65+ Easy and Impressive Sides for Thanksgiving Dinner

updated Nov 8, 2022

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: Brett Regot/Kitchn
Mashed Sweet Potatoes

If you ask me, it’s never too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving sides. Why? It’s simple: They are they very best and most delicious part of Thanksgiving dinner. It doesn’t matter whether you’re serving turkey, ham, or something entirely different, the side dishes are the true stars of the table.

We’re sharing more than 65 of our favorite Thanksgiving sides all in one place, and there’s something for every eater. You’ll find classics like buttery mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, family-friendly casseroles, crisp salads and slaws for those who crave something fresh on the table, basic roasted vegetables that get a holiday-worthy twist, and so much more.

Potatoes

It is impossible to think of Thanksgiving dinner without thinking about potatoes. There are so many ways to turn these humble spuds into an irresistible side dish. If mashed potatoes are your go-to, take your pick between mixing them up with butter, cream cheese, or sour cream. Jazz up roasted spuds with extra butter, herbs, or a shower of Parm.

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Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

Turn to your air fryer for this impossibly crispy and easy side dish.

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Classic Mashed Potatoes

Consider this your guide (complete with recommendations for potato type, dairy additions, and mashing methods) for making classic, tried and true, creamy mashed potatoes.

3 / 17

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Cream cheese upgrades classic mashed potatoes into the creamiest, dreamiest side.

4 / 17

Sour Cream Smashed Potatoes with Fried Shallots

Inspired by potato stuffed pierogi, these sour cream and onion mashed potatoes deserve a spot at your Thanksgiving table.

5 / 17

Vegan Mashed Potatoes

These garlicky potatoes are so creamy and lush — without a single drop of cream or butter.

6 / 17

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A easy, step-by-step guide to making creamy mashed sweet potatoes sweetened with maple syrup.

7 / 17

Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Mashed Potatoes

When the slow cooker is involved, smooth and creamy, buttery mashed potatoes have never been easier.

8 / 17

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Try adding a small squeeze of lemon juice before serving to balance the sweetness of the glaze.

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Roasted Potatoes with Bacon & Brussels Sprouts

Why decide between roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts when you can partner them together?!

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Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

These fragrant roasted potatoes are a classy addition to any Thanksgiving spread.

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Dauphinoise Potatoes

If you're craving mashed potatoes, yet want a Thanksgiving side that feels kinda fancy and indulgent, this is the dish for you.

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Sour Cream Balsamic Sweet Potatoes

With brown sugar, balsamic, and sweet potatoes, it certainly errs on the sweeter side, but the tang of balsamic and sour cream give it a rich balance.

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Garlicky Parmesan Sweet Potatoes

Thick chunks of sweet potato are roasted, then dusted with a snowy layer of nutty Parmesan cheese that crisps up under the broiler.

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Chantilly Potatoes

French-style Chantilly potatoes are the ultimate fast and fancy side dish. The addition of whipped cream makes them extra light and fluffy.

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Butter-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Simple, yet utterly impressive - these are the farthest thing from your run of the mill roasted sweet potatoes.

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Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes

These mouthwatering smashed potatoes are tossed in a garlic butter mixture and baked until golden and crispy.

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Grandma's Potatoes

These roasted potatoes are crispy on the outside, but are tender and buttery on the inside.

Stuffing and Dressing

The same goes for stuffing and dressing! Whether you make it with day-old sourdough, cornbread, or store-bought croutons, or you load it with fresh herbs or warm spices, stuffing is one of the best sides on the table.

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Sausage and Herb Stuffing

Savory sausage, toasted sourdough bread, and fresh herbs make this stuffing is the best part of the holiday meal.

2 / 12

Sausage and Apple Stuffing

This sourdough bread stuffing is packed with sausage, apples, fennel, aromatics, and herbs.

3 / 12

This plant-based stuffing recipe - brimming with with buttery, bread, and herb stuffing flavor - might be vegan, but much in the spirit of Thanksgiving, it deliciously cater to the dietary preferences of everyone at the table.

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Classic Sage Stuffing for Thanksgiving

Like the boxed stuff, but so much better. This step-by-step recipe shows you exactly how to get the taste you crave on Thanksgiving and beyond.

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Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing

It has all the usual aromatics, but this classic swaps the country-style bread for cornbread. If you’re tight on time, start with the store-bought stuff; otherwise, if you’re feeling inspired, it’s worth making your own.

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The Best Easy Stuffing

Thanks to some smart supermarket shortcuts, all you'll need is 5 ingredients to pull of this easy stuffing.

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Cuban Meaty Potato Stuffing

Ground beef and potatoes are the star of this Cuban stuffing, inspired by papas rellenas.

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Wild Mushroom Stuffing

This stuffing is packed with in-season wild mushrooms and an earthy blend of herbs, and is so cozy and comforting it will warm you right up.

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Canadian-Syrian Thanksgiving Stuffing

A mix of warm spices, chestnuts, and dried fruit give this bread stuffing a welcoming aroma and lots of texture.

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Gluten-Free Cornbread and Mushroom Stuffing

Cubes of gluten-free cornbread are mixed with a medley of sautéed mushrooms, toasted pecans, and the usual suspects of onion, celery, and fresh herbs for a hearty stuffing fit for anyone’s table.

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Stovetop Thanksgiving Stuffing

No room in the oven for stuffing? Make it on the stovetop instead - here's how.

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Grilled Bread Dressing with Cranberries and Leeks

Toss the bread on the grill before making the dressing for a smoky, rustic flavor that is so completely delicious you’ll wonder why you don’t always make stuffing like this!

Vegetable Sides

Want to get more veggies on the table? Carrots, Brussels sprouts, green beans, cabbage, and cauliflower are a good place to start.

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Italian Green Beans

Cheesy toasted bread crumbs and a splash of balsamic vinegar ensure these green beans are anything but boring.

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Candied Carrots

A delicious syrupy glaze helps to enhance the natural sweetness of carrots in this stunning, glossy, bejeweled vegetable side dish.

3 / 18

Shaved Brussels Sprouts

It's a 10-minute side dish that easy to serve alongside absolutely anything

4 / 18

Smashed Brussels Sprout

These cripsy, carmelized Brussels sprouts take a page out of the smashed potatoes playbook for a truly delicous end result.

5 / 18

Classic Green Bean Casserole

This casserole has the classic flavor you expect, and leans on smart grocery store shortcuts to rival the classic back-of-the-box recipe.

6 / 18

Honey-Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

A mix of nutty brown butter, fragrant garlic, and sweet honey transform basic roasted carrots into a truly spectacular side dish.

7 / 18

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan

Halfway through roasting Brussels sprouts how you normally would — high heat and on a preheated baking sheet for optimal caramelization — you’ll shower the pan with a whole cup of Parmesan cheese. Just wait til you taste the results.

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Stovetop Steam-Fried Green Beans and Mushrooms

If you’re looking for a lighter alternative to a Thanksgiving green bean casserole, look no further.

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Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower isn't just a replacement for mashed potatoes — it has plenty of delicious merits all on its own. To keep the prep work to a minimum, start with a couple bags of riced cauliflower.

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Whether you reserve this side dish for Thanksgiving or eat it all year long, glazed carrots are a classic that will never go out of style.

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Blistered Green Beans with Pickled Shallots and Toasted Breadcrumbs

Fresh green beans are stir-fried until blistered, then tossed with tangy pickled shallots and topped with crunchy, salty breadcrumbs.

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Maple-Roasted Delicata Squash with Bacon

This easy side dish partners roasted delicata squash with sweet maple syrup and crispy bacon.

13 / 18

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Garlic

Take your standard roasted Brussels sprouts routine (olive oil, salt, pepper) from good to memorable by adding two ingredients you probably already have around: lemon and garlic.

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Roasted Butternut Squash Purée with Goat Cheese

This fast and fancy side has a velvety texture with layers of savory flavor that keep you coming back for more.

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Smoky, Lemony Sautéed Shredded Brussels Sprouts

Smoked paprika, lemon juice, and thyme join forces for a truly memorable Brussels sprout side. Save prep time by starting with a bag or two of pre-shredded sprouts.

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Easy 10-Minute Garlic Broccolini

Broccolini is basically broccoli's lazier and arguably tastier cousin. Here's how to transform it into a simple last-minute side.

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Oven-Caramelized Cabbage Wedges

Cabbage wedges are tossed with olive oil and seasoned simply with salt, then roasted in a hot oven until darkly-caramelized and tender, with extra-crispy edges.

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15-Minute Parmesan-Thyme Mushrooms

Just 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients are all you need to bring these hearty Parmesan mushrooms to the table.

Casserole Sides

Who can resist a warm, comforting casserole to help round out dinner? The answer is no one! These creamy, cheesy sides are beloved by many, and if you happen to be having dinner elsewhere, these casseroles travel pretty well.

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Vegan Green Bean Casserole

The fall time casserole we know and love gets dairy-free makeover, and a grown-up upgrade with homemade crispy shallots. The number of pans required to make it? Just one.

2 / 7

Jiffy Corn Casserole

Thanks to a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, this corn casserole comes together quickly and makes a nice addition to your Thanksgiving table.

3 / 7

Broccoli and Cheese Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Tender strands of spaghetti squash are tossed with crisp-tender broccoli and enveloped in a fluffy, cheesy custard, giving you all the best parts of the classic side wrapped up into a feel-good, veggie-packed main.

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Chickpea Casserole with Lemon, Herbs & Shallots

This vegetarian casserole is the ideal balance between hearty and comforting and wholesome and light.

5 / 7

Brussels Sprout Casserole

This easy Brussels sprout casserole is loaded with bacon and lots of melted cheese, and comes together in a single skillet.

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5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Casserole

You know and love sweet potato casserole. Here's how to make it even easier.

7 / 7

Smashed Potato Casserole

This decadent, make-ahead casserole takes classic mashed potatoes to a whole new level.

Cranberry Sauce

Gets the basics of cranberry sauce down (you only need three ingredients), then experiment with all the fun ways to jazz up this sweet-tart side.

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Classic Cranberry Sauce

Fresh or frozen cranberries, oranges, and sugar are all you need for this sweet addition to the table.

2 / 3

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

This is a classic "dump it and forget it" recipe that will show you how to make the easiest batch of cranberry sauce to feed the whole crowd.

3 / 3

Fig Cranberry Sauce

Make this jammy cranberry sauce, and it's all but guaranteed people will be talking about it for years to come.

Salads and Slaws

Amid a sea of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole, a light and refreshing salad or slaw adds a nice balance to the table.

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Thanksgiving Slaw

This colorful, no-wilt slaw is the refreshing dish you need to balance out the roast turkey and rich sides.

2 / 9

Cabbage and Apple Slaw with Honey-Lime Dressing

Full of sweet, crisp apples and dressed with honey and lime, this crunchy slaw is familiar yet not run-of-the-mill.

3 / 9

Roasted Cabbage Slaw with Hazelnuts & Lemon

Flashing the shredded cabbage under the broiler for a few minutes gives this slaw a subtle smoky aroma.

4 / 9

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples, Hazelnuts & Brown Butter Dressing

Try making this salad ahead of time, because unlike most salads, this one tastes even better the day after it’s made.

5 / 9

Thanksgiving Lentil Salad

This hearty lentil salad is mixed with butternut squash, red onion, and kale tossed in a roasted garlic vinaigrette.

6 / 9

Marinated Feta-Beet Salad

When rock-hard beets are roasted until soft and sweet, then tossed with a vinaigrette to cut through all the sweetness, there’s something amazing that happens.

7 / 9

Raw and Roasted Radicchio Salad with Sweet Potato, Manchego, and Crunchy Seeds

This topping-heavy salad is designed so that there's no digging around for the good parts; it's all good parts. Roasted sweet potato keeps the raddcchio's bitterness in check, and toasted sunflower seeds add crunch.

8 / 9

Sicilian–Inspired Blood Orange Salad

If you can't find Cara Cara or blood oranges, feel free to substitute whatever oranges are available at the market. The salad will be just as impressive, trust me.

9 / 9

Radicchio Salad with Green Olives & Parmesan

This salad only calls for a few ingredients, but boy does it pack in tons of flavor.

Bread and Rolls

You can never go wrong with adding more carbs to the table. And homemade bread in any form is always satisfying. Whether you’re tight on time or looking for a project, we’ve got options for every schedule.

1 / 8

If you have time, make a slow-rise dough. If you don't have time, don't forgo bread — try no-time bread.

2 / 8

This loaf is the simplest bread we know how to bake at home and it requires no stand mixer, no starter, no special knowledge, and no kneading.

3 / 8

Parker House Rolls

You'll need some time, but I can tell you from experience that you'll never regret making Parker House rolls.

4 / 8

Potato Dough Rolls

These easy no-knead rolls bake up with toasted craggy, while the insides stay moist and soft.

5 / 8

Pull-Apart Sweet Potato Rolls

These no-knead rolls get their color and flavor from grated sweet potato and present beautifully on the potluck table.

6 / 8

Easy Buttery Crescent Rolls

These flaky, buttery crescent rolls ready in less than an hour and require just 5 ingredients.

7 / 8

1-Hour Dinner Rolls

While these no-knead rolls won't replace tender, yeasty rolls, they are a perfect, foolproof stand-in when you've only got an hour to spare.

8 / 8

Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls

This easy recipe makes rich and tender rolls that gluten-eaters and gluten-free eaters adore.

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