Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be complete without the sides! I’ve rounded up 45+ Thanksgiving side dish recipes, from classic favorites to fresh new ideas, that are easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and kid-friendly. Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, you can also use the quick planning guide below to figure out how many sides to make and what to prep ahead!
I know big holiday menus can feel overwhelming, so here is a simple guide to help you plan.
Plan for about two vegetable dishes for every 10 guests, and one starch dish, like potatoes or stuffing, for every 5 guests. You do not need to make every recipe on this list, just a few strong choices from each category.
For timing, use this simple timeline. The weekend before, prepare anything that freezes well and make your cranberry sauce. The day before, assemble your casseroles, prepare your mashed potatoes, and chop your vegetables. On Thanksgiving Day, bake, warm, and serve, so you can enjoy the meal with your family!
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.
- Jiffy Corn Casserole – THE GOAT when it comes to Thanksgiving recipes!
- Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
- Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
- Arugula Pear Salad – my favorite holiday salad!
- Cranberry Brie Bites – Brand new and already getting rave reviews!
- Pear and Gorgonzola Puff Pastry Bites
- Party Meatballs – This is one of those easy appetizers we ALWAYS have at Thanksgiving. 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 or green goddess dressing.
Casseroles & Bakes
Cozy, cheesy, and oven-baked to golden perfection. These casseroles are the definition of comfort food and always disappear fast.
- Crockpot Corn Casserole – takes only 7 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time
- 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 & Desserts
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
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Pear and Gorgonzola Puff Pastry Bites
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.
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