Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes Everyone Will Love

Thanksgiving side dishes are as important as the turkey. Below is a curated list of popular sides—from classic crowd-pleasers to unexpected favorites—that will round out your holiday meal.

The Best Thanksgiving Sides

Whether you’re hosting or contributing a dish, choose a mix of textures and flavors—creamy, crispy, sweet, and savory—to create a balanced holiday spread.

1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Add a green element to the table with caramelized, crispy roasted Brussels sprouts that even kids tend to enjoy.

Close-up shot of roasted brussels sprouts.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Simple, perfectly caramelized sprouts made with just a few ingredients and ready in around 35 minutes.

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS RECIPE

2. Baked Mac and Cheese

A southern favorite turned universal comfort: baked mac and cheese with a buttery panko topping, rich cheese, and plenty of crowd appeal.

Close-up of creamy, cheesy baked mac and cheese with crispy panko.

(The Best!) Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Creamy mac topped with buttery panko and baked to golden, cheesy perfection—always a hit with kids and adults alike.

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE

3. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple. These are simple, customizable with your favorite seasonings, and ready in about 45 minutes.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Tender inside and lightly caramelized on the outside, these sweet potatoes pair well with savory mains or a marshmallow-topped casserole.

ROASTED SWEET POTATO RECIPE

4. Cornbread

My buttermilk cornbread leans a touch sweet and stays moist and tender—an easy, from-scratch alternative to boxed mixes.

stacked squares of buttermilk cornbread topped with honey and butter

Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe

100% from-scratch but just as quick as a mix—with better texture, flavor, and aroma.

CORNBREAD RECIPE

5. Mashed Potatoes

Nothing says Thanksgiving like creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes. Keep them classic or jazz them up with garlic, herbs, or cheeses.

Bowl of mashed potatoes topped with a melting pat of butter.

The BEST Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Creamy and Delicious!)

A simple five-ingredient recipe that delivers the ideal balance of fluffy and creamy texture.

MASHED POTATO RECIPE

6. Green Bean Casserole

An upgraded green bean casserole made without condensed soup—fresh or frozen beans work perfectly for this classic side.

Green Bean Casserole

A reliable favorite—creamy, savory, and finished with a crisp topping for contrast.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE RECIPE

7. Candied Yams

Candied yams combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for a warm, nostalgic side dish that many families adore.

Candied Yams

Sweet, buttery, and spiced—this dish is comfort food with a festive finish of pecans or marshmallows if you like.

CANDIED YAMS RECIPE

8. Honey Wheat Rolls

Soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for sopping up gravy—these honey wheat rolls are always popular at holiday dinners.

Honey Wheat Rolls

Fluffy, slightly sweet rolls that double easily for a crowd—great warm with butter or garlic-herb spreads.

HONEY WHEAT ROLLS RECIPE

9. Creamed Spinach

This rich, velvety creamed spinach is a great way to add greens to the table without sacrificing indulgence.

Creamed Spinach

Makeable with fresh or frozen spinach, this one-pot side is rich, creamy, and ready in under 30 minutes.

CREAMED SPINACH RECIPE

10. Cranberry Sauce

Skip the can and make a simple homemade cranberry sauce—bright, slightly tart, and far superior to the gelatinous version.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Four ingredients and a short simmer produce a bright, homemade sauce that balances sweet and tart perfectly.

CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE

11. Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls

Make your dinner rolls the day before—the dough rises overnight in the fridge and bakes fresh the next morning.

Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls

Golden on the outside, soft inside—these bakery-worthy rolls are perfect for prepping ahead of your holiday meal.

DINNER ROLL RECIPE

12. Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

For a bolder Brussels sprouts side, try them roasted with maple and crispy bacon for sweet-savory contrast.

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

A fast, flavorful side that balances smoky bacon with sticky-sweet maple for a memorable dish.

MAPLE BACON BRUSSELS SPROUTS RECIPE

13. Risotto

Non-traditional but elegant—risotto makes a sophisticated, creamy side that pairs well with turkey and roasted vegetables.

Risotto

Creamy and versatile, this risotto is quick and foolproof—ready in under 30 minutes for a refined side.

RISOTTO RECIPE

14. Sweet Potato Casserole

A classic favorite—sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows and pecans bring sweetness and texture to the table.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Made with cinnamon, brown sugar, and maple syrup, this version is nostalgic and improved for modern tastes.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE RECIPE

15. Crescent Rolls

Skip the canned dough—homemade crescent rolls are easy to make, adorable, and far tastier than store-bought.

Crescent Rolls

Cute, flaky rolls that can be made ahead—an approachable bread option for any holiday table.

CRESCENT ROLL RECIPE

16. Brussels Sprouts Salad

A bright, crunchy salad offers a fresh contrast to rich sides—try shaved sprouts with apples, pomegranate, and candied pecans.

Brussels Sprouts Salad

A crisp, refreshing side with fall fruits and nuts that complements heavier dishes perfectly.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD RECIPE

17. Stuffing Recipe

A traditional stuffing with seasonal herbs, tender vegetables, and buttery bread cubes is a must on any Thanksgiving table.

Overhead view of a casserole dish of stuffing topped with a bundle of fresh herbs.

Stuffing Recipe

Hearty, herb-forward stuffing that pairs beautifully with roasted poultry and gravy.

STUFFING RECIPE

18. Maple Glazed Carrots

Maple glazed carrots are sweet and slightly savory, cooked in one pan for an easy, colorful side.

Maple Glazed Carrots

A one-pan side that’s equally good with maple or honey—bright, glazed, and tender-crisp.

MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS RECIPE

19. Creamed Corn

Homemade creamed corn beats the canned variety—rich, slightly sweet, and full of fresh corn flavor.

Creamed Corn

Made with fresh or frozen corn, this easy side is silky, flavorful, and comforting.

CREAMED CORN RECIPE

20. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

This casserole version of mashed potatoes is ideal for transport and reheating—loaded with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and scallions.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

All the best potato toppings combined into a hearty casserole that’s perfect for family gatherings.

LOADED MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE RECIPE

21. Sausage Stuffing

A family favorite—this sausage stuffing is flavorful, hearty, and full of fall spices, celery, and onions.

Sausage Stuffing

Savory and satisfying, this stuffing features browned sausage and classic aromatics for deep flavor.

SAUSAGE STUFFING RECIPE

22. Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

Sweet potato dinner rolls are a comforting twist on classic rolls—perfect alongside rich holiday mains.

Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

Delicately sweet and tender, these rolls pair especially well with hearty Thanksgiving dishes.

SWEET POTATO DINNER ROLLS RECIPE

Did I miss anything? Share your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes in the comments!

Bonus: How to Use Up Thanksgiving Leftovers

Leftovers are a treasure trove of flavor—beyond sandwiches, try soups, casseroles, or skillet meals to make the most of your turkey and sides.

23. Leftover Turkey Chili

Turn leftover turkey into a thick, hearty chili that simmers in one pot and is ready in under an hour.

Bowl of turkey chili topped with sour cream, avocado, and shredded cheese.

Leftover Turkey Chili

A hearty, spiced chili that repurposes turkey into a warming, family-friendly meal.

LEFTOVER TURKEY CHILI RECIPE

24. Turkey Pot Pie

Use leftover turkey in a comforting pot pie filled with vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, corn, and green beans.

Turkey Pot Pie

A from-scratch pot pie that transforms leftovers into a cozy, all-in-one meal.

TURKEY POT PIE RECIPE

25. Mashed Potato Pancakes

Turn leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, savory pancakes—great for breakfast or as a side to a new meal.

Plate of mashed potato pancakes topped with sour cream and chives.

Mashed Potato Pancakes (with leftover mashed potatoes)

Crispy on the outside and tender inside—an easy way to refresh leftover potatoes.

MASHED POTATO PANCAKES RECIPE

26. Turkey Chowder

Make a comforting chowder with leftover turkey, vegetables, and a creamy broth for an easy, satisfying reuse of your holiday bird.

Turkey Chowder

Hearty and flavorful, this chowder highlights turkey with comforting vegetables and warm spices.

TURKEY CHOWDER RECIPE

I hope you enjoy a warm, delicious Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones and your favorite foods.