The best Thanksgiving Side Dishes for your holiday meal, all in one place! These delicious recipes include casseroles, sweet potato recipes, green beans, mashed potatoes, Thanksgiving stuffing, salads and more.

Thanksgiving stuffing in baking dish with serving spoon.

I know I’m not the only one who feels that on Thanksgiving, the side dishes are the best part of the meal. Whether you’re looking for more traditional side dish recipes or want to try something new, you’ll find plenty of easy Thanksgiving dinner ideas below.

With this collection of Thanksgiving side dishes at your fingertips, the hardest part is choosing which ones to add to your Thanksgiving menu this year! You’ll find everything from Green Bean Casserole to Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole and homemade Dinner Rolls in the list below. My personal favorite Thanksgiving side is this Broccoli Casserole, and it’s a reader favorite as well.

Many of these Thanksgiving recipes can be made ahead to save you time on the big day, and all of them are perfect for serving with your turkey dinner.

Here they are, our Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

Comforting Thanksgiving Casseroles

Would it be Thanksgiving without some type of casserole on the menu? I don’t think so. Here are our favorite Thanksgiving casserole recipes.

Sweet potato casserole in a white baking dish with a serving spoon.
Thanksgiving green bean casserole in a baking dish with a serving spoon.
  • Sweet Potato Casserole: In our house, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the sweet potato casserole. This recipe features warm spices, creamy sweet potatoes and a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping.
  • Green Bean Casserole: This homemade green bean casserole is simply the best. Tender green beans, a homemade mushroom cream sauce and a crispy topping make this casserole truly special.
  • Broccoli Casserole: Made from scratch, this broccoli casserole always has a place on our Thanksgiving table. It’s creamy and cheesy with a cheesy breadcrumb topping.
  • Corn Casserole: Another classic for Thanksgiving, this creamy corn casserole is so simple to make! It bakes up moist and tender, studded with kernels of corn throughout.
  • Broccoli Rice Casserole: This favorite comfort food is made from scratch, without canned cream of soup. Tender broccoli, creamy rice and a luscious cheese sauce make this Thanksgiving side dish especially irresistible.

These Sides Prove that Homemade is Always Best

You can’t beat these from scratch recipes for favorite Thanksgiving sides.

Homemade cranberry sauce with a spoon in a white serving bowl.
Thanksgiving stuffing with fresh herbs in a white baking dish.
  • Cranberry Sauce: It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the cranberry sauce, and this homemade recipe is the best! It takes only 10 minutes to make, and has a lovely sweet-tart flavor, with a touch of orange and cinnamon.
  • Stuffing Recipe: Once you try this Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, you’ll never go back to the boxed mix. It’s intensely flavorful, made with fresh herbs, garlic and plenty of butter. Your guests will be going back for seconds for sure!
  • Homemade Mac and Cheese: This mac and cheese recipe is exceptionally cheesy, creamy and so easy to make. The recipe is make-ahead friendly to save time on the big holiday.
  • Instant Pot Applesauce: Looking for a side dish that’s kid-friendly? This Instant Pot applesauce is sure to be a hit! It couldn’t be easier to make – the Instant Pot does most of the work.
  • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese: Comforting mac and cheese deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving menu. This mac and cheese is the creamiest, and incredibly easy to make thanks to the Instant Pot.

Potato Side Dishes

Potatoes are a must for a Thanksgiving meal, and with this many tasty options to choose from, you might have to pick more than one!

Mashed potatoes in a bowl with a serving spoon.
Scalloped potatoes in baking dish with serving spoon.
  • Mashed Potatoes: A few tips and tricks make this mashed potatoes recipe the absolute best. These creamy, buttery potatoes are delicious as is, but we won’t judge if you pour on the gravy.
  • Scalloped Potatoes: Looking for an alternative to mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving? These cheesy scalloped potatoes are sure to be a favorite! You can make these potatoes au gratin ahead to save time on the big day.
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Take your potatoes to a whole new delicious level with this irresistible garlic mashed potatoes recipe. Roasted garlic infuses these creamy potatoes with flavor.
  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes: Let the Instant Pot do the work for you this Thanksgiving! These easy Instant Pot potatoes come out perfect every time.
  • Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes: This recipe is the best way to prepare creamy mashed potatoes in advance, which is especially convenient for Thanksgiving dinner. The potatoes cook in the slow cooker – no boiling or draining required.
Twice baked potato casserole with bacon in casserole dish with a serving spoon.
Roasted red potatoes in a serving bowl with parsley garnish.
  • Twice Baked Potato Casserole: Bacon, cheese and green onions ensure that this potato side dish is loaded with flavor.
  • Roasted Red Potatoes: Looking for a simple potato side dish this Thanksgiving? These roasted potatoes bake up nice and soft in the center with crispy edges.
  • Twice Baked Potatoes: Sour cream makes these potatoes extra creamy. You can make them ahead and then pop them in the oven to heat through before the meal.
  • Roasted Potatoes: Garlic and rosemary give these tender roasted potatoes delicious savory flavor.

Sweet Potato Thanksgiving Side Dishes

The sweet potatoes are one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving dinner. Besides our must-make Sweet Potato Casserole, these are some of our best Thanksgiving recipes. Plus, of course, Sweet Potato Pie for dessert.

Roasted sweet potatoes on a baking sheet with a spatula.
Mashed sweet potatoes in Instant Pot with butter and maple syrup.

Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes

We always choose at least one or two healthy vegetable dishes to serve with our Thanksgiving meal. These are some of our easiest Thanksgiving recipes.

Roasted vegetables in a white serving bowl.
Glazed carrots in a serving dish.
  • Roasted Vegetables: This colorful medley of veggies will brighten up your dinner table.
  • Glazed Carrots: Carrots are cooked to crisp-tender and then coated in a caramelized brown sugar and butter glaze. Your Thanksgiving guests will love them!
  • Roasted Green Beans: If you want to serve green beans this Thanksgiving but don’t want to bother with a casserole, these roasted green beans are an easy and healthy option.
  • Balsamic Brussels Sprouts: A maple balsamic glaze, pecans and cranberries fancy up these roasted Brussels sprouts for Thanksgiving.
  • Roasted Butternut Squash: A simple yet elegant side dish.
  • Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup: This is the best butternut squash soup I’ve tried, and it makes a lovely first course for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s luxuriously creamy and so easy to make.
Roasted carrots with thyme on a baking sheet.
Baked cauliflower mac and cheese in a casserole dish with serving spoon.

Salad Thanksgiving Recipes

With so many fresh and colorful salads to choose from, you’ll definitely want to include a healthy salad as part of your Thanksgiving menu.

Kale salad in a wood serving bowl.
Thanksgiving butternut squash salad with candied walnuts, pomegranate seeds and goat cheese in a white bowl.
  • Kale Salad: Our favorite fall salad, this kale salad has crisp apple, crunchy pumpkin seeds and tangy goat cheese, all tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette.
  • Butternut Squash Salad: Roasted butternut squash, candied nuts and pomegranate seeds make this gorgeous salad one of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes.
  • Arugula Salad: Fresh pears and nutty Parmesan cheese star in this simple salad.
  • Broccoli Kale Salad: This colorful salad is packed full of healthy ingredients.
Spinach salad with apple, pecans and quinoa in a white bowl.
Wild rice salad with roasted butternut squash in white bowl.
  • Spinach Salad with Apple: This spinach salad is one of my all-time favorites. The combination of flavors and textures is so, so good. Make it to share on Thanksgiving, and everyone will be asking for the recipe!
  • Wild Rice Salad: Butternut squash, apple and dried cranberries add color and flavor to this wild rice salad. A tangy vinaigrette dressing brings it all together.
  • Spinach Salad with Bacon: Bacon and hard boiled eggs make this classic spinach salad something special.

Thanksgiving Bread Recipes

With these amazing bread recipes, you won’t be tempted to pass on the homemade rolls (or biscuits or cornbread) this Thanksgiving. Store-bought doesn’t come close to these homemade recipes.

Yeast rolls served in a basket for Thanksgiving.
Biscuits served in a napkin-lined bowl.
  • Honey Yeast Rolls: My personal favorite, these honey yeast rolls are light and fluffy with a delicious honey butter topping. I’ll be making them for Thanksgiving this year!
  • Homemade Biscuits: They’re tall and buttery, with the best flaky layers.
  • Dinner Rolls: This is our go-to classic dinner roll recipe. They’re soft, fluffy and buttery. The recipe includes make ahead instructions to save you time on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Cornbread: This easy recipe is mixed up in just one bowl. It’s fluffy, moist and sweet, perfect for serving with butter and honey.
  • Drop Biscuits: If biscuits are one of your go-to Thanksgiving recipes, you’ll love this recipe. Even easier than our traditional biscuit recipe, these drop biscuits are tender and buttery.

I hope you enjoy these Thanksgiving sides. These recipes have been well-loved by my family over the years and I hope a few of them will find their way onto your family’s Thanksgiving table. Don’t forget the Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie for dessert. ðŸ§¡

baked stuffing with fresh herbs in baking dish

45 Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Stuffing Recipe

Servings: 10 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
The best Thanksgiving Side Dishes for your holiday meal, all in one place! These delicious recipes include casseroles, sweet potato recipes, green beans, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salads and more. This easy homemade stuffing is made with fresh herbs, onion, celery and plenty of butter!
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound day old French baguette or French bread*, cut into ¾-inch cubes, about 16 cups bread cubes
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
  • 1 ½ cups chopped celery
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
  • 1 large egg

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250° F. Place the bread cubes on two rimmed baking sheets. Place bread in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring and rotating the pans halfway through the cook time, until the bread cubes are dried out but not browned. Remove from oven and set aside. (Alternatively, you can let the bread cubes sit in a loosely covered bowl on the counter for 24 hours to dry them out.)
  • Increase the oven temperature to 350° F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Place the butter in a large Dutch oven or large skillet over medium high heat. Once the butter is melted, add the onion and celery to the pan. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 6 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove pan from heat.
  • In a liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the broth and the egg.
  • If the bread cubes will fit in the pot with the onion, celery and herbs, add them to the pot and stir to combine. If not, place the bread cubes in a large bowl and add the contents of the pot to the bowl; stir.
  • Pour the broth/egg mixture over the bread cubes and stir. The bread should be moist but not soggy. If it is still very dry, stir in a little more broth, until all of the bread cubes are lightly moistened. If you like your stuffing more moist, you will want to add more broth than the 1½ cups listed in the recipe, as this amount yields a drier stuffing.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and continue baking for 15-25 more minutes, or until stuffing is browned on top and at least 160° F in the center when tested with an instant read thermometer.

Notes

  • You can also use store-bought stuffing bread cubes, which are already dried out.
  • Make Ahead Instructions: You can prepare the stuffing up to 2 days ahead and bake it at 350° F, covered, for 30 minutes, or until it reaches 160° F in the center. Cool and then cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve the stuffing, bake it at 350° F, uncovered, until heated through and browned, about 30-40 minutes. If it is browning too much yet not hot in the center, cover the dish with foil.
  • Alternatively, you can do some of the prep work one day ahead and then mix everything together right before baking. One day ahead: Cube and dry the bread. Then sauté the vegetables, followed by the garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Let the vegetable mixture cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store the bread at room temperature. The day of: Mix together the bread and the sautéed veggie/herb mixture and then stir in the egg/broth mixture right before baking. Bake as directed in the recipe.
Calories: 274kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 544mg, Potassium: 189mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 684IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish
Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.
Collage of Thanksgiving side dishes with text overlay "45 best thanksgiving side dishes."

 

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