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Thanksgiving Side Dishes

written by Ashley Fehr

Posted October 11, 2023

Here are some of the best Thanksgiving Side Dish recipes that will go with almost any main dish to make your holiday meal delicious and magical! From potatoes and vegetables, to salads and the all-important dinner rolls, there’s something for everyone.

long photo collage for thanksgiving sides recipes.

Table of Contents

What are the most popular side dishes at Thanksgiving?
How many dishes should a Thanksgiving meal have?

As we gear up for the holiday season, it’s time to start planning our Thanksgiving feasts.

Whether you’re having roast turkey, ham, or beef as your main dish, we all know that the side dishes are what really make the meal complete.

Try my Garlic Brown Sugar Dry Brine Turkey, Crockpot Turkey Breast, Honey Baked Ham, or my Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin Recipe for something different this year!

Whether you prefer classic comfort foods or more adventurous options, there are endless possibilities for delicious Thanksgiving side dishes.

Here are some of the best Thanksgiving side dish recipes that are sure to impress your guests and make your Thanksgiving dinner unforgettable.

What are the most popular side dishes at Thanksgiving?

On a traditional American Thanksgiving menu, you’ll find some tried-and-true classics like green bean casserole, Thanksgiving stuffing, cranberry sauce, creamed corn, and sweet potato casserole.

Here in Canada, we also like to have some Brussels sprouts and butternut squash on our holiday table.

Mashed potatoes or some sort of a potato dish is a must have wherever you are!

How many dishes should a Thanksgiving meal have?

Sometimes it’s difficult to know how much to cook for the number of people you will have for your Thanksgiving dinner. Here’s a quick guide for deciding how many side dishes to prepare for your Thanksgiving table!

If you’ll be having 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides with your main. You might want smaller sides rather than very large, shared dishes.

For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 large, sharing sides.

For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 5 or more sides, depending on their size.

overhead image of stuffing in white backing dish with wooden spoon.

Homemade Stuffing Recipe

Easy to prep ahead, this delicious savory stuffing is made with onion, celery, and apple for a flavor-packed side that will go well with any main dish!

square overhead image of garlic mashed potatoes with melted butter

Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe

These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a classic side dish taken up a notch! This recipe makes smooth, creamy, buttery, garlicky mashed potatoes that are ready in just 30 minutes!

square image of creamed corn in white skillet.

Homemade Creamed Corn

This easy homemade Creamed Corn is made with just a few ingredients in less than 30 minutes! You can easily make it ahead and reheat or warm it in the slow cooker to take some of the stress out of the big day.

white slow cooker filled with cooked carrots.

Slow Cooker Honey Orange Glazed Carrots

Full of bright and sweet flavor, these honey-orange-glazed carrots are perfection in a dish. They go well with any main dish and are always a huge hit when I make them.

close up image of metal spoon scooping hashbrown casserole

Hashbrown Casserole

This Hashbrown Casserole is a classic side dish that takes 10 minute to prep! Tender potatoes are baked in a rich and creamy sauce, topped with melty cheddar cheese, and finished off with a buttery, crunchy Corn Flake topping.

metal ladle scooping roasted red potatoes from baking sheet

Roasted Red Potatoes

Perfectly crisp, seasoned with garlic, paprika, and parmesan cheese, these potatoes are a great alternative to mashed potatoes, or serve them alongside other potato sides for a large gathering for a bit of variety!

wooden spoon stuck into broccoli casserole with crushed crackers on top.

Broccoli Casserole

This dish is the ultimate comfort food. With a rich and creamy texture that's bursting with flavor, this easy recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving!

top view of a full loaf of no knead bread sitting in a dutch oven.

No Knead Artisan Bread

We love bread with any meal, and Thanksgiving is no different! Make this delicious, crusty bread for a scrumptious side dish.

close up square shot of baked scalloped potatoes and carrots in white dish.

Garlic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes and Carrots Recipe

With a good dose of fresh garlic and a good chunk of Parmesan cheese, this recipe is a great way to get two veggies in one dish!

overhead image of baked beans in white baking dish.

Maple Bacon Baked Beans

With a perfect balance of sweet and smoky, this dish is the perfect side dish for a crowd! With only 10 minutes of prep time, it's perfect served with creamy potatoes and some veggies too!

multiple crescent rolls on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Homemade Crescent Rolls

Making homemade Crescent Rolls is easy and quick, and they taste even better than store-bought ones. These rolls are light, fluffy, and buttery, making them the perfect choice for your Thanksgiving spread.

close up a spoon scooping green bean casserole out of white baking dish.

Green Bean Casserole

This dish is a must-have for your Thanksgiving table this year, and it's such a crowd pleaser, but my version has a twist! It's made with a creamy homemade mushroom sauce with parmesan cheese, topped with bread crumbs and deliciously crunchy fried onions!

overhead image of mashed potatoes in instant pot.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

These creamy potatoes are perfect for the holidays because you'll save precious oven and stovetop space by using your Instant Pot! Also, they're ready in just 15 minutes!

overhead image of roasted sliced carrots on parchment lined baking sheet.

Roasted Carrots

These carrots are a delicious but easy side dish, perfectly seasoned with a blend of spices, then roasted with olive oil and butter until they’re perfectly soft and slightly caramelized!

square image of roasted vegetables on a baking sheet with a metal spatula.

Mixed Roasted Vegetables

This isn't a traditional Thanksgiving recipe, but roast vegetables are always a delicious side dish for any dinner table. Choose your favorite veggies and seasonings to complement your main dish!

close up of golden baked homemade dinner rolls in pan.

Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

Made from scratch, these dinner rolls are the most delicious, soft, and fluffy rolls you’ve ever tasted, perfect for your Thanksgiving spread!

homemade cranberry sauce in white bowl with orange zest on top.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe – NatashasKitchen.com

Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce is bursting with fresh juicy cranberries and flavored with cinnamon and orange. So easy with 4 ingredients.

a wooden ladle scooping mashed potatoes.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

These rich and creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for your holiday dinner table! They are so versatile, they will compliment any main dish or other side dish you choose.

overhead image of green beans with bacon on white serving platter

Green Beans with Bacon

This classic side dish brings a vibrant color to your dinner table, as well as nutrients and a delicious smoky flavor that works so well with just about any main!

Overhead close up of baked asparagus in white dish.

Cheesy Baked Asparagus

While this may not be on your list of classic Thanksgiving side dish recipes, it can be a comforting and welcome addition to your dinner table!

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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