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These Thanksgiving Side Dishes include all of my favorites for the holiday, from creamy mashed potatoes and classic stuffing to green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, vegetables and homemade rolls. Whether you’re planning a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or looking for something new, you’ll find plenty of easy side dishes for Thanksgiving here.
Thanksgiving dinner may be centered around the turkey, but I’ve always thought the side dishes are the best part! I love having a mix of traditional favorites like mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole along with a few different sides for everyone to try.
I’ve gathered my best Thanksgiving side dishes in one place to make planning your holiday menu easier. There are slow cooker and Instant Pot options to help free up oven space, comforting casseroles, fresh vegetables, salads and homemade breads.
Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas
There are so many Thanksgiving side dish ideas to choose from, but a good Thanksgiving dinner usually has a variety of sides. I like to include potatoes, stuffing or dressing, a couple of vegetables, bread and a few extra family favorites. You don’t need to make everything on this list. Pick a combination that works best for your family and the size of your Thanksgiving dinner.
Make-Ahead Tips
A little planning can make Thanksgiving dinner much less stressful. Cold salads can be prepared ahead and refrigerated according to their individual recipe instructions. Some casseroles can also be assembled in advance, depending on the recipe.
Slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes are also great choices when oven space is limited. I like to decide which dishes need the oven first, then fill out the menu with sides that can be made on the stovetop or in another appliance.
Potato Side Dishes
Funeral Potatoes
My Funeral Potatoes are always a crowd favorite. Tender potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce and finished with a buttery cornflake topping.
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Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Made with just 4 ingredients in 35 minutes, this is truly the best mashed potatoes recipe. Half and half and butter give these Creamy Mashed Potatoes the perfect texture, while rosemary adds a hint of savory flavor.
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Candied Sweet Potatoes
Get ready to fall in love with these irresistible Candied Sweet Potatoes! Baked to perfection in a rich, buttery glaze of brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices, this dish is the ultimate comfort food.
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Cheesy Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole
This Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole is creamy, cheesy and made with just five ingredients. It's especially convenient for Thanksgiving because it doesn't take up precious oven space.
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Twice Baked Potato Casserole
All the flavors of loaded twice baked potatoes come together in this Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions and sour cream make this an extra comforting holiday side.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and Pecans
Buttery, cinnamon-spiced sweet potato mash is topped with a sweet pecan streusel and finished with marshmallows in this delicious sweet potato casserole recipe.
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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are the best form of comfort food. Tender potato slices covered in a rich and creamy cheese sauce baked to golden brown perfection will leave you wanting a second serving!
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Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole
As we head towards the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's a must to have a dish that will impress. This Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole is made with sweet potato puffs, marshmallows, brown sugar, cinnamon, and crushed pretzels.
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Hashbrown Casserole
This Hashbrown casserole is easy to make and can be served for breakfast or dinner. Frozen hashbrowns, cheese, and a creamy sauce make this dish the ultimate comfort food.
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Cinnamon Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
This flavorful recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes is a Fall favorite! Perfectly tender on the inside and caramelized on the outside with a cinnamon maple glaze.
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Au Gratin Potatoes
Thinly sliced potatoes and onions are topped with a creamy and decadent cheese sauce in this Au Gratin Potatoes recipe. A combination of Gruyère and cheddar cheese adds the most incredible flavor.
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Mashed Sweet Potatoes
With just 3 ingredients, these creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes are a perfect side dish for any dinner! Whip them up for a special holiday dinner next to turkey or ham to serve with a weeknight meal.
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Loaded Potato Casserole
Loaded Potato Casserole is creamy and savory using shredded potatoes loaded with seasonings, cheddar cheese, bacon, cream cheese, and sour cream.
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Stuffing and Dressing
Apple Cranberry Stuffing
This Apple Cranberry Stuffing recipe is a delicious twist on the traditional favorite that will elevate your holiday table! With a perfect balance of savory and sweet, this side dish bakes to golden perfection—crisp on top but soft and flavorful in the center. Each bite bursts with the sweetness of tender apples and dried cranberries.
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Green Bean Stuffing Casserole
This Green Bean Stuffing Casserole is made up of two favorite Thanksgiving side dishes in one! Green beans in a creamy mushroom gravy combined with stuffing and then topped with crispy French fried onions.
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Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Made with homemade cornbread, stuffing cubes, and savory herbs this Cornbread Dressing is a Southern classic that belongs on every holiday table. It will quickly become one of your favorite easy holiday side dishes as it requires minimal prep (and hardly any dirty dishes).
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Sausage Stuffing Recipe
This Sausage Stuffing Recipe is seasoned and cornbread stove-top stuffing mix with chopped vegetables and Italian sausage. Perfect for the Holidays and so easy to make.
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Turkey Stuffing Casserole
Turkey Stuffing Casserole is an easy way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers like turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Ready in 45 minutes with minimal effort!
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Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Made with canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions, this Classic Green Bean Casserole is always a hit on the holiday table. Ready in 30 minutes, with just 5 minutes of prep!
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Glazed Carrots
Made with brown sugar and warm spices, this Glazed Carrots recipe combines savory with sweet for a simple yet elegant side dish. Perfect for the holidays and easy to whip up any night.
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Cheesy Corn Casserole
Made with just 7 ingredients, this Cheesy Corn Casserole is a must-make for every holiday. This easy side dish requires only 5 minutes of prep and it can be prepared in the oven or the slow cooker – your choice!
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Oven Roasted Asparagus
With parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, parmesan, and garlic, this Oven Roasted Asparagus is an easy and flavorful side dish. Ready in just 15 minutes!
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Brussels Sprouts With Bacon
These Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are tossed with ranch seasoning then baked to tender, crispy perfection. Top with parmesan cheese and a drizzle of ranch before serving for a side dish even picky eaters will enjoy.
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Creamed Peas
Made with frozen peas, half and half, and cream cheese, these Creamed Peas are extra creamy and so easy to make. Ready in just 15 minutes!
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Southern Squash Casserole
Sauteed yellow squash are tossed with a creamy cheese mixture and topped with cracker crumbs in this Southern Squash Casserole. It's an easy, cozy, and cheesy side dish for any occasion.
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Green Beans Almondine
These Green Beans Almondine are a quick and easy side dish made with tender crisp green beans, buttery shallots, and toasted almonds. Finished with fresh lemon and garlic, they’re light, flavorful, and perfect for any weeknight or holiday meal.
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Skillet Corn
This Skillet Corn recipe features frozen sweet corn tossed with a creamy honey butter sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes with 6 simple ingredients, it's a quick and easy side dish for any meal.
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Veggie Casserole
I'm always looking for a way to sneak more veggies into my kids' meals. This Veggie Casserole is a game-changer! It's loaded with hearty vegetables and layers of creamy, cheesy goodness.
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Mac and Cheese
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Made with a mix of cheddar and American cheeses, this Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is uber creamy and super easy to make. Just add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low. No need to precook the pasta!
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White Mac and Cheese
With a velvety smooth white cheddar cheese sauce and buttery Ritz topping, this White Mac and Cheese tastes like something straight from a steakhouse. An easy, comforting side that’s perfect for holiday dinners and busy weeknights alike.
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Panera Mac and Cheese
Tender shell pasta is coated in a thick, creamy white cheddar cheese sauce in this copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe. Prepared on the stovetop, it’s a quick and easy side for nearly any dinner.
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Baked Mac and Cheese
This Baked Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and a guaranteed family favorite! Macaroni is mixed with a rich and ultra creamy cheese sauce then covered with a buttery crisp topping. The most requested side dish for the Holidays!
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Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is a yummy, cozy twist on classic mac and cheese. Pureed butternut squash adds flavor and color to the dish plus makes the sauce extra creamy. It makes a wonderful vegetarian entree or side dish to any fall or winter dinner!
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Bread & Rolls
30 Minute Dinner Rolls
These fluffy 30 Minute Dinner Rolls are the perfect accompaniment to any meal. They’re easy to make and have better flavor and texture than store-bought rolls.
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Outback Steakhouse Bread
If you love Outback Steakhouse bread, you are going to love this copycat recipe. It’s sweet, warm, and fluffy on the inside — just like from the restaurant!
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Hawaiian Rolls
This Hawaiian Rolls recipe makes soft, fluffy rolls that taste just like the store-bought version – maybe even better. Pineapple juice, brown sugar, and vanilla help to create that sweet and tropical flavor. Enjoy as a dinner roll or turn them into sliders!
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Mashed Potato Rolls
These Mashed Potato Rolls are soft and fluffy dinner rolls that are made with seasoned mashed potatoes in the oven.
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Broccoli Cheese Cornbread
This Cheesy Broccoli Cornbread starts with a box of Jiffy mix that is combined with cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, broccoli and a few other ingredients.
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Sourdough Rolls
This recipe for Sourdough Rolls results in the softest and fluffiest dinner rolls you will ever have. They can be used in many different ways. Your family is going to love them!
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Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Soft and buttery, these Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls taste just like the ones from the popular steakhouse. Enjoy warm with honey cinnamon butter as a side to your favorite steak dinner.
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Cranberry, Fruit and Cold Sides
Cranberry Relish
Made with cranberries, naval orange, and a pear, these Cranberry Relish recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Ready in 10 minutes with just 4 ingredients, it's the perfect addition to any holiday table.
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Easy Watergate Salad
If you love a sweet salad filled with pineapple, marshmallows, Cool Whip, and pistachio pudding, then this Easy Watergate Salad is just perfect! A deliciously cool and creamy addition to any dinner plate, this salad is impressive yet very quick and easy.
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Olive Garden Salad
With romaine lettuce hearts, pepperoncini, olives, and more tossed in a creamy Italian dressing, this Olive Garden Salad recipe is exactly like the restaurant version. Fresh and flavorful, it takes just 10 minutes to prepare!
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Cranberry Apple Coleslaw
For a crunchy, sweet, and tangy twist on traditional coleslaw, make this delicious Cranberry Apple Coleslaw. Toss the easy homemade dressing with coleslaw mix, dried cranberries, crisp apples, walnuts, and green onions together and serve with a holiday meal, weeknight dinner, or a picnic or potluck. It's a wonderful side dish for any time!
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Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad is a creamy fruit salad loaded with mandarin oranges, pineapple, cherries, coconut, and Cool Whip. It's always a hit at potlucks, parties, and cookies as a side dish or dessert. Best of all, it can be whipped up in 15 minutes or less!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad
Fresh strawberries, spinach, feta, and pecans are tossed with a tangy poppy seed vinaigrette in this Strawberry Spinach Salad. Quick and easy to prepare, it's the perfect salad for spring and summer.
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Fall Fruit Salad
This Fall Fruit Salad recipe is full of apple pie spice, toasted pecans, and fresh fruit like apples, cranberries, grapes and oranges with a delicious apple spice dressing. A favorite Thanksgiving side dish.
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Creamy Grape Salad
Creamy Grape Salad is a perfect sweet salad to serve as a side with dinner or even for dessert. Made in just 15-minutes with juicy grapes tossed with a sweetened cream dressing then topped with brown sugar and crunchy pecans.
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Broccoli Salad Recipe
Do you love broccoli salad? This is a great dish to bring to potlucks, family gatherings, and cookouts. It’s delicious as a side dish or on its own. You can also make it ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
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Cranberry Fluff Salad
Add this sweet and tart Cranberry Fluff Salad to your holiday dinner lineup. Filled with pineapple, cranberries, and pecans mixed with a sweetened cream cheese mixture and fluffy marshmallows.
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Brussel Sprout Salad
Brussel Sprout Salad with dried cranberries, apples and pomegranate seeds is a side dish packed with nutrients and flavor. This salad can serve as a great side dish or as an afternoon lunch.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Strawberry pretzel salad is a dessert salad with a salty pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese filling, and a strawberry jello topping! The whole family will love this easy treat.
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Pea Salad
This recipe for creamy Pea Salad is an easy cold salad recipe full of savory flavor and crunchy texture. It makes a wonderful side dish for dinner or a party.
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Easy Orange Creamsicle Salad
Looking for a fun and sweet summer treat? Make this Easy Orange Creamsicle Salad! Just 6 simple ingredients are needed to create a cool and creamy Jello salad filled with orange citrus flavor.
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Homemade Cranberry Sauce
This Homemade Cranberry Sauce is made with fresh cranberries, warm spices, and a splash of orange juice. Ready in 15 minutes, it's a must-make for your next holiday meal.
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Snickers Apple Salad
Snickers Apple Salad is a dessert fruit salad that is perfect for summer BBQs, get-togethers, and more! Made with fresh apples, a cheesecake mixture, and crunchy Snickers bars, everyone will absolutely love this sweet dessert!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Thanksgiving Sides Do I Need?
The number of sides really depends on how many people you’re serving. For a smaller Thanksgiving dinner, I usually like to have a potato dish, stuffing or dressing, one or two vegetables and rolls. For a larger gathering, add a few more favorites so everyone has plenty of options. You also don’t need to make every side from scratch on Thanksgiving Day. Choosing a mix of oven, stovetop, slow cooker, Instant Pot and cold recipes makes preparing the meal much easier.
What are the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes?
Mashed potatoes, stuffing or dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls are some of the most traditional Thanksgiving sides. Mac and cheese, corn casserole and roasted vegetables are also popular choices.
What Thanksgiving sides don’t need the oven?
Slow cooker mashed potatoes, Instant Pot glazed carrots, Instant Pot mashed sweet potatoes, skillet corn and cold salads are all great options when oven space is limited. Check each individual recipe for complete cooking and make-ahead instructions.
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