Thanksgiving Side Dishes – because the classics are always the best, especially on Thanksgiving.
Let’s be honest, Thanksgiving isn’t the time to get too creative in the kitchen. Sure, it’s fun to try new recipes throughout the year, but when it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes, everyone has their favorites. People crave that familiar, nostalgic goodness they’ve grown up with, the ones that make the whole house smell like fall and comfort.
There’s just something magical about sticking with the classic Thanksgiving side dishes. They’re the recipes you know will turn out right, the ones that get requested every single year, and the ones that somehow taste even better the next day. They bring people together, and honestly, they’re the true stars of Thanksgiving dinner.
Whether you’re hosting for the first time or bringing a dish to Friendsgiving, this roundup has all the Thanksgiving side dishes that never fail warm, buttery, and made to be devoured in minutes.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
These classic Thanksgiving side dishes are the tried-and-true favorites everyone looks forward to and requests year after year. From creamy mashed potatoes to sweet potato casserole and collard greens, these timeless recipes are cozy, comforting, and absolutely essential for your thanksgiving table.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
This Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipes is creamy, buttery and made special with a mellow roasted garlic flavor. This recipe makes for the best mashed potatoes for your next holiday dinner!
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
This slow cooker sweet potato casserole has flavorful creamy sweet potatoes topped with candied nuts and gooey marshmallows. Free up your oven for the turkey and rolls with this side dish everyone will love.
Cornbread Dressing
This Southern-inspired Cornbread Dressing is made with homemade sweet cornbread, mild Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables, and fresh herbs. Buttery, savory, and perfectly moist, it’s a must-have Thanksgiving side dish and a unanimous family-favorite.
Honey Butter Cornbread
The ultimate Thanksgiving Side Dish! Super moist, simple and fluffy buttermilk cornbread made from scratch.
Southern-Style Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
A thanksgiving side dish favorite! this southern-style collard greens is just incredible. This recipe does not contain pork, but you could swap the smoked turkey for ham-hocks if you prefer. This collard greens recipe will unanimously be a family-favorite year after year.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
What is thanksgiving without Mac & Cheese? This Creamy southern baked mac and cheese with a secret ingredient is so good! It’s the ultimate comfort food for Sunday dinner or as a Thanksgiving side dish!
Mashed Potato Gratin with Caramelized Onions
Mashed Potato Gratin — the ultimate thanksgiving side dish! Creamy mashed potatoes topped with jammy caramelized onions and thinly sliced scalloped potatoes under a blanket of grated cheese. This recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone.
Southern Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This Southern Green Bean Casserole recipe with fresh green beans and cheese is the perfect Thanksgiving casserole recipe and side dish. It uses cream of mushroom soup and bacon (if you wish)!
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans and Marshmallows
Creamy sweet potatoes and warm spices with gooey marshmallows and a crunchy pecan crumble topping! This Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans and Marshmallows may be the best lightened up side dish ever! Perfect to serve up at Thanksgiving or anytime really and easy to make gluten-free and vegan too!
Sautéed Green Beans
Sautéed Green Beans are the perfect vegetable side for Thanksgiving and just about everything- and making them couldn’t be easier. Forget those overcooked, limp beans of the past; these come together in just minutes on the stovetop and taste fresh and vibrant every time.
Glazed Carrots
This easy Glazed Carrots recipe is so good as a thanksgiving side dish. Made with just 3 ingredients and in one pan it’s quick, easy & delicious.
Ultimate Dinner Rolls
This easy recipe for homemade Ultimate Dinner Rolls yields golden-brown, soft, and fluffy rolls every time! It includes plenty of baking tips, a video guide on shaping the rolls, and make-ahead instructions—making it an ideal Thanksgiving side dishes and one less thing to stress about on the big day.
Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
These Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are beautifully caramelized to a golden perfection, perfectly tender yet slightly crisp, and coated in a delicious honey balsamic glaze. They’re so flavorful, they’ll easily become one of your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes!
Deviled Eggs
This simple and tasty Deviled Eggs recipe is a timeless favorite, featuring basic ingredients like pickle relish, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. It’s sure to become one of your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes that guests will love nibbling on before the main meal.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Slow Cooker + Stovetop)
This simple 5-ingredient homemade cranberry sauce recipe that can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker! It’s a great make ahead recipe to reheat the day of. It doesn’t get easier than this on thanksgiving day!
Gluten-Free Wild Rice Stuffing
This Gluten-free Wild Rice Stuffing is easy and absolutely delicious! Buttery and loaded with flavor, this wild rice stuffing is destined to become a thanksgiving favorite.
Southern Candied Yams
Southern Candied Yams are pure comfort on a plate. Picture this: soft, sweet yams coated in a rich buttery glaze, with the warm aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through your kitchen. Trust me, this dish isn’t just a side—it steals the spotlight
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
At the end of the day, Thanksgiving side dishes are about comfort, tradition, and bringing people together. The classics are classics for a reason — they remind us of family, memories, and home. So don’t stress about reinventing the menu this year. Stick with these classic Thanksgiving side dishes that never fail, and you’ll have a table full of happy eaters..
Because when it comes to Thanksgiving… people love what they love, and that’s what makes it so special.
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
