The turkey may be the star of the show at Thanksgiving, but we all know that the side dishes are what everyone really looks forward to. Today, I have 25+ of the best Thanksgiving side ideas that will steal the spotlight at your dinner. The best part? They’re simple and easy.
25+ Best Thanksgiving Side Ideas That Will Steal The Spotlight At Dinner
1. Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Skins
Sweet potatoes are a classic side dish for Thanksgiving, and this recipe puts a delicious twist on the usual recipe. These sweet potato skins are stuffed with a creamy mixture of sweet potato, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar. Top each one with a mix of chopped walnuts, butter and a pinch of brown sugar.
2. Corn Casserole
I love a good corn casserole. It’s subtly sweet, creamy and satisfying. The best part? It’s so easy to make. This recipe mixes Jiffy corn muffin mix, creamed corn and whole kernel corn with cheddar cheese, butter and sour cream for an unforgettable side dish everyone will love.
Related: 25+ Delicious Make Ahead Casseroles for Brunch and Dinner
3. Crock Pot Glazed Carrots
I love this recipe because it’s so easy to pop all of the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it cook all day while you prepare the rest of your dinner. And you only need a handful of ingredients: baby carrots, brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, salt and cinnamon.
4. Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are one of the best Thanksgiving sides ideas, and this recipe makes the creamiest potatoes I’ve ever had. What’s the secret? Cream cheese and half and half. If you really want to take the flavor to the next level, you can add roasted garlic. These potatoes are baked, so make sure there’s room for one more baking dish in your oven.
5. Roasted Green Beans With Caramelized Onions
This is a simple side dish and a classier take on green bean casserole. Fresh green beans are roasted to perfection and then topped with savory caramelized onions. You can even prepare the onions up to 4 days ahead of time and reheat them on the big day to save time.
6. Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
Skip the boxed stuffing and make it from scratch this year. It’s so easy! Mix day-old bread with sauteed onions, celery and herbs. Stir in a few eggs, butter and chicken broth, and bake in a casserole dish. You’ll be ready to devour this dish in just over an hour.
7. The Ultimate Cornbread Casserole
Here’s a unique side dish to serve at Thanksgiving, and it’s super simple to prepare. It puts a spicy twist on the classic recipe by adding bacon, jalapeno and cheddar cheese. Instead of using corn muffin mix, you’ll make the whole thing from scratch (it’s easy – don’t worry!).
8. Easy Cheese Herb Potato Gratin
Potato gratin may not be a traditional Thanksgiving side dish, but it’s one that everyone will love. Not only is this dish delicious, but it’s also beautiful. You’ll need potatoes, fresh herbs, half and half, cheddar cheese, fresh herbs and chicken broth. I recommend using a cast iron pan for baking this dish because it cooks food evenly.
9. Vegetable Casserole
What’s a dish you won’t typically find on a list of the best Thanksgiving side ideas? Vegetable casserole. But once you taste it, it will quickly become a staple at your holiday dinners. It’s even borderline healthy because it’s loaded with mixed vegetables and broccoli. This creamy, hearty casserole is topped with Ritz crackers for a bit of crunch, and it only requires 10 minutes of prep time.
10. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese & Pomegranates
Here’s an easy side dish that’s full of fall flavor. Butternut squash, goat cheese, and pomegranate arils topped with a tangy homemade dressing of balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and herbs. This dish pairs well with any other side or main dish. As a bonus, it’s just as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach.
Related: 25+ Easy Friendsgiving Recipes to WOW Your Guests
11. Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Want to serve potatoes in a different way? Try these smashed potatoes. They’re deliciously crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Loaded with parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary, these potatoes will disappear from the table in minutes.
12. Stovetop Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts have never tasted so great! And the best part? This entire dish is cooked on the stovetop. Crispy bacon, bourbon, maple syrup and mustard pair so well with Brussels sprouts. Pecans add texture and crunch for a tasty dish that even picky eaters will love. If you’re not a fan of alcohol, you can use apple cider vinegar instead of bourbon.
13. Bourbon Sweet Potato Crunch
I love sweet potato casserole as much as the next person, but this year, why not try something different? This bourbon sweet potato crunch will be perfect for your holiday dinner. Sweet potatoes are mixed with a creamy spiced bourbon sauce and topped with tasty pecans and brown sugar. It’s a dish that guests of all ages and tastes will love.
14. Cheesy Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
One of the best Thanksgiving side ideas are these cheesy scalloped potatoes that take one hour and fifteen minutes. You’ll love the taste of Gruyere cheese and the creaminess that the half and half gives these potatoes.
15. Whiskey Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Honey glazed potatoes with candied pecans are perfect during the holiday season, and this recipe is one of the best I’ve tried. You’ll use three pounds of sweet potatoes, chopped pecans, unsalted butter, nutmeg, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and honey.
And, the twist? You’ll add a half-cup of whiskey and tart baking apples.
16. Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Cheddar and Parmesan
Grab your large mixing bowl because you’ll need to add your cauliflower and olive oil before mixing thoroughly. You’ll sprinkle a bit of chili pepper, Old Bay seasoning and fresh pepper on top.
Place the cauliflower in a foil-lined baking sheet and put your white cheddar and Parmesan cheese on top while it bakes.
17. 5-Ingredient French Onion Potatoes
If you want easy French onion potatoes, it doesn’t get easier than this recipe. You only need five ingredients for this dish, including dry onion soup mix, butter, russet potatoes and shredded gruyere cheese.
But, if you want to make everything homemade, this is not the recipe for you.
18. Stuffed Mini Pumpkins with Cranberry and Pecan Rice
These small pumpkins are as adorable as they are tasty. If you’ve ever seen those mini pumpkins and wondered if they’re just for decoration, you can stuff them and eat them. Perfect for a side dish or even main course, you’ll stuff the pumpkins with pecans, cranberries, veggies and wild rice.
19. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Bacon and Cheese
Butternut squash with bacon and cheese is a hearty meal that’s filled with flavor. You’ll prepare the butternut squash by cutting each squash lengthwise very carefully because it’s easy to cut yourself in the process.
You’ll stuff the squash with a mixture of bacon, cheese and spinach before roasting it for 40 minutes in the oven.
Related: Top 25+ Thanksgiving Finger Food Ideas We’re Crushing On
20. Autumn Pearl Couscous Salad
Couscous salad is always tasty, but this autumn pear couscous takes this dish to another level. You’ll add in spicy brown mustard, lemon juice, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, dried cranberries, pecans, kale leaves and butternut squash.
You’ll love the trick this author gives you to guarantee that you mix all ingredients well.
21. Best Ever Green Beans
Sometimes, the best Thanksgiving side ideas are the classics, such as these delightful green beans. Prep time takes just 15 minutes and cook time is 10 minutes. You’ll start by blanching the green beans, sauteeing them in a large skillet and seasoning them with mustard and lemon juice.
If you’ve never made fresh green beans before, the author will teach you how to trim them.
22. Baked Carrot Casserole
A Family Feast outdoes itself with this baked carrot casserole that you start prepping by bringing the sliced carrots to a boil in a 3-4 quart pan. Red bell peppers, onions, salt and pepper, flour, butter, milk and eggs will complete the flavor.
You’ll need a potato masher for this recipe.
23. Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
Savory and sweet, this rice dish has cranberries, roasted pecans, apples, wild rice and pilaf. You’ll find that this pilaf can easily be an entire meal, so set out small plates of it. The site’s author teaches you how to make perfect, wild rice in apple juice and chicken broth.
24. Cornbread Stuffing
I always love a good cornbread, but when you add it into a stuffing, it is even more delightful. While a bit hearty, you’ll need two hours to cook the stuffing, which combines:
- Cornbread
- Veggies
- Pecans
You’ll need a 9×13 baking pan for this recipe.
25. Roasted Red Vegetables
Sweet, healthy and one of the most colorful sides on this list, these roasted red veggies are quite easy to make and require a lot of root veggies. Beets, carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes make this a healthy albeit starchy option this Thanksgiving.
And the best part? You can prep this dish in just 10 minutes.
26. Savory Bread Pudding
Savory pudding like this takes a while to make, but it’s worth the time and effort. You’ll need leeks for this recipe, olive oil, butter, white pepper (something I’ve never eaten prior), French bread, chives, eggs, milk, nutmeg and quite a few other ingredients.
You can opt for either gouda or gruyere cheese – the choice is yours.
But, since this recipe does take a bit of time to put together, it’s not a last-minute option for a side.
