When the holidays are upon us, we need a list of recipes fast, of which Thanksgiving side dishes are a big part. In fact, they’re as important as the main attraction.
As for the turkey, the only thing you have to decide is if you want to bake, smoke, or spatchcock it. There’s such a wide selection of side dishes, depending on what part of the country you’re from.
So let’s take some of that stress and get into traditional holiday sides to go with that juicy bird. Pick and choose what appeals to you and have fun!
Hearty Sides for Thanksgiving
1. Baked Mac & Cheese
Wherever you go, especially in Southern and soul food areas, you can’t forget the mac and cheese. Dive into this creamy delight that will disappear faster than the turkey.
2. Cornbread Dressing
Dressing (or stuffing, depending on where you’re from) is another classic turkey side. Sausage and cornbread, turned into a well-seasoned and flavorful dressing, will make a houseful of happy campers.
3. Jalapeño Corn Casserole
If you’re not into dressing but love spice, you have to try this spicy and hearty casserole. The cheese and sour cream only make it better.
4. Corn Pudding
This buttery, creamy, custardy side dish is so easy, and no mixer is required. Just dump all the ingredients together and bake. The sour cream and jalapeños add the perfect tartness and spice for a memorable meal.
Classic Bread Recipes
5. Texas Roadhouse Rolls
These rolls are what get me to Texas Roadhouse. Yes, I love the steak, but oh, these soft butter rolls slathered in cinnamon honey butter are where it’s at. Now, I can make them at home.
6. Garlic Knot Bread
The garlic bread that comes with the pizza is as good as it gets. But why wait? These delicious knots of soft buttery bread with herbs and garlic are a great snack on their own or with any meal.
7. Easy Dinner Rolls
These melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls are ready in an hour, even counting the time to rise. Rich and buttery, they’re the perfect addition to any holiday dinner.
8. Homemade Crescent Rolls
Ridiculously delicious bites of buttery goodness in super-easy and flaky crescent rolls go so well with turkey or ham. You can have these babies ready to rise in 20 minutes. After the rising time, they only need 15 minutes in the oven for steaming hot bundles of goodness.
9. Spoon Bread
It’s not quite cornbread, but it’s not quite a pudding. This mouthwatering perfection enjoys the moist creaminess of pudding and the substance of cornbread. Add a touch of spice for an extra special touch.
10. Skillet Cornbread
You don’t want to miss out on this super-moist cornbread with all the trademark Southern comfort food qualities. If you make it a day or two before, you can use it to make the incredible cornbread dressing.
11. Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins
This wonderful recipe has bits of corn that make it even more delicious. And it’s sweetened with honey, so no guilt in serving it to your loved ones. It makes a great breakfast, by the way. A great time-saver, if you ask me.
Potato Side Dishes
12. Roast Garlic Mashed Potatoes
I love mashed potatoes. However, these tasty potatoes are kicked up a couple of notches with garlic and sour cream. This exquisite recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, right next to the juicy turkey and homemade gravy.
13. Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
The only thing that could possibly make garlic mashed potatoes better is to use tender red potatoes with delicate skins. They only need a good washing, then cooked whole. After that, you can mash them whole, skin and all.
14. Duchess Potatoes
Elegant mashed potatoes! Smooth and silky, then piped in a beautiful design and baked to toasty perfection. It’s my preferred way to serve mashed potatoes on special occasions.
15. Potatoes Au Gratin
Cheesy, creamy, and incredibly mouthwatering, this potato dish is the perfect Thanksgiving side. The French version of scalloped potatoes is oh so yummy! And, of course, I had to add my touch.
16. Hasselback Potatoes
These buttery, crispy potatoes look like they take forever to make. However, they’re super simple and always make an impression when I serve them with a holiday dinner.
Healthier Veggie Sides
17. Green Bean Casserole
What is a Thanksgiving dinner without green bean casserole? Creamy mushrooms and crispy onion topping baked with fresh green beans take me down Memory Lane. And it’s healthy, too (well, healthier).
18. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
Cute miniature cabbages sautéed in butter or olive oil, then spiced up with my Creole seasoning, is one of my favorite and healthy Thanksgiving side dishes.
19. Collard Greens
Bacon and Creole seasoning make soul food incredibly delicious. And it’s so quick and easy to throw together that you’ll have more time to spend with the family.
20. Waldorf Salad
Fruit and nuts together in a healthy salad dressed in yogurt and mayo are so delicious. The apples and grapes give sweetness, the celery gives the perfect crunch, and the dressing takes it over the top.
21. Creamed Spinach
How do I get my son to eat his spinach? I add milk and cheese, then lots of delicious seasonings. It doesn’t hurt to tell him it will make him as strong as Popeye.
22. Parmesan-Crusted Asparagus
If your first experience with asparagus was mushy and overcooked, take heart. This recipe will change your mind about this remarkable vegetable. Butter, herbed breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese over asparagus that has been perfectly oven-roasted to crunchy-tender is what it’s all about.
23. Scalloped Corn
Creamy corn baked with cheese and buttery crackers has me drooling just thinking about it. And it goes so well with turkey. Or ham, or pork chops, or steak—you get the idea.
24. Creamed Corn
This recipe is great for when you don’t want to heat the oven. Fresh corn ramped up with cream, butter, and spices makes this recipe a must-have for any day of the week, but especially on special occasions.
25. Roasted Acorn Squash
You can choose between the savory or sweet version, depending on your mood. Butter makes it awesome, and you can use butternut squash instead of acorn if you so desire.
26. Green Beans and Bacon
This vegetable side has to be one of the easiest out there. A little bacon and garlic, and you have a side dish worthy of praise.
27. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Olive oil, Creole seasoning, and balsamic vinegar dress the adorable sprouts in style. That they’re super easy is a definite perk.
28. Sautéed Mushrooms
Mushrooms are so good with their incredible umami. Add butter, Creole seasoning, and thyme, and you have pure deliciousness.
29. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This salad is light and refreshing, and while it’s perfect for a nice sunny day, it’s also excellent with your Thanksgiving turkey. Sweet and smoky with dates, crisp apples, and smoked Gouda cheese, it offers a unique holiday flair.
Sauces and Gravies
30. Homemade Gravy
Intense flavor from turkey drippings combined with thickeners makes an incredibly mouthwatering gravy to drizzle over your potatoes. Follow my instructions for a delicious and smooth (lump-free) holiday gravy.
31. Giblet Gravy
What are potatoes or rice without gravy? The giblets that usually come with the turkey give the gravy a fantastic flavor and a great way not to waste food. I don’t know about you, but the giblets are my favorite part of the turkey.
32. Cranberry Sauce
Tart cranberries and a slight orange twist, sweetened with a bit of sugar and spice, are all you need for your Thanksgiving cranberry sauce. This sauce is so good, I don’t usually wait for the holidays. As soon as fresh cranberries are in season, I stock my freezer with them.
The Sweeter Sides
33. Pineapple Casserole
This classic sweet and savory Southern dish is made with pineapple chunks, cheese, sugar, butter, and Ritz crackers. This dessert-like casserole is great for a side or a less-sweet dessert!
34. Carrot Souffle
A superb alternative to sweet potatoes, this healthy side dish is so good it could double as dessert. Just a tad of sugar and spice makes it incredible.
35. Candied Sweet Potatoes (Yams)
I’m not sure if this is a Thanksgiving side dish or a dessert. The flavorful, sweet glaze, ramped up with maple syrup, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger, makes this dish oh so good!
36. Sweet Potato Casserole
Here is an extra! The first time I tried this dish, I fell in love. Mashed sweet potatoes with cream, then topped with pecans (praline style), and melted marshmallows are absolutely drool-worthy.
