15+ Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Never Fail
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.
Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
After Thanksgiving dinner, the question always hits: what do we do with all these leftovers? Between turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pies, it can feel overwhelming to figure out how to use everything before it goes bad. Especially during times when every bit counts, the last thing we want is to waste food.
That’s where these Thanksgiving leftover recipes come in. From creative sandwiches and hearty soups to casseroles and dinner ideas, these recipes transform your holiday extras into delicious new meals. Not only do they save you time and money, but they also give your leftovers a second life that the whole family will enjoy.
Whether you’re craving something savory or sweet, these recipes make it easy to enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving all week long, without letting anything go to waste.
Turkey Cranberry Sliders
These Thanksgiving leftovers are a must-try. Simple turkey and cranberry sliders are an easy way to repurpose leftover Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce into a tasty new meal.
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
If sides are your favorite part of Thanksgiving, you’re going to love this Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls recipe! These tasty little morsels encapsulate all your favorite parts of the big meal—leftover turkey, tangy cranberries, and a fresh batch of savory whole wheat dressing all wrapped up in bite-sized balls.
Creamy Turkey Barley Soup
Turkey Barley Soup is a go-to when there’s leftover turkey or someone has a cold and needs a comforting bowl of soup. The creamy base, slightly chewy barley, and delicious mix of flavors from the veggies and herbs make this recipe a must-try.
Easy Turkey Pot Pie
This Easy Turkey Pot Pie is the best way to use leftover turkey. It’s a comforting and super tasty meal tucked in a golden, flaky, crispy crust.
Turkey Bolognese
Here’s a fantastic way to use up leftover turkey, especially after the holidays. This dish easily transforms your leftovers into a delightful new dish that everyone will gobble up.
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Aioli
These festive Turkey Sliders topped with Cranberry Aioli are the perfect way to repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers. Made with sweet Hawaiian rolls, tender turkey, your favorite cheese, and a delicious cranberry sauce, these turkey sliders are perfect for a quick meal or snack after a busy day of holiday cheer!
Easy Leftover Turkey Soup
This turkey and white bean soup is light, brothy, and filled with fresh vegetables. It’s perfect for a post-holiday meal or a simple, satisfying lunch to enjoy throughout the week.
Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
This delicious turkey pot pie with puff pastry is a great way to use Thanksgiving leftovers. It has all the flavors of a classic pot pie with plenty of vegetables, tender bite-sized pieces of turkey, and a creamy sauce. The crispy, flaky puff pastry crust is the perfect finishing touch for this cozy dinner.
Stuffing Waffles
Whether using a box of stuffing or leftover dressing, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect served with leftover cranberry sauce, a creamy white gravy, or simple maple syrup. This recipe is a creative way to reuse your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Leftover Turkey Stew with Mashed Potato Dumplings
This succulent, creamy turkey stew features dumplings made with leftover mashed potatoes as a Thanksgiving leftovers recipe to use up every last morsel of food you slaved over.
Thanksgiving leftovers don’t have to go to waste. With a little creativity, you can turn your holiday extras into tasty meals that keep the festive spirit alive all week long. These leftover recipes are perfect for saving time, stretching your food budget, and making sure every bite of your Thanksgiving feast is enjoyed.
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“’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).
