25+ Thanksgiving Dinner Sides
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Let’s talk Thanksgiving dinner sides: Whether you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends, are looking to complete your Thanksgiving menu or just want a little extra something delicious on your holiday plate, this list of deliciously fresh side dishes will help you round out the meal.
Let’s be honest, it’s the Thanksgiving dinner side dishes that call us to the table! We love to sit down and feast on all the vegetables, casseroles and sweet rolls!
Here are more than 25 fresh, creative recipes for vegetable sides and salads. That’s plenty of ideas for pairing side dishes with the main event at Thanksgiving dinner — whether in your home the centerpiece happens to be a juicy browned turkey, a baked ham, or whole roasted fish.
These streamlined recipes rely on a handful of fresh pantry ingredients, and can be prepped ahead of time (see each recipe for make-ahead details). You’ll find sides to please vegetarian, vegan and the omnivores in this list. Enjoy!
How many sides to serve for Thanksgiving dinner:
- Depending on your ambition, budget and time, start with at least two sides for 4-8 people (not counting stuffing, rolls, cranberry sauce and other condiments).
- Serving three-four different vegetable sides is a good way to start your planning. That way each plate will have variety of color, taste and texture without becoming overwhelming for the cook or the diner.
- For a larger gathering, consider asking your guests to bring a side dish or dessert to make your life easier.
These are Thanksgiving menu side dishes you’ll love, along with all your favorite classics that go perfectly with cranberry sauce, stuffing, cornbread.
Sweet potato side dish recipes
Go for a simple side of roasted sweet potatoes to go with wild rice or corn pudding, or try a cheesy sweet potato gratin with chili and maple syrup:
Spice-Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Chili-Lime Sweet Potato Gratin with Goat Cheese
Cumin-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans
Butternut squash and acorn squash side dishes
Easy winter squash recipes that feature sweet and creamy-textured butternut and acorn squash:
Creamy Mashed Butternut Squash
Slow Cooker Root Vegetables with Apple Cider Glaze
Miso-Glazed Roasted Acorn Squash
Roasted Acorn Squash with Brown Butter and Parmesan
Baked Butternut Squash Risotto (Extra-Easy, No-Stir!)
Carrots
Carrots are always a simple classic for the holiday table!
Sweet and Buttery Glazed Carrots
Honey-Lime Roasted Carrots (Sweet and Tangy)
Spiced Carrots with Creamy Feta
Green bean recipes
Green bean recipe ideas to put on the table next to grandma’s green bean casserole.
Oven-Crisp Roasted Green Beans with Shallots
Buttered Green Beans with Hazelnuts
Broccoli and cauliflower sides
Choose a quick saute or a creamy casserole with mascarpone cheese. So good!
15-Minute Sauteed Broccoli with Garlic and Parmesan
Creamy Cauliflower Gratin with Mascarpone
Brussels sprouts recipes
5-Minute Steamed Brussels Sprouts with Parsley Butter
Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Beautiful Thanksgiving salads
These salads taste great warm or at room temperature, perfect for potlucks or buffets. Plus they look pretty great on the table:
Warm Farro Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Kale
Sweet and Savory Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Arugula Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese and Walnuts
Easy Roasted Vegetable Salad with Chimichurri Dressing
Crunchy Winter Salad with Fennel and Pomegranate
Roasted Harissa Butternut Squash Salad with Feta
Mushroom recipes
Earthy, meaty mushrooms pair beautifully with turkey fixings and savory stuffing:
Sauteed Oyster Mushrooms with Garlic Butter
Cheesy Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Potato side dishes
Crispy roasted potatoes and creamy mashed potatoes (without butter):
Pure and Simple Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs
Onions
Ditch the canned pearl onions, and try them glazed or as a topping for a focaccia appetizer:
Balsamic Glazed Cipollini Onions (Cipollini Agrodolce)
Caramelized Onion Focaccia Bread with Blue Cheese
Thanksgiving Dinner Sides: Spicy Sweet Potato Gratin with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 garlic clove, grated on a microplane or finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red chili
- 2 ½ pounds (1225 g) sweet potatoes, scrubbed
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 ounces (50 g) soft goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped green pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 (200 C) degrees.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, lime juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt and chili.
- Peel the potatoes if you like — I often just scrape off any bruised sections, leaving most of the skin on. Slice the potatoes into ⅛-inch thick rounds, using a mandoline, or use a very sharp knife and great knife skills 🙂
- Toss the sweet potatoes in the bowl to coat with the spiced oil. Arrange the potatoes upright in a 2-quart baking dish with the edges face-up, pouring the liquid from the bowl over all. Grind black pepper over the top to taste.
- Bake 45 minutes. Sprinkle the cheeses evenly over the top and return to the oven for 10 more minutes, until the cheese is softened and melting.
- Sprinkle the cilantro and pumpkin seeds over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Karen’s Notes and Tips
- Choose an oval 2-quart or 8-inch square baking dish so that the sweet potato slices will fit snugly.
- To make the gratin ahead, bake 45 minutes then cool, cover and refrigerate or freeze. When ready to serve, top with the cheese and bake an additional 15 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Nutrition
Hey, I’m Karen
Creator of Familystyle Food
I’m a food obsessed super-taster and professionally trained cook ALL about creating elevated dinners with everyday ingredients. Find simplified recipes made from scratch and enjoy incredibly tasty food! Read more about me here.