25+ Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Everything you need for a classic Thanksgiving dinner, right here! These scrumptious side dishes may steal the spotlight from the turkey! 

From rich sweet potatoes to crisp green bean casserole, vibrant cranberry sauce to fluffy crescent rolls, Thanksgiving sides can be just as tasty as the main dish. We have more than 25 recipes for you to choose from for your big turkey dinner.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Turkey usually gets all the praise during Thanksgiving dinner, and rightly so. But this post is dedicated to all those luscious Thanksgiving sides! Warm, buttery rolls, fluffy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, fruity and flavorful salad. Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be the same without any of these must have sides. Whether you prefer to keep it classic or want to branch out with a new recipe or two, we have gathered all of our family’s favorite Thanksgiving recipes that we can’t wait to share with you!

Potato Sides

Nothing goes better with a slice or two of succulent turkey and gravy than fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes. Or nutty, rich sweet potato casserole. But have you ever considered branching out with a little cheese and bacon? Or pairing roasted potatoes withbrussels sprouts? There are so many potato options to add to your holiday table, why not try them all?

• Perfect Mashed Potatoes
• Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Cheesy Potato Casserole (Funeral Potatoes)
• The BEST Sweet Potato Casserole with Coconut Pecan Topping
• Roasted Potatoes with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Stuffing Side Dishes

Traditional stuffing is made of cubes of bread and herbs stuffed inside the turkey while cooking. Many opt to bake the stuffing outside the bird and serve it as a side dish. There are a ton of variations to this popular side dish. Using different ingredients like cranberries, bacon, cornbread or sausage will make all kinds of savory stuffings perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Try some of these delicious recipes:

• Thanksgiving Stuffing with Bacon
• Cranberry Sausage Stuffing
• Gluten Free Stuffing

Vegetable Sides

Ordinary steamed or roasted vegetables get all dressed up for the big Thanksgiving meal. Cauliflower mashed “potatoes”, lemony garlic brussels sprouts, and of course the classic green bean casserole looks and tastes extra special when you take time to add a couple of new or unique ingredients. Even your pickiest eaters will gobble these vegetable sides up!

• Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Onion Straws
• Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes”
• Sautéed Lemon and Garlic Brussels Sprouts
• Roasted Parsnips and Carrots
• Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
• The Best Creamed Spinach

Breads and Rolls

And now to one of the most popular sides to any meal, the bread! Homemade rolls can seem daunting; however they are actually really easy to make and well worth the extra effort. Fluffy, hot rolls baked to golden perfection, with a pat of butter melting inside; there really is nothing better. Make sure to bake extra, because homemade rolls make for the absolute best leftover turkey sandwiches. And don’t forget the cranberry sauce!

• Homemade Crescent Rolls
• Best Homemade Dinner Rolls
• Mom’s Homemade Rolls
• Cranberry Bread
• Orange Cranberry Sauce
• Raspberry Cranberry Sauce

Salad Side Dishes

Save room on your plate for some sweet and savory salads! Salad dishes are a terrific way to add vibrant color to the meal, along with seasonal fruits, vegetables and other ingredients. Our family loves sweet Jell-O salads, crisp cucumber salad, and fruity, nutty salad dishes. Plus these light and fragrant salads balance out heavier, richer foods like stuffing, gravy and potatoes. Try one or two of these recipes and enjoy!

• Waldorf Salad
• Vinegar Marinated Cucumbers (Cucumber Salad)
• Blueberry Jell-O Salad
• Mandarin Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans
• Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon
• Chopped Broccoli Salad
• Strawberry Pretzel Jell-O Salad

Whether this your first time hosting Thanksgiving dinner or you’re in charge of bringing a salad to a gathering, we encourage you to save this post and refer to it as you make your menu. Also, check out our posts on Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas and How to Cook a Turkey. We will guide you through the entire process as you relax, have fun and enjoy this time cooking with your loved ones. Something magical happens when you gather together in a cozy kitchen, swapping memories of Thanksgivings past as you chop, whisk, mix and bake. Try a few of our new recipes along with some of your classic favorites to create new traditions with your loved ones. Cooking and baking with those precious people in your life can be just as fulfilling as sitting down to eat the decadent dishes you create together.

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!