Thanksgiving Sides Roundup
I saw a t-shirt the other day that said, “I’m just here for the sides” and I felt like it should be mine! Thanksgiving is all about the sides for me. I could honestly do without the turkey…shhhhhhhh don’t tell anyone, but it’s true. Give me allllllll the potatoes, rolls, stuffing, veggies, sweet potatoes, salads and gravy!! And the pie…always save room for a slice (or 5) of pie! But that’s a whole different post! So here’s a roundup of all our favorite Thanksgiving sides…
Potatoes
Let’s start with the potatoes. Are you a classic mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving person? Or do you like to mix it up? We have recipes for roasted potatoes, baked potatoes, and several cheesy potato casseroles. No matter which way you want to potato, we have you covered!
This is your classic, creamy mashed potato recipe that is buttery and totally irresistible! Topped with some turkey gravy and you’ve entered turkey day euphoria!
These masked potatoes have a little texture to them so we call them “smashed potatoes”. We leave the skins on and leave the potatoes a little more chunky.
These potatoes are oven baked with crispy salted skins and tender potato inside.
These potatoes are crispy golden on the outside, soft and fluffy in the middle, and glistening with buttery, herby goodness.
Excuse the morbid name and just know that this is cheesy potato casserole with cubed potatoes and a crunchy golden topping that is to die for (see what I did there!).
This is our classic cheesy scalloped potato dish featuring layers upon layers of thinly sliced potatoes, a creamy cheese sauce, and extra cheese on top!
This is really pretty similar to the classic cheesy potato casserole above, but it is all made in the Instant Pot which can be a lifesaver on Thanksgiving with all the demand on the oven.
Which potato recipe are you going with this Thanksgiving? It’s classic creamy mashed potatoes for me!
Sweet Potatoes
I had to give sweet potatoes it’s own category because they are just that important! Sweet potatoes have become near and dear to my heart over the years and they need a place as one of your Thanksgiving sides. They are just so dang good, and we have some totally jaw-dropping recipes for you to try…
Creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a touch of cinnamon added for a little warmth and topped with a crispy brown sugar and pecan topping.
You will love the bright citrus addition to these sweet potatoes!
A sweet potato recipe that is cheesy and buttery with a burst of fresh thyme! If you want a recipe for sweet potatoes that is a little outside the box but glorious, you have to try these!
These are similar to our sweet potato souffle, but you bake them again in their skins. They are heaven!
If you’re looking for the marshmallows on top of a sweet potato casserole, then this is your recipe! We’ve also added a brown sugar streusel topping to make it extra outrageous, and kids always love it! It tastes like a dessert!
These are perfect little sweet potato bites that are sweet and buttery and topped with hazelnuts. They are great little sweet potato side dish!
Bread
Bread, glorious bread! I don’t even know where to begin, but there has to be bread in your list of Thanksgiving sides and we have so many delicious options, I dare you to choose just one! Here are a few of our favorites…
Easy Herb Focaccia
One of our most popular Thanksgiving bread recipe and it’s so simple! Most of the work is done the day before too, so it is a great option for Thanksgiving. It is light and airy, with a yummy olive oil saltiness and those fresh herbs bring the whole loaf to life.
Pumpkin Rolls
These are the softest rolls on earth and they look so festive with that beautiful pumpkin color.
Buttermilk Biscuits
These are the fluffiest and flakiest buttermilk biscuits and they make a great Thanksgiving side!
World’s Best Dinner Rolls
If there was a Rolls Royce of dinner rolls, this would be it! They are soft and buttery and the best dang rolls I’ve ever shoved into my face!
Sweet Potato Rolls
These rolls are so easy to make and can be prepared in advance and baked off later. Perfect for the Thanksgiving!
Hawaiian Rolls
These rolls are fluffy and slightly sweet and made with pineapple juice. If you want a touch of sweetness in your roll, then this is a great option! They are also great for making sliders with any leftover turkey the next day.
7-Up Biscuits
These might be the easiest homemade bread recipe. This recipe calls for just 4 ingredients and comes together in about 15 minutes!
Potato Rolls
I’m ending the bread section with my favorite rolls of all time. If the previous recipes I’ve shared haven’t sold you, then these will for sure seal the deal. They are fluffy and buttery and gorgeous.
And just in case you still are not set on a recipe, here is a link to all our bread recipes.
Stuffing
Every year when I load my plate up with a helping of stuffing I think, “why don’t I make this year round?” I’m a fairly recent convert to stuffing, but I love it! It’s funny actually that stuffing is only a Thanksgiving thing. Why is that? Does anyone make it year round? Here’s our array of stuffing recipes…
Stuffing made easy! Forget the boxed stuff and make it from scratch! It is full of fresh herbs and all the classic stuffing ingredients.
This stuffing starts with cinnamon chip bread and has apple and bacon in it. It is a delicious stuffing that you must try if you’re up for venturing out of the norm!
This is the stuffing that made a stuffing lover out of me! It is full of sausage and cranberries and loads of fresh herbs.
The apples and cranberries gave a delicious fall and winter taste, while adding a tiny hint of sweetness. But, don’t you worry because the herbs mellow everything out and give it that earthy, warmth that everyone wants at this time of year.
Vegetables
Let’s all make ourselves feel better about shoving our faces full of food by adding a few veggie Thanksgiving sides to the table. We have a few variations of green bean casserole and few other vegetable options…
The real green bean casserole doesn’t use cream of anything soup is topped with fried shoestring potatoes.
This is your traditional creamy green bean casserole recipe topped with crunchy French fried onions but with a few surprise ingredients that you’re going to absolutely love!
This casserole is made entirely from scratch but it takes only about 10 minutes to make and finishes in the oven. It is topped with crispy shallots and is amazing!
If you have never tried honeynut squash, get your buns to the grocery store, buy a couple and then make this browned butter sage version for Thanksgiving! And don’t worry, you can use butternut of you can’t find honeynut.
This recipe is crazy easy, and can be mostly prepped in the morning and then finished just before go time.
Brussels sprouts get a bad rap, but I feel like opinions out there are starting to turn around. This candied pecan and bacon brussels sprouts recipe is sure to win you over!
It’s time to take your Thanksgiving side dishes to the next level with this cheesy baked zucchini squash gratin! It’s creamy and packed full of zucchini, yellow squash, spinach and gruyere cheese.
These slow cooker orange glazed carrots are sweetened by brown sugar and honey, infused with citrus, and seasoned with warm spices. They are the perfect vegetable side dish for Thanksgiving, and they don’t take up oven space!
There’s nothing fancy here, just classic roasted vegetables flavored with garlic and simple salt and pepper.
Salads
A bright and fresh salad is always a good side dish option. Here are a few options including many with homemade salad dressings…
Made with raisins, sunflower seeds, and bacon, this really is the BEST broccoli salad recipe! It can be prepped in advance and is perfect for one of your Thanksgiving sides!
Shredded brussels sprouts salad with orange poppy seed dressing is one of my favorite salad recipes. The dressing is drool worthy. The crispy, crunchy chickpeas are just the little salty bite you crave in a salad, and the manchego cheese…it is THE BEST!
Before you get worried that this salad section of Thanksgiving side dishes is going to be all veggies, a fresh fruit salad side dish is always a hit at Thanksgiving!
This salad is full of candied hazelnuts, crunchy bacon, pops of tart pomegranate seeds, and manchego cheese all coated in the most delicious mustard vinaigrette. SO good!
Massaged kale is packed full of flavor with roasted butternut squash, roasted sweet potatoes, apples, craisins, pepitas and sunflower seeds, and the yummiest spiced chickpeas! Oh and don’t you worry, we top it all off with a spiced citrus dressing!
Who doesn’t love a cobb salad? This salad is great for the fall and winter months and the homemade salad dressing get two thumbs up!
Don’t knock it ’til you try it! This pretzel jello salad will be the talk of your Thanksgiving, and we have a raspberry and strawberry version!
There’s just something so good about those juicy strawberries, chewy bacon pieces, a little tangy saltiness from the feta and then those crunchy almonds all sticky in dressing, it’s the best!
It seems so simple but then when you get that perfect bite with spinach, berry, and brown sugar almonds, a light lemon dressing, good mercy! This is my favorite salad!
Condiments
We have a few condiments that are a must for me for Thanksgiving sides…cranberry sauce and gravy…can’t live without those two!
If you aren’t making your cranberry sauce from scratch then you are doing it all wrong! This is a family favorite and that extra blackberry flavor is the best!
Cranberry sauce is the most simple thing you’ll make for your dinner spread and it can be made weeks ahead of time so it’s not even really something on the to-do list. This recipe is totally from scratch and is an absolute must.
Making gravy is so easy. No matter how you are cooking your turkey, follow these instructions.
Appetizers
It’s not Thanksgiving without a few appetizers out for everyone to graze on while waiting for the main event. I like to think of it as priming the pump. Here are a few ideas…
Only 3 ingredients needed and it’s always a hit. Cheese and crackers is one of the best things on earth.
This indulgent baked brie needs to be on your table this year! It is topped with a bold raspberry bacon onion jam and so elegant!
If you’re looking for fresh and healthy, then this Greek yogurt herb dip recipe is your answer! My kids love it!
Best Cheeseball Ever
This is the best cheeseball recipes I’ve ever had in my whole life. Time to devour!
I felt like we needed at least one sweet appetizer option and this toffee apple dip is dreamy!
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
Ok, this is another cheese and crackers option but I just love them all so much! Cranberries and cream cheese combines sweet and tart with creamy and it’s the best combination!
Let’s Get Ready to Gobble ’til We Wobble
Ok, phew! That was a lot, but I wanted to make sure you had all options at your fingertips. Any combination of these recipes will be make for a great Thanksgiving feast! Which Thanksgiving sides are your favorites? Which ones are absolute musts? Do any of them carry special memories for you?
I pray this Thanksgiving finds you and your family happy and healthy and enjoying time gathered in gratitude!
READ: Thanksgiving Sides Roundup