Everyday Shortcuts

  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • DIY Projects
    • Travel
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    40 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    Modified: Nov 20, 2022 · Published: Nov 23, 2013 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
    SharePin

    If you’re looking for some new ideas for the table this Thanksgiving, try these amazing side dishes!

    The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    When it comes to Thanksgiving, the turkey may be the star of the show. But let’s not forget about the side dishes! From creamy mashed potatoes to flavorful stuffing, these dishes are what make the holiday meal complete.

    What are traditional thanksgiving sides?

    When it comes to Thanksgiving, there are certain dishes that just seem to go hand-in-hand. Turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie are all classics, but what about the sides?

    While every family has their own traditions, there are some dishes that are just too good to pass up. Here are eight traditional Thanksgiving sides that are sure to please everyone at the table.

    Mashed Potatoes: These creamy potatoes are a classic side dish that can be made in many different ways. Add in some garlic, cheese, or even bacon for extra flavor.

    Stuffing: This dish is usually made with bread, herbs, and spices. It’s the perfect way to add some extra flavor to your turkey.

    Gravy: No Thanksgiving feast is complete without gravy! This easy recipe by Drive Me Hungry can be made ahead of time as well, and warmed up before serving.

    Green Bean Casserole: This creamy casserole by Slow Cooker Meals is a staple at many Thanksgiving dinners. It’s made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and topped with crispy onions.

    Corn: Another versatile side dish that can be served fresh, frozen, or canned. Add some butter and salt for simple seasoning.

    Cranberry Sauce: This tart sauce provides the perfect amount of sweetness to turkey, stuffing, and potatoes.

    Rolls: Whether you make them from scratch or get them from the store, rolls are always a welcome addition to any meal! Serve with butter or honey for extra deliciousness.

    Pumpkin Pie: No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without pumpkin pie! This sweet and flavorful dessert is a great way to end the meal.

    side dishes for Thanksgiving

    How many sides should you have at thanksgiving?

    There are so many delicious side dishes that can be served at Thanksgiving, but how many should you have? That really depends on how many people you are serving and what other dishes will be on the table.

    If you are having a small gathering, you might want to stick to three or four sides. But if you are expecting a crowd, you might want to make six or seven side dishes. And, of course, if you are planning on leftovers, you will want to make even more!

    Can you make thanksgiving side dishes ahead of time?

    While some Thanksgiving side dishes are best made fresh on the day of the holiday, there are plenty of delicious sides that can be prepped in advance. This can be a huge time-saver on the big day, freeing up your stove and oven for other dishes.

    One great make-ahead option is mashed potatoes. You can easily make them a day or two in advance and then reheat them on Thanksgiving day. Sweet potatoes are also a good choice for making ahead - just bake them and then reheat before serving.

    Other side dish ideas that can be prepped in advance include green beans (blanch them and then store in an ice water bath), cranberry sauce (make it a few days ahead and refrigerate), and stuffing ( mix all of the ingredients together, stuff into a baking dish, and then refrigerate until ready to bake).

    So don’t wait until Thanksgiving Day to start prepping your side dishes - with a little planning, you can have everything ready ahead of time!

    serve turkey casserole with leftover Thanksgiving turkey

    What do you serve after Thanksgiving?

    After Thanksgiving, many people are left with a lot of food. Here are some ideas of what to do with all that extra food.

    Homemade Turkey Soup: This classic soup is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey. Simply add some chopped veggies, noodles, and turkey broth to a pot and you’re done!

    Creamy Turkey Casserole: A delicious and easy side dish that will have your family asking for seconds!

    Turkey Sandwich: This sandwich is so good, it might be better than the meal itself! Pile all of your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers between two slices of bread and enjoy.

    Sweet Potato Casserole Baked Oatmeal: Start your day off right with this delicious and nutritious baked oatmeal. It’s packed with all the flavors of sweet potato casserole, but in oatmeal form!

    Cranberry Sauce Muffins: These muffins are the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce. They’re moist, fluffy, and full of flavor. Plus, they make a great on-the-go breakfast or snack.

    Turkey Pot Pie: This pot pie is comfort food at its finest. It’s chock-full of all your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers, including turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and more. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be frozen for later!

    Now on to some delicious Thanksgiving side dish recipes for your holiday feast!

    Vegetables

    Image for Honey Roasted Vegetables - Through The Fibro Fog
    Photo Credit: www.throughthefibrofog.com

    Honey Roasted Vegetables - Through The Fibro Fog

    Image for Garlic Parmesan Ari Fryer Brussel Sprouts
    Photo Credit: everydayshortcuts.com

    Garlic Parmesan Ari Fryer Brussel Sprouts

    Image for Green Bean Casserole (without Mushroom Soup)
    Photo Credit: wholefoodsoulfoodkitchen.com

    Green Bean Casserole (without Mushroom Soup)

    Image for Baked Cheesy Cauliflower
    Photo Credit: cookingorgeous.com

    Baked Cheesy Cauliflower

    Image for Oven Roasted Radishes
    Photo Credit: www.theparentspot.com

    Oven Roasted Radishes

    Image for Smoked Green Beans with Bacon
    Photo Credit: www.thefoodhussy.com

    Smoked Green Beans with Bacon

    Image for French Green Beans with Herb Butter
    Photo Credit: foodworthfeed.com

    French Green Beans with Herb Butter

    Image for Instant Pot Sweet Glazed Carrots
    Photo Credit: everydayshortcuts.com

    Instant Pot Sweet Glazed Carrots

    Image for The BEST Thanksgiving Corn Recipe- Ready in 15 min!
    Photo Credit: www.atablefullofjoy.com

    The BEST Thanksgiving Corn Recipe- Ready in 15 min!

    Potatoes and Stuffing

    Image for Sausage Cornbread Stuffing
    Photo Credit: saporitokitchen.com

    Sausage Cornbread Stuffing

    Image for Gouda Au Gratin Potatoes
    Photo Credit: smellslikedelish.com

    Gouda Au Gratin Potatoes

    Image for Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin with Onion + Squash
    Photo Credit: www.awortheyread.com

    Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin with Onion + Squash

    Image for Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
    Photo Credit: everydayshortcuts.com

    Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

    Image for Easy Instant Pot Baby Potatoes
    Photo Credit: munchygoddess.com

    Easy Instant Pot Baby Potatoes

    Image for Creamy Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes with Chives
    Photo Credit: drivemehungry.com

    Creamy Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes with Chives

    Image for Grandma's Southern Candied Yams Recipe | Sweet Tea & Thyme
    Photo Credit: www.sweetteaandthyme.com

    Grandma's Southern Candied Yams Recipe | Sweet Tea & Thyme

    Image for Hasselback potatoes: deliciously stylish
    Photo Credit: www.splashoftaste.com

    Hasselback potatoes: deliciously stylish

    Image for Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing
    Photo Credit: foxeslovelemons.com

    Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing

    Image for Southern Cornbread Dressing
    Photo Credit: www.dessertfortwo.com

    Southern Cornbread Dressing

    Image for Loaded Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: www.eatthelove.com

    Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    Image for Air Fryer Whiskey, Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
    Photo Credit: xoxobella.com

    Air Fryer Whiskey, Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing

    Image for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: www.atablefullofjoy.com

    Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Image for Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans
    Photo Credit: xoxobella.com

    Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans

    Rolls and Pastas

    Image for Brioche Dinner Rolls
    Photo Credit: alpineella.com

    Brioche Dinner Rolls

    Image for Best Angel Biscuits
    Photo Credit: whenisdinner.com

    Best Angel Biscuits

    Image for Sourdough Sour Cream & Chive Rolls Recipe ~ Barley & Sage
    Photo Credit: www.barleyandsage.com

    Sourdough Sour Cream & Chive Rolls Recipe ~ Barley & Sage

    Image for Gluten Free Dinner Rolls
    Photo Credit: www.whattheforkfoodblog.com

    Gluten Free Dinner Rolls

    Image for Baked Mac and Cheese
    Photo Credit: everydayshortcuts.com

    Baked Mac and Cheese

    Image for Cheddar Gruyre Mac and Cheese
    Photo Credit: lemonsandzest.com

    Cheddar Gruyre Mac and Cheese

    Sweet Dishes

    Image for Cranberry Mousse
    Photo Credit: cincyshopper.com

    Cranberry Mousse

    Image for Sweet Potato Casserole with Pineapple
    Photo Credit: www.everydayfamilycooking.com

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Pineapple

    Image for Cornbread with Self Rising Flour
    Photo Credit: thefeatherednester.com

    Cornbread with Self Rising Flour

    Image for Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin
    Photo Credit: www.mrishtanna.com

    Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin

    Image for Molded Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe
    Photo Credit: beyondflourblog.com

    Molded Cranberry Jello Salad Recipe

    Image for Butternut Squash Air Fryer Recipe + VIDEO! (Time and Temp)
    Photo Credit: summeryule.com

    Butternut Squash Air Fryer Recipe + VIDEO! (Time and Temp)

    Image for Brown Butter Mashed Butternut Squash
    Photo Credit: www.barleyandsage.com

    Brown Butter Mashed Butternut Squash

    Image for Cranberry Orange Relish
    Photo Credit: www.ihearteating.com

    Cranberry Orange Relish

    Image for Old Fashioned Corn Pudding
    Photo Credit: www.plattertalk.com

    Old Fashioned Corn Pudding

    Image for Simple Cranberry Apple Chutney Recipe
    Photo Credit: lemonsandzest.com

    Simple Cranberry Apple Chutney Recipe

    Image for Sweet Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: everydayshortcuts.com

    Sweet Potato Casserole

    More Recipes

    • Beach Crab Cookies
    • BBQ Ranch Chicken Casserole
    • Dot Cake Recipe
    • Bald Eagle Cupcakes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Alison McFadden

    Welcome to Everyday Shortcuts, where I share delicious and simple recipes that anyone can cook, practical household tips and clever shortcuts to help simplify your everyday life. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 8 Easy Chicken Freezer Meals in One Hour
    • Crock Pot Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs
    • My 3 Day Egg Fast Experience and Weight Loss
    • Copycat White Castle Sliders

    Holiday Recipes

    • American Flag Cupcake Cake
    • Easter Bread
    • Easter Bunny Cake
    • American Flag Fruit Cookie Pizza

    Footer

    Everyday shortcuts as seen on logos

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press & Media
    • PR Friendly

    Alison McFadden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2026 Everyday Shortcuts. All Rights Reserved

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT