Top Thanksgiving Side Dishes: 23+ Crowd-Pleasing Recipes
Here are more than 20 of the best Thanksgiving side dishes that will delight your guests. These easy, flavorful recipes span cozy classics and comforting casseroles, each designed to pair beautifully with turkey, ham, or whatever you choose for your holiday table.
Sides are what make a Thanksgiving meal memorable — the aromas, textures, and familiar flavors of home cooking bring people together. From tried-and-true staples to updated favorites, a well-rounded selection of side dishes elevates the whole feast.
This collection includes over 20 favorite Thanksgiving side dishes that are easy to scale for a potluck or to serve at home. You’ll find classic mashed potatoes, sweet potato casseroles, multiple mac and cheese options, green bean casserole, and plenty of vegetable sides and casseroles to round out your menu.
Pair these sides with your main course and finish the meal with a simple no-bake dessert or a classic pumpkin pie for a satisfying holiday spread. No matter what you’re planning, you’ll find crowd-pleasing, easy-to-execute recipes here that taste like comfort and tradition.
Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Plan ahead. Build a realistic menu, buy ingredients early, and map out which dishes require oven, stovetop, or slow cooker time so everything comes together smoothly.
Make ahead. Many sides reheat well. Prepare casseroles or vegetable dishes in advance to reduce stress on the big day.
Offer variety. Balance textures and flavors — include roasted vegetables, creamy casseroles, fresh salads, and comfort foods to keep the table interesting.
Use quality ingredients. Fresh produce, real butter, and freshly grated cheese improve flavor. When possible, choose fresh over canned ingredients.
Keep it simple. Pick recipes you enjoy and that suit your time and kitchen resources. A few excellent sides beat a dozen mediocre ones.
20+ Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
Click any photo or button to go to the full recipe and instructions.
Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery, and luxuriously smooth, these mashed potatoes are made from scratch with simple pantry staples — the ultimate comfort side for turkey and gravy.
Get Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Cranberry Sauce
Ditch the canned version and make homemade cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries, orange, honey, and warm spices for bright, seasonal flavor.
GET CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE
Old-Fashioned Stuffing
Savory stuffing with sautéed onions, celery, sage, and thyme, baked to a golden crisp — a timeless make-ahead favorite.
Get Classic Stuffing Recipe
Southern Green Beans
Slow-simmered Southern green beans cooked with smoky bacon and onions for deep, comforting flavor.
GET SOUTHERN GREEN BEANS RECIPE
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts tossed in a honey-balsamic glaze with pecans and a hint of heat.
GET CARAMELIZED BRUSSELS SPROUTS RECIPE
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
A classic Thanksgiving favorite — fluffy sweet potatoes topped with toasted marshmallows for a sweet complement to savory mains.
GET SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH MARSHMALLOWS RECIPE
Green Bean Casserole
A creamy green bean casserole elevated with Worcestershire sauce and a crispy fried onion topping.
GET GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE RECIPE
Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots
Quick and caramelized, these glazed carrots bring sweet-savory balance to the table and take under 30 minutes to make.
GET HONEY GLAZED CARROTS RECIPE
Crockpot Mac and Cheese with Velveeta
An effortless slow-cooker mac and cheese that stays warm and creamy for serving a crowd.
GET CROCKPOT MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
Sweet Potato Cornbread
A fall-inspired cornbread with sweet potato and warm spices — tender, slightly sweet, and perfect with butter.
GET SWEET POTATO CORNBREAD RECIPE
Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
Rustic and flavorful, these red-skin mashed potatoes keep the peel on for texture and ease — a simple crowd-pleaser.
GET RED SKIN MASHED POTATOES RECIPE
Broccoli Casserole
Tender broccoli and mushrooms in a creamy sauce topped with buttery breadcrumbs — a comforting, classic casserole.
GET BROCCOLI CASSEROLE RECIPE
Jiffy Cornbread Casserole
A quick, no-fuss cornbread casserole made with Jiffy mix and cream-style corn for a tender, slightly sweet side.
GET JIFFY CORNBREAD CASSEROLE RECIPE
Creamed Spinach
A rich, creamy spinach side made with butter, onions, cream cheese, and Parmesan — so good even kids will ask for seconds.
GET CREAMED SPINACH RECIPE
Party Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes baked until golden on top — an easy way to dress up a classic side.
GET PARTY POTATOES RECIPE
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
Make sweet potato casserole in the crockpot to save oven space; it comes out perfectly with pecans and marshmallows every time.
GET CROCKPOT SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE RECIPE
Crockpot Glazed Carrots
An easy vegetable side that develops sweet and savory flavors with almost no effort — ideal for Thanksgiving.
GET CROCKPOT GLAZED CARROTS RECIPE
Cheesy Potatoes with Corn Flakes
A quick prep using frozen hashbrowns creates cheesy potatoes topped with crunchy cornflakes for a beloved, easy side.
GET CHEESY POTATOES WITH CORNFLAKES RECIPE
Roasted Butternut Squash
Lightly seasoned and caramelized roasted butternut squash highlights the vegetable’s natural sweetness and pairs well with fresh herbs.
Get Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
Stovetop Mac and Cheese
An easy stovetop mac and cheese made with real cheese — rich, creamy, and far superior to boxed varieties.
GET STOVETOP MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
Creamed Corn
Sweet corn kernels in a creamy sauce — adaptable using fresh, canned, or frozen corn for an easy, classic side.
GET CREAMED CORN RECIPE
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
Fluffy sweet potatoes topped with a buttery pecan streusel for a crunchy, sweet finish guests will love.
GET SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH PECANS RECIPE
Baked Mac and Cheese
Made with freshly grated cheddar and Gruyere, baked until bubbly and golden — a cheesy, irresistible side.
GET BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy, layered scalloped potatoes with cheese, baked until bubbly and golden — an easy make-ahead potato dish for the holidays.
