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Thanksgiving is all about sharing a meal with the people you love and filling your table with dishes that bring everyone together. From all the classics like mashed potatoes and green bean casserole to sweet potatoes or stuffing, the sides are what make the holiday plate complete and memorable. Of course, the roasted turkey always takes the center, but it’s the creamy, savory, and sometimes sweet sides that have people going back for seconds and really make the holiday meal feel special.
It’s also fun to mix in something new. Simple touches like roasted garlic or roasted onions can change the flavor of a dish without much effort, and sometimes that’s all it takes to make a familiar recipe feel fresh. Toss them into mashed potatoes, layer them into stuffing, or add them to roasted veggies, these little additions help balance the flavors on your Thanksgiving plate and bring a subtle depth that everyone notices.
Planning your holiday menu doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With 50 Thanksgiving side dishes, there’s plenty of inspiration—from some recipes you love to a few surprises that might become new favorites. With a mix of tried-and-true classics and modern twists, your table will be full, flavorful, and ready to impress without hours of stress in the kitchen.
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Top traditional thanksgiving side dishes
Homemade Stuffing
This homemade stuffing is full of tender, buttery bread cubes, sautéed onions, celery, and fresh herbs. It bakes up golden and crisp on top and is the kind of side that disappears fast from the Thanksgiving plate.
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Creamy Mashed Potatoes
These creamy mashed potatoes are buttery, smooth, and perfectly fluffy every time. They make a comforting, classic side that pairs perfectly with turkey and gravy.
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Cranberry Sauce
Tangy and slightly sweet, this cranberry sauce is simmered with orange juice, zest, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s a vibrant, classic side that brightens up every Thanksgiving plate.
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Green Bean Casserole
This classic green bean casserole is creamy, flavorful, and topped with crispy fried onions for the perfect crunch. It’s a must-have side that always disappears quickly on Thanksgiving plates.
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Turkey Gravy
This turkey gravy is rich, smooth, and full of savory flavor from the drippings. It’s the perfect finishing touch to pour over turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing.
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Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole is rich, slightly spiced, and topped with gooey marshmallows and crunchy caramelized pecans. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing side that brings a touch of sweetness to your Thanksgiving plate.
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Easy Brown Gravy
Made with a rich roux, savory stock, and optional meat drippings, this brown gravy is smooth and full of flavor. It’s perfect for pouring over mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or any holiday main dish.
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Crockpot Mac and Cheese
This slow-cooker mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and perfectly tender, with a rich, comforting sauce. Easy to make ahead, it’s a crowd-pleasing side that’s ideal for your Thanksgiving feast.
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted until tender and caramelized, these Brussels sprouts are tossed with balsamic vinegar and a touch of maple syrup. They’re a flavorful, slightly sweet side that adds color and depth to any Thanksgiving plate.
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Quick Dinner Rolls Recipe
Soft, golden, and fluffy, these homemade dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up gravy or adding to a Thanksgiving plate. They have a light, buttery flavor that everyone will love.
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Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these roasted new potatoes are packed with flavor from fresh herbs and olive oil. They make a simple yet irresistible side that pairs perfectly with turkey or any holiday dish.
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Corn Casserole
Sweet, savory, and comforting, this corn casserole is a must-have for the holiday table. Its golden top and tender interior make it a perfect complement to turkey, stuffing, and all the classics.
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Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Creamy, smooth, and naturally sweet, these mashed sweet potatoes are a comforting addition to any Thanksgiving plate. Warming the butter and cream before mixing makes them extra rich and velvety.
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Baked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and irresistible, this mac and cheese is a comforting addition to your Thanksgiving feast. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a classic side that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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Au Gratin Potatoes
Layers of thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce until golden and bubbly. This indulgent side is rich, comforting, and always a hit on Thanksgiving plates.
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Homemade Biscuits
Flaky, buttery, and golden on top, these homemade biscuits are a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving plate. They’re light, tender, and delicious enough to enjoy on their own or with gravy.
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Creamed Spinach
Rich, creamy, and flavorful, this creamed spinach is a classic side that pairs perfectly with roasted turkey and all the holiday favorites. It’s silky, comforting, and a simple way to get some green on the Thanksgiving plate.
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Roasted Acorn Squash
Baked until tender and lightly caramelized, this acorn squash is brushed with butter and drizzled with maple syrup. It’s a sweet, cozy side that adds warmth and color to any Thanksgiving plate.
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Candied Yams
Soft, buttery, and sweet with just the right hint of spice, these candied yams are a classic treat for the holiday menu. They add a warm, comforting touch to any Thanksgiving plate.
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Jalapeño Cornbread
Packed with melty cheddar and a gentle kick from jalapeños, this cornbread adds a cozy, flavorful touch to your holiday plate. It’s a fun, slightly spicy twist on a classic side everyone will love.
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Buttered Corn
This sweet corn is pan-fried in butter until golden and tender, with a touch of salt and pepper for perfect flavor. Warm, simple, and comforting, it’s a classic side that complements any Thanksgiving feast.
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Creamed Corn
Sweet, creamy, and rich, this creamed corn is a classic comfort side for any holiday plate. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for pairing with roasted turkey and all the favorites.
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Thanksgiving side salads
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
This roasted beet salad combines tender beets, mixed greens, crumbled cheese, walnuts, and dried cranberries with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Colorful, flavorful, and festive, it’s a perfect side to brighten your Thanksgiving table."
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Simple Carrot Raisin Salad
This shredded carrot and raisin salad is sweet, tangy, and lightly dressed for a refreshing crunch. Perfect as a make-ahead side, it adds a colorful, flavorful touch to your Thanksgiving spread.
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Kale Salad
This lemon-garlic massaged kale salad is tender, zesty, and packed with fresh flavor. Topped with pomegranate seeds, almonds, and roasted cauliflower, it adds a vibrant, healthy touch to your Thanksgiving table.
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Beet and Carrot Salad
This colorful raw root vegetable salad combines beets, carrots, and radishes with a simple vinaigrette for a fresh, crisp bite. Vibrant and healthy, it’s a perfect make-ahead side to add color and crunch to your Thanksgiving table.
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Broccoli Apple Salad
This crunchy broccoli apple salad combines crisp broccoli, sweet apples, red bell pepper, and pine nuts tossed in a zesty honey-mustard dressing. Refreshing, colorful, and make-ahead friendly, it’s a bright addition to your Thanksgiving table.
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More thanksgiving side dishes to try
Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
A beautifully roasted butternut squash filled with an aromatic blend of rice, mushrooms, chestnuts, herbs, and cranberries, this dish balances savory depth with festive sweetness. It’s a show-stopping addition that brings warmth, color, and seasonal flair to any holiday spread.
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Honey Roasted Carrots
Sweet and tender, these honey roasted carrots are lightly caramelized and full of flavor. They’re an easy, colorful side that adds a touch of natural sweetness to any Thanksgiving plate.
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Crispy Smashed Potatoes
Soft and buttery on the inside with crispy, golden edges, these smashed roasted potatoes are full of fresh herb flavor. They’re a fun, comforting side that’s sure to be a hit on any Thanksgiving plate.
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Oven-Roasted Green Beans
Fresh green beans are roasted to tender-crisp perfection, keeping their natural flavor and crunch. They make a simple, healthy side that brightens up any Thanksgiving plate.
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10-Minute Brown Vegan Gravy
This smooth, savory vegan gravy thickens perfectly on the stovetop and is full of rich, comforting flavor. Ideal for drizzling over mashed potatoes or any Thanksgiving dish for a plant-based twist.
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Roasted New Red Potatoes
These garlic roasted red-skin potatoes are golden, crisp on the outside, and tender inside, bursting with savory flavor. Perfectly easy to make, they’re a comforting and crowd-pleasing side for your Thanksgiving table.
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Roasted Parsnips
Tender and slightly sweet, these roasted parsnips are seasoned with herbs and spices for extra flavor. They make a simple, earthy side that pairs beautifully with any Thanksgiving main.
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Simple Roasted Onions
Tender, caramelized, and full of natural sweetness, these roasted onions add depth and flavor to any holiday plate. They’re an easy, elegant side that pairs beautifully with roasted turkey and all the classics.
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Roasted Cauliflower
Golden and tender, these roasted cauliflower florets are seasoned with garlic, paprika, and a hint of lemon. They make a simple, flavorful side that complements any Thanksgiving plate.
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Butternut Squash Soup
Velvety and aromatic, this roasted butternut squash soup blends sweet squash with mellow roasted garlic and ginger. It’s a cozy, elegant starter that brings deep autumn flavor to the Thanksgiving table.
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Garlic Sautéed Spinach
Quick, bright, and flavorful, this sautéed spinach adds a fresh green touch to your holiday plate. A hint of garlic and a squeeze of lemon keep it simple, light, and delicious alongside all the classics.
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Sautéed Swiss Chard
Tender, slightly earthy, and lightly seasoned, this sautéed Swiss chard adds a vibrant green to your holiday plate. A splash of lemon brightens the flavors, making it a simple and healthy complement to all the classics.
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Sautéed Mushrooms
Earthy, buttery, and packed with flavor, sautéed mushrooms make a luxurious and savory addition to any Thanksgiving spread. Perfectly caramelized with garlic and herbs, they pair beautifully with roasted meats, mashed potatoes, or even tucked into stuffing, adding depth and umami to every bite.
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Sauteed Green Beans
These sautéed garlic green beans are tender-crisp with a bright, fresh flavor and a hint of blistered garlic. Quick and easy, they make a perfect, vibrant side for your Thanksgiving feast.
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Roasted Garlic
Soft, golden, and mellow, roasted garlic adds rich flavor to any holiday plate. Spread it on bread, stir into mashed potatoes, or mix it into roasted vegetables for an extra layer of savory goodness.
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Perfect Baked Potato
Baked until soft on the inside with a perfectly crisp skin, these potatoes are simple yet satisfying. Top them with butter, sour cream, or your favorite toppings for a classic Thanksgiving side.
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Cheesy Potatoes
These creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes are baked to golden perfection with a crunchy topping for extra flavor. Easy to make, they’re a comforting Thanksgiving side everyone will love.
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Mashed Purple Potato
Vibrant and creamy, these mashed purple potatoes add a beautiful pop of color to your holiday plate. Rich with butter and optionally a touch of cream, they’re a flavorful twist on a classic side everyone will love.
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Southern Fried Apples
Sweet, tender, and lightly spiced, these fried apples bring a warm, comforting touch to your Thanksgiving meal. They pair beautifully with turkey, stuffing, or even a scoop of creamy mashed potatoes
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Easy 5 Minute Candied Pecans
These quick & easy candied pecans are sweet, savory, lightly spiced, and ready with just 5 ingredients in 5 minutes on the stove. A delicious gluten-free, vegan holiday snack and addition to salads, main dishes, and desserts!
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Roasted Chestnuts
Sweet, tender, and slightly nutty, roasted chestnuts are a classic holiday side. Perfectly caramelized on the outside and soft inside, they add warmth and festive flavor to any Thanksgiving table—enjoy them on their own, tossed into stuffing, or sprinkled over roasted vegetables.
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Roasted Garlic Bread
Golden, soft, and packed with rich roasted garlic flavor, this bread is perfect for spreading on your Thanksgiving plate. It’s cozy, comforting, and makes every bite of your holiday meal just a little more special.
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No-Knead Focaccia Bread
Soft, golden, and fragrant with rosemary, this turmeric focaccia is a perfect Thanksgiving side. Its airy texture and subtle warm spice make it ideal for mopping up gravy or enjoying alongside roasted vegetables.
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If you make any of these Thanksgiving side dishes, let me know what you think! And leave a rating so everyone can see how it went. ❤️
50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Easy-to-Make Mashed Potatoes
Rich, buttery, and make-ahead friendly, this dish is one of the ultimate Thanksgiving sides.
Equipment
- Potato ricer -OR-
Ingredients
- 5 large potatoes russet, Yukon gold, or Maris Piper in UK
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted; dairy or dairy-free
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (double cream) OR dairy-free canned coconut milk; for a lighter version, use milk
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes and leave them whole or cut into chunks.
- Place them in a pot, cover with cold salted water, bring to a boil, then simmer until fork-tender.
- Drain well and let cool slightly, then peel if desired.
- Mash the potatoes using a masher, ricer, or fork until smooth or as chunky as you like.
- Slowly mix in the butter, then the cream, stirring between each addition.
- Taste and adjust the salt to your liking.
- Finish with melted butter or olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 365kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 938mg, Potassium: 781mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 832IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
