10+ Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner Sides Everyone Will Love

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. When planning your holiday meal, side dishes play a vital role in creating a memorable feast.

This article will help you explore a variety of recipes for Thanksgiving dinner sides that will enhance your gathering and delight your guests.

From classic options to unique twists, these side dishes can complement your turkey and create a well-rounded meal. You’ll find recipes that cater to different tastes and dietary needs, making it easy to please everyone at your table. Get ready to discover some fantastic ideas for your Thanksgiving celebration!

1) Mashed Potato Casserole

A mashed potato casserole makes a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s creamy, cheesy, and easy to make ahead of time. You’ll love how simple it is to whip up while still impressing your guests.

Start with your favorite mashed potato recipe. You can add butter, sour cream, and some seasonings to make them rich and tasty.

Then, layer the mashed potatoes in a casserole dish.

Top with cheese, crispy bacon, or fried onions for extra flavor. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden and bubbly. This dish is not only delicious but also a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds russet potatoes
• 10 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• Cheese, bacon, or toppings of choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and cut potatoes into cubes.
2. Boil in salted water until tender.
3. Drain and mash with butter and sour cream.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Layer in a casserole dish and add toppings.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.

2) Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic dish that many people love for Thanksgiving. It combines tender green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce and crispy onions on top. This dish is simple to make and always a hit at the dinner table.

You can prepare green bean casserole in different ways. For example, you can bake it in the oven or use an air fryer for a quicker option. Adding crispy bacon or cheese can also give it a delicious twist.

This dish pairs well with turkey and other sides, making it a staple for the holiday meal.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2/3 cup fried onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix green beans, soup, milk, soy sauce, and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, then add fried onions on top.
5. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until onions are golden.

3) Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo

Cornbread stuffing with chorizo is a flavorful side dish perfect for Thanksgiving. The combination of sweet cornbread and spicy chorizo adds a unique twist to your holiday meal.

Start by preparing your cornbread. Crumble it into pieces to form the base of your stuffing. Sauté chorizo, onions, and celery until they are soft and fragrant. This mix brings a nice kick to the dish.

Next, combine the crumbled cornbread with the cooked ingredients. Add some fresh herbs for extra flavor. This stuffing recipe is easy and can be made ahead of time.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cornbread, crumbled
• 1 pound chorizo, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the chorizo in a skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté onions and celery until soft.
4. In a large bowl, mix cornbread, chorizo, onions, and celery.
5. Add herbs, broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!

4) Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter

Roasted carrots with honey herb butter are a simple yet delightful side dish for Thanksgiving. The carrots turn tender and sweet when roasted, and the honey herb butter adds rich flavor.

To make this dish, start by peeling and cutting medium carrots into 1-inch pieces. Toss them in olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh thyme for a tasty coating.

Next, roast the carrots in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 25-30 minutes, or until they’re golden and tender. Drizzle with honey herb butter just before serving for a sweet finish.

Ingredients

• 4 lb. medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 3 Tbsp. honey
• 2 Tbsp. butter, melted

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss carrots with olive oil, thyme, and salt.
3. Spread carrots on a baking sheet.
4. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender.
5. Mix honey and melted butter; drizzle over carrots before serving.

5) Brown Sugar Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Brown sugar glazed sweet potatoes are a delicious side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. The sweet glaze combines perfectly with the natural flavor of sweet potatoes. This dish is simple to make and will impress your guests.

To start, you will need sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. The combination of these ingredients creates a rich, caramelized flavor. You can easily prepare this dish in advance to save time on the day of your celebration.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• Optional: cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavor

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into cubes.
3. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup.
4. Add the sweet potatoes and stir until coated.
5. Spread the mixture in a baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes.

6) Cranberry Orange Relish

Cranberry orange relish is a vibrant side dish that adds a burst of flavor to your Thanksgiving dinner. It combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of oranges, making it a perfect complement to savory dishes.

You will need fresh cranberries, an orange, an apple, a lemon, and sugar. This simple mixture creates a refreshing relish that can be served chilled or at room temperature.

To prepare, chop the ingredients in a food processor until they are finely mixed. Adjust the sugar to your taste, and enjoy this bright addition to your holiday table.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 1 medium orange
• 1 apple
• 1 lemon
• ½ to 1 cup sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the cranberries and remove any stems.
2. Slice the orange into eighths and remove seeds.
3. Core and chop the apple.
4. Combine all ingredients in a food processor.
5. Pulse until finely chopped.
6. Taste and adjust sugar as needed.
7. Chill before serving.

7) Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels sprouts with bacon is a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. The combination offers a tasty balance of savory flavors. The crispy bacon enhances the natural sweetness of the sprouts.

To make this dish, start by trimming and halving the Brussels sprouts. Then, cook the bacon until it’s crispy in a skillet.

Next, add the sprouts to the pan and sauté them until tender. This helps the sprouts absorb the bacon flavor. You can add a drizzle of maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness if you like.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• 4 slices bacon
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
3. Remove the bacon and chop it into pieces.
4. Add the Brussels sprouts to the skillet and sauté.
5. Cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.
6. Stir in the bacon and maple syrup, if using.
7. Season with salt and pepper, then serve warm.

8) Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

Garlic Parmesan roasted asparagus is a fantastic side dish for Thanksgiving. This recipe highlights the natural flavors of the asparagus while adding a delicious cheesy touch. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare!

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Wash and trim the asparagus to remove the tough ends. Toss the asparagus with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

Next, place the asparagus on a baking sheet and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese. Roast in the oven for about 12-15 minutes until the asparagus is tender and the cheese is golden.

This dish pairs well with turkey and is a colorful addition to your Thanksgiving table!

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh asparagus
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Trim the tough ends of the asparagus.
3. Toss asparagus with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread on a baking sheet.
5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
6. Roast for 12-15 minutes until tender.

9) Classic Pumpkin Pie

Classic pumpkin pie is a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner. It features a smooth, creamy filling made from pumpkin puree, eggs, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This pie is baked in a flaky crust, creating a tasty combination that everyone loves.

To make your pumpkin pie stand out, you can serve it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of textures enhances the experience.

Baking it at 350°F (175°C) ensures the filling sets perfectly. After it cools, slice and enjoy with your friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 unbaked pie crust

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Blend in eggs and cream until smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until set.
6. Let it cool before serving.

10) Corn Casserole

Corn casserole is a tasty dish that adds sweetness to your Thanksgiving table. It’s easy to make and combines simple ingredients that most people love.

You will need a box of Jiffy cornbread mix, canned corn, and sour cream. These create a creamy texture that is delicious. You can also add cheese or bacon for extra flavor.

To get started, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix your dry and wet ingredients until well combined.

Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for about 40-45 minutes. The top should be golden brown.

This dish pairs well with turkey and other sides. Plus, you can make it a day in advance for convenience!

Ingredients

• 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
• 1 can whole kernel corn (drained)
• 1 can cream-style corn
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• Optional: 1 cup shredded cheese or cooked bacon pieces

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cornbread mix, whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, sour cream, and melted butter until combined.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
4. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.