes!
Mashed potatoes are one of the ultimate comfort foods. They go great with turkey, ham, roast beef, or whatever main you’re serving up.
2. Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions
Now here’s a real classic that has been on holiday spreads for generations. Sweet peas are slathered in creamy white sauce, sprinkled with pearl onions.
This easy side is a great addition to your feast!
3. Creamed Corn
Make this amazing homemade creamed corn, and you will never go back to canned. It’s easy, delicious and oh so comforting.
You can whip up this great recipe in about 20 minutes.
4. Green Beans Almondine
Grean Beans Almondine!! Doesn’t it sound fancy? It’s such a big upgrade over your basic beans.
Vibrant French style green beans tossed with brown butter, toasty almonds (that’s where almondine comes from), shallots, garlic and a squeeze of lemon to brighten it in the end.
5. Squash Casserole
This squash casserole is a popular southern side dish that will go great on your spread.
Mildly flavored sweet squash folded into a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with buttery cracker topping. People will be going for seconds and thirds!
6. Butternut Squash Blossom
Now here is one stunning looking dish. This gorgeous Butternut Squash Blossom will be the new star on your Thanksgiving spread.
Not only will it be the prettiest dish on the table, the flavors are absolutely amazing.
7. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
You’re going to love this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel. The crunchy pecans add so much flavor and texture to the dish. You’ll never go back to marshmallows!
8. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
This stunning platter is full of crispy roasted brussels sprouts with sweet caramelized onions, apples, sprinkled with holiday favorites like candied pecans and cranberries, some salty goat cheese, and oh yes… Bacon (don’t forget the bacon).
A treat for all seasons, this dish is sure to impress!
9. Succotash
Succotash is another Thanksgiving side that has been around for generations. With corn and lime beans as the stars, it also features a variety of other veggies.
10. Thanksgiving Kale Salad
Add some color and freshness to your Thanksgiving dinner with this delicious kale salad. The wide array of flavors combine for a salad that tastes as beautiful as it looks.
11. Chili Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
These chili maple glazed sweet potatoes with pecans have a nice kick due to being topped with a marvelous maple-chili glaze.
The maple syrup adds sweetness, and the chili adds spiciness to make for a great sweet and spicy combo.
12. Saffron Rice
Elevate your basic side dish with this simple and easy Saffron Rice recipe. You’ll be amazed how much flavor your humble grain can have.
This beautiful and fragrant rice is a showstopper side dish that will make any meal more special.
13. Corn Casserole
This easy 5 ingredient Corn Casserole is a great southern style side dish, and takes next to no effort. Seriously, just mix up the ingredients, then stick it in the oven.
It’s a versatile dish that would goes great with your other Thanksgiving favorites!
14. Cherry Tomato Gratin
This Cherry Tomato gratin is the newest star on your spread. It’s the perfect combination of easy, tasty and pretty.
Impress everyone with this gorgeous dish!
15. Green Rice Casserole
This green rice casserole is a great alternative to your traditional Thanksgiving sides. Creamy, cheesy goodness with spinach and peppers, this might become your new favorite.
16. Sweet Potato Mash
Give your feast a healthier twist with this easy Sweet Potato Mash recipe. It’s a great twist on your conventional mashed potatoes, and goes especially good with ham.
17. Baked Brie with Nuts and Honey
Who doesn’t love some nice creamy brie? Take your favorite soft cheese to a new level with this fancy yet easy recipe. You are in for a cheesy spectacle!
18. Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
Add a southwest style twist to your meal with this Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread. This cheesy and slightly spicy recipe might be the best cornbread ever!
19. Dirty Rice
Dirty Rice is a famous dish in Creole and Cajun cuisines. White rice gets a “dirty” color from bits of meat and a generous dose of seasonings.
It’s a super delicious recipe that will add new layers of flavor to your Thanksgiving.
20. Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto
If you want something light and refreshing to pair with all those heavy dishes, try this amazing Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad with Pesto.
It’s so good that you might be making it all your round.
21. Oyster Stew
Traditionally eaten around Thanksgiving in New England, Oyster Stew is creamy, buttery and sooo delicious. This is a perfect winter warmer.
22. Sausage and Sweet Potato Stuffing
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without stuffing, and this recipe is the absolute best! It combines sweet and savory ingredients for a flavor masterpiece.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
23. Asparagus Gratin
Up next on our list is this scrumptious asparagus gratin. It’s easy to make, and perfect for a fancy feast! It uses fresh milk, cream, nutty aged cheese, and amazingly crisp panko breadcrumbs toasted to perfection.
Get the Recipe @ theviewfromgreatisland
24. Classic Dinner Rolls
These homemade Dinner Rolls are fluffy, soft and buttery. They are super easy to make, and pair great with all of your favorite Thanksgiving mains.
25. Honey Roasted Carrots
These perfectly roasted carrots are very easy to make, with honey and basic seasonings, and are caramelized to perfection. Serve this delicious side dish to any of your favorite protein mains.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
26. Mashed Turnips
Mashed Turnips are a popular Thanksgiving side dish, and are so easy to make. They are also a great low carb alternative to mashed potatoes.
27. Scalloped Potatoes
Beautiful, perfectly cooked Scalloped Potatoes are a classic that you’ll fall in love with after just one bite!
Tender, thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce for a side dish that’s excellent to serve alongside any main course, and is a must-make for the holidays.
Get the Recipe @ asouthernsoul
28. Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a must alongside your turkey feast. Skip the canned stuff, this easy recipe only takes 10 minutes and tastes so much better.
Get the Recipe @ cookieandkate
29. Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath
This Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath is an absolutely gorgeous addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.
It may be the star of your spread!
Get the Recipe @ halfbakedharvest
30. Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Fried Shallots
This green bean casserole with crispy fried shallots will make for an amazing dinner or holiday side. It’s a simple dish, an easy-to-make casserole, and it’s made entirely from scratch.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
31. Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a vintage recipe. It has sour cream, miniature marshmallows, sweetened coconut, pineapple, mandarin and maraschino cherries.
It is a popular holiday recipe in the south.
32. Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Making for a great comfort food, this spaghetti squash casserole is a great dish to try when you want something easy, cheesy, and low-carb.
It’s an easy way to make a healthy side dish that still feels indulgent.
33. Twice Baked Butternut Squash
Looking for some new delicious holiday side dish? Try this twice baked butternut squash.
It has all the flavors of perfectly baked butternut squash with Greek yogurt, parmesan cheese, bacon and salted maple pecans.
Get the Recipe @ ambitiouskitchen
34. Brown Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Fresh Oregano
Risotto is a popular Italian rice preparation, though some find it intimidating.
This recipe shows you how to make perfect brown rice risotto, which is enhanced with mushrooms and fresh oregano.
Get the Recipe @ cookieandkate
35. Turkey Gravy
Wrapping up our list is an absolute MUST. This recipe will show you how to make the best turkey gravy to slather over your turkey and mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
So there you go, thirty five amazing Thanksgiving side dishes. With all of these recipes, you are ready to cook the ultimate feast.
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Green Bean Recipes
Mashed Potato Recipes
Asparagus Recipes
Casserole Recipes
Gravy Recipes
Leftover Mashed Potato Recipes
Leftover Ham Recipes
35 BEST Thanksgiving Side Dishes
This collection of amazing Thanksgiving Side Dishes will help you put on the best spread ever! For starters, here is a recipe for basic mashed potatoes:
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 cup milk, warmed
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into same size pieces and place them in a large pot full of cold water.
- Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and mash them with a hand masher or electric beater. Add in warm milk a little at a time, along with melted butter. Continue mashing until smooth.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide 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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I’m tempted to just bring a baked brie for Thanksgiving since it would be pretty easy, but seeing how gorgeous Butternut Squash Blossom looks, it makes me want to impress my in-laws hahaha