102 Classic Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
From green bean casserole and roasted veggies to mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, these crowd-pleasing holiday sides are sure to be the star of any Thanksgiving meal.
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Fill Your Plate
We’re just going to come out and say it: the sides are the best part of the feast. We love a Thanksgiving turkey as much as anyone else but there’s nothing quite as satisfying as piling your plate high with an assortment of flavors. On turkey day that means tried-and-true classics (like green bean casserole, Thanksgiving stuffing and sweet-tart cranberry sauce), a cornucopia of vegetable side dishes and, of course, all the oh-so-hearty-and-satisfying side dishes starring potatoes and sweet potatoes. And, while we fully support making as many sides as possible for your Thanksgiving dinner, there’s one that’s an absolute must: this crowd-pleasing sweet potato casserole, sprinkled with a crunchy pecan topping!
Get the Recipe: The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Crispiest Ever Potatoes
Somewhere between oven-roasted potatoes and crispy hash, these little creamer potatoes are boiled in water with baking soda before being smashed. The alkaline in the baking soda helps the skins crisp up quickly. Smashing increases their surface area and contact with the pan. The result is the crunchiest-ever crust.
Get the Recipe: Crispiest Ever Potatoes
Best Ever Green Bean Casserole
A classic made modern and fresh, Alton ditches the traditional cream of mushroom soup and canned green beans, instead using real mushrooms, half-and-half and fresh green beans.
Get the Recipe: Best Ever Green Bean Casserole
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Cinnamon
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Cinnamon
Parker House Rolls
Bobby takes on this All-American, pillowy, yeasty flavorful dinner roll — the ultimate Thanksgiving breadbasket addition.
Get the Recipe: Parker House Rolls
Green Bean Casserole
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
Melting Sweet Potatoes
Meet your new favorite one-pan side dish for Thanksgiving and beyond, thanks to the perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture and overall ease of this sweet potato creation. Simply brown thick slices in a skillet with butter, then finish in the oven to create a syrupy glaze flavored with maple and thyme. Top with toasty marshmallows for a nod to the holiday classic.
Get the Recipe: Melting Sweet Potatoes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Collard Greens
Before the kale craze, there were collard greens, a go-to veggie in American Black households. The process of cleaning and prepping the greens is key for making them deliciously tender and tasty. Cut the leaves from the tough center rib before slicing—the thinner, the better. Collards are traditionally cooked with smoked meat like ham hocks or turkey wings, adding an extra dimension of flavor to the bitter greens.
Get the Recipe: Collard Greens
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Take all the flavors of a classic sweet potato casserole and cross them with the elegance of a hasselback potato; you'll have one showstopping holiday side dish.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
Tyler Florence's Mashed Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
This rich and decadent baked pasta is a Southern Black staple for holidays and special occasions. Steering away from the standard stovetop mac, this version includes three kinds of cheese and bakes up like a casserole with a crispy, golden top. The addition of eggs makes it similar to a cheesy, savory custard. Warning: this is not diet food!
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Upside-Down Butternut Squash Tart
Our favorite fall vegetable takes the place of traditional apples in this gorgeous tarte tatin that has savory accents of fresh herbs and Parmesan.
Get the Recipe: Upside-Down Butternut Squash Tart
Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Get the Recipe: Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Scalloped Potato Gratin
You can't go wrong with these creamy, classic scalloped potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potato Gratin
Creamed Corn
Traditional creamed corn gets its luscious richness not from cream or milk, but from the milky juice of the corn kernels and cob. Here, frozen corn steps in during the off-season and holiday months. It's simmered until tender, partially pureed and then thickened with a slurry of flour and water. You'll be surprised at the velvety soft texture and we'll be surprised if this isn't your new go-to creamed corn recipe.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
Perfect Cranberry Sauce
Get the Recipe: Perfect Cranberry Sauce
Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
This casserole combines all the irresistible features of a loaded spud, but it is cooked and served family style for an extra-hearty side.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
Mustard-Parmesan Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Get the Recipe: Mustard-Parmesan Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Crispy Potato Stacks
Despite its elegance, this delicious side dish is simple and quick to prepare. With its crispy edges, herby butter and easy portioning, this will surely become your new autumn staple.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Potato Stacks
Triple-Cheese Spirals
Get the Recipe: Triple-Cheese Spirals
Air Fryer Green Beans with Gremolata and Toasted Almonds
Get crispy, blistered green beans with very little oil, thanks to your air fryer! We added a simple gremolata topping of fragrant lemon zest, chopped parsley and garlic that's easy to make while the vegetables are cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Green Beans with Gremolata and Toasted Almonds
Creamed Corn Cornbread
Alton says a piping-hot cast-iron skillet is a must to make this creamed corn cornbread. Serve right out of the skillet for a rustic presentation or invert onto a platter.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn Cornbread
Sweet Potato Poutine
Sweet potato casserole gets a tricky makeover. What looks like a plate of poutine (french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds), is actually a familiar sweet trio: sweet potatoes, brown sugar and toasted marshmallows.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Poutine
Cheesy Scalloped Potato Bundt
When you layer creamy and cheesy spuds in a Bundt pan, you get impressive potatoes no one can resist.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potato Bundt
Roasted Butternut Squash
Ina's roasted butternut squash is hardly a recipe; it's more a method, one applicable to all fall root vegetables. All you need is some oil, salt, pepper and a hot oven.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These super creamy mashed potatoes could not be any easier — no dicing and no draining. Make the potatoes earlier in the day, then just set them on the warm setting in your Instant Pot so they are nice and hot when you're ready to sit down.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Maple Cinnamon Sage Brown Butter
Giada's surprisingly easy homemade gnocchi is an irresistible Italian twist on the classic sweet potato side dish.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Maple Cinnamon Sage Brown Butter
Biscuits
The holidays are the perfect time to splurge on these homemade buttermilk biscuits. Ree bakes hers in a cast-iron skillet and brushes the tops with melted butter for a golden-brown effect.
Get the Recipe: Biscuits
Sauteed Carrots
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Carrots
Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Mascarpone Cheese
For his Throwdown take on this comfort food classic, Bobby adds sweet roasted garlic and spoonfuls of rich, creamy mascarpone cheese.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Mascarpone Cheese
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Vegan Wild-Rice-Stuffed Butternut Squash
Get the Recipe: Vegan Wild-Rice-Stuffed Butternut Squash
Dump-and-Bake Corn Casserole
This Thanksgiving side dish couldn't be easier. Part cornbread, part corn pudding, it is moist and decadent. Perfect for when you're hosting, but also travels well for when you're bringing a dish as a guest.
Get the Recipe: Dump-and-Bake Corn Casserole
Five Thanksgiving Sides in One Sheet Pan
All of turkey's favorite sidekicks are baked in one sheet pan. The result is minimal prep and very little cleanup — perfect for a small Thanksgiving gathering!
Get the Recipe: Five Thanksgiving Sides in One Sheet Pan
Stuffing-Stuffed Whole Cauliflower
This roasted cauliflower is sure to please the vegetarians, but we've got a good feeling the turkey eaters are going to want some too. It's filled with classic stuffing and makes for a holiday-worthy main.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing-Stuffed Whole Cauliflower
Creamed Kale with Caramelized Shallots
Get the Recipe: Creamed Kale with Caramelized Shallots
Scalloped Corn
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Corn
Cranberry Sauce
Get Alex's cinnamon-spiced cranberry sauce on the table in just 17 minutes. Your guests won't believe you made a side so filled with flavor in so little time.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce
Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Brown Butter
The secret to getting crispy, caramelized acorn squash with very little added oil? Your trusty air fryer! We topped the whole dish with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of brown butter, for a comforting and easy fall side dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Brown Butter
Melting Sweet Potatoes
Baking sweet potatoes at a super high temperature caramelizes the outsides, and finishing them in chicken broth makes the insides creamy.
Get the Recipe: Melting Sweet Potatoes
Stuffed Mushroom Casserole
Save yourself the hassle of stuffing individual mushrooms and make this casserole instead. You get all the flavors of the classic dish with a fraction of the prep time.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushroom Casserole
Fried Green Bean Casserole
This battered and fried green bean casserole comes together quickly, thanks to the use of prepared pancake mix. Drizzle an addictively creamy gravy over the crispy vegetables after they come out of the fryer for unmatched results.
Get the Recipe: Fried Green Bean Casserole
Lemon-Maple Squash
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Maple Squash
Tyler's Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecan and Marshmallow Streusel
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecan and Marshmallow Streusel
Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Corn Muffins
Freshly baked corn muffins and pimento cheese are hallmarks of the South. But instead of slathering our muffins with the creamy-sharp spread, we decided to stuff them with it.
Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Corn Muffins
The Best Corn Casserole
We added Cheddar and chives to this classic and quick side that goes from mixing bowl to oven in less than 10 minutes. It bakes up golden brown and puffy -- perfect for a potluck or holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: The Best Corn Casserole
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Cook mashed sweet potatoes from start to finish in an Instant Pot, then top with crunchy pecans and an optional — but deliciously decadent — marshmallow swirl.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mock Mashed Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Mock Mashed Potatoes
String Beans with Shallots
Get the Recipe: String Beans with Shallots
Red Devil Cranberries
Get the Recipe: Red Devil Cranberries
Sage and Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
Sunny folds charred marshmallows into the mashed sweet potatoes until combined. No need to oversweeten the potatoes, as the topping does the work.
Get the Recipe: Sunny's Sage and Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Giada adds an Italian twist to Brussels sprouts, cooking them with pancetta.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Smashing Brussels sprouts before you roast them results in extra surface area, which translates to more crispy cheesy bits. If you have a meat mallet, it makes the smashing particularly easy and fun, but you can also use a cast-iron skillet or heavy drinking glass or mug.
Get the Recipe: Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Parmesan-Crusted Potatoes
Tender roasted potatoes get an extra boost of flavor and crunch, thanks to a crispy layer of golden Parmesan. We added a simple stir-together paprika aioli for dipping, but these flavorful little nuggets are equally delicious on their own. Serve them as a fun appetizer or as a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan-Crusted Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Chive and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Chive and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds
Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce
Sweet Potato Souffle
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Souffle
Classic Cornbread
Get the Recipe: Classic Cornbread
Mushroom & Leek Bread Pudding
Get the Recipe: Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding
Baked Yams with Saffron Aioli
Get the Recipe: Baked Yams With Saffron Aioli
Bacon Hasselback Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Bacon Hasselback Potatoes
Whiskey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Whiskey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean and Tomato Casserole
Get the Recipe: Green Bean and Tomato Casserole
Cranberry Sauce with Pinot and Figs
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Pinot and Figs
Cheesy Smashed Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Smashed Potatoes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Twice Baked Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes
Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
Seasonal fall fruits marinated in a bright citrus, herb and spice syrup make the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. The longer the fruits marinate, the deeper the flavors of the dish.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
Brussels Sprouts Supreme
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Supreme
Caramelized Vidalia Onion and Potato Gratin with Fresh Sage
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Vidalia Onion and Potato Gratin with Fresh Sage
Marbled Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Marbled Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Thanksgiving Hashweh
This dish is inspired by traditional Lebanese hashweh—which is the Arabic word for stuffing. Hashweh is generally made with onions, ground beef, spices and sometimes rice. It’s used for stuffing peppers, squash, grape leaves, potatoes, cabbage and chicken. It is also ideal for turkey. The fat from the ground beef lends delicious flavor to the bird, while the onions and spices provide a warm aroma perfect for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Hashweh
Whipped Root Vegetables
Get the Recipe: Whipped Root Vegetables
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes
Move over, Bacon. Roasted Brussels sprouts have a sweet companion in this easy side: red grapes. As the Brussels sprouts roast in the oven, cook the grapes in butter on the stovetop till they're literally bursting with flavor. The grapes' natural juices will turn into a delicious glaze to complement the savory sprouts.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Grapes
Creamed Corn
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn
Caramelized-Onion Mashed Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Caramelized-Onion Mashed Potatoes
Spaghetti Squash and Potato Gratin
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash and Potato Gratin
Caramelized Butternut Squash
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Butternut Squash
Spinach Gratin
Get the Recipe: Spinach Gratin
Sweet Potato Casserole
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole
Roasted Beets
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beets
Cauliflower Gratin
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Gratin
Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole With Crispy Shallots
Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Bananas with Honey
Get the Recipe: Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Bananas with Honey
Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes
Thanksgiving Rolls
It will be hard to go back to buying premade buns after trying these homemade rolls from Food Network Kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Rolls
Roasted Winter Vegetables
Get the Recipe: Roasted Winter Vegetables
Stovetop Green Bean Casserole
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Green Bean Casserole
Jellied Cranberry-Cherry Sauce
Win over even the die-hard stuff-from-a-can fans with this recipe. The cranberry sauce boasts a smooth texture and a sweet-tart flavor that everyone will love, and — even better! — you can make it a day before the big feast.
Get the Recipe: Jellied Cranberry-Cherry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes with Dried Sage
Sage is a well-known player in the Thanksgiving lineup, but it's usually used to flavor the stuffing or season the bird. This year, cook sage leaves in brown butter, then pour the over creamy mashed potatoes to add a welcome touch of warm flavor.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Fried Sage
Spiced Root Vegetables with Pumpkin Seeds
Kick your roasted root vegetable game up a notch by including parsnips, turnips and celery root. Toasted pumpkin seeds provide a nice crunch sprinkled atop the tender veggies.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Root Vegetables with Pumpkin Seeds
Sweet Potato Gratin
Heavy cream sweetened with maple syrup lends decidedly fall flavor to this sweet potato side. One bite of the gingersnap-breadcrumb topping will have you thinking that waiting till dessert for cookies is just plain silly.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gratin
Easy Orange-Scented Green Beans
Follow Rachael's lead to whip up a company-worthy, 8-minute veggie with a flavorful citrus punch.
Get the Recipe: Orange Scented Green Beans
Classic Candied Yams
Get the Recipe: Classic Candied Yams
Mini Mac and 'Shrooms
Get the Recipe: Mini Mac and 'Shrooms
Glazed Carrots
Get the Recipe: Glazed Carrots