10+ Thanksgiving Recipes Side Dishes to Delight Your Holiday Table

Thanksgiving’s that time when family and friends show up ready for a special meal. Besides the turkey or ham, let’s be honest—side dishes totally steal the show.

Side dishes add variety and flavor that can turn a simple meal into a memorable feast.

So, what kind of sides should you prep to keep everyone happy? Here’s a bunch of ideas, from classics to a few twists you might not expect.

Whether you’re sticking to tradition or feeling adventurous, you’ll find something here to make your table pop.

1) Classic mashed potatoes with garlic and butter

Mashed potatoes are basically non-negotiable at Thanksgiving. When you add garlic and butter, they’re simple but so flavorful.

You get creamy, smooth potatoes with a gentle garlic note that goes with just about everything.

Start by boiling Yukon Gold or russet potatoes until they’re fork-tender. Roasting the garlic first takes off the edge and makes the flavor mellow.

Mash the potatoes with warm butter and garlic-infused milk for extra creaminess. I like to top mine with a little extra butter or some chopped chives—makes them look as good as they taste.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold or russet potatoes
• 1 head garlic
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30 minutes.
3. Peel and chop potatoes, then boil in salted water until soft (about 15-20 minutes).
4. Mash potatoes, add roasted garlic, butter, and warm milk.
5. Mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve warm with a little extra butter or chives if you’re feeling fancy.

Want even more tips? Check out this guide.

2) Green bean casserole with crispy onions

Green bean casserole with crispy onions is a Thanksgiving staple. It’s easy, full of flavor, and those crunchy onions on top? Irresistible.

You can go with fresh or canned green beans—no judgment. The creamy mushroom sauce brings it all together.

French-fried onions make the topping salty and crunchy. Bake until it’s bubbly and golden on top.

Ingredients

• 4 cups green beans (fresh or canned, drained)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup French-fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix green beans, soup, milk, salt, and pepper in a baking dish.
3. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.
4. Stir, then sprinkle with French-fried onions.
5. Bake another 5–10 minutes until onions are golden.

3) Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows just screams Thanksgiving. Soft, mashed sweet potatoes mix with butter, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon for a warm, sweet base.

You pile fluffy marshmallows on top and bake until golden and gooey. It’s sweet, cozy, and honestly, who can resist that toasted top?

Ingredients

• 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 2 cups mini marshmallows

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil sweet potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes, then drain.
3. Mash with brown sugar, butter, orange juice, and cinnamon.
4. Spread into a baking dish.
5. Sprinkle marshmallows on top.
6. Bake about 25 minutes or until marshmallows are golden and melty.

More details? Here’s a classic recipe.

4) Creamy macaroni and cheese bake

Mac and cheese is the side dish everyone secretly hopes for. It’s cheesy, warm, and totally comforting.

Mix up cheddar, Gouda, and Colby Jack for a rich, gooey texture. Baking gives you that creamy center and a golden top.

Toss on some breadcrumbs or extra cheese for crunch if you want. This one fits right in with turkey, mashed potatoes—really, anything.

You can prep it ahead, then just bake at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and golden.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese
• 8 oz Gouda cheese
• 8 oz Colby Jack cheese
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: breadcrumbs for topping

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package; drain.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Slowly add milk, stirring until thickened.
5. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses until melted.
6. Combine cheese sauce with macaroni; season.
7. Pour into a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs if using.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

5) Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze

Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze are way better than most people expect. Toss them with olive oil and roast until crispy.

A sweet and tangy balsamic glaze finishes them off. If you’re feeling extra, throw in some pecans or cranberries.

Roasting brings out their sweetness, and the glaze gives a nice kick. It’s almost too easy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Roast 20-25 minutes until crispy and browned.
5. Heat balsamic vinegar and honey in a small pan until it thickens a bit.
6. Drizzle glaze over sprouts before serving.

6) Cornbread stuffing with sausage and herbs

Cornbread stuffing with sausage and herbs is hearty and full of flavor. Sausage brings depth, and fresh herbs like sage make it smell amazing.

Saute onions, celery, and sage with sausage, then mix with crumbled cornbread. You get a stuffing that’s moist and savory, with a little sweetness from the cornbread.

Bake it in a casserole dish or use it to stuff your turkey. Either way, it’s always a hit.

Ingredients

• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• 6 cups crumbled cornbread
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown sausage in a large pan.
3. Add onion, celery, and sage; cook until veggies are soft.
4. In a big bowl, mix sausage mixture and cornbread.
5. Pour in chicken broth and gently stir.
6. Transfer to a buttered baking dish.
7. Bake 30-35 minutes until hot all the way through.

7) Cranberry sauce with fresh orange zest

Cranberry sauce with orange zest brightens up the whole meal. The zest adds a fresh, citrusy twist that balances the cranberries’ tartness.

You cook cranberries with orange zest and juice, sugar, and a splash of water. The berries pop and the sauce thickens in no time.

Use leftover zest for garnish or toss in a little cinnamon for warmth. This is one of those sides you’ll want to make every year.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
• Zest of 1 medium orange
• Juice of 1 medium orange
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Lower heat and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring often.
4. Remove from heat when cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
5. Cool before serving or pop it in the fridge until you need it.

8) Honey-glazed carrots with brown sugar

Honey-glazed carrots with brown sugar are sweet, shiny, and so easy. Roast the carrots until tender and caramelized for that perfect texture.

Mix honey, brown sugar, and butter for a rich, glossy glaze. Add a little thyme or garlic if you’re in the mood for something extra.

They look gorgeous on the plate and go with just about any main dish. Plus, they’re quick—no stress.

Ingredients

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Optional: fresh thyme or garlic

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss carrots with honey, brown sugar, and butter in a baking dish.
3. Add thyme or garlic if you want.
4. Roast 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway, until carrots are tender and glazed.
5. Serve warm.

Need more ideas? Get tips at Honey Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots.

9) Garlic roasted mushrooms

Garlic roasted mushrooms are a simple, tasty side for Thanksgiving. The mushrooms turn out tender, and the garlic flavor really stands out.

Just toss mushrooms with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Slide them into a hot oven—450°F (230°C)—and roast until golden and caramelized, usually about 20 minutes.

If you want to get fancy, toss in some fresh parsley or thyme at the end. That extra hit of herbs makes them pop.

Ingredients

• 1 pound whole mushrooms
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Toss mushrooms with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread mushrooms on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
5. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving if you like.

10) Buttery dinner rolls

Buttery dinner rolls really belong on the Thanksgiving table. They’re soft, warm, and just right for mopping up gravy or melting a pat of butter.

Brush them with garlic butter when they’re hot for a little extra something. The recipe doesn’t need much—just a few pantry staples and a bit of time.

You can serve these rolls with turkey, mashed potatoes, or honestly, with anything. Fresh, homemade rolls are hard to beat.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ½ cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for brushing
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a bowl and dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Wait about 5 minutes—just until it gets a little foamy.

2. Toss in the sugar, melted butter, egg, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Mix it all together.

3. Slowly add the rest of the flour. Keep going until the dough comes together. Knead it for 8 to 10 minutes.

4. Put the dough into a greased bowl. Cover it up and let it rise for about an hour, or until it’s doubled in size.

5. Punch the dough down. Divide it into rolls and arrange them in a baking pan.

6. Let the rolls rise again for another 30 minutes.

7. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).

8. Bake the rolls for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they turn golden.

9. If you’re feeling fancy, brush the hot rolls with melted butter mixed with garlic powder.

10. Serve them warm.

For more ideas, maybe check out garlic butter dinner rolls.