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As the holiday season approaches, there’s no denying that Thanksgiving is a time for cherished traditions, gratitude, and, of course, a feast that brings loved ones together. While the turkey may be the star of the show, the Thanksgiving table wouldn’t be complete without a delightful array of Thanksgiving side dishes that add depth, flavor, and a touch of nostalgia to your meal.
In this post, we’ve gathered a mouthwatering selection of over 20 of the finest Thanksgiving side dishes that are guaranteed to elevate your holiday spread.
From classic comfort foods to creative twists on timeless recipes, get ready to discover the perfect accompaniments that will leave your guests asking for seconds.
Tips for preparing the best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Plan Ahead: The key to a successful Thanksgiving feast is preparation. Start planning your side dishes well in advance. Create a menu, gather your recipes, and make a shopping list to ensure you have all the ingredients you need.
Balance Flavors and Textures: A well-rounded Thanksgiving meal incorporates a variety of flavors and textures. Consider mixing creamy, crunchy, savory, and sweet elements in your side dishes to create a harmonious dining experience.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, opt for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Fresh vegetables and herbs not only taste better but also add vibrant colors and nutrients to your dishes.
Timing Is Everything: Timing is crucial in the Thanksgiving kitchen. Make a cooking schedule, so you know when each dish needs to go into the oven or on the stove. This will help ensure that everything is ready to serve at the same time.
Don’t Overcomplicate: While creativity in the kitchen is encouraged, Thanksgiving is not the time to experiment with complex, unfamiliar recipes. Stick to dishes you know and love, and consider adding your unique twist to them.
Delegate and Collaborate: Hosting a Thanksgiving feast can be a lot of work. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family and friends. Consider turning the meal into a potluck, where everyone brings a side dish to share.
Consider Dietary Restrictions: With more people following specific diets and having dietary restrictions, it’s considerate to include a few side dishes that cater to different needs, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan options.
As always, feel free to pin any of the images below to Pinterest to share with your friends, and bookmark this page to save for later!
The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Try This Year!
1) Glazed Carrots via Sara
These glazed carrots are tender carrot coins simmered in a mixture of brown sugar and butter and topped with a sprinkling of parsley. An easy and inexpensive side dish that’s perfect for a holiday meal or an everyday dinner
Image and recipe via Dinner at the Zoo
2) Fall Crunch Salad via Alexandra
A seasonal autumn apple salad filled with sweet apples, spicy greens, and maple hazelnuts, topped with a maple cinnamon vinaigrette.
Image and recipe via Occasionally Eggs
3) The Best Old Fashioned Yeast Rolls via The Feathered Nester
This old fashioned yeast roll recipe creates soft pull apart dinner rolls that everyone loves! Your holiday needs warm homemade yeast rolls!
Image and recipe via The Feathered Nester
4) Balsamic Glaze Brussels Sprouts via Mitch & Justine
Balsamic glaze Brussels sprouts are a game-changing way to enjoy this underrated side dish. With a deep caramelization from roasting and the tangy sweetness of balsamic reduction, this dish delivers a punch of flavors.
Image and recipe via Broke Bank Vegan
5) Easy Thanksgiving Acorn Squash via Maria
These Microwave Acorn Squash Halves are perfectly fork tender, sweet, buttery and the easiest way to cook a delicious fall side dish.
Image and recipe via Kitchen at Hoskins
6) Easy Brandy Cranberry Sauce via Marley
This Easy Brandy Cranberry Sauce is simple to make, boasting the perfect balance between tangy and sweet and a subtle hint of floral brandy.
Image and recipe via Marley’s Menu
7) Green Beans with Bacon via Jenny
This green beans with bacon recipe is so simple to make, and never fails to please. You start by cooking bacon with shallots, and then add the green beans, simmering it all in good broth until tender and deliciously rich.
Image and recipe via Nourished Kitchen
8) The best Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows via Flavor Mosaic
This easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is a classic holiday side dish made with sweetened mashed sweet potatoes and topped with fluffy marshmallows. It can be made with either fresh whole sweet potatoes or canned sweet potatoes, serves 8, and can be ready in about an hour.
Image and recipe via Flavor Mosaic
9) Cinnamon Brown Sugar Mashed Sweet Potatoes via Joyous Apron
Delicious Cinnamon Brown Sugar Mashed Sweet Potatoes combined soft and fluffy mashed sweet potatoes with two of our favorite Fall and holiday ingredients: cinnamon powder and brown sugar. This easy 7-ingredient sweet potato recipe makes the perfect Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish.
Image and recipe via Joyous Apron
10) Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash via The Roasted Root
Fresh Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, chopped apple, and feta cheese. Tie everything together with a citrusy maple cinnamon dressing for an amazing, colorful, nutritious salad!
Image and recipe via The Roasted Root
11) Classic Sourdough Stuffing via Baked Collective
This tasty sour dough stuffing is a fun twist on your classic dressing and is sure to be a hit in your home this year.
Image and recipe via Baked Collective
12) Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese (Stovetop) via Joy Food Sunshine
This Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is made with 8 ingredients in 15 minutes on the stovetop (no baking required)! Time to ditch the boxed mac and cheese for this irresistibly creamy, smooth & cheesy homemade recipe!
Image and recipe via Joy Food Sunshine
13) Arugula Apple Salad with Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette via Snixy Kitchen
This arugula apple salad is hearty enough to serve as a main dish or a side! Topped with a roasted shallot & garlic vinaigrette, pancetta, wild rice, and goat cheese, this arugula salad is exciting in every bite!
Image and recipe via Snixy Kitchen
14) Roasted Balsamic Mushrooms via A Cedar Spoon
Roasted Balsamic Mushrooms make the perfect holiday side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. These mushrooms are tender, savory and packed with flavor. They can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making them an extra easy side dish and a nice compliment to a celebratory spread.
Image and recipe via A Cedar Spoon
15) Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes via Recipes from a Pantry
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes are a delicious and versatile make-ahead side dish. It’s so easy to make this scalloped potatoes Instant Pot recipe, so it’s great for casual weekday dinners, holidays, and special occasions alike.
Image and recipe via Recipes from a pantry
16) Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar and Herbs via Frugal Mom Eh!
Roasted butternut squash with brown sugar and herbs is a tasty side dish for any fall menu. You will love this perfectly caramelized squash!
Image and recipe via Frugal Mom EH!
17) Yummy Garlic Mashed Potatoes via Cinnamon and Sage co.
Smooth and creamy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes are so full of buttery goodness, you won’t want to make any other kind of mashed potatoes again! Made with hearty russet potatoes, lots of butter, and so many different kinds of seasonings, Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes are loaded with flavor.
Image and recipe via Cinnamon and Sage Co.
18) Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe via The Perks of Being Us
Simple, and delicious, this old fashioned bread dressing made with celery, onions, sage, butter and bread is sure to please the entire family this Thanksgiving.
Image and recipe via The Perks of Being Us
19) Cheesy Corn Casserole via Wordly Treat
This creamed corn casserole is made with bacon and the right amount of cream for that perfect silky texture. Less than 10 minutes of prep time while the oven does the rest of the cooking for you.
Image and recipe via Wordly Treat
20) Healthy Green Bean Casserole via Sailor Bailey
This Healthy Green Bean Casserole Recipe is a great side dish you will crave. It has a wonderful crunch from the toasted panko and is bursting with creamy flavors.
Image and recipe via Sailor Bailey
21) Wild Rice for Thanksgiving via Your Home Made Healthy
It’s made with a nutty wild rice blend, broth, classic vegetables and herbs, and a final sprinkle of rich, buttery pecans. Suitable for the holidays or simple dinners during the colder seasons!
Image and recipes via Your Home Made Healthy
22) Bacon Wrapped Green Beans via Dinner at the Zoo
Your guests will be so impressed when you serve them these beautiful and delicious bacon wrapped green beans. Skip the green bean casserole this year for Thanksgiving and serve green bean bundles instead!
Image and recipe via Dinner at the Zoo
23) Best Ever Garlic Butter Fried Corn via The Honour System
Sweet corn is very popular vegetable on family dinner tables, and this recipe for Garlic Butter Fried Corn is a delicious, simple side dish to make with it. This is an easy, cheesy stovetop corn recipe you can make from fresh or frozen corn!
Image and recipe via The Honour System
24) Amazing Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes via Cinnamon and Sage Co.
With crunchy pecans and a little bit of sweet brown sugar, these Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes will be your new favorite side dish at dinner. Whether you’re making a casual weeknight dinner or planning your holiday meals, you will want these delicious potatoes on the table.
Image and recipe via Cinnamon and Sage co.
We hope you loved all of these thanksgiving side dishes that are perfect for the entire family!
Hosting thanksgiving dinner can be overwhelming, however with these tasty sides, you’re sure to please even the toughest critics!
We hope this brings joy and some tasty bites to your Thanksgiving dinner table this year.
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