10 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Will Steal the Show

Thanksgiving dinner has one big secret: the turkey gets all the attention, but the Thanksgiving side dishes are usually what everyone fights over.

Think about it. Nobody quietly sneaks back to the kitchen for another slice of turkey while pretending nobody noticed. But mashed potatoes? Mac and cheese? Green bean casserole? Suddenly everyone needs “just one more little scoop.” And somehow that little scoop becomes half the serving bowl. Funny how that works.

If you’re building a Thanksgiving menu this year, you need sides that bring serious flavor without making you spend the entire day glued to the kitchen. These 10 best Thanksgiving side dishes cover everything from creamy classics to colorful vegetable sides, so you can create a holiday table that feels comforting, generous, and just a little bit impressive.

Whether you love traditional Thanksgiving recipes or want to sneak a few fresh ideas onto the table, these dishes have you covered. Grab your serving spoons and prepare for compliments.

1. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes already rank among the greatest Thanksgiving side dishes, but adding garlic, butter, and cream takes them from ordinary to “Who made these?” territory.

The trick? Don’t overwork the potatoes. Nobody wants mashed potatoes with the texture of wallpaper paste.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Extra butter for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the potatoes and garlic in a large pot and cover them with cold water.
2. Add a generous pinch of salt and bring the water to a boil.
3. Cook for about 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes feel completely tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the warm pot.
5. Mash the potatoes and garlic together until smooth.
6. Warm the butter and cream in a small saucepan until the butter melts.
7. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the potatoes while mashing.
8. Season with salt and black pepper.
9. Fold in fresh parsley and serve immediately with another little pat of butter.

Why You’ll Love It

These mashed potatoes taste rich, creamy, buttery, and comforting without requiring anything complicated. Yukon Gold potatoes also give you naturally buttery flavor, so you don’t need to drown them in cream.

For extra flavor, roast the garlic before adding it. IMO, roasted garlic makes mashed potatoes almost impossible to resist.

2. Classic Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole earns its Thanksgiving spot year after year. Creamy sauce, tender green beans, and those crispy fried onions create a combination that somehow disappears before anyone admits they had seconds.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1½ cups crispy fried onions
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Add the green beans and cook for 4–5 minutes.
4. Drain the beans and immediately rinse them with cold water.
5. Mix the mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and pepper in a large bowl.
6. Stir the green beans into the sauce.
7. Fold in about half of the crispy onions.
8. Transfer everything to a greased baking dish.
9. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top if you’re using it.
10. Bake for about 20 minutes.
11. Add the remaining fried onions and bake for another 5–7 minutes until golden and crisp.

Why You’ll Love It

The creamy mushroom sauce gives the green beans plenty of savory flavor, while the crispy onions add the crunch the dish desperately needs.

For a fresher version, use fresh green beans instead of canned ones. They keep more texture and make the casserole taste brighter.

3. Honey Butter Roasted Carrots

Need a Thanksgiving vegetable that looks beautiful without demanding a culinary degree? Make these honey butter roasted carrots.

They turn tender and caramelized in the oven, while honey and butter create a glossy coating that makes even picky vegetable eaters suspiciously interested.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots, peeled
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Cut the carrots into evenly sized sticks or leave smaller carrots whole.
3. Place the carrots on a large baking sheet.
4. Mix the melted butter, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the mixture over the carrots and toss well.
6. Spread the carrots into one even layer.
7. Roast for 25–35 minutes, turning them halfway through.
8. Remove them when they become tender and caramelized around the edges.
9. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and parsley before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

These carrots add a pop of color to a Thanksgiving table packed with beige food. And honestly, your plate needs that.

The honey adds sweetness without making the carrots taste like dessert. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a sweet-and-spicy combination.

4. Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese

Some families serve mac and cheese at Thanksgiving. Other families have not yet discovered happiness.

This creamy baked version combines tender pasta with a rich cheese sauce and a golden top. It makes the perfect Thanksgiving side dish for kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup breadcrumbs

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions until just tender.
3. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
4. Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
5. Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute.
6. Slowly add the milk and cream while whisking constantly.
7. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
8. Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan.
9. Add garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
10. Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
11. Transfer everything to a greased baking dish.
12. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top.
13. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbling and golden.

Why You’ll Love It

The sharp cheddar brings bold flavor, while Monterey Jack keeps the sauce smooth and creamy.

Want an even richer version? Add a little cream cheese to the sauce. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. Is it delicious? Also absolutely.

5. Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing

If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving side dish that screams comfort food, Southern cornbread dressing belongs on the table.

It combines crumbly cornbread with savory vegetables, herbs, and broth for a moist, flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with turkey and gravy.

Ingredients

• 6 cups crumbled cornbread
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet.
3. Add the onion and celery.
4. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables soften.
5. Place the crumbled cornbread in a large bowl.
6. Add the cooked vegetables, sage, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
7. Pour in the broth gradually and stir gently.
8. Add the beaten eggs and mix until everything combines.
9. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
10. Bake for 35–45 minutes until the top turns golden brown.
11. Let the dressing rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

Cornbread gives this dressing a slightly sweet, hearty flavor that works beautifully with savory turkey gravy.

Don’t drown it in broth. You want moist dressing, not Thanksgiving soup. Add the broth gradually and stop when the mixture feels soft but still holds its shape.

6. Cranberry Orange Relish

Thanksgiving food can get pretty rich. That’s exactly why something bright, tart, and fruity belongs on the plate.

This cranberry orange relish takes minutes to prepare and gives creamy, buttery dishes a refreshing contrast.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 large orange
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 small apple, finely chopped
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse the cranberries and remove any soft berries.
2. Cut the orange into chunks and remove the seeds.
3. Place the cranberries, orange, apple, sugar, and orange juice into a food processor.
4. Pulse several times until the mixture reaches a chunky relish texture.
5. Add orange zest and a tiny pinch of salt.
6. Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary.
7. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

The tart cranberries and fresh orange flavor cut through rich Thanksgiving dishes beautifully.

You can also make this a day ahead. In fact, I recommend it. Thanksgiving already gives you enough last-minute drama without adding cranberry chopping to the list.

7. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts have gone through quite the makeover. The sad, boiled version from childhood has officially lost the argument.

Roast them with garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil, and you’ll get crispy edges, tender centers, and plenty of savory flavor.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Optional: lemon juice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts.
3. Toss them with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Arrange them cut-side down on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 20–25 minutes.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan over the sprouts.
7. Roast for another 3–5 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges become crisp.
8. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired.

Why You’ll Love It

The high oven temperature creates those delicious crispy edges while keeping the centers tender.

For maximum crispiness, don’t crowd the pan. Give the Brussels sprouts room to roast instead of letting them steam.

8. Creamy Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole walks the line between side dish and dessert, and honestly, nobody seems bothered by that.

The naturally sweet potatoes pair beautifully with warm cinnamon, butter, and a crunchy topping.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds sweet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup brown sugar for topping
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Peel and cube the sweet potatoes.
3. Boil them in salted water until fork-tender.
4. Drain and mash until mostly smooth.
5. Add melted butter, brown sugar, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
6. Mix until creamy.
7. Spread the sweet potato mixture into a greased baking dish.
8. Combine the pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter.
9. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the potatoes.
10. Bake for 25–30 minutes until hot and golden.

Why You’ll Love It

The creamy sweet potatoes taste warm and cozy, while the pecan topping adds just the right amount of crunch.

If you prefer a sweeter casserole, add mini marshmallows during the final few minutes of baking. Personally, I prefer the crunchy pecan topping because it adds more texture.

9. Parmesan Garlic Dinner Rolls

What’s Thanksgiving without bread?

These soft garlic Parmesan rolls make an excellent side for soaking up gravy, mashed potatoes, and every last drop of sauce on your plate. Because wasting gravy should probably be illegal.

Ingredients

• 12 dinner rolls
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Arrange the rolls in a baking dish.
3. Mix melted butter, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, and salt.
4. Brush the mixture generously over the rolls.
5. Cover loosely with foil.
6. Bake for 10 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes.
8. Brush with any remaining garlic butter before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

These rolls require almost no effort but make the entire meal feel more special.

Use store-bought dinner rolls when you’re short on time. Thanksgiving is about enjoying the meal, not proving that you personally baked everything from scratch.

10. Maple Pecan Roasted Acorn Squash

Want a Thanksgiving side dish that looks gorgeous on the table? Roasted acorn squash wins that contest easily.

The squash becomes tender and caramelized while maple syrup and pecans add sweet, nutty flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• Optional: fresh thyme

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Carefully cut the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
3. Place the squash cut-side up on a baking sheet.
4. Brush each half with melted butter.
5. Drizzle maple syrup over the squash.
6. Sprinkle with cinnamon, salt, and black pepper.
7. Roast for 35–45 minutes until tender.
8. Add chopped pecans during the final 10 minutes.
9. Finish with fresh thyme before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

The squash brings earthy sweetness, while maple syrup and pecans create a warm holiday flavor without overwhelming the meal.

You can also prepare the squash halves earlier in the day and roast them shortly before dinner. That’s the kind of Thanksgiving multitasking I can get behind.

How to Build the Perfect Thanksgiving Side Dish Menu

You definitely don’t need all ten dishes on one table. Unless you’re feeding a small army, in which case, carry on.

Instead, choose a combination of flavors and textures. A great Thanksgiving menu usually includes something creamy, something crunchy, something fresh, and something slightly sweet.

Try this combination:

• Creamy: Garlic mashed potatoes
• Cheesy: Baked mac and cheese
• Green: Garlic Parmesan Brussels sprouts
• Fresh: Cranberry orange relish
• Sweet: Maple pecan acorn squash
• Classic: Cornbread dressing

This combination gives everyone something to reach for.

What Thanksgiving Side Dishes Can You Make Ahead?

Planning ahead can save your sanity when Thanksgiving arrives.

You can prepare several of these dishes in advance:

• Cranberry orange relish: Make it 1–2 days ahead.
• Cornbread dressing: Assemble it earlier and bake before dinner.
• Green bean casserole: Prepare the filling ahead and add crispy onions before baking.
• Mashed potatoes: Make them earlier and keep them warm with extra butter and cream.
• Sweet potato casserole: Assemble it ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Roasted vegetables: Chop and season them ahead, then roast close to serving time.

The key involves knowing which dishes need fresh oven time and which ones can wait patiently in the refrigerator.

Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Swaps

The best Thanksgiving recipes leave room for flexibility.

Don’t have heavy cream? Use whole milk. Out of fresh thyme? Try dried thyme. Prefer walnuts instead of pecans? Go for it.

Here are a few easy swaps:

• Use Greek yogurt for part of the cream in mashed potatoes.
• Swap pecans for walnuts in sweet potato casserole.
• Replace fresh green beans with frozen green beans when needed.
• Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for vegetarian dressing.
• Add red pepper flakes to roasted vegetables for heat.
• Replace Parmesan with another hard, salty cheese when necessary.

FYI, you don’t need to follow every recipe like you’re defusing a bomb. Taste as you cook and adjust the seasoning.

Tips for Serving Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Presentation matters, especially when you’re hosting.

Use large serving bowls for creamy dishes and shallow platters for roasted vegetables. The different shapes make the table look more abundant without requiring extra decorations.

Keep crispy toppings separate when possible. Add fried onions, nuts, breadcrumbs, or Parmesan close to serving time so they stay crunchy.

And don’t forget temperature. Serve creamy potatoes and casseroles hot, but give dishes like cranberry relish a little time to chill.

A Thanksgiving table should feel generous, colorful, and inviting—not like a food photography competition where everyone is afraid to touch anything.

FAQ’s

What are the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes?

Some of the most beloved Thanksgiving sides include mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing or dressing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls. The best choices depend on your family’s traditions and the main course.

How many Thanksgiving side dishes should I make?

For a typical Thanksgiving dinner, plan on about 4–6 side dishes. If you’re hosting a larger crowd, you can add a few more options so everyone has something they enjoy.

What Thanksgiving side dishes can I make ahead?

Mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole all work well for make-ahead preparation. Preparing these dishes early gives you more time to focus on the turkey and your guests.

What side dishes go best with turkey?

Turkey pairs especially well with mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, cranberry relish, roasted vegetables, green bean casserole, and sweet potato casserole. Include both rich and fresh flavors to balance the meal.

How do I keep Thanksgiving side dishes warm?

Keep casseroles covered in a low-temperature oven and transfer creamy dishes into insulated serving bowls when possible. You can also use slow cookers to keep mashed potatoes warm without taking up valuable oven space.

Can I change these Thanksgiving side dish recipes?

Absolutely. Recipes like these work as starting points. Adjust herbs, spices, cheese, sweetness, and toppings to match your family’s preferences. Just taste as you go so you don’t accidentally turn Thanksgiving into a salt festival. 🙂

Final Thoughts

The best Thanksgiving side dishes don’t need complicated ingredients or fancy techniques. They need good flavor, comforting textures, and enough personality to make people reach for seconds.

From creamy garlic mashed potatoes and cheesy mac and cheese to crisp Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, and bright cranberry relish, these recipes give your Thanksgiving table plenty of variety.

If I had to pick a dream plate, I’d go straight for the mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, roasted Brussels sprouts, and cranberry relish. Add some gravy, grab a buttery roll, and suddenly nobody cares whether the turkey took center stage.

That’s the beauty of Thanksgiving. The turkey may get the carving knife and the family photo, but the side dishes often steal the show.