25 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Your Family Will Love
Looking for the best Thanksgiving side dishes that will impress your whole family? If so, you’re in the right place!
Who said that turkey has to be the star of Thanksgiving? We all know that the fun is in having a variety of foods on the table, so why not add a couple of new recipes to your repertoire this year?
Whether you’re looking to try something new this year, or you want an updated recipe on a crowd-favorite dish, you’ll find lots of varied options in this article. From Southern casseroles to delicious Nantucket corn pudding, these easy sides will not disappoint.
Without further ado, let’s jump into our top picks.
The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes To Try:
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Cinnamon Butternut Squash
Get the recipe on Julia’s Album
The same vegetables can get repetitive, and a holiday calls for something special. Opting for this unique medley of spiced vegetables pairs perfectly with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and will WOW your guests.
2. Parmesan Garlic Butter Corn
Get the recipe on The Simple Parent
Corn finds its way into every Thanksgiving dinner, usually boiled, or inside a cornbread – go for something different with this creamy flavourful dish.
3. Southern Style Baked Beans
Get the recipe on South Your Mouth
Beans aren’t a staple for every Thanksgiving dinner – but this one might just change your mind. This classic baked bean dish topped with crispy bacon is a hearty additional to a wintery feast.
4. Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
Get the recipe on The Seaside Baker
Food trends (yes, that’s a real thing) are saying we can have more than one form of potato for dinner – so don’t worry mashed potato lovers. This scalloped potato will elevate your Thanksgiving dinner and will leave space for all the classics.
5. Cranberry Fluff
Get the recipe on Num’s The Word
For all those with a sweet tooth, sweet potato casserole is likely your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. Cranberries are a staple on the table but are usually reserved for cranberry sauce.
Try something different with this sweet marshmallow-esque dish which combines all your favorite things.
6. Roasted Carrots With Goat’s Cheese & Pecans
Get the recipe on Inspired By Charm
At Thanksgiving, the turkey gets all the attention – making the veggie side dishes uninspired. A quick dressing with nuts and cheese like on this carrot dish can take your vegetables from boring to Michelin star-worthy!
7. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Get the recipe on I Am Baker
Cheese and potato – does anything sound more like comfort food? This scalloped potato dish topped with cheese sauce is special enough for the holiday dinner but still cozy and easy to make.
8. Easy Crock Pot Fried Apples
Get the recipe on A Night Owl
Crock pots don’t get the respect they deserve. Particularly during Thanksgiving dinner prep, there are usually multiple jobs to do, and a crockpot can really cut down on cooking time – and you don’t need to stand by the stove to stir the pot.
9. Honey Maple Roasted Carrots
Get the recipe on The Cafe Sucre Farine
Maple or honey carrots is a pretty common flavor to combine with carrots. The natural flavor of carrots is on the sweet side, and so adding more sweetness blends in with the vegetable beautifully.
10. Nantucket Corn Pudding
Get the recipe on A Family Feast
Corn pudding is another side dish you either love, or never, ever eat – though this one might change your mind. This dish has been baked for the extra texture of crispy corn kernels on top, and soft, creamy kernels underneath.
11. Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole
Get the recipe on Sweet & Savory Meals
If you like the combination of sweet and savory, this side dish is the one for you.
The sweetness of the sweet potato and marshmallow topping works really well with the saltiness of the other components of a thanksgiving dinner. If you’ve never tried it out – cut the recipe in half for a smaller portion.
12. Cream Cheese & Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Get the recipe on This Is Not Diet Food
Green bean casserole is another staple on the Thanksgiving dinner table. Every family will usually have their own recipe, however, if you want to try something different – go for this cheesy, creamy rendition of a classic.
13. Make-Ahead Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
Get the recipe on The Cafe Sucre Farine
Anything that can be prepped in advance is a Thanksgiving godsend. This is also perfect if you prefer no-fuss recipes, and a green bean casserole isn’t your thing. The saltiness of the bacon pairs beautifully with the freshness of the green beans.
14. Cheesy Corn Fritters
Get the recipe on Eat Well 101
For a side dish which could also be an appetizer (and makes a great Thanksgiving midnight snack). These crispy, corn fritters are perfect and could be made and frozen ahead of time.
15. Roasted Mushrooms in a Browned Butter
Get the recipe on Closet Cooking
Mushrooms aren’t a popular side dish, but any vegetarians and vegans in the group will appreciate the meaty texture along with their other dishes. This is also an easy and low-cost side to prep if you’re having a big gathering.
16. Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
Get the recipe on Crunchy Creamy Sweet
A classic will always be a heavy hitter, and nothing says Thanksgiving like a sweet potato casserole. The pecans topped on this one complement the soft texture of the dish.
17. Corn Casserole
Get the recipe on Two Sisters
This baked corn casserole is similar to a cornbread – a classic southern side dish. This is great for mopping up the remainder of the gravy and cranberry sauce on your plate, and it’s technically a vegetable too!
18. Creamy Macaroni & Cheese Casserole
Get the recipe on Spend With Pennies
Mac & cheese can be a controversial topic. Some parts of the country have their version of the dish, some include eggs and some like to top with breadcrumbs. This simple creamy Mac & cheese will satisfy all cravings – and avoid any recipe debates!
19. Ultra Creamy & Cheesy Mash Potato Casserole
Get the recipe on House Of Yumm
Mash potato is a great dish, but it can be boring. This dish is a fantastic way to add some flavor and flair to your dish. If you don’t want to add bacon, you can avoid this and instead add another kind of cheese.
20. Honey Roasted Butternut Squash With Feta Cheese
Get the recipe on Peas & Crayons
This Mediterranean-inspired side dish is perfect if you want to do something different for your Thanksgiving dinner this year. The freshness of this dish will pair well with the classic sides of the holiday, and might just become an annual staple.
21. Honey Crisp Apple & Kale Salad
Get the recipe on Half Baked Harvest
Salads aren’t something we’re used to seeing a lot of at Thanksgiving dinners, but having at least one salad option can amp up your dinner party.
For those not used to prepping kale – dress it with some olive oil and massage it (literally) to get rid of the bitter taste.
22. Green Bean Casserole
Get the recipe on Modern Honey
This classic green bean casserole topped with crispy onions is perfect for a classic Thanksgiving dinner, with all the expected side dishes. The casserole can be prepped in advance and popped in the oven before dinner.
23. Fried Corn With Bacon
Get the recipe on Dinner At The Zoo
Fried corn is like boiled corn’s better half. Frying the corn adds a chewy, crispy surface – a unique dish for Thanksgiving where many of the sides have a similar texture.
24. The Best Marinated Tomatoes
Get the recipe on Five Heart Home
Marinated tomatoes have been all over TikTok, and are easy to prepare – and have no cooking time. The trick is to get really good quality tomatoes – if you have a local farmers market, there’s no better time to support!
25. Jiffy Cornbread Casserole
Get the recipe on Cincy Shopper
We’ve mentioned cornbread a few times, so it would be wrong to end without a special mention. The great thing about cornbread is that the best kind comes in a box – and so all the hard work has been done for you.
Which of these side dishes are you going to prepare with your Turkey this year? Let us know in the comments below!
