When looking for the best Thanksgiving Side Dishes, look no farther than this ultimate list. Loaded with over 70 recipes that include potatoes, veggies, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and bread.
(Original post day was Nov. 2, 2017 / Links and post updated on Oct. 18, 2021)
Move over Turkey… These savory, buttery, creamy, healthy, delectable, scrumptious Thanksgiving side dishes are here to run the show!
Let’s face it Turkey is always the center of attention, but let’s get real what is that Turkey without those amazing side dishes? It would be like having a football team with only a quarterback. What would be the point right!?! Everything working together is what makes Thanksgiving deliciously amazing!
To help with the cooking marathon you are about to enter called Thanksgiving Day here is a list from traditional and classic to creative and scrumptious Thanksgiving side dishes that will make this once-a-year meal truly satisfying.
From soups and salad, bread, veggies, potatoes, stuffing to cranberry sauce, this list has it all. If you are looking for gluten-free, keto, or other special diet restrictions, this list also has you covered.
Salads and Soups
"This sweet and savory salad is a regular favorite at holiday gatherings. It features the autumnal flavors of persimmons and squash plus the nuttiness of pistachios."
"A delicious and light beetroot and goats cheese salad that should feature at every BBQ and picnic."
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup - a quick and completely healthy soup
"Make this sweet potato and red pepper soup in just a few simple steps. Jazz it up with spices and spin it in any direction you want. Consider coconut milk."
"This vegan butternut squash soup is an easy, simple, delicious recipe. It’s a hearty warming soup for fall and winter. When you walk by the butternut squash in the market, pick up a few, and make a big batch of this soup because you’re going to want leftovers!"
"A healthy and delicious fall salad featuring crisp sweet apple and pear, creamy and salty feta cheese, and crunchy pecans! A homemade dressing perfectly compliments this quick-to-make salad."
Greens with Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Vinaigrette!
"A festive, delicious, salad for fall and your holiday table!"
Breads
"These Yeast Rolls are the perfect fluffy pull-apart dinner rolls for weeknights and holidays. So tender, buttery, and delicious, just like grandma used to make!"
"Hush Puppies with Spicy Corn Aioli are Cornmeal Fritters that is a perfect game day savory bite. The Spicy Corn Aioli brings this classic bite of Americana to the ultimate level with the flavor."
"Made from scratch with fresh ingredients, these Spinach and Ricotta Rolls are the perfect savoury baked goods to serve as an appetiser to a party!"
"Dinner rolls are soft, fluffy and super delicious! Pair them with just about anything and eat them for dinner, or lunch, or anytime in between!"
"A quick and easy soft Homemade Pav – dinner rolls made with whole wheat flour. The softest 100% whole wheat dinner rolls you’ve ever had. The homemade dinner rolls are soft, fluffy and perfectly golden brown in color! These are so much healthier than the traditional store purchased dinner rolls. Win-win situation here!"
"Have fresh, from scratch homemade biscuits on the table in just 15 minutes! This easy homemade biscuit recipe makes a soft, buttery biscuit perfect for topping with butter, jam, or serving on the side of your favorite meal, no biscuit cutter required!"
"Gluten-free Dinner Rolls that taste like grandma’s holiday rolls! We enjoy these at the holidays and year-round! Be sure to read through the post for my tips!"
"This amazing recipe does double duty as dinner rolls or as pizza crust!"
"These perfectly soft potato rolls are the stuff of legends. With a convenient make-ahead option, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just your every-day meal."
Veggies
"Of all the cozy, kid-friendly Thanksgiving side dish sweet creamy corn pudding is one of the family’s favorite. It’s true down south no Thanksgiving feast would be complete without Thanksgiving Corn Pudding!"
Mushroom & Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash (Gluten Free + Vegan) • Bakerita
"This Mushroom & Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash is filled with caramelized onions, cauliflower florets, spinach, dried cranberries, and pecans. It’s served with a drizzle of lemon tahini sauce. This comforting and colorful dish has a variety of texture, tons of flavor, and makes the perfect hearty dinner or side dish."
"These Harissa Roasted Carrots served over a bed of homemade hummus are a hit in our house! Toasted hazelnuts and pomegranate add texture and a pop of brightness. Perfect for Thanksgiving, any family gathering, or a regular weeknight dinner!"
"This Hasselback Butternut Squash is an easy butternut squash recipe with a handful of ingredients, little hands on time, and results in a striking side dish."
"The do say everything tastes better with bacon! And these Baked Parmesan Sprouts with Bacon hit the spot perfectly!"
"A simple spin on a summer time favorite. This Chili Bacon Creamed Corn is what dreams are made of sweet and savory with a side of smokey and spicy!!"
"Here in American, we like to combine creamy goodness and veggies then top them with crispy yummy bits. That is why no Thanksgiving feast will be complete without a rich, satisfying green bean casserole".
"The flavors of fall are absolutely comforting! These Honey Balsamic Brussel Sprouts are just that absolute comfort. A little sweet, slightly tangy and paired with toasted pecans for crunch make these more of a treat than a side dish!"
"Thanksgiving is a day you either love or you dread. Why over complicate your menu, you already have enough to do? Quick simple one-sheet Maple Pecan Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprout Medley is the perfect side dish for making your day a little easier."
"This Spinach and Sautéed Veggie Casserole is the perfect way to use up any vegetables in the fridge. It is a versatile and family friendly dish, perfect for any night of the week!"
"Easy stovetop recipe for homemade creamed corn that will your best side dish for any occasion, from holidays to weeknight dinner. Made from frozen or fresh corn, with lots of cheese and cream in the skillet or pot!"
"Southern favorite and so comforting, this Instant pot collard greens will be an amazing side dish for any family gatherings. Added bacon brings so much meaty flavor to the dish that makes this pressure cooker dish great and for the holidays and as an weekday meal."
"So, if you’re looking for easy recipes for beginners, or you’re a seasoned cook looking to expand your culinary horizon, I definitely suggest investing in a Hestan Cue system. You won’t regret it."
Sauteed Zucchini with Walnuts and Cranberries Recipe #FriendsgivingCranberryContest
"It’s the holiday season and I am so excited! I dearly love the fall and winter holidays. It’s all about friends and family and being together and being thankful. Many thanks to our sponsor, all opinions are my own."
"These easy one-pan roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon are a perfect side dish to any meal. The bacon adds a smokey flavor to the crispy and sweet caramelized Brussels sprouts."
"Acorn squash loaded with colorful quinoa stuffing is a sweet and savory dish perfect for the holidays. Its vegan and gluten-free, but more importantly, delicious!"
"Easy Brussels Sprouts with Pinenuts and Parmesan is a go-to fall recipe. It’s fast, contains just a handful of ingredients, and is perfect for any meal, from a weeknight supper to holiday get-togethers."
"Fresh cooked whole green beans are one of our family favorites. There are so many different ways you can prepare them. This particular recipe is easy and scrumptious! I simply call it Pecan Glazed Green Beans."
"Honey Herb Roasted Carrots are one of my all-time favorite vegetable sides! My husband came up with this recipe on his own when I was out of town and grilled the carrots. We took the same recipe and implemented it indoors and is incredible!"
"A fresh green bean casserole with cheese, featuring freshly cooked green beans, a simple, and an incredible homemade cream of mushroom sauce."
"Garlic Butter Mushrooms - plump, juicy mushrooms sauteed in plenty of garlic and butter then finished off with parsley."
"These easy Instant Pot carrots are coated in a delicious honey butter glaze. Everyone at the table will want seconds! The best veggie side dish."
"Transform the famous Thanksgiving side into a tasty plant-based dish! This Vegan Green Bean Casserole from Scratch uses crisp green beans, homemade mushroom soup, and quick-fried onions for a version that is sure to impress."
"Looking for a new way to cook carrots? Try these stovetop rainbow carrots with caramelized onions! These are vegan, super simple to make, and require just 6 staple ingredients."
"This wild rice and butternut squash salad makes a great Thanksgiving side dish because it’s colorful and a little unexpected. Since this dish is vegan and gluten-free, everyone can enjoy it!"
Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts + Tutorial - Recipes From A Pantry
"Make amazingly tasty Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts with this quick and easy recipe."
"Fresh green beans sauteed in a light butter and lemon sauce."
Potatoes
"Perfect for Thanksgiving, or just because, this sweet potato casserole is DELISH! "
"Free up space in your oven this holiday season with these Slow Cooker Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes. They're tangy and full of garlic flavor from the herb goat cheese, fluffy and irresistibly delicious. They're sure to have your guests going back for seconds!"
"Once you try this Hasselback Sweet Potatoes recipe you'll never go back to the classic casserole. Your guests at Thanksgiving will have no idea how easy this side dish is to make!"
"These cute little sweet potato boats are like sweet potato casserole but in individual boats! Sweet and creamy, and perfectly portioned!"
"A delicious creamy alternative to tradition mashed potatoes."
"The simple flavors of fall all wrapped up in one big bowl of yummy Sweet Potato with Maple Sage Sauce! "
"If you are looking for a flavorful dish that can substitute for mashed potatoes, this creamy mashed rutabagas recipe could be just what you are looking for."
"Sweet Potato Gratin with Goat Cheese, Parmesan, and Thyme is perfect for Thanksgiving, and this is for people like me who prefer savory sweet potato recipes! The recipe is low-glycemic, meatless, gluten-free, and South Beach Diet friendly."
"Creamy delicious, a taste of heaven, these Instant Pot Potatoes Fondants are baby potatoes cooked in broth with rosemary, then finished by sautéing until they get crispy browned edges."
"Amish Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes will rock your world! Mashed potatoes with cream cheese and garlic are topped with brown butter in place of gravy. My favorite mashed potatoes ever!"
"Tender potatoes and soft onion slices in a creamy, garlicky white sauce sprinkled with spring onion or chives. This Vegan Scalloped Potatoes recipe is a dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free comfort food at its best. "
"Roasted garlic truffle mashed potatoes are an easy gourmet twist on a classic comfort food. It’s a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy cool weather meal!"
"This creamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes recipe is where indulgence meets healthy. Creamy potatoes and cauliflower get a flavor boost with garlic, heavy cream, parmesan and goat cheese, and the end result is simply delicious. "
"Creamy cheese, tender potatoes and brussels sprouts, and a hearty addition of fresh rosemary makes the creamiest, most fragrant, and surprisingly easiest au gratin. This rustic potato and brussels sprouts au gratin dish is delicious for Sunday dinner or as a holiday side. "
"These vegan mashed potatoes with almond milk and cream cheese are super easy to make with only 3 ingredients plus salt and pepper. They’re so creamy, it’s hard to believe they’re dairy-free!"
Crispy Leaf Roasted Duck Fat Potatoes - Peter's Food Adventures
"Duck Fat Crispy Leaf Potatoes with fresh Rosemary - Full of flavor, a new take on roasted potatoes. Perfect for Christmas or a holiday feast - Crispy Leaf Roasted Duck Fat Potatoes."
"Leek and Potato Gratin is the perfect side dish to complement any dinner for special occasions, and holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. This recipe is simple with a rich, creamy taste from the beautiful combination of gruyere & parmesan cheese, milk, and other spices, and the deliciously sweet flavor of Organic Honey Dijon Mustard."
"This golden crock pot mashed potatoes recipe is incredibly easy to make and makes a great side dish for your family dinner night!"
"An easy recipe for creamy mashed cauliflower "potatoes" with roasted garlic. Serve this cozy & healthy vegetable side dish alongside your favorite main course to satisfy a starchy potato craving with fewer carbs. It makes a simple addition to comforting weeknight dinners, yet is fancy enough for holiday gatherings! (gluten-free, low-carb & keto with paleo & whole30 option)"
"These Easy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes are simple to make ahead of time and are a huge crowd-pleaser! Try them out and be the star of your next potluck or family gathering. They’re delicious at any time of year!"
"Potato Roast is a spicy, delicious Indian style pan-roasted masala potato. Learn how to make masala baby potato roast in a few simple steps."
"These delicious and pretty nutmeg sweet potato stacks make a great side for turkey and chicken dishes and are easily baked in a muffin pan. If you’re tired of sweet potato casserole, this is a great alternative for your next Thanksgiving dinner."
"These Instant Pot potatoes are cooked to perfection with butter, herbs, and garlic. Served with grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (if vegan) and parsley. A wonderful side dish to go with any meal, and ready in just 20 minutes!"
"Get out of that boring mashed potato rut and add some flavor and texture to those splendid spuds!! This Onion and Chive Whipped Potatoes will give you a whole new perspective on what a simple side dish of potatoes is all about!"
Stuffing
"This sausage apple stuffing is so flavorful and delicious. It has all the best things gluten-free stuffing should have!"
"This Herbed Kale and Sausage Dressing has been my go-to dressing for the past couple of years. It’s savory, herby, and makes for excellent leftovers."
"An easy way to make cornbread stuffing - formed into balls and baked with vegetables,, apple and nuts."
"Wild Rice Dressing with Cranberries, Cherries, and Pecans is a hearty Thanksgiving side dish packed with rich fall flavors. "
"This Apple and Sausage Stuffing recipe is incredibly tasty and easily made in one skillet. Loaded with apples, sausage and fresh herbs, this Thanksgiving dressing is sure to become a family favorite!"
Gluten Free Stuffing Recipe - Breadless, Vegetarian/Vegan » LeelaLicious
"A delicious gluten free stuffing that is breadless. It is made with wild rice, mushrooms, and roasted cauliflower. While it skips the bread cubes this vegetarian stuffing is on point in the flavor department. It can easily be made ahead and simply reheated to free up your time for other recipes on Thanksgiving day."
"This traditional homemade bread stuffing recipe is moist and crunchy, flavorful and packed with earthy herbs and spices. The very best stuffing for turkey, duck, chicken or Cornish game hen!"
"Gluten free dressing is one of those staple foods that is considered a Thanksgiving tradition. Keep reading down because I made a video to show you how easy this gluten free mushroom stuffing is to make!"
"This easy Cornbread and sausage stuffing recipe will become your go-to Thanksgiving side dish! Packed with flavor it combines your favorite turkey dressing and adds cranberries, parsley and more for the best turkey sidekick!"
"Spinach Stuffing Balls are a great make ahead side dish for your holiday dinner. Warm them up while the turkey is being carved then enjoy!"
"BLUEBERRY Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe! Traditional homemade vegetarian stuffing with sweet blueberries added in! This comes from a Grandma’s vintage cookbook so you know it’s going to be the best! It’s easy to make and you can make it ahead of time to freeze!"
"This gluten free stuffing is out of this world delicious, easy to make, and everyone at your table will love it. It’s sure to become a favorite trimming at your Thanksgiving feast or any holiday meal. "
"Sausage Stuffing is a Thanksgiving side dish with Italian sausage, cornbread, cranberries, and French bread baked in this dressing recipe."
"Crips bits of bacon and juicy sausage in a french bread holiday stuffing with crunchy pomegranate seeds."
"I’ve been trying for a while to perfect a gluten free and vegan stuffing and I think I finally got it. It’s better than Stovetop, that is for sure!"
Cranberry Sauce
"A slight twist on a classic holiday dish! Fast and simple to make, plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free."
"Wondering how to cook those cranberries you picked up at the store this week? They are a cinch to make in the Instant Pot, and they don’t need any babysitting to turn out perfectly each time. Fresh cranberries, orange juice and zest, simmered with cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg this is sure to be a side dish that makes an impression this holiday season!"
"This Hard Cider Cranberry Sauce is sweet, tart, and full of cider flavor. It’s the perfect accompaniment to all of your holiday dishes."
"You can’t have Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce…at least that’s true in my house. Whole berry cranberry sauce is my favorite and it’s easy to make. I always think anything you can make from scratch is so much better and healthier than what you can buy, already prepared in the store."
"Making your own Cranberry Orange Sauce is so easy! This Cranberry Orange Sauce has a little extra kick from Grand Marnier! Feel free to eliminate that if you have little ones sharing your Thanksgiving or Christmas table! It is every bit as good!"
"EASY APPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH BOURBON AND CINNAMON RECIPE! THIS HOMEMADE CRANBERRY SAUCE IS ELEVATED WITH SWEET APPLE AND A TOUCH OF BOURBON."
Thank you to all the bloggers who submitted recipes and participated in the Thanksgiving Side Dishes round-up and a special thank you for letting me use their photos to make this round-up that much yummier!!
The variety is astounding yet they all taste like fall. Sweet, savory, spicy, warmth all wrapped up in every dish. I could just sit at the table all day and eat side dishes. But! I am usually the cook and by the time I taste test everything before it hits the table and before I sit I am stuffed.
You say you want to try something new this year. A new yet traditional side.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Let’s Get Social
Follow Instagram | Facebook to get post updates and behind the scenes craziness
Pin these Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Later
Looking For More Recipes
Be sure to head over to The Messy Cutting Boards Recipe Box where you will find family-friendly meals no matter what the season.
Beautiful collection, Leah. Thanks for including my gluten free stuffing. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. Now I’m off to pin this. 🙂