Whether you are looking to stir up the regular menu with a new side dish or make a classic to take to a family dinner, these easy Thanksgiving side dishes will carry you through the entire holiday season.
Typically, we reserve roasting the turkey for Thanksgiving Day, and serve another meat, like ham or prime rib, for Christmas Dinner. Whatever your routine may be, it’s easy to get into a holiday rut – especially with sides.
Let’s be real for a second. It may be the turkey’s day, but the side dishes are really where the competition gets heated!
The side dishes that complement the turkey make holiday dinners so memorable!
Plus, the great thing about Christmas and Thanksgiving is that you can easily perfect your favorite side, and take the same to both holiday dinners!
Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
If you haven’t already, check out my complete list of holiday recipes for the whole meal from start to finish.
Slow cookers and casserole carriers are ideal when it comes to transporting dishes to holiday gatherings. Most casserole carriers also act as an insulator, keeping food warm or cool for a few hours at a time.
Here are a few side dish options that travel well:
- mashed potatoes
- cranberry sauce (can be served warm or at room temp!)
- casseroles – like green bean casserole
- cornbread dressing
- breads (like cornbread or rolls)
- salads
How to Make Thanksgiving Easier
Thanksgiving is a time to show gratitude for everything we have. At the same time, it’s easy to feel pressured to feel “blessed” instead of stressed. BUT – It is stressful!
Putting together a dinner for many people with different dietary restrictions, opinions, tastes, etc. can become overwhelming quickly, so here are a few helpful articles to ease the overwhelm and make hosting the holidays enjoyable again.
- If you are a first-time host or brushing up on hosting a holiday dinner, check out this guide to survive the holiday season.
- A guide and recipe for roasting turkey – and how to thaw it properly.
- If you are having a smaller thanksgiving dinner, check out these tips for a simple celebration.
- Don’t forget to stock up on essential pantry ingredients.
- Cut down on waste with recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Don’t forget to set the mood with a great playlist for cooking!
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Traditional Thanksgiving Sides
Stick with tradition this holiday season.
Best Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
The best baked mac and cheese recipe I’ve ever made is right here! Made with three different kinds of cheese and completely from scratch, this is the ultimate, homemade comfort food. Made without Velveeta, this macaroni and cheese is rich, creamy, and seasoned with punchy creole spices (not spicy!).
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southern Cornbread Dressing is a holiday classic! Comforting and moist, this side dish is a holiday staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Made with an old-fashioned cornbread recipe, and deliciously seasoned with sage, celery and onion, this is the soul food you need this holiday season!
Creamy, Easy Mashed Potatoes
Learn how to make the best mashed potatoes with creamy, smooth results every time! This recipe is easy to make a holiday dinner or a weeknight side dish. Variations, make-ahead tips, and the complete recipe (with steps!) are listed below.
Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole
A classic southern side dish! Made from scratch, this easy green bean casserole starts with a creamy, homemade mushroom sauce and topped with crispy French Fried onions.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce - Spiked!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce made with fresh cranberries – spiked with Kentucky Bourbon! An old fashioned recipe gets an upgrade from the canned stuff. You can make this in the oven and have it on your table in 30 minutes. (easy and flexible recipe!)
Sauteed Green Beans with Almonds
Sauteed Green Beans with Almonds is the perfect side dish for a weeknight meal or on your holiday table! With only 5 ingredients, you can have this on the table in 30 minutes.
Parker House Rolls
This easy-to-make variant of the original Parker House rolls recipe can be made the day before, turning them into overnight Parker House rolls!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, made with fresh sweet potatoes or canned sweet potatoes, has been a traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish in our family for as long as I can remember.
Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
Lean toward the healthy side this year with twists on Thanksgiving favorites.
Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat Cheese
These green beans with cranberries, bacon and goat cheese are a healthy addition to your Thanksgiving table that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Roasted Radishes
Roasted Radishes – A delicious side dish made with just 4 simple ingredients in less than 20 minutes. This is the best way to cook radishes!
Vegetable Sides for Thanksgiving
Vegetable side dishes - a few healthy and a few classically indulgent!
Roasted Beets with Orange and Maple Glaze
Tender roasted beets are coated with an orange and maple glaze that makes for a fantastic and super easy side dish, great all year round!
Creamy Cauliflower and Brussels Sprout Casserole
Cozy up with this delicious Creamy Cauliflower and Brussels Sprout Casserole! It makes a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving and holiday dinners galore.
Easy Creamed Spinach
Using frozen spinach slashes time in this Easy Creamed Spinach recipe… it’s a perfect side dish for just about any main course!
More Turkey Side Dishes
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Roasted Parsnips - Holiday Roasted Parsnips
These roasted parsnips with cinnamon and brown sugar are the perfect holiday side dish. Roasted grapes and a sweet hummus drizzle make it a dish to remember!
Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions
Braised Chestnuts and Pearl Onions are a beautiful blend of ingredients including red wine, fresh herbs and pecans. Thanksgiving chestnut side dish recipes are truly something special!
Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker are all you need to make these amazingly delicious Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Glazed Sweet Potato Coins Recipe
Sweet potato coins bathed in brown sugar-butter glaze are the perfect addition to any Thanksgivng, Christmas, or Fall dinner. And this Glazed Sweet Potato Coins recipe has a little secret ingredient to give the glaze great flavor while keeping it from being too sweet.
Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes | Southern Cravings
Monday 15th of November 2021
[…] mashed sweet potatoes are ready in under 30 minutes, which is perfect for weeknights or a quick holiday side dish. Naturally sweet, this recipe does not include marshmallows or brown sugar. Herbs and butter give […]
Emily Bruno
Wednesday 9th of January 2019
What a yummy round up- there's no way to choose!
Tawnie Kroll
Thursday 20th of December 2018
Thanks so much for including my recipe!! xo
Susie
Thursday 20th of December 2018
What an amazing round up. This will definitely help me in my Holiday planning.
Amy
Thursday 20th of December 2018
Great side dish ideas! Can’t wait to start cooking.