Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without the perfect sides to complement your turkey and gravy. Whether you’re looking for something comforting, like creamy mashed potatoes or a fun twist with a pumpkin risotto, these Thanksgiving side dish ideas will make your holiday meal unforgettable. From classic favorites like sausage stuffing and cornbread to more unique options like maple roasted sweet potatoes with bacon and walnuts, each dish is designed to wow your guests. Ready to elevate your feast? Let’s dive into these delicious, easy-to-make Thanksgiving sides that will steal the show!
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Streusel Topping
These Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Streusel Topping are the ultimate fall side dish. The creamy, fluffy filling is infused with warm spices, and the crunchy, sweet streusel topping takes every bite over the top. They’re the perfect balance of savory and sweet, offering a comforting and hearty addition to your Thanksgiving table. Plus, they’re easy to make ahead, so you can enjoy the holiday chaos a little bit less!
Funeral Potatoes
Funeral Potatoes are a classic side that’s always a crowd-pleaser, and for good reason! The creamy, cheesy mixture with crispy, golden-brown topping makes it a must-have at Thanksgiving. It’s a comforting, indulgent dish that pairs beautifully with turkey and all the fixings, and its richness will have everyone coming back for more. Simple yet so satisfying, it’s the kind of recipe that makes holiday dinners feel extra special.
Maple Roasted Sweet Potato with Bacon & Walnuts
Sweet potatoes meet savory perfection in this Maple Roasted Sweet Potato with Bacon & Walnuts. The smoky bacon, crunchy walnuts, and maple syrup glaze create an irresistible flavor combination. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the potatoes, making it the ideal side dish to complement a Thanksgiving meal. This recipe is not only delicious but also adds a beautiful color and texture to your holiday spread!
5-Ingredient Orange Miso Glazed Carrots
A bright, citrusy twist on a Thanksgiving classic. These tender, caramelized carrots bring a pop of color and flavor to your holiday table — the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and effortless.
Sausage Stuffing
Sausage Stuffing is a Thanksgiving essential that never disappoints. The savory sausage pairs perfectly with fresh herbs, creating a rich, flavorful stuffing that complements turkey beautifully. With its crispy edges and soft, flavorful center, it’s the perfect balance of textures. It’s the kind of recipe that fills your home with the most comforting, mouthwatering aroma and makes Thanksgiving dinner even more memorable.
Classic Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans and Crispy Onions
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a green bean casserole, and this version keeps it simple and fresh. Crisp green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and golden onions baked to perfection — pure comfort in every bite.
Creamy Feta Dill Orzo
Creamy Feta Dill Orzo is the fresh, creamy side dish your Thanksgiving table needs. The tangy feta and bright dill give this orzo an irresistible flavor that balances out the heavier dishes. It’s quick and easy to prepare but feels like a special touch to your holiday meal. This light yet rich dish will be a refreshing contrast to the more traditional Thanksgiving sides.
Roasted Root Veggies with Pumpkin Hummus
Roasted Root Veggies with Pumpkin Hummus is a colorful, seasonal side that adds a unique twist to your Thanksgiving spread. The roasted vegetables are perfectly caramelized, bringing out their natural sweetness, while the creamy pumpkin hummus offers a cozy, rich element. It’s a simple yet stunning dish that pairs beautifully with turkey, and the pumpkin hummus is a fun, unexpected addition.
Cranberry Chutney
Cranberry Chutney is the tangy, flavorful side that ties everything together at Thanksgiving. With the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy, it’s an exciting twist on the classic cranberry sauce. This chutney adds a fresh, zesty contrast to your rich holiday dishes, making it the perfect topping for turkey, stuffing, or even mashed potatoes.
Cornbread Sausage Stuffing
Cornbread Sausage Stuffing combines the heartiness of cornbread with the savory richness of sausage, creating a flavor-packed side that will be the star of your Thanksgiving table. The tender cornbread absorbs all the flavors, while the sausage adds a savory depth. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that elevates any holiday spread.
Mashed Potatoes
There’s no Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes, and this recipe will have you coming back for seconds! The potatoes are perfectly creamy, with just the right amount of butter and seasoning to make them rich and comforting. This side dish is simple, yet it’s always a crowd favorite. You can’t go wrong with these mashed potatoes; they’re the ultimate Thanksgiving classic.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Twice Baked Potato Casserole is a creamy, comforting side that’s made to impress. It has all the flavors of a baked potato, but in casserole form—rich, cheesy, and baked to perfection. This dish brings hearty potatoes, cheese, and bacon together for the ultimate side that pairs beautifully with any holiday meal. It’s easy to make ahead, which makes it perfect for Thanksgiving!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the definition of comfort food and a must-have side for Thanksgiving. The creamy cheese sauce, combined with the tender pasta and golden-brown crust, makes it a dish that’s both comforting and indulgent. It’s one of those recipes that’s simple yet irresistible, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at your table.
Pretzel Sausage Stuffing
Pretzel Sausage Stuffing takes the classic stuffing to a whole new level. The soft pretzel pieces soak up all the delicious flavors, while the savory sausage and herbs create a rich, flavorful stuffing that pairs beautifully with turkey. The pretzel adds a unique twist and texture, making this stuffing a stand-out side dish that’s sure to be a favorite.
Acorn Squash with Moroccan Stuffing
Acorn Squash with Moroccan Stuffing is an elegant and flavorful Thanksgiving side that’s packed with spices. The roasted squash is perfectly tender, and the Moroccan-inspired stuffing adds depth with ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, and warming spices. It’s a beautiful, show-stopping dish that adds color and unique flavor to your Thanksgiving spread.
Pumpkin Risotto with Sage
Pumpkin Risotto with Sage is a creamy, savory side dish that brings autumn flavors to life. The pumpkin adds a touch of sweetness, while the sage brings in a warm, herby depth. The risotto is rich and comforting, making it the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. This dish is simple to prepare but feels sophisticated enough to impress your guests.
Streusel Sweet Potato Casserole
Streusel Sweet Potato Casserole is a deliciously sweet and savory side that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. The sweet potatoes are tender and flavorful, topped with a crunchy, cinnamon-sugar streusel that adds the perfect amount of sweetness. It’s the ideal balance of textures, and the comforting flavors will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Sweet Potato Crisp Bites
Sweet Potato Crisp Bites are a fun, bite-sized way to enjoy all the flavors of Thanksgiving. The crisp, lightly sweet potatoes are topped with a sugary, buttery crumble that’s simply irresistible. They’re the perfect side for a Thanksgiving dinner, offering a burst of fall flavors in every bite.
Turkey Gravy
Turkey Gravy is the finishing touch every Thanksgiving dinner needs. It’s rich, savory, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment to your turkey and mashed potatoes. This gravy is made from the drippings, ensuring it’s full of that delicious turkey flavor, and it’s easy to prepare so you can focus on enjoying the holiday.
Best Cornbread
This cornbread is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a soft texture that complements any Thanksgiving spread. It’s slightly crumbly, moist, and bursting with flavor. Serve it warm with a pat of butter, and it’s sure to be a crowd favorite at your holiday meal.
Buttermilk Biscuits
Buttermilk Biscuits are a Thanksgiving classic, offering a soft, flaky texture that pairs perfectly with gravy or turkey. These biscuits are a delicious addition to any meal, with a golden-brown exterior and buttery, tender inside. Perfect for sopping up all those flavorful Thanksgiving sauces!
Pumpkin Spice Honey Butter
Pumpkin Spice Honey Butter is a must-have for your Thanksgiving bread basket. This sweet and spicy butter adds a cozy, fall-inspired flavor to biscuits, cornbread, or rolls. It’s the perfect way to elevate your holiday spread with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Herb Bread Stuffing
Herb Bread Stuffing is a savory, aromatic dish that brings Thanksgiving flavors together perfectly. The fresh herbs infuse the bread with delicious, earthy flavors, and the combination of onions, celery, and butter creates the perfect stuffing base. It’s a comforting, filling dish that pairs beautifully with turkey and mashed potatoes.
Cranberry Fluff Jello Salad
Cranberry Fluff Jello Salad is a light, tangy, and sweet side that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. The bright, tart cranberries paired with the creamy, fluffy mixture make it the perfect refreshing contrast to the richer dishes on the table. It’s easy to make ahead and always a hit with guests!
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Rich, creamy, and bubbling with layers of golden cheese, these scalloped potatoes are the ultimate Thanksgiving comfort food. They’re hearty, indulgent, and the kind of side everyone goes back for seconds of.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice
Cheesy Broccoli Rice is the perfect comforting side for Thanksgiving. The tender broccoli and creamy rice come together with melted cheese for a rich, satisfying dish. It’s an easy way to get your veggies in while still indulging in all the cheesy goodness.
BBQ Baked Beans
BBQ Baked Beans are a smoky, savory side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. The rich, sweet sauce and tender beans bring the perfect balance of flavors, and it pairs wonderfully with turkey and other sides. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that will round out your holiday meal beautifully.
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Carrot Gratin
This rich and creamy broccoli cauliflower carrot gratin is loaded with cheddar, tender vegetables, and a golden breadcrumb topping — an easy, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side that delivers cozy comfort and big flavor.
Classic Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is the ultimate cozy Thanksgiving side — roasted sweet potatoes, warm spices, and a golden gooey topping, plus a hint of chipotle for unexpected depth and unforgettable flavor.
Roasted Broccoli Bacon Salad with Hot Honey Mustard Dressing
This roasted broccoli bacon salad is loaded with smoky, crispy flavor and tossed in a sweet–spicy hot honey mustard dressing. A bold, satisfying side dish that’s quick to make and always a crowd favorite.
With these Thanksgiving side dishes, you’ll have everything you need to create a meal that’s as memorable as it is delicious. Whether you stick to the classics or try something new, these recipes will bring out the best in your holiday spread. From savory stuffings to sweet potato casseroles, each dish is a perfect complement to your turkey and all your favorite fixings. Enjoy a stress-free holiday with these crowd-pleasing sides that are sure to be the highlight of your Thanksgiving table!