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When it starts to get in the fall season Thanksgiving comes around before you know it. I remember (a time ago) when I would look forward to the local church Thanksgiving dinner with my mom. These days, since I cook for my own family now, I tend to start looking for easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes early on, to make sure I'm prepared and know in my head how my spread will look. The turkey, ham, or whichever roasts you have are one side of a Thanksgiving meal but the side dishes really make it.
Following are a list of my favorite 100 Thanksgiving side dishes (although they would work for Christmas too):
Vegetable Side Dishes (Non-Potato)
Fall vegetables are bursting with natural flavor and appetizing colors! This easy recipe for Balsamic Roasted Fall Vegetables with Sumac is a stunner perfect for any night and Thanksgiving.
This simple and easy green bean casserole uses cream soup, cheddar cheese, and french fried onions to make the ultimate comfort food for holiday meals or any time of year! It is so quick to put together and can be made ahead to simplify the holiday preparation
Crockpot Broccoli Casserole is a comfort food classic. It’s creamy, cheesy, and so easy to make. This recipe serves 12 and costs $9.69. That’s just 81¢ per serving! It is a tried and true recipe that has stood the test of time as our Mom has been making it for over 30 years.
This creamy corn casserole is a classic a Thanksgiving side dish made and is easy to make with just 6 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep!
You only need 5 ingredients for this Maple Glazed Butternut Squash with Bacon recipe.
These sautéed Brussels sprouts with cranberries are an easy to make vegetable side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Pan fried on the stovetop with dried cranberries and lemon for a quick and flavorful side.
Easy Air Fryer Carrots With Garlic Butter {WW 1, Keto, Gluten Free, Vegetarian}
These Garlic Parsley Carrots are going to become a family favorite as they are quick, easy and over the top delish!! Using just 4 ingredients you always have on hand make this recipe a new "go-to!"
Add something light and vibrant to your Thanksgiving table. These green beans have lemon juice, lemon zest, buttery shallots, and lots of toasted almonds!
An easy side dish that always gets rave reviews. Fall colors and flavors that go perfectly with a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
A delicious and healthy low carb keto side dish – this oven roasted rutabaga recipe is ready in 20 minutes and can be enjoyed with the meat or fish main dishes of your choice.
This easy roasted carrots and parsnips recipe is packed with flavors and beautiful colors. It’s a great, healthy low-carb alternative to your baked potato fries.
Need extra oven or stovetop space while cooking Thanksgiving dinner? This crockpot mac and cheese is perfect for a big holiday meal.
Green Bean Casserole is a holiday side dish that tastes amazing and is easy to assemble. Creamy mushroom soup with crispy fried onions pack flavor into this delicious classic recipe!
Classic flavors without the added carbs! Yes, it’s possible even on holiday feasts when you make this simple Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries!
Mashed Turnips make a great alternative when you’re following a diet or healthy lifestyle without feeling deprived of devouring delicious mains and sides during the holidays.
Sauteed carrots in Maple Thyme Glaze is a real crowd-pleaser not just among adults, but among kids as well. Maple glazed julienne carrots are such an elegant and delicious side dish to add to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. They are easy to prepare and fit most diets.
Root veggies never looked or tasted so good. This healthy thanksgiving side dish is certain to please everyone.
These rich and creamy leeks are super simple to make, using just one pot.
This Green Beans with Caramelized Onions, almonds and cashews is perfect side dish that goes well along any kind of menu, especially around Thanksgiving.
Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Slices | Oven and Air Fryer Directions
This maple roasted acorn squash brings a lot of flavor to the Thanksgiving table with ease.
This Carrot Casserole is a super easy one-pot meal that combines tender carrot coins with cream of mushroom soup and cheese and is topped with a buttery herbed stuffing.
Cauliflower mash with sour cream is a rich, creamy, delightfully delicious, low carb alternative to mashed potatoes, made with roasted cauliflower and sour cream!
This Oven Roasted Broccoli recipe is an easy side dish that’s low carb and gluten-free.
Bacon wrapped green bean bundles are a deliciously simple side dish recipe perfect for any time of the year!
This one-pot vegan parsnip mash is a fun alternative to mashed potatoes! Easy to make and has subtle warm toasty flavors that everyone will enjoy.
This cream of peas recipe (or creamed peas, as you may know them) is very quick and tasty. Even if you thought you didn’t like peas you may very well change your mind after trying these!
Cream Style Corn is loaded with cheese and cooks low and slow with only the occasional stir, perfect for fresh or frozen corn!
These Savory Butternut Squash Casserole is so delicious. It is on our table every year.
Super simple and delicious wild rice pilaf is a great Thanksgiving side dish. With carrots, onion, celery and broth this dish tasty easy and the best part- made in one pot!
Who doesn’t like the creamy, gooeyness of a homemade mac and cheese? This is comfort food at its finest. The combination of the bursting-with-flavor pumpkin + the creamy melted cheese is delightful.
This low-carb and keto-friendly Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower Bake is made with the same fixings as a loaded baked potato! Easy, cheesy and delicious!
These Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are an easy side dish that the entire family will love.
This recipe for roasted squash and grapes is an elegant and delicious side dish for the holidays or other special meals.
This step by step recipe tutorial shows you just how to make the perfect pumpkin risotto to serve alongside your favorite turkey this Thanksgiving!
The best balsamic-maple roasted Brussels sprouts with butternut squash, pecans, cranberries and avocado roasted garlic dressing. Ultimate healthy vegan Thanksgiving side dish ready in just 40 minutes!
Potato Side Dishes
Potatoes are one of my weaknesses, any kind of potato I love, but around Thanksgiving, when the Sweet Potato Casserole starts coming out, I'm in heaven!
With sour cream and cream cheese mixed in, these Crock Pot mashed potatoes are delicious, rich, and creamy. Thanks to the slow cooker, they are easy to make ahead and simply heat on the holiday morning – couldn’t be easier!
How to make the best slow cooker sweet potato casserole – This simple and easy side dish is perfect for healthy holiday meals because it has no marshmallows! Can use canned or fresh sweet potatoes. Top with pecan streusel topping.
Homemade Candied Sweet Potatoes with Orange Juice and Marshmallows
These candied sweet potatoes are like dessert with a thick syrupy sauce made from orange juice, brown sugar, and butter. Top them with marshmallows and bake a few minutes to toast. Perfection!
Julia Child's Gratin Dauphinois (Au Gratin Potatoes) are quite possibly my favorite potatoes ever! Potatoes, cream, cheese, and thyme? Heaven on a plate!
Want a new variation on an old classic this holiday season? Try this Maple Pecan Hasselback Sweet Potato Recipe in individual portions.
This Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes recipe has plenty of cheese, bacon, and roasted garlic for comforting goodness in every bite!
Easy to make instant pot garlic mashed potatoes are wonderful for paring with meatloaf or roast chicken. This instant pot recipe is also perfect for your holiday feast.
These roast potatoes are crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle.
Skillet sweet potato casserole is a decadent holiday side dish made with the warm flavors of browned butter, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
If you need a healthy sweet potato recipe full of antioxidant goodness (and without marshmallows), that is also Paleo and Whole30 compliant, read on for a dish you will want to make all year round.
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)
This super easy Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow topping is a healthier twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish! A sweet holiday favorite that’s gluten-free, allergy-free, sugar-free, and optionally paleo! Smooth, mashed sweet potato topped with homemade marshmallow fluff, and baked to perfection!
Cheesy, creamy deliciousness. This flavorful Mashed Potato Casserole will make your taste buds dance and please any dinner guest at your table.
With brown butter, garlic, maple syrup, bacon and fresh sage, this slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes recipe is the perfect side dish for the holidays. They are so easy and so good!
In my family, the Best Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is one that’s served up sweet and salty with a delicious, crunchy streusel topping!
Filling and comforting, this Twice Baked Potato Casserole makes a perfect no-fuss side dish for a holiday meal. Simple ingredients – incredible taste!
This is a fantastic, out of this world delicious recipe. A delicious, easy to prepare sweet potato casserole recipe your entire family will enjoy.
Break away from traditional Mashed Potatoes this Thanksgiving with these crispy Lyonnaise Potatoes. They are a French Dish of thinly sliced potatoes pan fried with thinly sliced onions & parsley. Perfectly indulgent they compliment any turkey or ham perfectly!
These old fashioned sweet potatoes are super and and a crowd pleaser. They are sweet and gooey with just a home of cinnamon.
This sweet potato casserole with a praline topping is delicious during the fall season and for holidays. The nuts are a great crunchy bite and using pralines makes for a lighter recipe than those that call for marshmallow toppings!
Instant Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes - Marathons & Motivation
These Instant Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food! They are perfect for a weeknight meal or a great addition to a Sunday Supper.
These Instant Pot roasted potatoes with parmesan will have you (and your guests) craving more!
These nutmeg sweet potato stacks are easily baked in a muffin pan and make a great side dish for Thanksgiving dinner.
This Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and is rich and garlicky, with just the perfect touch of sweet to complement the savory flavors.
Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole – Flavorful mashed potatoes you bake right in the oven!! Cheese and bacon perfection. Great for a crowd!
These garlic parmesan smashed potatoes are perfectly roasted and then topped with a buttery garlic parmesan mixture. They get baked until crispy and cheesy!
Salad Side Dishes
Salads can mean anything from potato salad, to Waldorf...
Thanksgiving Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette • Food Folks and Fun
This Thanksgiving Salad recipe is great served as a side dish or as an accompaniment to a charcuterie board before the Thanksgiving meal is served.
This creamy fruit salad recipe is one of those dishes that will bring you back to childhood. It’s sweet and satisfying – perfectly paired with cherries, apples, pineapple, and mandarin oranges. We like to call it Thanksgiving Fruit Salad because it’s extra special!
This Fall Cobb Salad is packed with the fun flavors and textures of the season. The salad is finished off with a rosemary and apple cider vinegar salad dressing.
Make this Old-Fashioned Cranberry Salad, also known as a Cranberry JELLO mold for a Thanksgiving side dish this year. We use raspberry Jello, crushed pineapple, whole berry cranberry sauce, and nuts to make this traditional holiday recipe.
You will find this Waldorf Salad loaded with apples, grapes, celery, dried cranberries, walnuts, and vanilla yogurt. It will make for a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
This Classic Southern Potato Salad is a must for Holiday gatherings.
Cranberry quinoa pasta salad is a healthy plant based side dish for Thanksgiving. It’s easy to make and everyone will love it.
Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving classic, but this green bean salad with crispy fried green onions is a fresh alternative that I'm positive your family will love.
Can you ever think of thanksgiving dinner without cranberry. And this cranberry salad with carrot make all dinner great and comfort.
This Persimmon Salad is super easy to make, sweet and fruity and beautifully colorful. A great festive side dish! Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
This Pumpkin Quinoa Salad is super easy to make, healthy, full of flavor and packed with veggies. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Light and healthy vegan fall harvest salad is as satisfying as it is nutritious: crunchy kale paired with sweet pumpkin, tart Brussels sprouts, crisp apples and pomegranate seeds all merged together with delicious homemade maple-mustard dressing. Perfect Thanksgiving harvest salad that everyone will love!
Stuffings/Dressings
I call it stuffing, my husband calls it dressing.... either way, Thanksgiving dressings are delicious! It's his favorite part of the dinner! There are so many different varieties, and the history is very interesting, the History channel has a page dedicated to the regional differences in this dish!
Sage and onion stuffing balls are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, slip them into your roasting tray with your roast or in a pan with some butter or shortning and you have the perfect bite sized stuffing treats!
Spicy Chorizo Sage Cornbread Dressing takes dressing from ho hum to woo hoo with this easy recipe! It’s truly irresistible and too good just to serve on Thanksgiving!
Traditional Herb Stuffing is very easy to make and filled with fresh, flavorful herbs. It’ll be a hit on any Thanksgiving table!
Thanksgiving is never complete without some of The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing! Impress your guests with this essential side dish recipe that’s safe for all food allergies, loved by all, and may just become the new star of the show!
Who says eating delicious Thanksgiving food has to come with the price of feeling bad about it afterwards? Not me! I've come up with a one skillet, low carb, full of flavor stuffing!
This Drunken Chorizo & Sage Dressing is one of my favorites! It’s completely full of flavor. Plus, it’s so easy to make! It features beer which quickly cooks out but, helps to keep it moist! With only six ingredients and minimal steps it’s a must this Thanksgiving!
This apple, sausage, and cranberry stuffing tastes like home and goes perfectly with all of your other Thanksgiving favorites!
The homemade stuffing ingredients are dumped into the slow cooker and it is ideal if you’re looking for an easy make ahead slow cooker stuffing recipe.
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dressing is the BEST dressing-stuffing recipe you’ll ever have. It’s super simple to make, and is the perfect addition to turkey and gravy!
This Southern Cornbread Dressing is perfect served along side your holiday turkey or ham this season!
This Easy Vegan Stuffing features onions, celery, carrots, and sausage. With no oil or butter, it's as tasty as a classic stuffing, and is moist on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Garlic bread stuffing with cubed pieces of garlic bread/breadsticks, mushrooms, onion, and celery baked in a deliciously seasoned broth.
Grandma stuffing recipe from the 50s just happens to be vegan who would know?! This delicious and classic stuffing recipe is also perfect for everyone to have at your table even if they have stricter plant-based diet!
The BEST holiday Sausage Stuffing with Italian sausage (use hot or mild), cornbread, crunchy celery, crispy french bread, sweet dried cherries, and cranberries!
This Mexican Cornbread Stuffing Recipe is made with sweet cornbread, roasted poblano peppers, melted cheeses, and of course, that deliciously smoky, spicy pork chorizo.
Gravies and Sauces
Gravies are another addition that vary - here's a list of a few different gravies and sauces:
This delicious Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe is a classic that is perfect for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. It is super easy to make with a few simple ingredients and can be made ahead of time!
No Thanksgiving is complete without delicious, homemade Turkey Gravy. This recipe includes instructions on how to make turkey gravy with or without pan drippings.
This cranberry sauce recipe is one that everyone will love. It’s naturally sweet and is gluten free, vegan, and Paleo, with one little switch to also make it Whole30 and keto.
This delicious vegan mushroom gravy rich, hearty, and packed with umami. It’s the best vegetarian/vegan gravy for Thanksgiving.
Homemade cranberry sauce is a delicious must-have for Thanksgiving dinner. Easy to make and can be made ahead of time!
A wonderful thick concentrate that you can dilute down and make stock for soup or gravy with. If you were to make concentrate on your own, it takes quite a while to cook down, so this is a huge time saver!
Classic cranberry sauce but with a twist! This super fun cranberry sauce has splashes of orange liquor and can be made on both the stovetop and slow cooker!
Cranberry Fluff – Tangy, chilled cranberries and sweet crushed pineapple, folded into marshmallow-filled whipped cream makes this side dish a family favorite!
Breads
Antother big downfall for me is bread. I love it any kind of way. Following is a list of varying breads to be served as a Thanksgiving side dish:
These warm, soft dinner rolls pair well with main dishes.
Try this versatile graham cornbread plain as a sweet side dish, warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream for dessert and enjoy any leftovers with coffee for breakfast!
This Bacon, Leek, and Artichoke Bread Pudding recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a substitute for the traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas dressing.
This recipe for white chocolate chip sweet potato muffins is great for the whole family. The kids love the sweet flavors and still get the nutritional value of sweet potatoes.
This is the best Sweet and Moist Cornbread you could bake from scratch! The center is fluffy, moist, sweet, and has perfectly golden brown edges!
For recipes from The Cagle Diaries, see below:
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