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From classic mashed potatoes to stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a few casseroles everyone fights over, these are the Thanksgiving side dishes worth having on your menu this year.
There’s a reason the sides are the real stars of the Thanksgiving table. Whether you’re sticking to the classics or looking to add something new, this roundup covers every category of the plate. It covers sweet, warm, savory, and chilled, so your whole menu is covered in one place.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Great Thanksgiving Side Dish?
Thanksgiving side dishes that balance comforting, familiar flavors with a little variety are the best choices for your Thanksgiving table. The best lineups mix something warm and savory, something sweet, something fresh, and a bread or roll, so every plate has a little bit of everything when the turkey comes out.
Key Takeaways
- A mix of classic and creative sides to round out the Thanksgiving menu.
- Something for every category: potatoes, vegetables, bread, salad, and sauce.
- Many recipes can be made ahead to save time on the big day.
- Great for potlucks, family dinners, or Friendsgiving.
- Simple, approachable recipes that don’t require advanced cooking skills.
Best Thanksgiving Recipes
Pro Tips for Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Make a plan for your own oven space. Many sides can bake at the same temperature, so group dishes together to avoid a bottleneck on the big day.
- Prep what you can the day before. Casseroles, salads, and sauces like cranberry sauce and broccoli salad can be made the day before.
- Keep warm sides warm. A slow cooker on low or a warming drawer can hold mashed potatoes and gravy while everything else finishes.
- Don’t skip the dressing step on the salads. Keep dressings separate until closer to serving for the best taste and texture.
- Taste and adjust before serving. Flavors can mellow as they sit, so give everything a final taste before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
Stuffing Swap – Use the classic stuffing or cornbread dressing depending on your family’s preference, or make both for variety.
Potato Options – Classic mashed potatoes pair well with either the green bean casserole or a lighter salad like broccoli salad.
Sweet Additions – The sweet potato casserole and cranberry cornbread both bring a touch of sweetness to balance the savory dishes.
Dietary Adjustments – Many of these sides can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with simple swaps and adaptations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cranberry sauce, broccoli salad, pistachio salad, and most casseroles can be made a day or two ahead and reheated or chilled until serving.
A good rule of thumb is to make one side dish per 2 to 3 guests, aiming for a mix of a starch, vegetable, salad, and a bread option.
Stuffing is traditionally cooked inside the turkey, while dressing is baked separately in its own dish. Both recipes in this list are baked separately for easy prep.
Many casseroles, like the corn casserole and sweet potato casserole, freeze well. Salads with mayonnaise-based dressings, like the broccoli salad, are best made fresh or a day ahead rather than frozen.
The broccoli salad and pistachio salad are good lighter, chilled options.
What to Serve with Thanksgiving Sides
Storage and Reheating
Each recipe will include specific storage and reheating details, but in general, sides keep well in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Dessert Recipes
Perfect Homemade Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Cornbread Recipes
Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing (With Make-Ahead Tips)
Appetizer Recipes
Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe | Sweet & Spicy Holiday Dish
With this many Thanksgiving side dishes to choose from, there’s no reason to stick to the same plate year after year. Pick a few classics, add in something new, and let the sides be just as memorable as the turkey.
