The Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Over 50 Irresistible Recipes for Your Holiday Feast

Goodness gracious, Thanksgiving is genuinely just around the corner – a mere ten days away! But don’t let that thought bring on any stress. Instead, let it ignite the excitement for planning a truly spectacular holiday meal.

For many, including myself, the true stars of the Thanksgiving feast have never been the turkey or the ham. While the main course certainly has its place, it’s the incredible array of Thanksgiving side dishes that truly steals the show. These culinary companions are more than just accompaniments; they are the vibrant tapestry of flavors, textures, and cherished family traditions that make the Thanksgiving table uniquely unforgettable. From the creamy indulgence of sweet potato casserole to the crisp freshness of perfectly roasted vegetables prepared in countless delightful ways, and the comforting aroma of my family’s beloved Italian stuffing, my plate is always generously piled high with deliciousness. Of course, no disrespect to the centerpiece protein; I usually manage to find a small, appreciative spot for a piece of turkey, purely for the sake of holiday tradition and all.

With most of us already deep in Thanksgiving menu planning mode, I wanted to bring forward a curated collection of exceptional Thanksgiving side dish recipes. This includes tried-and-true favorites I’ve cooked up for my family over the years, alongside plenty of fantastic inspirations from culinary friends across the web. Whether you are searching for traditional, time-honored dishes that evoke nostalgic memories, or if you’re eager to get a little adventurous and introduce new flavors this year, there is truly something for everyone in this comprehensive guide. Prepare to embark on a delicious journey that promises to elevate your Thanksgiving celebration, ensuring every bite is memorable. Happy menu planning, and even happier cooking!

Cranberry Sauces and Relishes

No Thanksgiving table is truly complete without the vibrant, tart, and often sweet counterpoint of cranberry sauce or relish. This iconic condiment cuts through the richness of the main course and other sides, offering a refreshing burst of flavor that awakens the palate. Cranberries bring a distinctive brightness to your holiday spread, whether cooked down with sugar and citrus for a traditional, jam-like consistency or combined with various fruits, spices, and even a hint of liquor for a sophisticated, adult-friendly twist. The beauty of homemade cranberry preparations lies in their incredible versatility and the ability to customize them precisely to your family’s taste, moving far beyond the canned varieties. These recipes offer a spectrum of styles, from simple and classic to boldly flavored with unexpected ingredients like jalapeños or unique spices. Explore these delightful options to find the perfect tangy accompaniment that will add a beautiful splash of color and an unforgettable zing to your Thanksgiving feast, perfectly balancing the savory and sweet elements of your meal.

Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce (shown above)
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Simple and Amazing Cranberry Sauce
Apple Cranberry Tangerine Sauce
Boozy Cranberry Sauce with Port Wine and Cloves
Tequila and Lime Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce
Maple Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Pear Ginger Relish
Pomegranate Apple Cranberry Relish
Cranberry Orange Walnut Relish

Vegetables

Vegetables are often the unsung heroes of the Thanksgiving meal, providing essential freshness, texture, and a beautiful spectrum of colors and flavors that perfectly complement the richer, heavier dishes. Far from being an afterthought, thoughtfully prepared vegetable sides can be incredibly delicious, showcasing the bounty of the autumn harvest. The possibilities are endless, from hearty root vegetables roasted to caramelized perfection to crisp green beans transformed into decadent casseroles or elegant, light salads. These dishes offer a crucial chance to balance the meal’s richness with vibrant greens, earthy tones, and subtle sweetness. Whether you opt for a beloved, comforting green bean casserole recipe, a simple yet elegant medley of roasted seasonal vegetables, or a refreshing autumn salad, integrating a variety of vegetable preparations ensures a well-rounded, nutritionally balanced, and visually appealing holiday spread. Discover innovative and delicious ways to make your vegetable dishes shine brightly this Thanksgiving, offering something appealing for every palate at your festive table.

Roasted Green Beans with Shallots and Almonds (shown above)
Panko Crusted Green Bean Casserole
Southern Living Creamy and Crunchy Green Bean Casserole (a personal favorite I’ve made many times!)
Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Caramelized Onion Breadcrumbs
Autumn Salad with Pears and Gorgonzola
Broccoli Apple Salad
Onion Gratin with Rosemary and Thyme
Herb Roasted Onions
Maple Glazed Roasted Carrots
Cinnamon and Palm Sugar Roasted Delicata Squash
Cheesy Skillet Scalloped Corn
Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Cranberries and Pecans
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar

Stuffing

Stuffing, or dressing as it’s often called, holds a truly sacred place at the Thanksgiving table for countless families, consistently evoking a deep sense of tradition, comfort, and nostalgia. It’s much more than just a simple bread mixture; it’s a wonderfully flavorful medley of herbs, aromatic spices, savory broths, and sometimes incorporates delicious additions like sausage, fruit, or vegetables, all baked to a glorious golden-brown perfection. Whether you prefer a classic, moist, bread-based stuffing that’s been passed down through generations, or a heartier, more eclectic mix featuring grains or unique flavor combinations, its aromatic presence and comforting texture are undeniably a highlight of the holiday meal. This category proudly showcases a diverse range of approaches, from my own family’s cherished Italian recipe, rich with savory notes and old-world charm, to options incorporating diverse ingredients like pineapple for a sweeter touch, perfect with ham, or wild rice for a nutty, earthy depth. The beauty of stuffing lies in its remarkable adaptability, allowing for countless variations that beautifully reflect regional tastes and deeply personal preferences. Preparing a homemade stuffing fills the entire kitchen with an irresistible aroma, promising a truly satisfying and memorable bite that perfectly embodies the warm, generous spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Italian Thanksgiving Stuffing (my family’s traditional recipe – shown above)
Pineapple Stuffing (would go great with ham!)
Double Bread Stuffing with Brown Butter, Bacon and Sage
Crock Pot Stuffing
Sausage Cornbread Stuffing
Chicken Sausage and Herb Stuffing
Wild Rice and Bacon Stuffing
Skillet Stuffing
Portobello Stuffing
Mushroom Fennel Quinoa Stuffing

Potatoes

Potatoes, in all their glorious and comforting forms, are an absolutely fundamental pillar of any Thanksgiving feast, offering unparalleled comfort, satiety, and remarkable versatility. From creamy, velvety mashed potatoes, whipped to perfection, to hearty, golden-brown roasted wedges, and decadent, cheesy gratins, these humble tubers transform into dishes of exquisite flavor and texture. Sweet potatoes, with their inherent sweetness, vibrant orange color, and nutritional benefits, are often elevated into beloved casseroles topped with crunchy pecans or gooey marshmallows, while classic white potatoes provide a savory, grounding, and endlessly adaptable element to the meal. Whether they are baked, boiled, mashed, roasted, or layered, potatoes absorb flavors wonderfully and contribute a satisfying richness and depth that pairs perfectly with the holiday’s main attractions and other lighter sides. This comprehensive collection provides an enticing array of potato preparations, ensuring there’s a cherished classic or an exciting new twist to delight every guest at your table, catering to preferences from sweet and spiced to savory and herbaceous. Prepare to indulge in the ultimate potato perfection!

Southern Living’s Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Topping (a beloved family favorite)
Sweet Potato Cran-Apple Gratin
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Blue Cheese Breadcrumbs
Smoky and Cheesy Buttermilk Baked Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Red Potatoes with Smoked Paprika
Barefoot Contessa’s Potato-Fennel Gratin
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Breads

The bread basket at Thanksgiving is far more than just a placeholder; it’s an absolutely essential element that wonderfully brings together the diverse flavors of the entire meal and offers a comforting, wholesome bite. From soft, irresistibly fluffy yeast rolls that are perfect for soaking up rich gravy, to savory biscuits brimming with sharp cheddar cheese and fragrant herbs, or even quick breads infused with the delightful flavors of autumnal fruits like cranberries and oranges, the right bread can truly elevate the entire dining experience. Homemade breads, in particular, fill the home with an inviting, warm aroma and add a deeply personal, heartfelt touch to the holiday spread, making guests feel cherished and welcomed. They provide a delightful textural contrast to other dishes and are, of course, absolutely perfect for crafting those quintessential ‘Thanksgiving sandwich’ leftovers the next day. This carefully curated selection offers a wide variety of breads, ranging from comforting traditional family favorites to more unique and adventurous creations, ensuring every guest finds their perfect accompaniment to the main feast and all the wonderful side dishes.

Roasted Chile and Cheddar Corn Muffins (shown above)
Cranberry Orange Quickbread
Easy Yeast Rolls
Potato Rosemary Rolls
Cheddar Sage Biscuits
Sriracha-Cheddar Biscuits
Southern Sweet Potato Biscuits
Honey Wheat Rolls