We’ve collected over 45 of the best Thanksgiving side dish recipes for your holiday table. Thanksgiving may center on the turkey, but the sides are often what everyone remembers. This curated list includes traditional favorites and creative twists, plus dairy-free and gluten-free options and even a Whole30-friendly recipe. You’ll also find dishes that can be made in an Instant Pot or prepared ahead of time so you can free up oven space for your main course.
Can Any Of These Side Dishes Be Made Ahead Of Time
Yes. Many recipes can be prepped completely or partially in advance. Where applicable, we’ve noted tips for making components ahead—saving time and reducing stress on the big day.
Complete List Of All The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Sweet Potato au Gratin
Layers of thinly sliced sweet potatoes baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce and finished with a golden top—comforting, elegant, and perfect for holiday crowds.
Crispy Parmesan Brussel Sprouts
Tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, tossed with Parmesan for a savory, addictive side that works for weeknights or holiday feasts.
Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Casserole
A creamy corn casserole with melty cheddar and a touch of jalapeño for brightness—easy to prep ahead and full of crowd-pleasing flavor.
Brussel Sprout Salad + Citrus Vinaigrette
A bright, seasonal salad with shaved brussels, apples, pepitas, and a citrus-champagne vinaigrette that adds color and freshness to your table.
Brown Sugar Bourbon Candied Yams
Rich, warmly spiced yams glazed with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a hint of bourbon—an indulgent sweet side that feels like the holidays in every bite.
Roasted Delicata Squash + Parmesan
Sweet delicata slices roasted with sage and Parmesan for a simple, elegant side that’s equally at home on weeknights or a holiday spread.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Creamy mashed sweet potatoes blended with maple and warm spices, topped with golden, gooey marshmallows—comfort food that’s always a hit.
Potatoes au Gratin Gruyere
Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a silky, cheesy gruyère sauce—decadent, comforting, and ideal for holiday entertaining.
Seven Layer Salad
A colorful, nostalgic side with layers of fresh ingredients and a creamy dressing—easy to assemble and great for crowds.
BEST Stuffing Recipe (How To Make Stuffing)
A classic, deeply flavored stuffing that combines savory herbs and vegetables—an essential Thanksgiving staple.
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes that can be prepped ahead and reheated for the holiday—made with simple ingredients for rich, comforting flavor.
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Fresh cranberry sauce made with a few simple ingredients—tart, bright, and the perfect complement to roasted turkey.
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
A hands-off green bean casserole cooked in the slow cooker—ideal for freeing up oven space while delivering classic flavor and texture.
Brussels Sprouts au Gratin
Tender brussels baked in a creamy cheese sauce until bubbly and golden—an elegant twist on a vegetable side.
Thanksgiving Salad
A crisp salad with seasonal apples, nuts, arugula, and a champagne vinaigrette for bright contrast against richer holiday dishes.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Rich, creamy layers of potatoes and cheese baked to perfection—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any holiday table.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta
Savory pancetta caramelizes with roasted brussels for a salty, crispy complement to richer mains.
Delicata Squash au Gratin
Delicata squash transformed with a creamy, cheesy gratin topping—an inspired alternative to potato-based au gratin dishes.
Crock Pot Stuffing
Soft, flavorful stuffing made in the slow cooker—no oven space required and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ultimate Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Velvety Yukon Golds mashed with butter and cream for a silky finish—classic, dependable, and loved by everyone.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
Step-by-step instructions for making rich turkey gravy from pan drippings—an essential finish for any roast turkey.
Bourbon Cranberry Sauce
Slow-simmered cranberries with orange and brown sugar plus a splash of bourbon for a fragrant, memorable sauce.
Extra Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Techniques for achieving the silkiest mashed potatoes—perfect texture and indulgent creaminess make these a show-stealer.
Best EVER Sourdough Stuffing
Sourdough bread gives this stuffing a lovely tang and texture, paired with classic herbs and vegetables for maximum flavor.
Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole
A dairy-free take on the classic, using a flavorful homemade mushroom cream—perfect for guests with dietary restrictions.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Make creamy mashed potatoes in the slow cooker for hands-off cooking and reliable results on a busy holiday day.
Stove Top Stuffing
A quick, flavorful stuffing that comes together in under 30 minutes—great when time is short but flavor is essential.
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
Sweet maple syrup and savory bacon elevate roasted brussels—an irresistible balance of flavors that pairs beautifully with roast meats.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
A richer, cheesier version of the green bean classic that’s ideal when you want extra comfort on the plate.
Cranberry Orange Sauce
A citrus-forward cranberry sauce that brightens the plate and pairs well with rich holiday mains.
Wild Rice Pilaf
A hearty grain pilaf with vegetables and herbs for texture and savory depth—an excellent vegetarian-friendly option.
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes with melted cheese folded in for extra richness—decadent and comforting.
Fall Farro Salad
A wholesome salad with farro, roasted squash, arugula, and goat cheese—earthy and satisfying.
Ultimate Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Silky mashed sweet potatoes flavored with maple and butter, topped with crunchy pecans for texture and contrast.
Goat Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin
A tangy, creamy take on classic au gratin using goat cheese for depth and a slightly tangy finish.
Apple Salad
A simple, refreshing apple salad that mixes crisp fruit with light greens—great as a palate-cleansing side.
Sausage Stuffing
Savory sausage, dried cherries, walnuts, and apples make this stuffing a delicious mix of sweet and savory textures.
Broccoli Casserole
A nostalgic casserole of broccoli, cheese, and a crunchy cracker topping—comfort food with a touch of childhood nostalgia.
Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
All the comforts of classic green bean casserole, enhanced with crispy bacon for extra savory appeal.
Stuffed Onions + Sage and Gruyére
Onions stuffed with savory fillings, bacon, and melty Gruyére—an elegant, flavor-forward side dish.
Broccoli Bacon Salad
Crunchy broccoli pieces with bacon and a tangy dressing—versatile and beloved at potlucks and holiday buffets.
Wild Rice Stuffing
An earthy stuffing featuring wild rice—hearty, flavorful, and quick to bake.
Fennel Salad
Crisp fennel paired with apples, basil, and manchego for a refreshing, slightly anise-flavored side.
Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
A gluten-free version of the classic casserole that keeps the familiar flavors while accommodating dietary needs.
Roasted Acorn Squash + Browned Butter
Roasted acorn squash finished with nutty browned butter and walnuts—simple, elegant, and seasonally appropriate.
Green Beans with Bacon
Quick-sautéed green beans tossed with crisp bacon and seasonings for a straightforward, flavorful side.
Sweet Apple Cinnamon Yam Bake
A cozy yam bake with apples and warming spices—sweet, aromatic, and perfect for festive gatherings.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
A bright salad of spinach, strawberries, and a house-made balsamic dressing—fresh and tasty beyond summer months.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
A silky soup made from roasted squash—simple ingredients yield deep flavor; hearty enough to serve as a starter or main for vegetarians.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Quick, tender potatoes cooked in the Instant Pot for ultra-fast, creamy mashed potatoes when time is limited.
Easy Sweet Potato Mash
A simple, paleo- and gluten-free sweet potato mash that’s lightly sweet and naturally comforting.
Gluten Free Cornbread
Light, fluffy cornbread that’s gluten-free but still delivers that classic texture and flavor—great alongside stews or turkey.
Acorn Squash Soup
A creamy, dairy-free acorn squash soup made with a handful of real ingredients and finished with pepitas for crunch.
Turkey Giblet Gravy (No Drippings)
A flavorful giblet-based gravy for when pan drippings aren’t available—rich and perfect for drizzling over turkey and sides.
How to Make Classic Giblet Stuffing
A traditional giblet stuffing recipe that brings familiar holiday flavors and textures to the table.
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic-infused mashed potatoes made quickly in the Instant Pot—creamy, flavorful, and fast.
Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole (Dairy-Free/Paleo-Friendly)
A lighter sweet potato casserole option that still satisfies—skip toppings for an everyday side or add them for the holidays.
Gluten Free Gravy
A gluten-free gravy that uses tapioca or cornstarch options so everyone at the table can enjoy it.
How to Roast Butternut Squash
A simple method for roasting butternut squash evenly and caramelized—use it as a side or in soups and salads.
Gluten Free Biscuits
Herbed gluten-free biscuits with a buttery herbed spread—light, flaky, and perfect with any holiday meal.
Easy Green Bean Casserole
A simple five-ingredient green bean casserole that can be prepped ahead—classic and reliable for holiday tables.
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
A fast Instant Pot method for creamy mashed sweet potatoes—perfect when time is tight but flavor is essential.
Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins
Individual gluten-free cornbread muffins that pair perfectly with chili or holiday mains.
Apple Cranberry Sauce
A cranberry sauce with a touch of apple for subtle sweetness and extra texture—versatile and crowd-pleasing.
Whole Roasted Carrots + Honey
Whole carrots roasted with honey for a simple, elegant side that’s naturally sweet and visually appealing.
Gluten Free Stuffing
A flavorful gluten-free stuffing—best prepped the night before by cubing bread and allowing it to dry for optimal texture.
Green Beans Almondine
A 20-minute classic with toasted almonds and bright lemon—quick, elegant, and always appreciated.
Creamy Whole30 Mashed Potatoes
A Whole30-compliant mashed potato option that still delivers creamy texture and satisfying flavor.
Other Thanksgiving Recipes
To complete your menu, explore appetizers, desserts, and creative ways to use leftover turkey. These sides pair well with all sorts of mains and can help you plan a balanced, memorable holiday meal.
Browse all Thanksgiving recipes for more inspiration and complete menus.
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