Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table, sharing laughter, and savoring the flavors that make the holiday so special. While the turkey often takes center stage, it’s the sides that bring color, texture, and irresistible flavor to the feast. From creamy mac and cheese and roasted vegetables to salads as well as unexpected twists on classic favorites, these 50 Thanksgiving side recipes are designed to delight every palate and fill your dinner table with gratitude. Plus, we promise you’ll have leftovers for plenty of seconds.
50 Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
Baked Apples with Sausage Stuffing
This savory and sweet side dish features large baking apples cored and filled with a rich, seasoned stuffing of smoked sausage, onions, and sage, then baked in apple cider until fork-tender.
The Ultimate Stuffing Recipe
A deeply satisfying, customizable Thanksgiving stuffing crafted with toasted bread, leek, celery, mushrooms, sage-butter, as well as a rich homemade stock — perfect for tailoring to everyone at the table.
Savory Black Truffle Bread Pudding Stuffed Squash
A luxurious side comes together with roasted winter squash halves filled with a rich, savory brioche-and-sausage bread pudding. Then it’s all elevated by earthy black truffle paste for a deeply aromatic finish.
Inspired Holiday Stuffing
A versatile and adventurous stuffing that starts with quality bread and lets you mix in fall-forward flavor riffs — from sweet potatoes and figs to sausage and rye — for a side that’s anything but ordinary.
Pickled Veggie Salad with Mustard Dressing
A bright winter side salad of pickled beets, roasted fennel, grapefruit, and apricots, dressed in a tangy-sweet stone-ground mustard vinaigrette that balances earthy and also zesty flavors beautifully.
Jackie’s Green Bean Casserole
Crisp-blanched green beans smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce, layered with sautéed mushrooms, as well as crowned with smoky bacon “dust” for deconstructed crunch.
Carrot and Beet Latkes
A vibrant, root-vegetable twist on the classic latke. Think shredded carrots and beets pan-fried into crisp, jewel-toned fritters that pair beautifully with sour cream, dill, as well as smoked salmon.
Roasted Sheet Pan Veggies with Spicy Glaze
A sheet-pan side of roasted zucchini, squash, okra, corn, and also tomatoes, finished with a sweet-heat glaze of honey, Fresno pepper sauce, and chili flakes to bring a spicy-sweet crunch to the Thanksgiving table.
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
A cozy holiday side of shredded red cabbage simmered in sweet Concord grape juice as well as apple cider vinegar, enriched with smoky bacon and onions for a vibrant, tangy-sweet flavor.
Honey and Ghee Roasted Carrots
A sweet-and-savory side of tender roasted carrots glazed with honey, melted ghee, as well as a hint of turmeric for a warm, golden finish.
Easy-Bake Beans and Potatoes
A simple, flavorful sheet-pan side of roasted baby potatoes, green beans, red onion, peas, toasted cumin, and then mustard seeds — all brightened with fresh lemon juice.
Lentil-Asparagus-Corn Salad
A colorful, protein-packed side salad combining orange lentils with sweet corn, tender asparagus, edible flowers, and also mint for a garden-fresh dish.
Brussels Sprouts in Orange and Apricot Sauce
Sweet‑and‑spicy side of halved Brussels sprouts sautéed in ginger‑garlic chili oil, then glazed with a citrusy apricot‑orange sauce and finished with optional crispy fried onion.
Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Seeds and Venison Jerky
A bold Thanksgiving side is our caramelized Brussels sprouts tossed with sherry vinegar and juicy pomegranate seeds, then topped with finely diced, smoky venison jerky for a savory-lean protein punch.
Smashed Sweet Potatoes
A cozy, crispy-roasted side of smashed Japanese sweet potatoes layered with turmeric, chili flakes, crushed nori, as well as a drizzle of ghee for smoky, umami-rich flavor.
Sweet Potato Stacks
A warm, simple side of thickly sliced sweet potatoes stacked in a muffin tin, then drizzled with melted butter and baking spices.
Sweet Potato Rosettes
A stunning holiday side of thinly sliced sweet potatoes arranged like rosettes in a muffin tin, smothered in a creamy, nutmeg- and herb-spiked cheese sauce, and baked until golden.
Sweet Potato and Corn Fritters
A light, veggie-packed side of crispy fritters made from grated sweet potato, zucchini, and fresh corn — pan-fried until golden and herb-flecked for a naturally sweet, savory bite.
Bistro Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
A rich and classic Thanksgiving side of creamy mashed sweet potatoes layered in a buttery brown‑sugar mix and then topped with a crunchy pecan crumble for that perfect sweet-and-nutty finish.
Baby Yams with Maple Chipotle Compound Butter
Oven‑roasted baby yams dressed with a sweet-and-smoky maple-chipotle compound butter, creating a comforting balance of warmth and heat.
Sweet Potato and Pork Belly Hash
Sweet potato and crisped pork‐belly bits slowly cooked with butter and also fresh thyme, creating the hash.
Corn Pudding Cakes
A moist, golden-baked side made from creamed as well as whole kernel corn, flour, and cornmeal — sturdy enough to cut into shapes and sweet enough to shine on your Thanksgiving table.
Pear and Goat Cheese Bites
Warm, flaky phyllo filled with tangy goat cheese and juicy pear slices, then drizzled with hot honey for a touch of heat.
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Roasted butternut squash halves stuffed with a savory-sweet mixture of sausage, spinach, cranberries, pecans, and feta — baked until piping hot and full of holiday sparkle.
Pan-Roasted Carrots with Tahini Sauce
A cold weather‑friendly side of caramelized carrots drizzled with a creamy yogurt‑tahini sauce and then finished with crunchy pepitas, parsley, and a smoky touch of sumac.
Crispy Butter Beans with Whipped Chèvre
This crunchy, savory recipe for butter beans tosses them in cornstarch and bakes until crisp. Serve alongside a silky whipped chèvre dip for a rich, lemony contrast.
Crispy Artichokes with Lemony Breadcrumbs
Tender artichoke hearts with buttery, lemony panko-parmesan crumbs that bake up golden for a bright, flavorful finish.
Roasted Wild Mushrooms and Potatoes with Chimichurri
Roast wild mushrooms and baby potatoes until golden, then top them with a vibrant, herbaceous chimichurri sauce to elevate this familiar duo into a gourmet, vegan‑friendly side.
Roasted Pears
Dress tender pears with salty blue‑cheese crumbles, crunchy pistachios, and also a sprinkle of pink peppercorns for an elegantly simple Thanksgiving side.
Roasted Garlic with Cheesy Bread
This side features heady roasted garlic nestled into crusty bread, baked with melted cheese so every soft, caramelized clove can be savored by scooping through the gooey, golden layers.
Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
These Medjool dates get stuffed with creamy goat cheese, brushed with a honey syrup, and then rolled in crushed pistachios for a sweet-and-savory side.
Deviled Eggs with Caviar
This recipe transforms classic deviled eggs into a refined bite by topping creamy yolk‑mayo filling with royal Ossetra caviar as well as a sprinkle of chives.
Simple Mustard Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts get a punch of flavor from garlic‑infused oil, grainy mustard, and then a glug of balsamic vinegar.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This shaved Brussels sprouts salad mixes crisp sprouts with sweet-tangy cranberries, crunchy almonds, smoky bacon, as well as a honey‑mustard vinaigrette.
Kimchi Baked Brussels Sprouts
This side dish layers crispy roasted Brussels sprouts over a silky, tangy kimchi purée for a bold, umami-rich bite.
Hot Honey Buttermilk Biscuits
These warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits are drizzled with a sweet‑and‑spicy hot honey glaze for a comforting side with a kick.
Kale and Sweet Potato Soup with Pasta and Poached Eggs
This comforting soup melds sweet potato, hearty kale, little pasta, and a perfectly poached egg whose yolk also swirls into the warm broth.
Salad with Apple Bourbon Dressing
This salad dresses crisp lettuces and radishes in a rich, sweet-gingered apple‑bourbon vinaigrette for a warming, fall-forward side.
Maple Curry Salad Dressing
Create your dream salad with this dressing that blends sweet maple syrup with warm curry spices, cumin, as well as citrus zest.
One Pot French Onion Soup
Caramelized onions slowly mingle with savory beef broth and wine in this one‑pot French onion soup, then finished with toasted sourdough and gooey melted Swiss cheese.
Easy Mac and Cheese with Hidden Veggies
Our easy mac and cheese blends creamy cheddar with hidden zucchini as well as carrots, all simmered in savory bone broth for a comforting, veggie‑boosted side.
Baked Mac and Cheese by Aunt Cheryl
A golden‑baked mac and cheese brings rich, gooey cheddar layers as well as nostalgic comfort to the Thanksgiving table.
Mac and Cheese with Green Chile
Fiery green chiles mingle with molten cheese in this mac and cheese, turning a classic side into a zesty, flavor-packed standout.
Go-To Cheddar Mac and Cheese
This go-to cheddar mac & cheese melts sharp, easy-to-melt cheeses into a lusciously creamy sauce that can be served straight from the pot or topped and baked until bubbly.
Homemade Mac and Cheese with Five Cheeses
Who wouldn’t love a homemade mac and cheese? We’re melting together five rich cheeses — sharp cheddar, pepper jack, Gruyère, Gouda, as well as Velveeta — for an ultra-creamy, comforting bake.
Meatballs in Cranberry Gojuchang Sauce
These meatballs get a festive makeover, glazed in a tart‑cranberry and gochujang sauce spiced with ginger, soy, and then vinegar for a bold sweet-heat appetizer.
Savory Braised Apples
Try a savory braised-apple side dish that bathes tender Golden Delicious apples in wine, white balsamic, and garlic, then finishes them with chile Colorado and a buttery reduction.
Braised Red Cabbage with Apples
Blending tart, slow‑cooked cabbage with sweet apples, warm allspice, and also juicy raisins for a cozy, nuanced side dish.
Pumpkin Risotto
This pumpkin risotto roasts the dish inside hollowed‑out pumpkins, filling creamy arborio rice with sage, Parmesan, as well as cozy fall flavors for a stunning, comfort-food‑meets-centerpiece side.
Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Chèvre, Pomegranates, and Pepitas
Mix up a salad that layers sweet roasted pumpkin with creamy chèvre, jewel‑bright pomegranate arils, and also crunchy pepitas on a bed of hearty greens for a fall‑forward side full of texture and color.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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