Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be complete without the sides! I’ve rounded up 45+ Thanksgiving side dish recipes that range from classic favorites to fresh new ideas your family will love. Whether you’re hosting the big meal or bringing a dish to share, these Thanksgiving side dishes (and a few sweets) are easy to make, crowd-pleasing, kid-friendly and will earn you a few extra compliments at the table!
Most Popular Thanksgiving Sides
These are the favorite Thanksgiving side dishes that you come back for year after year – tried, true, and always a hit. If you’re not sure where to start, this list has your guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
- Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
- Crockpot Corn Casserole – takes only 7 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time
- Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
- Arugula Pear Salad – my favorite holiday salad!
- Party Meatballs – This is one of those easy appetizers we ALWAYS have at Christmas. You don’t need to necessarily prep ahead, but just throw it all in the crockpot and it’ll stay warm all day!
- Honey Pecan Baked Brie – easy but fancy go-to holiday appetizer
Classic Thanksgiving Sides
The timeless classics every Thanksgiving table needs – buttery mashed potatoes, creamy green bean casserole, and savory stuffing that tastes just like Grandma’s.
- Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole or my souped up Garlic Parmesan Green Bean Casserole with mushrooms and walnuts
- Easy Baked Mac & Cheese
- Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce – 1000% better than the canned stuff
Make-Ahead Side Dishes
Take the pressure off the big day! These easy Thanksgiving recipes can be prepped in advance so you can enjoy Thanksgiving (and not spend it glued to the kitchen).
- Make Ahead Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
- Crockpot Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter
- Caramelized Onions – Onions in a crockpot? Yes!
Vegetable Side Dishes
Add some color to your table (and thanksgiving menu) with flavorful veggie recipes like roasted Brussels sprouts and maple-glazed carrots.
- Sautéed Green Beans
- Maple Glazed Carrots
- Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes – for a more traditional version, omit the parmesan and add in chopped pecans and top with marshmallows
- Crispy Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Baked Asparagus
- Kale Salad – for a lighter option
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- Stuffed Mushrooms – Mushrooms are one of the best appetizers for a fancy Thanksgiving dinner.
- Broccoli Salad w Bacon
- Mixed Green Salad – I like mixed greens with a little mozzarella, tomatoes, and this mouthwatering homemade ranch dressing.
Casseroles & Bakes
Cozy, cheesy, and oven-baked to golden perfection. These casseroles are the definition of comfort food and always disappear fast.
- Jiffy Corn Casserole
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
- White Cheddar Broccoli Mac & Cheese – try this yummy take on traditional mac & cheese
- Creamy Boursin Baked Orzo
- Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Best Bread and Roll Recipes for Thanksgiving
The best kind of carbs! From soft dinner rolls to buttery cornbread, these sides make every bite even better.
- Easy No Yeast Dinner Rolls
- Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread
- Mile High Biscuits
- Bisquick Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Sweet Sides & Holiday Twists
Sweet potatoes, cranberry dishes, and a few creative spins on traditional flavors that will earn you rave reviews from the family and even the picky eaters.
- Homemade Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust – warm apples in a dessert during the holidays is a must.
- Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust
- Cranberry Upside Down Cake
- Cinnamon Snowball Cookies – a classic cookie with finely chopped pecans and rolled in cinnamon and powdered sugar
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Cookies – You can prepare these up to a week in advance or freeze for up to a month.
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans
- Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
- Apple Fritter Breakfast Casserole – this definitely qualifies as dessert!
- Mixed Berry Salad
- Broccoli Crunch Salad
If you’re looking for the best side dishes this Thanksgiving, this list will be a keeper. If you need more ideas, check out this link to more side dishes.
If you have a tried and true Thanksgiving recipe, make sure and let me know in the comments!
Why do people eat Turkey for Thanksgiving?
Turkey is the traditional centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal in the United States and is tied to early American history and practicality. When Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the 1800s, turkey was widely available and large enough to feed a family. It became a symbol of abundance and celebration.
What are some good leftover Thanksgiving recipes?
There are so many! In fact, I have an entire post dedicated to recipes for leftover turkey. Check it out here.
How many sides should a Thanksgiving dinner have?
There is no set number of Thanksgiving sides; the ideal amount depends on the number of guests. For larger gatherings, plan for more, such as two or more vegetable dishes for every 10 people, and one or more starch-based dishes like potatoes or stuffing for every 5 people. And remember, there’s always room for leftovers.
Holiday Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen green beans, thawed (see note)
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions, (2.8 ounce container)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
- Combine the green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and garlic powder together in a mixing bowl and mix to combine.
- Transfer green bean mixture to a small casserole dish and spread evenly.Top the green beans with french fried onions.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and the onions are crisp.
- Let sit 5 minutes, then serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- I recommend using thawed frozen green beans. By using thawed green beans, it cuts down the cook time. If they are still frozen you can either:
- Microwave the green beans for a couple of minutes until they are soft. OR
- Use frozen green beans and cook 30-40 minutes in the oven.
- You can also use canned green beans that have been drained. These are softer than the frozen and don’t have quite as much texture to the dish.
- This recipe as written makes a saucy green bean casserole. If you prefer a more veggie heavy green bean casserole, you can add additional green beans. You can add up to double the amount listed, based on the sauce ratio you prefer.
Green Bean Casserole for a Crowd
- This recipe feeds a small family. If you want to make green bean casserole for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a potluck, or a crowd, use these measurements and bake in a 13×9 or large casserole dish.
- 36 ounces frozen green beans (3 bags)
- 3 can cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups French fried onions
Leave a Reply