Thanksgiving is such a special time of year. Its the time of year to give thanks and gratitude towards your friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers that may have helped you get to where you are. Its the time of year for appreciation and generosity. And of course, its the time of year to share in celebration with a feast meant to bring everyone closer together. Good food has the ability to warm tummies and put smiles on everyone. These 30 delicious recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes will hopefully give you some ideas and inspiration to take to your table this Holiday season.
30 Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas
Side dishes are practically the best part of the meal, and the more the merrier am I right? Whether you are in need for something new to do with potatoes, create an oldie but favorite dish, or just looking for some unique recipes that the whole family will jump for joy with, with have you covered.
1. Grandmas Green Beans
Good ole Grandma and her famous cheesy green beans! The Holidays are not the same without this awesome meal of creamy beans, cheese and toasted onions for that delicious crunch! From AllRecipes. Seriously, I’m pretty sure they got that recipe from my Grandma! 😉
2. Crispy Potato Roast
Mashed potatoes are so boring sometimes right? Ok maybe not for my 4 year old, ha! But the rest of us could use some elegance and amazing flavor this Thanksgiving! Check out this beautiful and tasty recipe from Joyously Domestic. Not as difficult as it looks but truly impressive none the less!
3. Glazed Baby Carrots
My sister used to make me glazed carrots when I was little. It was something we actually kinda knew how to cook and was fun for us to make. It brings back lots of fond memories!
We would sometimes use honey or even maple syrup to glaze these gorgeous veggies as well. Its one of the easiest thanksgiving side dishes vegetables and all! Check out the simple recipe from Mom.Com
4. Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad
This is my everyday go to salad but makes the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. Not only is an easy choice to toss together quickly, but its super yummy! Grab this awesome recipe from Creme De La Crumb
5. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving are a staple, but loaded mashed potatoes?? Uhm yes please! These are so good everyone in your family will eat these up! The best part is that they go amazing with leftover Turkey breast! Get the recipe from Chef in Training.
6. Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing (Seriously Amazing!)
Looking for something with a bit more flavor than your ordinary stuffing recipe? Check out this delicious Thanksgiving side dish sure to please even the pickiest eater! Get the recipe form All Recipes
7. Roasted Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan
Asparagus is such a great and often overlooked vegetable too often. It makes for an awesome thanksgiving side dishes, vegetables break up all all those carbs and sugars and help digest the rest of that heavy meal as well. Recipe at Bobbi’s Cozi Kitchen
8. Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
These are most definitely the cutest dinner roles I have ever seen, and no doubt they are just as tasty as they look. The recipe is an amazing homemade pumpkin flavored dinner roll that will truly delight any Thanksgiving guest. Beyond Kimchee
9. Twice Baked Cauliflower
Is someone in your family on the keto diet or perhaps just a picky veggie eater? Then this super cheesy cauliflower side dish is for them! Cauliflower can be substituted as potatoes easily and most people don’t even realize it! I love sneaking healthy foods into my kids diet, and if they love it, then even better! All Free Casserole Recipes
10. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Mini Marshmallows
Sweet potatoes and mini marshmellows on Thanksgiving day remind me so much of my grandma. She would make giant ones and stuff so many marshmellows on top you could barely see the vegetable! I knew she did it for the kids because we would all stand by the oven watching as the marshmellows grew big and fluffy.
These mini stuffed sweet potatoes are more of an adult take on the regular with some additional delightful flavors. Still just as delicious as I can remember. Get the full recipe from the FoodNetwork
11. Cornbread Dressing with Herbs
Stuffing is one of my guilty pleasures on Thanksgiving. While yes, they all probably are, the carb goodness of stuffing is such a comfort food! I love making a few different types of stuffing during the seasons.
This cornbread dressing is amazingly simple and super delicious. I love the textures cornbread offers and a bit more of that sweetness. Get this recipe from The Galley Gourmet
12. Sweet Corn Spoon-bread
If you are looking for something sweet, crunchy, and mouth watering, then look no further than this southern corn bread dish! It is amazing!! I drizzle a little bit of honey on it, and its like a sweet treat for the mouth. Get this recipe from Southern Bite
13. Roasted Potatoes with Cajun Spice
A fun twist on the classic potatoes are these cajun sliced taters! The spicy smokey flavors will compliment your bird well if you choose to BBQ or Smoke your turkey this year. A nice southern bit of added flare makes this an extra tasty dish. Recipe from Eatwell101
14. The Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Looking for the perfect fluffy mashed potatoes this Holiday season?? Look no further than this recipe from Fav Family Recipe.com These are the ultimate in fluffy warm mashed potatoes that will fit right in with any Thanksgiving side dish meal.
15. Skillet Pumpkin Cornbread
Skillet dishes are amazing. The crispy, crunchy outer sides with a warm moist inner is one of my favorite things when it comes to skillet baking. This to die for pumpkin corn bread recipe is no exception. And with some cinnamon honey butter to top it off you will have an epic winner on your hands! Find the recipe from Host The Toast!
16. Braised Red Cabbage with Apples and Beer
Flavorful and colorful cabbage dishes are quite the attention grabbers on the table. This is delightfully flavorful and a more healthy option which is perfect for a lighter fare on this day. The balsamic vinegar, fresh veggies, and braising liquid make this dish extra flavorful and a great compliment to the Thanksgiving side dish table. What Would Cathy Eat
17. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Herbs
Another dish that is on the healthier side or perfect for those vegetarians out there is this delicious quinoa squash plate. The fresh herbs and veggies compliment this dish well and makes a hearty feast or a dish to share. A Couple Cooks
18. Pear Squash Puree with Pecans and Rosemary
If you are looking for something elegant tasting and deliciously unique, then you must try this Pear Squash Purée. It is super simple to make, great flavor combinations and refreshingly raw! Get the recipe from Rawmazing
19. Spiced Cranberry Sauce
No thanksgiving is truly complete without the cranberry sauce. While my kids still scream for that sugary canned cranberry, I much prefer something homemade with substance! This spiced cranberry sauce is so good you could literally eat it by itself! From Serious Eats.
20. Farro and Honey Spiced Salad with Sweet Potatoes & Apples
I love a good farro salad. My sister makes an amazing one for the summertime. This harvest blend with fresh veggies, farro and a touch of sweetness is a deliciously creative dish. Check out the recipe from A Farm Girls Dabbles
21. Stove Top Mac N Cheese
Mac and cheese is a total comfort food for our family but not until recently did it start showing up at the Thanksgiving dinner table. I can’t understand why for the life of me!!! I love a hearty cheesy mac and cheese dish anytime! Try this cheesy gooey recipe from Give Me Some Oven
22. Skillet Creamed Corn
Remember what I said about skillet dishes? Yes, even creamed corn is better served from a skillet!! This Thanksgiving side dish is amazing creamy and totally yummy! From The Simple Parent
23. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are always a favorite on the Holidays. These recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes are something that have been passed down from generation to generation and make such delicious memories for all. Recipe from Some the Wiser
24. Butternut Squash Risotto
This risotto dish is a fall favorite with my family. I must have made it like 3 times in the past 2 weeks alone! Its a tummy filling dish with a delicious twist. Perfect for the kids as is, and with a few extra flavors, it becomes a foodies dream! Recipe comes from Love and Olive Oil
25. Pan Seared Brussels Sprouts
The crispy crunch of Brussels sprouts is something I often crave! This super simple side dish is perfect for sharing at the Thanksgiving table and incorporates all the goodness and wholesomeness of the season into this one bowl! Grab the recipe form Rachael Schutz
26. Pull Apart Garlic Bread
Thanksgiving without bread is like turkey without the wishbone! These pull apart garlic bread rolls are not only easy to make but super pretty laid out on the table for guests to gobble up! Get the delicious recipe from Gather for Bread.
27. Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Are you obsessed with your crock pot as much as I am? If so, these slow cooker scalloped potatoes will be your BFF!! So easy to make and so amazingly creamy and cheesy with little effort.
This is the perfect recipe if you are going to families house or a friends and need to bring your hot dish with you. No need to borrow their oven with this meal. Check out our list of more healthy crock pot recipes for additional ideas. Recipe from Damn Delicious.
28. Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
These are my kids favorites so I had to add them in here! Since these are made with veggies and baked instead of fried they are are win -win in my book and I make them every chance I get. They are the perfect finger food for all to munch on! Recipe from Lilluna
29. Sweet Potato with Cinnamon Maple Butter Sauce
I can’t get enough sweet potatoes sometimes!!! They are sooo good! I love this dish as it so homey, but it is also so amazingly fabulous with the homemade maple butter sauce. Get this yummy recipe from Butter with a side of bread
30. Small Batch Dinner Rolls
If you are not planning on feeding an army this Thanksgiving, check out these small batch dinner rolls. These are pure love and the perfect accompaniment to Thanksgiving dinner or just your next family meal. Get the recipe form Crazy For Crust.