17+ Thanksgiving Side Dishes Recipes

Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table, sharing gratitude, and enjoying a feast that brings everyone together.

While the turkey is often the star of the show, the side dishes are what make the meal truly unforgettable.

From creamy casseroles to savory breads and fresh vegetables, side dishes bring balance, flavor, and variety to your Thanksgiving dinner.

Whether you’re hosting for the first time or are a seasoned holiday cook, having a collection of tried-and-true Thanksgiving side dish recipes can make your planning stress-free.

This guide features 17 delicious Thanksgiving side dishes that will impress your guests and complement your turkey perfectly.

1. Classic Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Description: A velvety and buttery mashed potato recipe that’s the ultimate Thanksgiving comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (15–20 minutes).
2. Drain and mash potatoes until smooth.
3. Heat milk and butter together until warm.
4. Mix into potatoes until creamy.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve warm.

2. Garlic Herb Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Description: Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic and fresh herbs, perfect for a flavorful green side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs Brussels sprouts, halved
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast 25 minutes, stirring halfway.
4. Serve hot with a sprinkle of extra herbs.

3. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Description: A sweet and crunchy casserole made with creamy sweet potatoes and a caramelized pecan crust.

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup melted butter
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup brown sugar (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Boil sweet potatoes until soft, mash them.
2. Mix in brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Spread into baking dish.
3. Combine pecans, flour, and sugar for topping. Sprinkle over potatoes.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes until golden.

4. Classic Green Bean Casserole

Description: A creamy, crunchy classic made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix green beans, soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a casserole dish.
3. Top with fried onions.
4. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly.

5. Cheddar Chive Biscuits

Description: Fluffy, cheesy biscuits with a hint of fresh chives, perfect for soaking up gravy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped chives
• ¾ cup buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
3. Stir in cheese and chives, then add buttermilk.
4. Drop dough onto baking sheet.
5. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden.

6. Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Glaze

Description: Sweet and savory roasted squash with a maple syrup glaze.

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss squash with oil, syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Spread on a baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes until caramelized.

7. Cranberry Orange Sauce

Description: A tangy and refreshing sauce with fresh cranberries and a hint of citrus.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• Zest of one orange

Instructions:

1. Combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan.
2. Simmer for 10–12 minutes until berries burst.
3. Stir in orange zest, then let cool before serving.

8. Cornbread Stuffing

Description: A Southern-style stuffing made with cornbread, celery, onions, and savory herbs.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cornbread cubes
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Sauté celery and onion in butter.
3. Combine cornbread cubes, veggies, herbs, and eggs.
4. Pour in broth until moistened.
5. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden.

9. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots

Description: Tender roasted carrots coated with garlic and parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss carrots with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast 25 minutes, sprinkle with Parmesan, and serve.

10. Creamed Spinach

Description: A rich, creamy spinach side dish that pairs perfectly with turkey.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs fresh spinach
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Steam spinach until wilted. Drain well.
2. Melt butter, whisk in flour to make a roux.
3. Add milk and cream, whisk until thickened.
4. Stir in Parmesan and spinach. Season to taste.

11. Honey Glazed Roasted Parsnips

Description: Sweet, nutty parsnips glazed with honey for a unique holiday side.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs parsnips, peeled and cut
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss parsnips with oil, honey, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast 25–30 minutes until golden.

12. Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Description: A hearty casserole with all the flavors of a loaded baked potato.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs potatoes, cubed
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup bacon bits
• ½ cup green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes until tender. Drain.
2. Mix with sour cream, cheese, bacon, and onions.
3. Spread in baking dish and bake 20 minutes at 350°F.

13. Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

Description: A low-carb, flavorful roasted cauliflower dish with garlic and herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss cauliflower with oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast 25 minutes until crispy.

14. Apple Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing

Description: A refreshing salad with crisp apples, walnuts, and a maple vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, sliced
• 4 cups mixed greens
• ½ cup walnuts, toasted
• ½ cup feta cheese
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Arrange greens, apples, walnuts, and feta in a bowl.
2. Whisk oil, maple syrup, and vinegar.
3. Drizzle over salad and serve.

15. Savory Mushroom Gravy

Description: A rich, earthy gravy that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes and turkey.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté mushrooms in butter until tender.
2. Stir in flour to make a roux.
3. Slowly whisk in broth until smooth.
4. Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.

16. Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Description: A festive roasted squash dish with caramelized maple flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 acorn squash, sliced into wedges
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Brush squash with oil and syrup. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Roast 30 minutes until tender and golden.

17. Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Description: Soft, fluffy rolls made with pumpkin puree, perfect for Thanksgiving bread baskets.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsp yeast
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ½ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Mix yeast, warm milk, and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes.
2. Add pumpkin, butter, egg, and salt. Mix in flour gradually.
3. Knead dough until smooth, rise 1 hour.
4. Shape into rolls, rise again 30 minutes.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving side dishes are what truly transform your holiday meal into a feast.

From classic mashed potatoes and green bean casserole to unique additions like apple walnut salad and pumpkin dinner rolls, each recipe here brings something special to the table.