Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes (23+ Popular Holiday Side Dish Recipes!) (2024)

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Thanksgiving side dishes are an essential part of the holiday feast. Some people even prefer the sides to the main course! These recipes feature the most common foods and holiday staples served at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner! For a classic holiday meal, you can choose a few sides or make an epic Thanksgiving spread and try them all!

Try These Thanksgiving Recipe Sides

As much as I love a holiday prime rib roast or baked ham, I am a bit of a side dish fanatic myself! I want a big spread of various dishes, each with different flavors and textures - and getting a little bit of everything is the best part!

Thanksgiving comes with its own set of traditional recipes that are beloved across the entire country. Here are a few timeless and beloved Thanksgiving recipes that have become holiday staples in my home!

Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes (23+ Popular Holiday Side Dish Recipes!) (1)

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Try These Thanksgiving Recipe Sides
1. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
2. Easy Stuffing
3. Honey Roasted Acorn Squash
4. Candied Yams
5. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
6. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
7. Cornbread Stuffing
8. Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
9. Butter Herb Rhodes Rolls
10. Brown Sugar Candied Yams
11. Jiffy Corn Casserole
12. Sweet Potato Casserole
13. Bacon Cheese Green Bean Casserole
14. Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce
15. Classic Turkey Gravy
16. Buttered Peas and Carrots
17. Oat Rolls
18. Crockpot Mac and Cheese
19. Green Beans Almondine
20. Dauphinoise Potatoes
21. Zucchini Squash Casserole
22. Creamed Spinach
23. Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
💭 Tips For Choosing The Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
📖 Recipe Card
Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes (17+ Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes For The Holidays!)
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Instructions
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💬 Reviews

Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!

1. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

For the richest and most decadent mashed potatoes, you've got to add cream cheese! It adds a subtle tang that gives it a more complex flavor than your run-of-the-mill mashed potatoes.

Is it your first time making mashed potatoes? I have an entire page on how to make mashed potatoes if you have any further questions not answered on the recipe card!

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

These cream cheese mashed potatoes are buttery, creamy, and loaded with flavor for a simple and tasty side dish! They are so delicious and rich that they are perfect for the holidays or any other special occasion. Additionally, they are extremely easy to prepare so you can even whip them up on a busy weeknight!

Check out this recipe

2. Easy Stuffing

If you're looking for a classic American Thanksgiving stuffing, save this recipe. Pre-prepared stuffing cubes from the grocery store make it quick and convenient, and the results are everything you could want from traditional stuffing.

You can check out my full collection of Thanksgiving stuffing recipes right here!

Easy Stuffing

Easy stuffing is a cornerstone recipe to Thanksgiving dinner, holiday meals, and amazingly tasty family dinners all year long! Classic ingredients including celery, onion, and ready-to-use stuffing cubes combine with tasty herbs to complement so many dishes!

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3. Honey Roasted Acorn Squash

November is acorn squash season, and squash recipes always make an excellent addition to the Thanksgiving dinner table. I like acorn squash because it can take on both sweet and savory flavors, and it pairs well with warm fall spices like cinnamon.

Honey Roasted Acorn Squash

This honey roasted acorn squash is a sweet and savory side dish that is fork-tender and perfect for any meal! It is simple to make and a great way to mix up your standard side dishes. Plus, this tasty winter squash recipe is also super healthy!

Check out this recipe

4. Candied Yams

Sweet, syrupy candied yams are a favorite Thanksgiving side dish for Southern households in particular. Some swear it needs a marshmallow topping (I'm team marshmallows), while others prefer candied yams without marshmallows.

Candied Yams With Marshmallows

These easy candied yams with marshmallows combine canned or fresh yams that are baked with butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. They're exactly how my family and I have been making this classic holiday favorite for decades! This easy vegetable side dish is sure to be a winning holiday side dish your family loves too!

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5. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

On Thanksgiving, you can't go wrong with sweet potato recipes in any way, shape, or form. These twice-baked sweet potatoes are a personal favorite because they are loaded with bacon, cheese, and jalapenos!

I make a lot of holiday pies and other sweet side dishes, so the savory flavors are a nice contrast!

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

These twice baked sweet potatoes are baked until tender, loaded with your favorite toppings, and then baked again until perfect! They are packed with bacon, jalapeno, cheese, and more for a delicious and savory side dish that will wow everyone! Make a bunch and store them in the freezer so you'll have them on hand whenever the craving strikes!

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6. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Brussel sprouts are a great way to add some green vegetables to your Thanksgiving plate. The outer leaves get crisp and caramelize for amazing flavor in every bite, and then I've added bacon!

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Toasted Walnuts

These easy to make Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Toasted Walnuts are a wonderful addition to your holiday meals! Not only does the roasting bring out the sweetness of the brussel sprouts, but it also adds some crispy caramelized edges that are a true treat!

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7. Cornbread Stuffing

I've always called it 'stuffing,' though I know plenty of cooks that call it 'dressing' (learn about stuffing vs dressing here). Cornbread adds a mellow sweetness and a rustic feel that really gives it that holiday comfort food vibe.

I usually prep the stuffing in advance to save myself time on Thanksgiving. Just follow my guide to freezing stuffing and instructions for reheating stuffing for the best results!

Cornbread Stuffing

8. Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

Although I grew up on Campbell's green bean casserole, there's something so satisfying about green bean casserole made from scratch. Canned green beans are convenient, but the fresh beans keep a little more of their crunch!

Not sure if you prefer canned or fresh green beans? Check my page on how to make green bean casserole and see which method sounds best!

Fresh Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

Fresh green bean casserole from scratch is packed with fresh green beans, garlic, and creamy sauce, then topped with fried onions! This dish is so much more flavorful than anything you could whip up using canned ingredients. In fact, it makes a perfect addition to any of your holiday menus!

Check out this recipe

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

9. Butter Herb Rhodes Rolls

Dinner rolls or biscuits are a Thanksgiving must-have, so you can soak up any extra gravy or cranberry sauce on the plate! Rhodes rolls can be kept frozen until just before Thanksgiving, then they rise for a bit, and you pop them in the oven.

Butter Herb Rhodes Rolls

These butter herb Rhodes rolls are soft, fluffy, and delicious dinner rolls that make a wonderful addition to any weeknight dinner! Rhodes rolls are first thawed and set out to rise, then baked with a tasty herb-infused butter. With a prep time of only 5 minutes and a short baking time, you can have pull-apart rolls ready for dinner or any holiday gathering in a jiffy!

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10. Brown Sugar Candied Yams

This classic candied yams recipe calls for canned yams, which are super tender right from the start. They could almost be dessert with the rich brown sugar and cinnamon syrup and melted marshmallow topping!

Brown Sugar Candied Yams

This brown sugar candied yams recipe couldn't be easier and it makes a perfect holiday side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas! Canned yams are already tender, so there's no peeling necessary and it cuts the cooking time in half. Even better than that, they are cooked in sweet cinnamon syrup and topped with melted mini marshmallows!

Check out this recipe

11. Jiffy Corn Casserole

Corn pudding, or corn casserole, is another timeless Thanksgiving tradition. It's super moist and fluffy, with a sweet and rich flavor coming from the creamed corn and juicy corn kernels mixed into the batter.

Jiffy Corn Casserole

This Jiffy corn casserole is a sweet and savory side dish with creamy corn mixed into every bite of your cornbread! Best of all, you only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to put it together. Whether you call it corn casserole, corn pudding, or spoon bread, it's a side that goes with practically anything!

Check out this recipe

12. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is sweet and warmly spiced, similar to candied yams, but with a creamier texture. Pecans give it a delectable crunch, and the melted marshmallows on top are just an added bonus!

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows & Pecans

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and pecans is a classic holiday side dish that tastes more like dessert than potatoes. Warm fall spices, brown sugar, pecans, and mini marshmallows highlight the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes in this beloved old-school recipe. Your loved ones will scramble to get to the table with this casserole as part of your Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner spread!

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13. Bacon Cheese Green Bean Casserole

Once you try this green bean casserole, you'll wonder why you have been making yours without bacon and cheddar cheese for so long! Everything is better with bacon and cheese, and this green bean casserole is proof!

Bacon Cheddar Green Bean Casserole

Serve this amazing bacon cheddar green bean casserole for a tasty upgrade to the easy classic recipe that everyone is sure to love! The traditionally used cream of mushroom is enhanced with grated cheddar then topped with crisped bacon along with the fried onions - and it's so tasty!!

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14. Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce

If you have some extra apple cider on hand, I highly recommend incorporating it into your cranberry sauce! Canned cranberry sauce will be a thing of the past once you see how easy (and better tasting) it is homemade.

Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce

My apple cider cranberry sauce is the perfect blend of spiced apples, sweet sparkling apple cider, and tangy cranberries for Thanksgiving! It is tart, sweet, and full of juicy apple flavor! This easy-to-make cranberry sauce is sure to be a new family favorite for the holidays!

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15. Classic Turkey Gravy

Save all the flavor-packed drippings from your Thanksgiving roasted turkey and use it to make a rich turkey gravy! It's such a quick and easy condiment that really elevates the entire meal!

Classic Turkey Gravy

Classic turkey gravy is made using roasted turkey drippings and slowly simmered turkey neck and giblets for a flavorful gravy! It is rich, creamy, and amazingly smooth. This super easy gravy takes just minutes to prepare and you'll be so thankful you skipped the store-bought version!

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16. Buttered Peas and Carrots

Two vegetables in one easy and delicious side dish! Buttered peas and carrots only require a few ingredients, yet it's one of the first things to disappear!

Buttered Peas & Carrots

Tasty buttered peas & carrots are a classic vegetable side dish that can easily be made either on the stove or in the microwave! Sometimes the most simple recipes are the best, and this delicious combination of tender carrots and buttery sweet peas is one of those times!

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17. Oat Rolls

A small amount of brown sugar gives these rolls a sweetness that will keep you coming back for more. They're soft and fluffy, just waiting for some red-skin mashed potatoes or gravy to soak up!

Oat Rolls

My oat rolls are soft, tender, fluffy, and just as perfect with any weeknight family meal as they are with a Thanksgiving turkey dinner! These delicious yeast rolls have ground oats & brown sugar, making them a perfect sweet snack or an awesome side for lunch or dinner! They are easy to make and can even be prepared in advance!

Check out this recipe

18. Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Rich and creamy mac and cheese is indulgent comfort food at its finest and perfect for any Thanksgiving feast. Save yourself some oven space and make it in the crockpot!

Otherwise, you can see all of my mac and cheese recipes here (you can't go wrong)! Depending on the recipe, you could even freeze your mac and cheese and reheat it on Thanksgiving!

Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Crockpot mac and cheese is about to be your new favorite method of making macaroni and cheese. It's so easy, and there are no dishes. There's no boiling your macaroni noodles; just toss them in your slow cooker with the other ingredients and let it do all the cooking.

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19. Green Beans Almondine

Green beans almondine is a classic French dish consisting of tender green beans and almonds for crunch. It's incredibly easy to prepare yet elegant and elevated above simple steamed or sauteed green beans.

Green Beans Almondine

Green beans almondine is a refreshing and tasty vegetable side dish that pairs well with any of your family's favorite main dishes! This simple French-inspired recipe features green beans tossed with toasted almond slivers, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper! In just 20 minutes you can whip up a healthy green bean dish perfect for any weeknight or holiday dinner!

Check out this recipe

20. Dauphinoise Potatoes

Dauphinoise potatoes are another French inspiration that makes an excellent addition to the holiday dinner table. The thinly sliced potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and decadent, making them a great alternative to mashed potatoes.

Dauphinoise Potatoes (Cheesy Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise)

Dauphinoise potatoes are simple and cheesy thin-sliced potatoes layered with cream, butter, and cheese for an incredible side dish! This easy potato dish is so elegant and beautiful, it almost looks too good to eat! The flavor is so mouthwateringly delicious, you’ll never want to make potatoes another way!

Check out this recipe

21. Zucchini Squash Casserole

This delicious casserole will have you looking at zucchini and yellow squash in a whole new light. The squash is baked in a creamy cheese sauce until perfectly tender with a crunchy Panko breadcrumb topping that everyone will fight over!

Zucchini Squash Casserole

This easy-to-make zucchini squash casserole is a flavorful combination of tender, tasty summer squash and creamy, cheesy sauce! Top it all off with crunchy Panko breadcrumbs for an incredible veggie side dish everyone loves!

Check out this recipe

22. Creamed Spinach

Even the kids will want to eat their spinach when it's sauteed until tender and mixed into a rich and creamy cheese sauce! Yes, technically, it's vegetables. But it's so indulgent, they won't care!

Steakhouse Creamed Spinach

Steakhouse creamed spinach is one of my all-time favorite sides because it's rich, creamy, and so easy to make! Spinach is coated in a creamy sauce loaded with mozzarella, cream cheese, and Parmesan – it’s perfect for Sunday dinner, date night, or anytime you want an amazing side!

Check out this recipe

23. Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

I'm a huge advocate for using crockpot recipes during the holidays. These scalloped potatoes turn out just as fabulous as they do in the oven, but the slow cooker does all the hard work!

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

This creamy crockpot scalloped potatoes is an easy potato side dish of layered potato slices and sauce. Leave the store-bought versions in the past. Enjoy a tastier, simpler way to serve this classic dish, ensuring it's a staple at every holiday meal.

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💭 Tips For Choosing The Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

I would argue that you can never have too much food on Thanksgiving! Here are a few things to keep in mind while you make your final Thanksgiving side dish selections:

Balance flavors and textures: I like to have a mix of vegetable, starch, and protein-based sides to offer a well-rounded selection. Classics like mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing are always a safe bet!
Tradition meets innovation: While tradition plays a significant role in Thanksgiving, don't be afraid to branch out from classic recipes. If there's a family favorite dish that everyone will love, go right ahead and add it to the menu!
Make-ahead options: Save some stress and choose dishes that can be prepared in advance. Many casseroles can be assembled or frozen and reheated the day of. Bread, biscuits, muffins, and pies, can also be stored for a few days.
Seasonal ingredients: Fresh, seasonal produce is always a plus. Ingredients like Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and cranberries can add a burst of flavor and color to your Thanksgiving spread.
Taste testing: Try out new recipes before the big day to make sure they meet your expectations. A trial run is better than having to order takeout on Thanksgiving!

These traditional Thanksgiving side dishes will never disappoint, whether you've hosted the holidays once or a hundred times! Leave me your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes in the comment section below!

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Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes (17+ Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes For The Holidays!)

Thanksgiving side dishes are an essential part of the holiday feast. Some people even prefer the sides to the main course! These recipes feature the most common foods and holiday staples served at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner! For a classic holiday meal, you can choose a few sides or make an epic Thanksgiving spread and try them all!

Author | Angela

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 344kcal

Prep 5 minutes minutes

Cooking 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

▢ 5 lbs yellow potatoes (peeled, washed, and quartered)
▢ ½ cup milk (or more as needed)
▢ 8 oz cream cheese (softened, at room temperature)
▢ ½ cup butter (softened, at room temperature)
▢ 1 teaspoon salt (plus more for the water)
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions

Add the quartered 5 lbs yellow potatoes to a large stockpot and cover them with 1-2 inches of cold water. Generously season the water with salt.
Bring the water to a light boil and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes can easily be pierced with a fork. Remove from the heat and drain the potatoes.
Add ½ cup milk to a small saucepan and bring it up to a boil, stirring frequently.
As you are waiting for the milk to boil, press your potatoes using a potato ricer.
Add the scalded milk, 8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup butter, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper to the potatoes and gently mash it all together.
Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

You don't have to peel the potatoes if you don't want to, but they are much easier to press through the potato ricer without the skin.
Salting the water used to cook the potatoes adds a ton of flavor! You'll want to add 1 tablespoon of salt per pound of potatoes.
Start off with ½ cup of milk and then add more if you would like to thin out the mashed potatoes.
Take a look at my guide onscalding milk for mashed potatoes if you want to learn more.
Always use a fork, potato masher, or potato ricer to mash up your potatoes. Anything electric (such as a blender or food processor) will make the potatoes have a gummy texture.
To store: Let your mashed potatoes cool completely and then store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To freeze: Portion your mashed potatoes into single servings and then freeze them for up to 2 months. Take a look at my post which is all about freezing mashed potatoes for more information.
To reheat: Reheat the cream cheese mashed potatoes over low heat on the stovetop. For more methods and tips, check out my guide on thebest methods for reheating mashed potatoes.

Nutrition

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Course Potato Dishes, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

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