Here’s 50 of the best Thanksgiving side dishes to complete your menu. From classic to old favorites, find the perfect fall sides.
Table of Contents
Holiday Sides
I love that Thanksgiving is all about sharing delicious foods with family and friends, and making lasting memories. So if you are whipping up a traditional holiday meal or hosting a fun and festive Friendsgiving we’ve rounded up some of the best Thanksgiving side dishes for you.
This list of Thanksgiving sides includes classics likes mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole, and green beans treats and Brussels sprouts and beets and fresh salads.
Have a look through these best Thanksgiving side dishes and use them to whip up a feast for your guests. Ps Try these Thanksgiving Appetizers too.
Bintu’s Tips for Holiday Cooking
- Make a timeline: identifying when certain tasks need to be done will help ensure your meal comes together smoothly.
- Prep ahead: defrosting, chopping, slicing, and assembling certain dishes ahead of time means you’ll have less to do on the day of the event.
- Set your table: Get your dishes, serving platters, utensils, and glasses washed and set out the night before to ensure you have everything you need.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Looking for a simple and comforting side dish you can quickly whip up for as a side for any meal including during the holidays? This easy smothered cabbage ticks all the boxes and is ready in less than 25 minutes!
You can quickly whip up this comforting side of easy Smothered Green Beans for dinner tonight and your Thanksgiving meal in less than 25 minutes.
These Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes are easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes. A versatile side dish that’s equally perfect for weeknight dinners and serving at holidays like Thanksgiving.
Tender garlicky Instant Pot Baby Potatoes are easy to make with pantry staples and 5 minutes of cook time. This flavorful side dish is good with any meal including grilled meats and fish and in salads or casseroles and or course, turkey!
These 4 ingredient Foil Pack Grilled Red Potatoes are a pantry staple, minimal prep side dish that can be made on the grill or oven. You can prep them ahead and cook easily for a simple Thanksgiving side!
Looking for a simple and comforting side dish you can quickly whip up for as a side for any meal? This dump and start garlic butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes ticks all the boxes and is ready in less than 25 minutes so it's easy for the holidays!
This zesty pineapple salsa is so easy to make with a few everyday ingredients. Enjoy it with chips, or serve it with chicken, fish, or your favorite Mexican dishes for a fun twist to Thanksgiving!
This 4 ingredient easy fruit salad recipe is the perfect fall side dish! A colorful and flavorful array of delicious fruits and berries that comes together quickly and easily.
Garlic Butter Pasta is the perfect side dish that goes with just about any meal, including chicken, beef, and shrimp. If you’re looking for an incredibly comforting side dish, this garlic butter sauce for pasta is going to have you grinning from ear to ear.
These Mexican Deviled Eggs are a tasty take on a classic. They are easy to whip up and ideal as party appetizers, protein-packed snacks, Game Day, or a Thanksgiving side dish.
5 ingredient Baked Feta Pasta is a viral sensation! Creamy feta cheese and cherry tomatoes are seasoned with olive oil and baked into a simple yet elegant sauce that is bursting with flavor. You’ll love this quick and easy pasta recipe for a delicious Thanksgiving side!
Sweet, tangy, colorful, and fresh Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with poppy seeds is ready in under 20 minutes and a great side dish or mains for everyday eats or Thanksgiving gatherings.
Loaded cauliflower casserole is a low carb twist on classic comfort food. Easy to make and ready in 30 minutes, this cauliflower casserole recipe is sure to satisfy for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving alike!
Savor the creamy goodness of Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, an ideal side dish for any occasion. When you’re gearing up for a Thanksgiving feast, this recipe promises velvety, buttery mashed potatoes with minimal fuss.
This Scalloped Corn recipe is a delicious southern recipe that is a true family favorite. Perfect for holiday gatherings and to pair with your perfect holiday turkey!
This Brussel Sprouts Gratin recipe turns humble veggies into a mouthwatering masterpiece. This low-carb side dish is the perfect complement to your favorite festive meals and sides!
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes are a delicious and versatile make-ahead side dish. It’s so easy to make this scalloped potatoes Instant Pot recipe, so it’s great for casual weekday dinners, Thanksgiving, and special occasions alike.
Hearty and flavorful slow-cooker cabbage is the ideal fall weather meal. The smells and warmth of aromatic garlic, tender cabbage and bacon bring to mind fond images of nestling down for a fall evening!
This Corn Pudding Casserole is a true Southern comfort food staple. Fluffy, flavorful, and versatile, corn pudding is the perfect dish for bringing to potlucks and friendsgiving since it can be enjoyed hot or cold!
Easy, sweet, and fuss free, these crockpot sweet potatoes are the perfect side for a busy festive season. See how to make these with minimal prep in the slow cooker.
Learn how surprisingly simple it is to make easy yeast rolls! These homemade yeast rolls are the perfect addition to holiday feasts like Thanksgiving and everyday meals alike.
Stovetop mac and cheese is flavorful, creamy, and made with real cheese and a fresh bechamel sauce infused with Dijon mustard and onion powder. This traditional dish can be served as a meal but also makes a tasty side to serve for Thanksgiving dinner.
This Roasted red cabbage is a simple side dish that is easy to make and full of flavor. You only need 5 everyday ingredients and a few minutes of prep to make this colorful nutritious dish. It's a simple side so you can focus on your other Thanksgiving dishes!
Sweet potato casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish. This easy side dish is flavorful, versatile, and kid-approved. Perfect for serving at the big holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter or for Sunday suppers.
Learn how to cook canned green beans so you can serve up an affordable, nutritious, vegetable side dish in just minutes. Canned goods are so convenient, and this flavorful canned green beans recipe is made with just 3 ingredients!
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes is the ultimate easy Thanksgiving food. Making this delicious cheesy potato side dish in your slow cooker is incredibly easy – just dump, set, and forget!
Veggie lovers, this low carb Green Beans Almondine is a super easy and elegant side dish that combines crisp green beans with fried almonds with an garlicky lemon butter sauce. It's great simple side to pair with other Thanksgiving sides!
Enjoy these simple and crispy Smashed Brussel Sprouts with parmesan cheese. They roast in your oven and make the perfect side dish for your festive fall meal.
Mexican Potatoes is a zesty side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite Mexican-inspired main dishes. Whip up this easy baked Mexican Potatoes recipe for a fun Mexican-themed Thanksgiving!
Savor the simplicity and deliciousness of these Air Fryer Beets. In no time, you’ve got a batch of tender, perfectly roasted beets that are healthy and super versatile. Toss them in a salad or enjoy them just as they are for a delicious and colorful side.
This easy Sweet Potato Gratin is the perfect make-ahead decadent side for a friendsgiving or Thanksgiving meal. Made with pantry staples in the oven or Instant Pot, this is a rich and delicious twist to the classic sweet potato au gratin casserole.
These Garlic Butter Sesame Instant Pot Green Beans really are the perfect side dish! Not only are they affordable, versatile, and flavorful, but they’re incredibly quick and easy to make too.
This is a complete guide to how to boil potatoes so they turn out perfect every time. Potatoes are a Thanksgiving and fall staple, so learn how you can nail the best texture and flavor!
This Instant Pot Stuffing is incredibly easy and totally delicious! This is the fuss-free side dish recipe you need for the fall holidays and it’s so simple you’ll want to make it year-round!
Boiled corn on the cob turns out perfectly tender-crisp and juicy without the risk of charring you get when you grill fresh corn. Fresh sweet corn symbolizes summer, and this boiled corn recipe is ready quickly so you can focus on your turkey!
This Air Fryer Baby Potatoes recipe is a simple and versatile side dish everyone will love! Toss baby potatoes with olive oil and Italian seasoning, then roast in the air fryer until crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It's a perfect side for fall!
Candied Sweet Potatoes is a traditional Southern side that pairs with all sorts of classic festive fall dishes. It is easy to make, affordable, and perfect for serving up at Sunday suppers, special occasions, and holiday meals.
Grilled Baked Potatoes are creamy and fluffy inside, with delicious crispy skin on the outside and a hint of smoky flavor. The perfect side dish for all your fall holiday meals! It's a staple for Thanksgiving.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes are delicious and nutritious and ready to serve in minutes! This 3-ingredient sweet potato cubes air fryer recipe is not only the perfect holiday side dish, but it’s ideal for any meal from breakfast through dinner.
Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges are a tasty and easy side dish and appetizer. Tender on the inside and golden and crunchy on the outside, kids and adults will love these potatoes so they're perfect for a holiday spent with family!
These Garlic Smashed Potatoes (made in the oven or Air Fryer) are soft and creamy on the inside and deliciously crispy and crunchy on the outside. They're a fun festive dish!
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes turn out so light and fluffy inside and perfectly crispy on the outside, you will never want to make a baked potato any other way again! They're a perfect dish to pair with your Thanksgiving turkey and favorite fall veggies.
These Southern Butter Beans are a classic southern side dish that will pair perfectly with just about any fall meal. They are loaded with smoky bacon flavor and a hint of Cajun spice that gives them a little kick.
This simple Crockpot Green Beans recipe boasts a tasty combination of buttery and smoky flavors. It’s a hassle-free, dump-and-start side dish crafted from affordable pantry staples and requires minimal effort to prepare.
This Southern Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers is a classic addition to any dining table. The buttery and flavorful yellow squash casserole is perfect for entertaining but easy enough to enjoy for a delicious holiday meal!
Smothered Potatoes are a very versatile Southern side dish that goes with just about any Thanksgiving meal. Made entirely from pantry staples with minimal prep and effort in less than 25 minutes it's perfect for a holiday party!
This dish is so easy to prepare for Thanksgiving!!! It is a great comfort food side dish for every fall holiday. This warm and comforting dish is a perfect use of potatoes!
Your whole family will love this Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes!!! It is a simple and easy comfort food treat makes a great side dish for holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas, weeknight suppers, and even breakfast.
This sweet Jamaican Cabbage Recipe is one of those perfect side dishes that goes with almost everything. Quick and easy to prepare and bursting with everyday fresh vegetables and herbs, it’s a fun festive dish for the holidays!
Instant Pot Rutabaga Mash is the perfect side dish for your meal. It is quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot. Delicious and satisfying, the whole family will enjoy this tasty dish. Serve at a Friendsgiving party or for a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
Dreaming of creamy, fluffy, and easy-to-make mashed potatoes? Try this Instant Pot Mashed Potato recipe. A vegan version of the recipe is also shown. It's a healthy dish to pair with all the sides and turkey of Thanksgiving!
These golden and effortlessly simple Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are an ideal side dish or delicious main course. Picture crispy yet fluffy, creamy sliced baked potatoes drizzled with seasoned oil and adorned with fresh herbs and so undeniably delicious.
More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love
- 35 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers.
- 50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
- 35 Christmas Main Dishes.
- 50 Christmas Side Dishes.
- 40 Easy Party Food Ideas.
- 15 Easy Cheese Ball Recipes.
Recommended Tools
- Kitchen appliances like an air fryer, Instant Pot, and Crockpot will make holiday meal prep easy.
- This handy thermometer to check your food for doneness.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Smothered Cabbage
- Smothered Green Beans
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baby Potatoes
- Foil Pack Grilled Red Potatoes
- Dump And Start Garlic Butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes
- Pineapple Salsa Recipe
- Fruit Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing
- Garlic Butter Pasta
- Easy Mexican Deviled Eggs
- Baked Feta Pasta + Instant Pot Baked Feta Pasta
- Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
- Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
- Easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Scalloped Corn Recipe
- Brussel Sprouts Gratin
- Easy Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Cabbage
- Easy Corn Pudding Casserole
- Crockpot Sweet Potatoes
- Easy Yeast Rolls
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- How To Cook Canned Green Beans
- Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
- Green Beans Almondine Recipe
- Smashed Brussel Sprouts
- Mexican Potatoes
- Air Fryer Beets
- Sweet Potato Gratin – Recipes From A Pantry
- Garlic Butter Sesame Instant Pot Green Beans
- How To Boil Potatoes
- Easy Instant Pot Stuffing
- Boiled Corn On The Cob
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Potato On The Grill
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes + Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Easy Southern Butter Beans
- Crockpot Green Beans
- Easy Southern Squash Casserole
- Easy Smothered Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes | Recipes From A Pantry
- Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Jamaican Cabbage – Recipes From A Pantry
- Instant Pot Rutabaga Mash
- Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potato Recipe
- Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Instructions
- Pick a side dish (or a few) that fit your Thanksgiving table.
- Prep your ingredients and prepare to cook!
- Enjoy your delicious side dishes with your meal!
Janet
These are so many different recipes to choose from and so many look so good! Absolutely excited to try one of the macaroni and cheese recipes!