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Looking for more recipes to round out your Thanksgiving menu? These 25 incredible Thanksgiving side dishes include traditional favorites and a few twists on the classics for a holiday meal your family will be talking about all year.
The turkey might be the thing that every talks about when it comes to Thanksgiving, but we all know the true star of the Thanksgiving table: the side dishes.
Whether you’re the kind of family that makes the same staples every year or changes things up from year to year, the sides are what everyone is really loading up their plate with.
We have a few dishes we make every year, but I always like to throw in one or two new things, too. If you’re the same, I’ve got plenty of recipes that will satisfy the whole family. You might even find a new favorite must-make recipe!
Thanksgiving dinner prep tips
If this is your first year hosting Thanksgiving dinner, take a breath: you’ve got this. Here are a few of my top tips for making the day go just a bit easier:
- Start grocery shopping early: Prices for certain ingredients are only going to go up the closer it gets to Thanksgiving. Pick up ingredients like canned goods, cartons of stock, and other shelf-stable ingredients now. Other things, like butter and fresh cranberries, can be stashed in the freezer until you need them.
- Make what you can ahead of time: Some recipes can be made well in advance and frozen or kept in the fridge until the day of. See what you can offload from your to-do list early!
- Look for recipes that don’t use the oven: One of the trickiest parts of hosting Thanksgiving is managing the oven schedule. Look for sides that can be made in the slow cooker (like easy crockpot creamed corn), air fryer, or on the stove.
- Ask friends and family to help: If you’ve got guests coming for dinner, ask them to bring something! Pie recipes, cranberry apple crisp, and even appetizer recipes are all great things to assign to your family and friends.
25 of the best Thanksgiving side dish recipes
Let’s get to the good stuff! I’ve pulled together 25 of my favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes to help you round out your menu. In addition to some of the classics, I’ve got a few less traditional options for you, too.
On each recipe, I’ve noted if it can be made or prepped ahead of time and the primary cooking method to help with planning.
For more help with the biggest meal of the year, be sure to check out my list of easy Thanksgiving recipes and my Thanksgiving dessert ideas (that aren’t pie).
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Forget the canned cranberry sauce — homemade is where it's at! This version is infused with orange for the perfect balance of tart and sweet that is begging to be paired with turkey or even a beef roast.Cooking method: Stovetop Make ahead: Make 1 week ahead and store in the fridge, or 1-2 months ahead and store in the freezer.
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Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
The only thing that screams Thanksgiving more than cranberry sauce is the stuffing! I make mine with Italian sausage, mushrooms, apple, and cranberries for a bit of sweetness paired with the savory flavors. Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble up to 2 days ahead of time; bake just before eating.
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Soups
Butternut Squash Soup
If you're the kind of family that loves to add soups to your Thanksgiving menu, this silky butternut squash soup is bound to be a hit! It can easily be made vegetarian or vegan and is naturally gluten-free.Cooking method: StovetopMake ahead: Roast the squash up to 2 days in advance.
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Creamy Mushroom Soup
I absolutely adore this rich, creamy mushroom soup recipe. If you don't love the texture of mushrooms but do love the flavor, simply puree it before serving for a silky texture! This is another one that can easily be made vegetarian.Cooking method: StovetopMake ahead: Dice the onions and slice the mushrooms up to a day ahead; store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
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Salad and fluffs
Broccoli Cranberry Salad
Crunchy raw broccoli, chewy and tart dried cranberries, and a creamy dressing make this salad a big favorite in our family. Even better? There's ZERO cooking required!Cooking method: NoneMake ahead: Assemble up to a day ahead and add the bacon, cheese, and sunflower seeds just before serving.
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Ambrosia Salad
The only other recipe my family asks for at holidays as much as this ambrosia salad is my nana's easy cheesecake. There's just something about the combination of citrus fruit, coconut, mini marshmallows, and tangy yogurt dressing that we can't get enough of.Cooking method: NoneMake ahead: Make up to a day ahead of time. If desired, you can wait to until just before serving to add the marshmallows and pecans.
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Cranberry Fluff
We love ambrosia year-round, but cranberry fluff gets a special spotlight at Thanksgiving. You only need 4 ingredients and you can easily use canned whole-berry cranberry sauce or homemade if you have extra.Cooking method: NoneMake ahead: Make up to a day ahead.
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Potatoes
Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback potatoes look super fancy but are way easier to make than you'd think. They've got crispy edges and creamy interiors, and all of the nooks and crannies are perfect for soaking up gravy.Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Slice the potatoes in the morning; submerge in cold water and store in the fridge until ready to bake. Before baking, drain and thoroughly dry the potatoes.
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Homemade Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are another side dish that is deceptively simple to make but will totally impress your guests. Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble and bake the day before; cool and store in the fridge. Reheat in the oven before serving.
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Garlic Mashed Potatoes
If your family loves garlic, these are the mashed potatoes for you! They're ultra creamy and indulgent thanks to a combination of cream, butter, and sour cream. Cooking method: StovetopMake ahead: Assemble the day ahead or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat gently on the stove.
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Potato Gratin
Whether you call them au gratin potatoes or potato gratin, the result is the same: a super cheesy, rich dish that deserves a special place in your Thanksgiving meal. Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble and bake the day before; cool and store in the fridge. Reheat in the oven before serving.
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Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
This hash brown casserole (also known as cheesy potato casserole or funeral potatoes) is one of the first things to disappear every time I make it. You only need a handful of basic ingredients and it takes only 10 minutes to prep, but people simply can never get enough.Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble but don't bake; store in the fridge overnight or freeze for 2-3 months.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping
I love a classic sweet potato casserole, but I can never decide between a marshmallow topping or a streusel topping. So I decided to use both! Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Prep the sweet potato base and topping 1-2 days in advance; store separately. Add the topping and marshmallows just before baking.
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Veggies
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
The traditional green bean casserole gets a bit of an upgrade with fresh green beans and mushrooms. We're keeping the fried onions on top, though!Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble 1-2 days in advance; add the fried onions just before baking.
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Broccoli Casserole
It's easy to convince anybody to eat their veggies with this cheesy broccoli casserole recipe! I like to use cheese crackers on top to make it even more indulgent.Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble the day before; add the cracker topping just before baking.
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Air Fryer Green Beans
Prefer a more simple green bean side? Cook fresh green beans in the air fryer and top them with parmesan, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for serving!Cooking method: Air fryerMake ahead: Wash and trim the beans 1 day ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to cook.
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Honey Glazed Carrots
These sweet, buttery carrots cook in less than 10 minutes for one of the easiest vegetable sides ever. Cooking method: StovetopMake ahead: Cut the carrots up to a day ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to cook.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic
Bacon, balsamic vinegar, and a bit of maple syrup add a smoky sweetness to these easy Brussels sprouts! Cooking method: Air fryerMake ahead: Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts up to a day ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
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Cauliflower Gratin
Cauliflower gratin is a delicious, cheesy alternative to the classic potato gratin. The crispy panko topping really takes things to the next level!Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Prep up to a day ahead and keep in the fridge. Wait to add the panko topping until just before baking.
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Jiffy Corn Casserole
Corn casserole is a favorite around here and it's hard to beat one made with Jiffy cornbread mix! Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble 1-2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
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Rolls
Brown and Serve Dinner Rolls
Brown and serve rolls are the ultimate make-ahead dinner roll! Make the yeast rolls and par bake them, then store them in the refrigerator or freezer. When Thanksgiving rolls around, you only have to finish browning the rolls in the oven before serving!Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Can be made up to 1 month ahead of time.
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Parker House Rolls
Buttery parker house rolls are a classic for a reason. They're golden on the outside and soft on the inside — I dare you to eat just one!Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Make the dough up to a day ahead of time.
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Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
If your family prefers biscuits to yeast rolls, these buttermilk drop biscuits are the recipe for you! You don't even need to roll and cut out the dough—just drop it by spoonfuls onto your baking sheet and pop them in the oven! Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Drop the dough onto a parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze until solid. Store frozen biscuits in the freezer for up to a month; bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes as needed.
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Mac & cheese
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Gotta have mac and cheese on your menu? Baked macaroni and cheese is rich, cheesy, and has a buttery panko topping for the perfect crispy finish.Cooking method: OvenMake ahead: Assemble the day before but do not add the panko topping. Add the topping just before baking the next day.
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One Pot Mac & Cheese
Prefer a creamy stovetop mac and cheese recipe? This one-pot version is so fast and easy, with an ultra-creamy sauce. Cooking method: StovetopMake ahead: Grate the cheese 1-2 days ahead of time and keep in the fridge until it's time to cook.
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