30 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Updated Dec 04, 2024, Published Nov 20, 2023
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Turkey takes center stage on Thanksgiving, but the show’s star also needs a fabulous supporting cast! These are my 30 best Thanksgiving side dishes!
This collection of side dishes ranges from traditional comforting classics like decadent Sweet Potato Souffle to easy modern elegance in my showstopping Roasted Beet Salad that will undoubtedly impress your guests!
Before the main event, greet your guests with deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, or Crab-Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms that will surely get rave reviews. Top off your fabulous feast with No-Bake Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes or an incredibly easy Apple Pie!
Salads
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts Goat Cheese and Honey Balsamic Dressing
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts, Goat Cheese and Honey Balsamic Dressing is a classic, elegant salad perfect for any occasion!
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This versatile Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad features an array of vibrant flavors and textures! Crunchy sprouts, caramel-like Medjool dates, and Pecorino Romano cheese unite harmoniously with a tangy lemon dressing for a salad that’s got it all.
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Soups
Pumpkin Soup with Marsala and Mascarpone
Pumpkin Soup with Marsala and Mascarpone with a lovely toasty, buttery almond topping is the perfect elegant starter to all your holiday meals!
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Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut Squash Soup with thyme and brie-like Taleggio cheese is elegant, rich, and creamy—perfect for any occasion this fall and winter! It’s ideal for cozy nights in or as a starter for holiday gatherings, bringing comfort and sophistication to any table.
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Potatoes and Potato Alternatives
Sweet Potato Souffle
This Sweet Potato Souffle, topped with a crunchy pecan and brown sugar streusel is lush and luxurious yet so easy! It's the perfect addition to your holiday table! Best of all, it can be made two days ahead of time!
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Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes (Mashed Potato Casserole)
Sometimes referred to as a Mashed Potato Casserole, these Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes are smooth, creamy, slightly cheesy, garlicky, a little bit tangy and a whole lot delicious! Best of all, they can be made two to three days ahead of time!
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Baby Hasselback Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon
Baby Hasselback Potato Bake with Cheddar and Bacon is super simple, great to take to a party because it can be made ahead of time and guaranteed to be a hit!
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Green Chile Potatoes au Gratin
The rich, cheesy goodness pairs beautifully with the warmth of the chiles in this Green Chile Potatoes au Gratin, a delicious, unfussy spin on traditional au gratin potatoes. This savory dish adds Southwestern flair to your table and is perfect for roasted meats, poultry, or grilled dishes.
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Garlic Herb Muffin Pan Potato Galette Recipe
Garlic Herb Muffin Pan Potato Galettes are an easy, elegant side dish that's perfect all year round! Buttery, garlicky and herb-infused stacks of thinly sliced potatoes slices turn out golden, crispy and delicious!
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Creamy Mashed Turnips
This creamy, dreamy mashed turnip recipe will have you thinking about turnips in a new way. Infused with rosemary and garlic, this humble root vegetable is elevated to elegant new heights!
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Parmesan Crusted Crushed Turnip Recipe
Parmesan Crusted Crushed Turnips are a delicious, low-carb alternative to crushed potatoes!
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Cauliflower White Bean Puree
Cauliflower White Bean Puree is the perfect stand-in for decadent mashed potatoes! Cream cheese makes it creamy while white beans add that touch of thickening and body you crave in a mashed potato substitute while keeping it low-carb!
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Celery Root Puree (Celeriac)
Celery Root Puree is creamy, dreamy, and an elegant lower-carb alternative to mashed potatoes! It's the perfect choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. With its velvety texture and subtly sweet, nutty flavor, celery root puree is sure to impress.
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Vegetables
Roasted Onions (Muffin Pan Method)
Roasted Onions done in a muffin pan have lightly charred, crispy edges and a sublime buttery soft sweetness! Clarified butter and beef base concentrate give this easy intensely flavored side dish all the vibes of French Onion Soup!
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Bourbon-Glazed Carrots with Honey
This easy elegant recipe for Bourbon-Glazed Carrots with Honey is perfect for any holiday celebration. The carrots cook in the buttery glaze as it reduces for a side dish that's nearly hands-off so you can wrap up your holiday meal with ease!
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Hot Honey Roasted Carrots
Hot Honey Roasted Carrots is a side dish that checks all the boxes: Effortless, elegant, and irresistible! Tender carrots are coated in a buttery glaze of sweet honey and a hint of spice and then roasted to perfection. It's as easy to prepare as it is stunning to serve!
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Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
If you love the creamed spinach the great American steakhouses serve, you're going to love this recipe! Made with fresh spinach, it's easy to make and can be enjoyed right out of the skillet or made ahead of time and baked later!
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Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Here's a green bean casserole everyone at your holiday celebration will love! This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is easy to make with no canned processed soups or mushrooms!
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Sriracha Sweet Chili Brussels Sprouts
Add some spark to your table with these flavor-packed Brussels sprouts! Sriracha Sweet Chili Brussels Sprouts are a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet and a whole lot wonderful!
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Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Parmesan-Crusted Brussels Sprouts are not just roasted here, but crusted—crusted with Parmesan cheese! Roasted to perfection, each bite combines the crispiness of Parmesan with tender Brussels sprouts, elevated by a touch of zesty lemon. Brussels sprouts don't get any better than this!
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Brussels Sprouts Gratin
This cheesy Brussels Sprouts Gratin is the perfect elegant side dish that pairs well with almost anything! Tender Brussels sprouts are blanketed in a velvety cheesy cream sauce and then finished with a crispy, buttery breadcrumb topping. This luxurious casserole can even be made ahead of time!
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Cream Cheese Corn Casserole
This easy, decadent cheesy corn casserole is soon to become your family's new favorite side dish! Cream Cheese Corn Casserole with Green Chiles is delicious served up right out of the skillet or made ahead and baked up hot and bubbling later.
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Easy Braised Southern Greens Recipe
Eating your leafy greens has never been more delicious–or easy! Bacon adds an extra punch of flavor to the turnip and mustard greens in Easy Braised Southern Greens that is both healthy and comforting!
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Summer Squash Casserole
This updated twist on the classic Southern-style favorite has the kick of fresh green chiles! Southwestern-inspired Summer Squash Casserole can be made ahead of time, leftovers reheat beautifully and it's freezer-friendly!
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Beans, Grains and Rice
Wild Rice Pilaf
This Wild Rice Pilaf, with earthy flavors and vibrant textures, is as wholesome as it is elegant. This timeless dish is perfect for a dinner party, a holiday gathering, or whenever you crave something comforting and nutritious. Easy to prepare and customize, it’s a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with various mains or vegetarian delight.
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Brussels Sprouts Wild Rice Casserole
Bring a touch of elegance to your fall and winter holiday table with this luxurious side dish or vegetarian main! Brussels Sprouts Casserole with wild rice, cheese and a crunchy almond topping can be made in advance and may even win over a Brussels sprout skeptic!
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Best Canned Baked Beans Recipe
With just a few ingredients you may already have on hand, you can turn ordinary canned baked beans into extraordinary! This Canned Baked Beans recipe is an easy and delicious way to make canned beans taste like you made them from scratch
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Barley Pilaf with Roasted Cauliflower
This barley pilaf recipe is the perfect elegant side or vegetarian main dish. It’s easy to make and goes with almost anything. Tender roasted cauliflower and delightfully chewy barley are tossed in a medley of sauteed aromatics and fresh herbs.
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Quinoa with Butternut Squash Almonds and Parmesan Cheese
Quinoa with Butternut Squash, Almonds and Parmesan Cheese rocks with flavor and makes the perfect autumn side dish or vegetarian main dish.
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Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this easy holiday side dish recipe is the perfect way to elevate store-bought stuffing cubes! Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks is sure to become a family holiday favorite!
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Thank you, very helpful!
Thanks, Cherry! Appreciate it!
Looking forward to trying some these wonderful recipes not only on holidays but throughout the year. Question: can frozen but thawed and drained Brussels sprouts be used rather than fresh?
Thanks so much!
Hi, Jane, Thanks so very much and I’m so happy you’re here!! I always have frozen Brussels sprouts in my freezer so I’m pretty familiar with how they’d work or not work. They would not work well in any of the roasted Brussels sprouts recipes. However, in the Brussels sprouts gratin or the casserole with wild rice, yes, I think they’d be fine. In fact, I think I’ll add that to both of those posts. Thanks again! Great question!