33 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes in 13 Categories
Diana Barkley
(Senior Editor)
The side dishes that you choose to serve with your turkey can mean the difference between a decidedly average and an absolutely amazing Thanksgiving dinner. In this post, we’ll show you 33 of the best Thanksgiving side dishes that are sure to be a hit.
Have you ever sat down to plan a Thanksgiving dinner and drawn a complete blank when it comes to what side dishes to prepare? Don’t worry – it happens to the best of us. Lucky for you, we’ve got some of the best Thanksgiving side dishes right here, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
We’ve got dishes to suit everyone, from vegan bites to the perfect desserts. With these side dishes, your Thanksgiving dinner plans just got a whole lot easier – and more delicious. Let’s go ahead and jump right into it.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Vegetable Side Dishes
If you’re looking for a way to take your vegetable side dishes to the next level this Thanksgiving, then you’re in the right place.
We’ve got some mouth-watering vegetable side dishes for you to try your hand at making for your next Thanksgiving dinner. Brussel sprouts and asparagus shoots take center stage here.
Find here the best side dishes for lasagna.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Brussel sprouts have a bit of a bad reputation, especially with youngsters. That will all change once they try roasted brussel sprouts with a balsamic glaze.
Roasted brussel sprouts are a Thanksgiving classic and the balsamic glaze really elevates the taste and makes the dish something truly special.
This dish is rich with a zing of flavor from the balsamic vinegar – a winner in our eyes. Not only is this dish surprisingly delicious, it is super quick and easy to make and only takes a handful of ingredients.
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
This side dish is dead simple to make and is absolutely delicious. The garlicky, cheesy flavor elevates the taste of the asparagus – and the end result is seriously addictive.
The rich and smoky flavors that come out when you roast the asparagus complement the garlic perfectly, while the parmesan adds a gooey, cheesy finish. What’s not to love?
Easy and Quick Thanksgiving Sides
Easy and Quick Thanksgiving Sides
If you’re pressed for time and need some side dishes that you can whip up quickly and easily, then look no further.
Let’s take a look at some Thanksgiving side dishes that are both super low effort and super delicious. Mashed potatoes and green beans are our go-to’s for this section:
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving classic – and for good reason. You can’t go wrong with some fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes. With instant pot mashed potatoes, the whole dish can be finished in less than 30 minutes.
This dish is perfect if you want to serve up a Thanksgiving classic, even in a time crunch. After all, mashed potatoes pair well with virtually every food. They undeniably make a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.
Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds
Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds
It may sound like an odd combination if you haven’t tried it – but once you do try it, you’ll be hooked. This side dish is full of flavor and takes no time at all to make. It is also a great way to incorporate some greens into your Thanksgiving dinner.
Green beans are a great Thanksgiving staple no matter how you cook them. However, sautéeing them is the way to go if you’re wanting great texture and flavor. The almonds add a hit of rich, roasted, nutty flavor and a fantastic crunchy texture to the dish.
Most Popular Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
Most Popular Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
Wanting to stick with some traditional, iconic Thanksgiving side dishes? No worries, because we’re about to go over some of the most popular side dishes for Thanksgiving.
These dishes are enough to put anyone in the Thanksgiving mood – not to mention they taste absolutely delicious.
Classic Green Bean Casserole
Classic Green Bean Casserole
You can’t go wrong with a classic green bean casserole. There is a reason why this is one of the most popular and beloved Thanksgiving side dishes. This dish is always a hit and pairs wonderfully with a range of other dishes.
Not only is this dish hearty and delicious, but it is also quick and easy to make. It can also be tweaked in order to suit your tastes, with certain seasonings being added or omitted depending on your preferences. You will also get a serving of vegetables in, which is always a bonus.
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Plain mashed potatoes are delicious enough on their own, but creamy garlic mashed potatoes are seriously next-level incredible.
This is a great, simple side dish that is easy to make and is an absolute must at your Thanksgiving dinner. It is impressive what a difference adding a bit of garlic and cream can make to plain mashed potatoes.
This dish is sure to impress your guests and will pair well with other classic Thanksgiving dishes.
Thanksgiving Corn Side Dishes
Thanksgiving Corn Side Dishes
Want to include some corn in your Thanksgiving dinner but have no idea how to incorporate it? We get it – corn is a vegetable that is often considered a Thanksgiving staple, but it can be difficult to think of unique and delicious dishes to make with it.
The good news is that we’ve got some seriously incredible corn side dishes for you to try out.
Sweet Corn Pudding
This is another Thanksgiving classic that is an absolute must if you’re a fan of corn. Sweet corn pudding is dead simple to make and adds a rich and creamy taste to your Thanksgiving dinner.
You will only need a few ingredients to whip up a phenomenal sweet corn pudding. This dish is super satisfying and pairs well with other classic Thanksgiving dishes.
Cheesy Corn Casserole
Cheesy Corn Casserole
Another great way to incorporate corn into your Thanksgiving dinner is by making a cheesy corn casserole. Cheesy vegetables are always a hit, and this casserole is no exception.
The creamy, cheesy flavor of this casserole works so well with the corn and with other Thanksgiving dishes. The cheese in this corn casserole leaves a bubbling, crispy top when baked that provides an incredible texture to the dish.
Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
On the hunt for some Thanksgiving side dishes that are on the healthier side? We’ve got you covered. We’ve got some great, healthy Thanksgiving side dishes that are going to taste amazing.
Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers
Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers
This is one Thanksgiving side dish that you may not have thought of before – quinoa-stuffed bell peppers. This side dish is both healthy and delicious and takes hardly any time to make.
You can add any ingredients that you want to your bell peppers, making this a highly customizable dish that can be tweaked to suit your personal tastes. The quinoa in this dish gives it a hearty texture and taste, not to mention a whole lot of protein.
Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Salad
If you’re looking for something that is going to impress your guests, then a roasted sweet potato and kale salad is definitely the way to go.
This side dish is phenomenal and is a great way to include some healthier foods in your dinner. This play on a traditional potato salad has all of the delicious flavor and hearty goodness of a regular potato salad but with none of the extra sugars and fats.
Vegan Sides for Thanksgiving
Vegan Sides for Thanksgiving
Need some Thanksgiving side dishes that are vegan? It can be a struggle to find vegan side dishes for Thanksgiving that actually taste good. That’s where we come in. We’ve got some incredible vegan side dishes that you can try your hand at making this Thanksgiving.
Vegan Stuffing
Vegan Stuffing
Stuffing is an iconic part of Thanksgiving dinner. Even if you’re vegan, this doesn’t mean that you should have to miss out. Why not try making vegan stuffing?
This is a great side dish that is perfect for vegans wanting to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Not only does vegan stuffing taste incredible, but it is super satisfying and healthy – which is always a great bonus.
Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots
Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots
For a touch of sweetness in your Thanksgiving dinner, maple-glazed roasted carrots are the perfect side dish. These rich, honeyed carrots taste incredible and help to break up the monotony of a super savory Thanksgiving dinner.
This is definitely one of the best ways to prepare carrots for Thanksgiving dinner. The maple glaze not only provides a whole lot of flavor but also prevents the carrots from drying out.
Keto Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Keto Thanksgiving Side Dishes
If you’re on a keto diet, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have an incredible Thanksgiving dinner. Nobody should have to miss out on the tradition of having a huge, delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
For all of our keto warriors out there, we’ve got some seriously delicious keto-friendly Thanksgiving side dishes for you.
Cauliflower Mash with Brown Butter
Cauliflower Mash with Brown Butter
A creamy cauliflower mash with brown butter is the perfect keto-friendly Thanksgiving side dish. This rich and smooth dish pairs wonderfully with many other classic Thanksgiving dishes and is super simple to make.
This low-carb Thanksgiving side dish is packed full of flavor and has that comforting taste that you want in a Thanksgiving dinner, without compromising your keto lifestyle.
Keto Creamed Spinach
One of the most iconic Thanksgiving side dishes that can easily be adapted to become keto-friendly is creamed spinach. This dish can be whipped up in a flash and tastes phenomenal.
Keto creamed spinach is a great way to cut through the saltiness of other Thanksgiving foods with a creamy palette cleanser.
This dish is low-carb and uses natural ingredients, so you can enjoy a keto-friendly, guilt-free Thanksgiving side dish that is going to taste incredible.
Best Appetizers for Thanksgiving
Best Appetizers for Thanksgiving
Every Thanksgiving dinner is better with some delicious appetizers. The only question is: what are the best appetizers to serve? Let’s go ahead and take a look at some phenomenal appetizers that you can try out this Thanksgiving.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
For a decadent and hearty appetizer, bacon-wrapped dates are an underrated gem. This appetizer is both sweet and salty, making it perfectly balanced.
This is a great treat to snack on before dinner truly begins. That’s not to mention how easy these are to make; it takes no time at all to whip this appetizer up, and you’ll only need a few ingredients to do so.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
One of the most iconic and beloved Thanksgiving appetizers out there is a spinach and artichoke dip. This appetizer can be served with anything from bread to sliced vegetables.
Healthy, packed full of flavor, and easy to make – there is a reason why spinach and artichoke dip is such a popular Thanksgiving appetizer. This dish is hearty enough to be enjoyable, but light enough to not spoil your appetite before dinner.
Best Desserts for Thanksgiving
Best Desserts for Thanksgiving
Once your Thanksgiving dinner has come to an end, the best part of the night can begin: dessert. At a loss when it comes to great Thanksgiving dessert ideas? We’ve got three iconic Thanksgiving desserts that are sure to be a hit.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie
When most people think of Thanksgiving, one of the first things that they will think of is a pumpkin pie. This classic Thanksgiving dessert is sweet and creamy and is the perfect after-dinner treat.
If you’re on the fence about what dessert to prepare this Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with a classic pumpkin pie. This is sure to put everyone in the Thanksgiving mood and will taste incredible.
Pecan Pie
Pecan Pie
Another classic Thanksgiving after-dinner treat that is sure to be a hit is a delicious pecan pie. This beloved dessert is always a safe bet when you’re planning out sweet treats to make for Thanksgiving.
The taste of honeyed pecan nuts just screams Thanksgiving, and it is super easy to make. If you’re on the hunt for a Thanksgiving dessert that is going to taste incredible and leave your whole house smelling like homely baked goods, then a pecan pie is the way to go.
Apple Crisp
Apple Crisp
If you’re wanting a more unique and slightly fruitier dessert, then an apple crisp is a great pick. This sweet dessert made with apples and streusel topping is the perfect treat to serve after your Thanksgiving dinner.
This dessert is super comforting and warming, especially when served warm with a scoop of cold ice cream or a squirt of cool whipped cream.
Best Drinks to Serve for Thanksgiving
Best Drinks to Serve for Thanksgiving
So, you’ve got your food all planned out – but what about your drinks? The drinks that you are going to serve on Thanksgiving are often something that people overlook. But not us – we’ve got the top drinks to serve on Thanksgiving, right here.
Cranberry Orange Punch
Cranberry Orange Punch
A cranberry orange punch is a great choice of drink to serve with your Thanksgiving dinner. This drink has a refreshing, fruity taste and can be made with or without alcohol depending on your preferences.
Not only does this drink taste phenomenal, but it is also visually stunning, blending into a bright reddish pink. This drink is definitely one to snap a picture of while documenting Thanksgiving memories.
Mulled Wine
Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is another Thanksgiving classic that is sure to be a hit with your guests. This drink warms you from the inside out, making it perfect for the season.
The subtle spice of mulled wine makes it a comforting and flavorful drink to enjoy during Thanksgiving, whether it be before, during, or after dinner. If you’re really wanting to get into the Thanksgiving mood, this drink is definitely the way to go.
Sparkling Apple Cider
Sparkling Apple Cider
If you’re looking for a drink that is a bit more bubbly and refreshing, then sparkling apple cider is a good bet. This drink is a great way to quench your thirst and works well when drunk alongside a hot Thanksgiving dinner.
You can serve up an alcoholic or non-alcohol sparkling apple cider (or both) depending on your preferences. The subtle flavors of sparkling apple cider mean that you can enjoy its refreshing taste without overpowering the flavors of your Thanksgiving dinner.
Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
Do you want to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner but aren’t prepared to put in the grueling hours that it can take to create the perfect dinner? Don’t worry – we understand. That’s why we’ve compiled the best easy Thanksgiving dinner ideas that will taste incredible.
Herb-Roasted Turkey
Herb-Roasted Turkey
If there is one thing that you’re going to want to include in your Thanksgiving dinner, it is a turkey. While it may seem like a lot of effort, a simple herb-roasted turkey is actually one of the simplest things that you can make.
Just season it up, pop it in the oven, and you’ll have the perfect Thanksgiving turkey in no time. A turkey is an absolute must at a Thanksgiving dinner and will make your dining table feel complete.
Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner
Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner
If you want to eliminate both time spent slaving away in the kitchen and dirty dishes, then a sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner is going to be your best friend.
Loading up a roasting pan with your favorite vegetables and seasoning is a super quick and easy way to create a mouth-watering Thanksgiving dish.
Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
On the hunt for an easy and delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving dish? A stuffed acorn squash might just be what you are looking for. This dish is rich, crispy, and super hearty – perfect for Thanksgiving.
The squash provides a tense bite, making this a super satisfying dish. You can stuff your squash with fillings that suit your tastes, creating your perfect vegetarian Thanksgiving dish.
Are you interested in Steak sides? Here you’ll find them.
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