24 Amazing Thanksgiving Side Dishes 2025

I put together a roundup of the best Thanksgiving side dishes that fit right into any Thanksgiving menu, whether you’re building a classic holiday table or trying some new recipes for the big day. These are flavorful, comforting, and easy to make ahead, so you can actually enjoy Thanksgiving day instead of stressing in the kitchen.

When I think about Thanksgiving dinner, I always come back to the same idea: the turkey is fine (I prefer prime rib TBH), but the sides are the best part. Load me up with creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, buttery rolls, and every colorful salad you can dream up.

Here are my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, all numbered so you can plan your whole Thanksgiving meal from start to finish.

1. Robuchon Style Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Mashed Potatoes The Whole Family Can Help With

My number-one, non-negotiable side. Robuchon-style creamy mashed potatoes made with heavy cream and a TON of butter for the Thanksgiving table. This is a great way to get the men to compete to see who can whip the potatoes the longest. They stay velvety even at room temperature, which is a great addition when everything else is fighting for space in the oven. For added flavor, you can mix in some sour cream and top with some fresh lemon zest and parsley.

2. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar & Honey Butter

This is comfort food at its best. Think creamy sweet potatoes with warm spices, brown sugar, and the most ridiculous honey butter melting into every bite. If you’re making sweet potato casserole for the first time, this easy recipe will become a family favorite fast.

3. Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If you’ve only had sad, boiled brussel sprouts from grocery stores, this will convert you. Toss fresh brussels sprouts in olive oil, balsamic, and garlic, then roast until golden. Finish with toasted pine nuts for a nutty flavor and you’ve got a flavorful side dish worthy of the star of the show.

4. Green Bean Casserole Made From Scratch

Traditional Green Bean Casserole with Creamy Homemade Mushroom Sauce

Forget the canned stuff. True recipes for this classic holiday staple use creamy homemade mushroom sauce, fresh green beans, and crispy onions. It tastes like the traditional green bean casserole everyone expects, just upgraded.

5. The Best Thanksgiving Stuffing

Savory Sausage Stuffing

Stuffing is one of my favorite side dishes because there are so many great options. Classic savory stuffings with fresh herbs and wild rice, or the more traditional oyster stuffing for people who love those old-school family traditions. Both are easy to customize, and both belong on every Thanksgiving meal.

6. Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Harvest Butternut Squash & Apple Salad with Pomegranate & Goat Cheese

If you’re looking to sneak one more vibrant dish onto your holiday table, this salad is the perfect addition. It starts with spring mix (or baby greens) as a base, then you add roasted butternut squash cubes tossed with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon and pepper. Then you layer in crisp apple chunks (Honey Crisp or Pink Lady work great), pomegranate arils for juicy pops of color, roasted pepitas for crunch, and creamy goat cheese for tang. The dressing is a simple maple-dijon vinaigrette made from olive oil, apple-cider vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt and pepper.

7. Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce (Make-Ahead!)

Homemade cranberry sauce is a great addition to any holiday table, especially because it fits perfectly into a make-ahead plan. You can adjust the sweetness, add orange zest, or even stir in a splash of balsamic for brightness.

8. Fast Dinner Rolls

Buttery Homemade Dinner Rolls (or Air Fryer Rolls!)

Rolls are a must. Whether you use my homemade dinner rolls recipe or bake them in the air fryer for a quick shortcut, these buttery rolls are based on my fast bread recipe and are a family favorite. Perfect for soaking up turkey gravy.

9. Herbed Wild Rice With Pine Nuts

Wild Rice Pilaf with Fresh Herbs & Toasted Nuts

If you want something outside the usual potatoes recipe rotation, wild rice is a great option. It’s earthy, chewy, and pairs beautifully with pine nuts, fresh herbs, and even dried cranberries for something colorful and festive.

10. The Best Cheesy Baked Mac & Cheese

Ritz Cracker–Topped Mac & Cheese

One pot, one casserole dish, one amazing cheesy mac & cheese dish with the perfect crispy ritz-cracker topping. My friends BEG me to make this side dish every year. The secret is in the mix of cheeses that result in those perfect cheese pulls every time!

11. Classic Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole

Creamy Casseroles with Cream Cheese (Potatoes, Squash, You Name It)

There’s always room for one more creamy casserole at Thanksgiving dinner. Anything baked with cream cheese, heavy cream, or sour cream tends to disappear fast. Great way to bulk up your Thanksgiving menu when you need one more dish. This recipe easily adapts to other root vegetables, too!

12. Fennel Orange Salad

Fennel-Orange Salad with Avocado & Kalamata Olives

Here’s a fresh, vibrant side to add to your holiday table: this fennel-orange salad with avocado and Kalamata olives is a wonderful alternative to the more traditional Thanksgiving sides. The crisp, thinly sliced fennel provides crunch, the sweet citrus segments bring brightness, the creamy avocado adds richness, and the olives give that salty punch. The dressing—olive oil, fresh orange juice, white balsamic vinegar, and champagne vinegar with orange zest—pulls it all together.

13. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts or Carrots for Last-Minute Cooking

For the moments when every inch of the oven is taken, the air fryer saves the holiday. Air fryer brussel sprouts, air fryer carrots, even air fryer green beans—quick, crispy, and the perfect emergency side when you need one more flavorful side dish.

14. Moroccan Tomato Cucumber Salad

Colorful Fresh Salads to Break Up the Richness

A bright, crunchy salad is always a great addition to the Thanksgiving table. This Moroccan salad is SUCH a hit and so easy to make ahead. It tastes even better on the second day!

15. Homemade French Butter

Homemade French Butter with Warm Sourdough Baguette

This feels fancy, but it’s actually one of the simplest Thanksgiving side dishes you can make. Homemade French-style butter served at room temperature with slices of warm sourdough baguette is a great addition to any Thanksgiving table. It’s also a really fun activity to do with guests! I like to put mine into cute soap molds (brand new of course) freeze and then serve for extra fancyness.

16. Oven Roasted Broccoli

Oven-Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan

If you want a green vegetable that isn’t trying to be a creamy casserole, oven roasted broccoli is always a great side. Toss fresh broccoli florets in olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast until vibrant green with crispy edges, and finish with lemon zest or parmesan cheese. A flavorful side dish that balances the holiday table.

These are the best Thanksgiving sides to mix and match whether you’re hosting the whole thing or just bringing a dish. If you want, I can help you build an actual Thanksgiving day cooking schedule, a make-ahead plan, or even rewrite any of these into full recipes in your usual format.

17. Honey Glazed Carrots

Whole Honey-Glazed Carrots

These glossy, honey-glazed carrots are a family favorite because they go with everything on the Thanksgiving menu. Olive oil, honey, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of black pepper help the carrots caramelize without turning mushy. They’re the perfect addition for picky eaters and look gorgeous next to turkey gravy.

18. Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Crisp Parmesan Roasted Potatoes Smothered In Butter

This potato recipe is pure golden brown perfection. Thick-cut or baby potatoes tossed with olive oil, parmesan cheese, herbs, and roasted until crisp. It’s a great way to add something savory that isn’t mashed or scalloped. And if you’re searching for the best Thanksgiving sides, Parmesan roasted potatoes are always high on the list.

19. Crispy Smashed Potatoes

The Crispiest, Butteriest, Smashed Potatoes

Crispy smashed potatoes are the fun way to serve potatoes at Thanksgiving dinner. Boil until tender, smash them flat, drizzle with olive oil, and roast until the edges get ridiculously crunchy. Add fresh herbs and flaky salt on top right before serving. They might become the star of the show. Another easy make-ahead dish. Boil potatoes ahead of time and smash them and then bake them right before serving as the turkey rests.

20. Stuffed Shells In Marinara

Stuffed Shells with Spinach & Ricotta

Stuffed shells might not be a traditional Thanksgiving staple, but they’re one of those great options that round out a holiday menu when you need a hearty dish. Creamy ricotta, fresh green herbs, mozzarella, and marinara tucked into pasta shells make this a comforting, colorful side. Plus, it’s an easy recipe to make ahead.

21. Turkey Gravy (Yes That's A Side)

Turkey Gravy (Make-Ahead Friendly!)
You can’t have a Thanksgiving meal without a silky, deeply flavored turkey gravy. Whether you’re using pan drippings, stock, or a mix of both, this gravy ties everything together from mashed potatoes to savory stuffings. Warm it gently on Thanksgiving day, and it stays perfect even at room temperature.

22. Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Mushroom Cream Sauce for Vegetables or Pasta

This creamy homemade mushroom sauce is a great addition to anything on the Thanksgiving table: broccoli, turkey, roasted squash, prime rib, even leftover rolls. Made with heavy cream, parmesan, and sautéed mushrooms, it adds instant comfort food vibes to your holiday season. It also works as a quick topping for air fryer green beans or as a drizzle over wild rice.

23. Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Pan Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan & Crispy Bacon

If you’ve been wanting a side dish that’s savory, crisp, and stands out on your Thanksgiving table, this bacon Brussels sprouts recipe is the one. In this version you trim and halve fresh brussels sprouts, cook up thick-cut bacon until it’s crispy, use the bacon fat to caramelize the sprouts in a skillet with the lid on so they get tender but browned, then toss everything together and finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. A great dish to make when the oven is full!

24. Fresh Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Healthy Thanksgiving Fruit Salad with Warm-Spiced Citrus Dressing

If you’re looking for a bright, fresh side to bring to your holiday table, this fruit salad is a standout among the best Thanksgiving side dishes. It’s loaded with crisp apples, juicy pears, pomegranate arils, mandarin oranges, and other in-season fruits tossed in a warm, spiced citrus dressing. A light, refreshing, plant-based option.