31+ Thanksgiving Side Dishes So Good, They Might Upstage the Turkey
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Let’s be honest, the sides are what everyone really piles onto their plate on Thanksgiving. Some of these are the must-haves that show up at our table every single year, and others are ones we’ve loved when we wanted to mix things up. Either way, you’ll find plenty of make-ahead and oven-saving options to take the pressure off the big day.
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes the Whole Family Will Enjoy
- Short on oven space? The cranberry meatballs, mac and cheese, and hashbrown casserole all cook in the slow cooker, and the skillet corn and honey mustard carrots are made on the stovetop.
- Feeding a smaller group? My slow cooker turkey breast with cranberry sauce leaves the whole oven open for sides.
- Planning the rest of the menu? Find mains, desserts, and more in my Thanksgiving recipes.
1. Stuffing with Italian Sausage
This Italian sausage stuffing is my husband’s must-have holiday side, and Thanksgiving doesn’t feel complete without it. Toasted bread cubes, savory sausage, and plenty of herbs bake up soft in the middle with those crispy edges everyone goes for first. Make it ahead, then bake while the turkey rests.
2. Cheesy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Yukon Golds are naturally buttery, so these mashed potatoes come out extra creamy. Butter, warm milk, garlic, and a good handful of shredded cheese get stirred right in, and they’re ready for a big ladle of gravy. They also reheat well, which makes them an easy make-ahead pick for Thanksgiving.
3. Classic Green Bean Casserole (No Canned Soup)
This classic green bean casserole is my mother-in-law’s from-scratch recipe, made with a creamy homemade sauce instead of canned soup. It’s rich and comforting, with plenty of those crispy fried onions on top that everyone looks forward to.
4. Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Can’t decide between marshmallows or pecans? This sweet potato casserole has both. A creamy sweet potato base gets topped with toasty pecans and gooey marshmallows, so it bakes up soft underneath and crunchy on top. Prep it a day ahead, and it’s ready to go straight into the oven on Thanksgiving.
5. Turkey Veggie Tray
Who says veggie trays have to be boring? Carrots, bell peppers, and snap peas get fanned out into turkey feathers, with a bowl of hummus on the side for dipping. There’s no cooking at all, it’s a fun one to put together with the kids, and it gives everyone something crunchy to snack on while the turkey finishes.
6. Easy Mini Cornbread Muffins
I’ve made these mini cornbread muffins for years, and they never last long. They’re soft, bite-size, and a little sweet from the honey, so they’re easy to grab and pile onto a plate next to everything else. Prefer regular muffins? The batter also makes 6 full-size ones, so double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd.
7. Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
I’ve made these cranberry meatballs for Thanksgiving, and they always start out as an appetizer and somehow end up on everyone’s dinner plate. Cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce cook down into a sweet and tangy glaze, and the slow cooker does all the work. Plus, they stay warm right in the crockpot, so you’ve got one less thing to juggle in the oven.
8. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
The last time we had another family over for a holiday dinner, one of the kids asked about a dozen times if there would be mac and cheese. This slow cooker version is my answer to that question. Velveeta and sharp cheddar melt into half and half and cream for an extra creamy sauce, and it cooks on low for a couple of hours without taking up any oven space. You can even cook the pasta and prep the ingredients the day before.
9. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
This honey butter skillet corn is sweet, buttery, and creamy, and it scoops right up next to the mashed potatoes and turkey. It’s made on the stovetop in about 10 minutes, so it’s a great last-minute side that doesn’t need a single spot in the oven.
10. Baked Candied Yams
If your family likes their sweet potatoes on the sweeter side, these candied yams are for you. They bake in a brown sugar and butter glaze that turns glossy and caramelized in the oven. There are no fancy steps, just an old-fashioned classic that’s been on Thanksgiving tables for generations.
11. Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread
This cheesy pull apart bread starts with a can of refrigerated biscuit dough, so it takes just 5 minutes to put together. The biscuits get split into thin layers, brushed with garlic herb butter, and stacked with melty mozzarella, cheddar, and pepper jack in a loaf pan. Set it in the middle of the table and let everyone pull off their own piece.
12. Roasted Baby Carrots with Honey Glaze
Need a bright veggie on the table? These honey glazed baby carrots roast up tender with little caramelized spots, and a quick drizzle of honey makes them taste extra special without a lot of extra work. Since they come out naturally sweet, they’re a great veggie to try with picky eaters.
13. Slow Cooker Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
This cheesy hashbrown casserole cooks right in the slow cooker, so it stays warm and gooey until everyone’s ready to eat. Frozen shredded hash browns go in with sour cream, plenty of cheddar, and diced ham in a creamy homemade sauce. It’s hearty enough to hold its own next to the turkey, and it keeps your oven free for everything else.
14. Favorite Fall Apple Cranberry Salad
After all the creamy, cheesy sides, you’ll want something fresh on the plate. This apple cranberry salad tosses crisp apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy nuts with a light vinaigrette, so it’s bright and refreshing next to everything else. It tastes like fall in a bowl and adds a pop of color to the table.
15. Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
Want to switch up the classic? This from-scratch green bean casserole uses fresh green beans and adds smoky bacon to the creamy sauce. The topping still gets crunchy, so it has everything people love about the original, with a little something extra that tends to steal the show.
16. Garlic Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Cream cheese is the secret to mashed potatoes that stay creamy, even after reheating. It adds a little tang, the garlic brings plenty of flavor, and they bake right in a casserole dish, so they’re easy to make ahead and warm up before dinner. A great pick if you want your potatoes done before the turkey even comes out.
17. Cheddar Garlic Biscuits
Every holiday bread basket needs a cheesy option, and these cheddar garlic biscuits are fluffy, buttery, and full of savory garlic flavor. They’re easy to make and just right for soaking up extra gravy. Make a double batch, because they tend to disappear before dinner’s over.
18. Baked Mac and Cheese with Ham
Already have the slow cooker mac on your list? This baked version is a heartier take. Curly corkscrew pasta (called cavatappi) holds onto every bit of the rich cheese sauce, and salty ham in each bite makes it filling enough to double as an easy next-day lunch. Can’t find corkscrew pasta? Any short pasta works.
19. Dreamy Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These mashed sweet potatoes show up on our Thanksgiving table every single year. They’re creamy, lightly sweet, and cozy with a touch of maple, and they sit right next to the turkey and gravy like they’ve always belonged there. If your family skips the marshmallow topping, this is the one to try. Make them ahead, then rewarm with a splash of milk right before dinner.
20. Crispy Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
Not everyone wants mashed, and these crispy baby potatoes are an easy alternative. Halved baby Yukon Golds get tossed with olive oil, fresh rosemary, and garlic, then roasted cut side down until they’re golden and crisp. They roast hot, so they’re a perfect match if you’re making a slow cooker turkey breast and have the oven all to yourself.
21. Easy Baked Ziti
I grew up in an Italian family, and a pan of pasta like this baked ziti was always on the table for the holidays. Pasta gets stirred with marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella, then baked until the top is bubbly and a little browned. It’s hearty, great for a crowd, and makes an easy next-day dinner if there’s any left.
22. Glazed Honey Mustard Carrots
Out of oven space? These honey mustard carrots cook right on the stovetop in about 15 minutes. Sliced carrots get a quick simmer, then a sweet and tangy glaze of honey, Dijon, and a little garlic. They’re a nice change from the honey roasted carrots if you like a bit of tang.
23. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
All the best parts of a loaded baked potato, in one big pan. Creamy mashed potatoes get mixed with sour cream and topped with cheddar and crispy bacon. Put it together earlier in the day, then bake and broil right before dinner for a bubbly, melty top.
24. Cranberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Have extra cranberry sauce? This vinaigrette blends it with oil, vinegar, and a little honey for a bright, tangy dressing. Drizzle it over mixed greens with pecans and goat cheese for an easy salad that looks right at home on the holiday table. Make it ahead and give it a quick shake before serving.
25. Buttermilk Cornbread
If you’d rather slice than scoop, this buttermilk cornbread bakes in one pan and cuts into easy squares for the bread basket. It’s rich and buttery with a soft crumb and a lightly golden top. It’s also a great one to have on hand for all the leftover turkey soup and sandwiches later in the week.
26. Hot German Potato Salad
Want a potato side that’s a little unexpected? This hot German potato salad is served warm, with tender potatoes tossed in crispy bacon and a tangy vinegar dressing with just a hint of sweetness. There’s no mayo at all, so it’s a nice break from all the creamy dishes, and it’s one of those sides people ask for the recipe for.
27. Deviled Eggs (With No Mayo!)
Set out a plate of these before dinner, and don’t be surprised when a few sneak onto plates right next to the turkey. These deviled eggs use Greek yogurt instead of mayo, so they still come out creamy and tangy with all the classic flavor. Make them ahead, chill, and finish with a sprinkle of paprika right before guests arrive.
28. Oven-Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes
Cooking for a smaller crowd this year? This sheet pan side gives you a veggie and a potato in one, so there’s less to make and fewer dishes to wash. The potatoes roast up golden and crisp, the green beans stay bright and tender, and a little garlic and seasoning pulls it all together.
29. Easy Homemade Garlic Knots
These homemade garlic knots are soft, buttery, and brushed with plenty of garlic, and they make the whole kitchen smell amazing while they bake. They’re fun to tie, easy to make ahead, and a little different from the usual dinner rolls in the bread basket.
30. Cheddar Broccoli Twice-Baked Potatoes
Want your potatoes and veggies in one? These twice-baked potatoes get scooped out, mashed with melty cheddar and tender bits of broccoli, then baked again until golden on top. Each one is its own little serving, which makes them easy to pass around the table and fun to put on the kids’ plates.
31. Easy Classic Italian Pasta Salad
Bringing a dish to someone else’s Thanksgiving? My aunt’s “secret” Italian pasta salad is made to feed a crowd and travels really well. Tender pasta and crisp veggies soak up a tangy Italian-style dressing in the fridge, so it actually tastes better the next day. That makes it an easy one to make ahead and carry out the door.
32. Loaded Baked Potato Salad
This loaded baked potato salad is a cold, creamy twist on the classic potato salad. Tender potatoes get mixed with a creamy dressing, crispy bacon, cheddar, and green onion, then chill so all the flavors come together. Make it the day before, and it’s ready to pull straight from the fridge when it’s time to eat.
