Our 25 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes Make Menu-Planning Easy

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Sometimes simple side dishes really are best. These classic mashed potatoes serve up just the right amount of fluffy goodness per buttery, chive-spiked bite. We've also included variations on this traditional Thanksgiving side dish so you can change up the mix-ins for each holiday meal.

Broccolini with Peas and Seared Lemons

For a zero-complaints way to inspire everyone to eat their veggies, try this citrus-infused salad with Swiss chard, broccolini, and peas. It's a fresh Thanksgiving vegetable side dish that will brighten any holiday spread. Plus, at 48 calories per serving, we say this gives you free rein to savor an extra sliver of Thanksgiving dessert.

Pull-Apart Stuffing Ring

This tasty wreath-shaped dish combines two of the most important Thanksgiving sides: Stuffing and dinner rolls. To make it, mix up all the classic stuffing ingredients with two cans of purchased biscuit dough and bake it in a bundt pan ($13, Target) to form the wreath shape.

Homemade Green Bean Casserole

No Thanksgiving side dish recipe round-up (or Thanksgiving menu!) would be complete without a green bean casserole. Forget the canned soups and make your own creamy sauce this year. That way, you'll be able to customize the flavor and control the quality of ingredients.

Corn Casserole

Part mac and cheese part vegetable casserole, this corny Thanksgiving side dish is going to become a family heirloom. If the luscious creamed corn filling doesn't win everyone over, the buttery, crunchy crackers and crispy bacon on top sure will. Fresh thyme, parsley, and a pinch of cayenne help cut through the richness. Plus, you can mix, bake, and serve it all in the same casserole dish to cut down on post-dinner cleanup.

Green Bean and Mushroom Skillet

If you're trying to be calorie-conscious this holiday, try out our healthier take on the traditional green bean casserole. This skillet recipe combines fresh green beans, mushrooms, and garlic for the classic casserole flavor, while a dollop of goat cheese and a sprinkle of lemon zest give it a tangy zip that'll have your guests asking for the recipe after the meal is over.

Cranberry-Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole

This sweet potato recipe combines two traditional Thanksgiving sides: cranberries and sweet potato casserole. For this take, a sprinkle of tangy, fresh cranberries balances out the sweet holiday side that features a brown sugar crumb topping. Bake the casserole in advance and then pop it in the oven while your turkey stands for a scrumptious, table-ready dish.

Everything Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels sprouts are at their best during Thanksgiving and this standout recipe transforms them from ho-hum side to showstopper. The secret is a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, maple syrup, and crispy turkey bacon.

Pear-Cranberry Chutney

Move over, canned cranberries. The natural sweetness of pears in our chutney is balanced by lemon, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Voila: A truly special take on cranberry sauce that you'll want to add to your best Thanksgiving side recipes list ASAP.

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Peanut Streusel

These aren't your average Thanksgiving sweet potatoes! Put a spin on this classic holiday side dish with an unexpected topping your guests will love. These scalloped sweet potatoes are baked in a springform pan and topped with a homemade peanut streusel and fresh parsley.

Spice & Honey Roasted Carrots

Thanksgiving carrots? We say yes—especially when the dish takes just 20 minutes of prep time and is packed with autumnal flavors from hazelnuts, coriander, and cumin. For this recipe, you’ll make dukkah, a super-simple nut and warm spice blend that you’ll want to sprinkle on everything from hummus to deviled eggs.

Goat Cheese Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Love sweet potatoes, but prefer savory to sweet? Rather than the traditional garnish of marshmallows, try topping your sweet potatoes with creamy, tangy goat cheese. That dairy "do," plus crunchy pistachios and a touch of fresh sage make this one 30-minute side dish that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Bourbon-Pecan Stuffing

Don't just save the spirits to pair with dessert. A dash of bourbon lends smoky-sweet flavor, while pecans bring crunchy texture to this Thanksgiving stuffing side dish. Celery, onion, and fresh thyme will please the traditionalists among your dinner party.

Winter Slaw with Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Short on time? Bagged pre-shredded kale and coleslaw mix make this Thanksgiving salad dish a breeze! Add fresh slices of blood orange and your favorite vinaigrette for a tasty seasonal side dish that will have everyone leaving a little room on their plate to try some.

Creamed Kale

In just 30 minutes, turn kale—a nutritious leafy green—into a scrumptious side dish with the help of a creamy sauce, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of crushed red pepper. With all that flavor, no one will mind you serving "superfood" as one of your Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

Candied Orange Sweet Potatoes

"A hit" at holiday dinner, according to one home cook, this is one uber-refreshing riff on Thanksgiving sweet potatoes. In-season oranges lend a refreshing citrus flavor to this versatile sweet potato bake while vanilla and nutmeg add a warm, sweet spice to the dish. Thanksgiving sides never looked so good.

Oregano Butter and Bacon Potatoes

Fried oregano and mouthwatering crumbled bacon (yep, we can't get enough) add irresistible crispiness to mashed red potatoes. Calling for just 35 minutes of
stovetop time, this is a fantastic Thanksgiving side dish recipe—especially if
you need to save oven space for the bird and other sides.

Test Kitchen Tip: Feel free to try this same strategy with fingerlings or any other buttery-textured, small spud that you have in your kitchen.

Harvest Succotash

This quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish comes together in a snap and uses frozen vegetables you probably have on hand. Crispy, decadent bacon crumbles make a tasty topper for this bean- and corn-packed succotash. Fresh sage echoes the herb elements you're already likely using in your turkey and stuffing recipes.

Air Fryer Vegetarian Dressing

Free up precious oven space and make this crunchy stuffing in the air fryer! This vegetarian Thanksgiving side dish gets loads of flavor from fennel, apple, and fresh herbs. Serve it once the top is golden brown and crisp.

Pineapple-Cranberry Relish with Toasted Coconut

This tropical take on cranberry relish combines pineapple, jalapeño, and ginger. A food processor makes prep work a snap so you'll have a creative plate mate for your turkey in no time.

Pomegranate Green Salad

Juicy pomegranate seeds and honey-roasted peanuts add a one-two punch of sweet flavor and crunchy texture to this fresh holiday salad. Tossed with a homemade Dijon-style mustard and pomegranate dressing, this Thanksgiving salad is sure to be a hit.

Smoky Green Bean Casserole

This set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker version of a green bean casserole gets its smoky flavor from creamy Gouda cheese. Add it to your Thanksgiving spread for a unique casserole your friends and family will love. (Don't worry, the French-fried onions are still invited to join in the fun!)

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Perfectly golden brown on the outside and tender to the core, these roasted Brussels sprouts will delight even picky eaters. Balsamic vinegar and bacon add extra appeal to the easy sheet pan side. (Crispy prosciutto or pancetta would work wonderfully if bacon's not your jam or not easily available.)

Honey-Balsamic Beet Salad

This is one Thanksgiving vegetable side dish recipe that's tough to beet. Sweet and tangy flavors of honey and balsamic vinegar form a delicious glaze for roasted root vegetables. To save time, cook the quinoa while the beets are roasting.

Easy Roasted Broccoli with Pecorino and Lemon

With all the cooking that happens during Thanksgiving, having this easy side dish recipe in your back pocket will take some of the stress off. Simply roast pre-cut broccoli until charred and top with lemon zest, cheese, and black pepper.