Thanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday. The gathering of friends and family. The sharing of stories and laughter. The turkey. The Thanksgiving side dishes. I mean, really…the side dishes are often the best part. In fact, I usually make extra large batches of the homemade sides specifically to have plenty of leftovers to eat for the rest of the week.
Scroll Down for the Thanksgiving Side Dishes ⬇
If you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, look no further. We’ve got a list of all the best traditional and not-so-traditional side dishes to serve for your holiday meal. Your table will be full of beautifully prepared foods. And the best part? Most of these are super easy with minimal hands-on time.
We know that there are a lot of pots on the stove and the oven is full on Thanksgiving, so keeping things simple is always a bonus!
Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Here in the US, a roasted turkey is the most common protein. Traditional Thanksgiving side dishes often include some variation of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and/or yams, gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing/dressing, rolls, corn, squash, or other vegetables, and cranberry sauce. Some people also serve macaroni and cheese. We’ve included a few variations on some of these traditional favorites!
One of our personal favorites is green bean casserole. We use the French’s recipe, the one without soy sauce, and the base recipe is actually pretty small if you’re planning on feeding a crowd (or planning for leftovers). Here at our house, we use 8 cans of green beans and 2-3 cans of cream of mushroom soup, and 2 containers of french fried onions. This makes two large casserole dishes of green bean casserole…one for the feast, and one for later.
That’s the beauty of Thanksgiving sides – you find your favorite recipes and tweak them to perfection, and they find their way to your table holiday after holiday.
See Our Full List Of Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving Fun Facts
The idea for Swanson Frozen TV Dinners came about because of Thanksgiving! An estimated 260 extra tons of turkey were accidentally ordered in the early 1950s. To help get rid of the excess, the company decided to sell premade Thanksgiving dinners. There were a few other early frozen meal manufacturers, but Swanson’s marketing campaign and coining of the slogan “TV Dinner”, really helped propel the concept into homes across the country.
Historians think that early Thanksgiving meals were much different than what we eat today and likely included a lot of seafood, corn bread and porridge, venison, duck, bread, peas, beans, and squash.
Green Bean Casserole was created by a recipe developer for Campbell’s Soup i the 1950s. And about 40% of the sales of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup are accounted for around the Thanksgiving holiday.
Canned cranberry sauce is packaged upside down on purpose. According to Ocean Spray, open the can upside down. The air pocket helps to push the cranberry sauce out.
About 46 million turkeys are consumed in America during Thanksgiving week, along with about 250 million pounds of potatoes.
When we eat our Thanksgiving meal, we take in 2500 to 4500 calories.
Americans consume of 5 million gallons of canned cranberry sauce around Thanksgiving, and another 75 million pounds of regular cranberries.
Thanksgiving accounts for the purchase of about 480,000 pounds of fresh pumpkin.
Nearly 19 million pies are purchased and pre-made pie filling sales add up to about $50 million.
American purchase more than 40 million dinner rolls for Thanksgiving.
While turkey is the star, Thanksgiving accounts for the sale of over 75 million pounds of ham.
Sales for seasoned breadcrumbs for making stuffing adds up to nearly $96 million.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Sweet Potato Casserole is popular for Thanksgiving and Christmas but delicious enough to have through all of fall and winter. Top it with marshmallows for a fun and festive sweetness that can’t be beat!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Pecan Topping
This Sweet Potato Casserole has not only a crunchy Buttered Pecan Topping but also a Marshmallow Drizzle to take it completely over the top!
Easy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Not all mashed potatoes are created equally. Read on to discover how to make easy, smooth, and creamy mashed potatoes that will be the best you’ve ever eaten!
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
These Cheesy Chive Bacon Loaded Mashed Potatoes are smooth and creamy loaded with 2 different kinds of cheese, bacon and chives!
Wild Mushroom Stuffing Recipe
A fantastic stuffing recipe using three types of mushrooms and plenty of Parmigiano-Reggiano for a delicious fall or holiday side dish.
Easy Stuffing Recipe
This homemade stuffing is a family recipe that will be your go to stuffing recipe for all your holiday meals and can be baked separately in a casserole dish or stuffed in the turkey.
Easy Green Bean Casserole with Blue Cheese
This Easy Green Bean Casserole recipe is creamy and full of flavor with a crunchy topping made with panko breadcrumbs and french fried onions.
Rice And Mushroom Casserole
Easy rice and mushroom casserole is simple to make and can be served for both casual weeknight dinners and special holiday meals.
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
Easy, cheesy, and flavorful, this Instant Pot scalloped potatoes recipe comes together much quicker than using the oven. Add bacon and ham for a hearty main dish or serve as the perfect side dish for a delicious holiday meal. Even easy enough for a weeknight!
Easy Hasselback Potatoes
Accordion-style sliced Hasselback baked potatoes are a fun, easy dish that falls squarely into “comfort food” territory. They’re crispy and visually appealing!
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Stuffed baked potatoes are easy and elegant, and they are easily customizable to go with your holiday dinner.
Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe
These twice baked potatoes are a delicious holiday side dish that can be dressed up and served with your holiday ham, turkey, or steak!
2 Creamed Corn Recipes (with & without cream)
Two recipes for creamed corn and one has just one ingredient! Creamed corn is such an easy side dish that takes just minutes to make!
Easy Creamed Onions
This easy creamed onions recipe is baked with butter, whole milk, and crushed crackers for a delicious side dish to serve with ham, turkey, or any roast.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
It’s time to make cranberry sauce using fresh cranberries! Once you’ve made the real thing and discover how much tastier it is than the canned stuff, you’ll never go back. Plus it couldn’t be simpler!
Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe
This easy Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe has just four ingredients – perfect for your holiday table!
Smashed Brussels Sprouts Recipe
These delish roasted Smashed Brussels Sprouts with cheese will convince even those who claim to not care for brussels sprouts! The parmesan cheese and crispy edges make these a healthy, tasty treat.
Purple Brussels Sprouts - Everything you Need to Know
Purple brussels sprouts are healthy, delicious, and make a gorgeous side dish!
Grilled Asparagus
Save room in your oven for the big stuff and make asparagus on the grill for a quick, easy, and delicious holiday side dish.
Oven-Roasted Asparagus
Oven-roasted asparagus is so easy to make. Pop it in the oven while the turkey rests and it will be ready in minutes.
Seafood Mac and Cheese
This Seafood Mac and Cheese is ultra creamy with two types of cheese and plenty of your favorite seafood, such as lobster or shrimp, all baked together to golden brown perfection.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, Smoked Mac and Cheese is an easy side dish that everyone goes crazy for! Add a lot of smoked flavor or just a little, but don’t miss this amazing recipe.
Baked Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan Topping
This cauliflower mash is a great dish for a crowd because it's not only delicious and everyone loves it, but it also happens to be gluten-free and keto.
Roasted Carrot Souffle
Roasted Carrot Souffle – so easy you won’t believe it. This has been the one staple on our holiday table for years and is a huge hit with all ages!
Vegetable Tian
This simple vegetable dish may just be one of the prettiest dishes on the Thanksgiving table!
Garlic Portobello Mushrooms with Pecorino Romano
This 3-ingredient recipe for Garlic Portobello Mushrooms is the perfect delicious side dish at holidays and all year-round. Grill them in the summer and sauté in winter!
Green Beans Almondine
A simple recipe for Green Beans Almondine that uses just ONE pan. Healthy, fresh and perfect for a crowd. This one makes for another eye-catching Thanksgiving side dish. Great with bacon, too!
Mom's Easy Pea Salad
Classic family recipes like Mom's Easy Pea Salad always make an appearance on Thanksgiving!
Fall Fruit Salad
Technically a salad, but doubles as a side, this fresh fall fruit salad add that punch of sweet to balance out your Thanksgiving Dinner.
Brown Sugar-Soy Glazed Carrots
These roasted glazed carrots are so flavorful! They will become a crowd favorite and requested at every holiday meal.
Smoked Corn On The Cob
Not quite like the Pilgrims made it, but this smoked corn on the cob is a delicious way to enjoy your corn on Thanksgiving.
Garlic Herb Browned Butter Cauliflower
This garlic herb browned butter cauliflower might just be your new favorite way to get your veggies in, and it's perfect for serving at your Thanksgiving holiday meal.
Roasted Radishes with Balsamic & Honey
You haven't had radishes like this before, but I guarantee you, these will be added to your table again and again! Not only are they great tasting, but they also look nice on the table.
Easy Mushroom Risotto with Gorgonzola
This easy mushroom risotto is sophisticated and has amazing flavor!
Sweet Corn Cake
Not quite cornbread and not quite corn pudding, this sweet corn cake is an easy-six ingredient side dish that is always a hit at holiday dinners.
Parmesan Garlic Butter Biscuits
This biscuit recipe is so easy to make and goes with everything. Roll the biscuit dough in garlic butter and parmesan, then bake!
Buttermilk Cornbread (with fresh corn)
If your Thanksgiving menu isn't complete without cornbread, this moist buttermilk cornbread is slightly sweet and made with fresh corn!
Almond Flour Biscuits
If you want a low carb bread option to go with your meal, these keto almond flour biscuits are easy to make, just drop them on a sheet pan and bake!
Vegetarian Pumpkin Quinoa Pilaf with Cranberries
If you need a vegetarian option to serve for Thanksgiving, this pilaf is perfect, and you'll love having that extra touch of pumpkin on the table.
Roasted Pumpkin with Cranberry and Pecans
Bring more pumpkin to the Thanksgiving party with this amazing roasted pumpkin with cranberry and pecans. It's the perfect blend of savory and sweet and makes a perfect holiday side dish.
Candied Yams With Marshmallows
Candied yams are great, but candied yams with marshmallows are even better. Adding a gooey toasted marshmallow layer makes all the difference!
Homemade Stuffing with Apples and Sausage
This stuffing with sausage and apples is a delicious twist on the classic Thanksgiving stuffing.
French's Green Bean Casserole
This is the recipe for classic green bean casserole - the French's recipe, not the Campbell's recipe. We always go with French's (the only difference is Campbell's calls for soy sauce).
Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chicken
We don't put chicken in this when we make it as a side dish, but this is also one of our favorite side dishes to serve on Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Scalloped Potatoes With Ham
Scalloped potatoes are often a side; however, with the addition of ham, it eats like a meal. Eyes will instantly light up when you bring these to the table.
Homemade Turkey Gravy Recipe
Homemade turkey gravy is a snap to make, and you can't serve your turkey without it!
Grandma’s Giblet Gravy Recipe
This old-fashioned giblet gravy recipe is the perfect classic comfort food to serve at your Thanksgiving meal.
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