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The turkey might be the star of Thanksgiving dinner, but let’s be honest: the side dishes are what everyone really loads their plate with. Stuffing, candied yams, green bean casserole and a big bowl of mashed potatoes are what make it feel like Thanksgiving.
Whether you’re hosting the whole family, bringing a dish to Friendsgiving, or planning a small dinner at home, these Thanksgiving side dishes are easy and packed with flavor. Many of them can be made ahead, so you can spend less time in the kitchen on the big day.
I’ve rounded up 12 of the best Thanksgiving side dishes from some of my favorite food bloggers, from classic stuffing and homemade gravy to maple roasted butternut squash and wild rice pilaf.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Your Holiday Table
This article is all about Thanksgiving side dishes.
1. Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
Stuffing is the side dish everyone waits for all year. This classic version uses dried bread cubes, sausage, onion, celery, carrot, fresh sage and parsley, all moistened with butter and chicken broth. Add the broth a little at a time so the bread is lightly moistened but not soggy. You can dry the bread cubes up to two weeks ahead, or assemble the whole dish two to three days before baking.
2. Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
Skip the canned soup this year. This green bean casserole uses fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom sauce and a crunchy topping. Blanch the beans for five minutes and plunge them into ice water to keep them bright green. You can assemble it the night before and bake it right before dinner.
3. Southern Cornbread Dressing
In the South, Thanksgiving means cornbread dressing. Crumbled cornbread and biscuits are mixed with onion, celery, eggs and broth, then baked until golden on top and tender inside. Make the mixture up to two days ahead, or freeze it for up to three months, so it’s one less thing to do on the big day.
4. Cheesy Corn Casserole
This corn casserole is soft and custardy with bacon, sharp cheddar, sour cream and two kinds of corn. It’s the side dish that always gets scraped clean. You can partially bake it and keep it in the fridge for up to two days, then finish it in the oven.
5. Homemade Turkey Gravy
Good gravy ties the whole Thanksgiving plate together. This recipe starts with the turkey drippings, whisks in flour to make a roux, then adds chicken broth until it’s smooth and rich. It takes about 20 minutes, and it can be made up to two days ahead and reheated with a splash of broth.
6. Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
Just four ingredients: butternut squash, maple syrup, a little oil, and salt and pepper. The squash roasts until tender and caramelized. Tip: poke the squash with a fork and microwave it for a few minutes first. It makes peeling and cutting so much easier.
7. Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Free up your stovetop on Thanksgiving with mashed potatoes made in the slow cooker. The Yukon Gold potatoes cook right in the crockpot with no boiling, then get mashed with butter, cream cheese and Greek yogurt. Keep them on the warm setting until dinner, or make them a day ahead.
8. Southern Candied Yams
These old-fashioned candied yams bake in a buttery brown sugar syrup with vanilla, cinnamon and ginger until they’re glossy and caramelized. The secret is to bake them uncovered so the syrup can thicken. You can prep them up to three days ahead and bake them straight from the fridge.
9. Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
Looking for a side that isn’t potatoes? This wild rice pilaf is simmered in broth and apple juice, then tossed with dried cranberries, fresh apples and toasted pecans. It’s sweet, savory and full of fall flavor. It reheats well, so make it ahead and stir in the cranberries and pecans just before serving.
10. Honey Butter Cornbread
Warm cornbread belongs on the Thanksgiving table. This version uses browned butter and honey for extra flavor, and baking it in a cast iron skillet gives it lightly crisp edges and a fluffy middle. It’s ready in about 30 minutes.
11. Steakhouse Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is a rich, cozy way to get some greens on the table. This steakhouse-style version combines spinach with a creamy sauce made with cream cheese, Parmesan and a pinch of nutmeg. Squeeze out as much water from the spinach as you can so the sauce stays thick. It keeps in the fridge for up to four days.
12. Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes
If you want a potato side with lots of crispy edges, try smashed potatoes. Small potatoes are boiled, smashed flat, brushed with olive oil and garlic, and roasted until golden, then finished with Parmesan. Let them cool a little before smashing so they get extra crispy.
Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Side Dish Plan
- Make ahead what you can. Stuffing, cornbread dressing, candied yams, green bean casserole and gravy can all be prepped one to three days early.
- Use your slow cooker. Crockpot mashed potatoes free up the stovetop and stay warm until dinner is ready.
- Map out your oven time. The turkey needs to rest for 30 minutes or more, which is the perfect window to bake casseroles and reheat sides.
- Mix it up. Plan a potato dish, a bread or stuffing, a green vegetable and something sweet so there’s something for everyone.
- Ask guests to bring a side. Easy, travel-friendly dishes like cornbread and roasted squash are great ones to hand off.
I hope these Thanksgiving side dishes help you plan a delicious holiday dinner. Pin this post so you can find it again when it’s time to make your Thanksgiving menu!
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