A Complete Guide to Thanksgiving Side Dishes

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As you know, I'm all about the Thanksgiving Side Dishes. They are the star of the show in my opinion so look no further - I've rounded them ALL up. And we have an entire week of more side dishes coming your way tomorrow.



 

Thanksgiving Side Dishes at a Glance

  • Side Dish Categories: Potatoes, stuffing, veggies, salads, casseroles, grain dishes, breads + biscuits ๐Ÿฅ”๐Ÿฅฆ๐Ÿฅ—
  • Perfect For: Full Thanksgiving menus, Friendsgiving spreads, potlucks, and make-ahead prepping ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ
  • Time Range: Mix of quick stovetop sides, oven-roasted dishes, and a few longer bakes โฑ๏ธ
  • Recipe Vibe: Cozy, classic, herby, crowd-pleasing, and designed to pair with any turkey or main ๐Ÿ’›
  • Why Youโ€™ll Love It: Tons of variety, easy techniques, and options that work for big groups, dietary needs, or last-minute additions to the table ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

Summarize and save on

We've got everything under the sun when it comes to Thanksgiving Side Dishes except a green bean casserole because try as I might... I just can't get behind it. I will tell you that my garlic green bean recipe will absolutely woo you over to the right side of the green bean debate!

So... without further ado... let's get into it. Below you'll find a complete list of Thanksgiving side dishes to make your Thanksgiving the best yet! Just forward this link to whoever needs some ideas and you'll be golden!

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Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Vegetables

Sautรฉed green beans with garlic topping

Spicy Garlic Green Beans Recipe

Green beans that taste like candy, you're welcome in advance.

Baked creamed kale with crispy topping

Cheesy Creamed Kale

It's like your fav spinach dip at your local steakhouse but BETTER!

Deliciously sautรฉed Brussels sprouts platter

Sautรฉed Brussels Sprouts

The most delicious lemon and garlicky Brussels you'll ever make... promise!

Colorful roasted carrots with pesto

Charred Carrots with Herbs

This was actually the first thing to disappear at my Friendsgiving feast last year! The carrots are sweet and the topping is bright and fresh!

Roasted squash topped with pomegranate seeds

Roasted Acorn Squash

A fun new Thanksgiving side dish that people will request year after year

Green peas with crispy pancetta topping

Peas and Pancetta with Lemon

Growing up we would ALWAYS fight over who got the last spoonful of peas. And this recipe is even better than what we had growing up.

Brussels sprouts with pomegranate seeds

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Pomegranate Seeds

A Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with fresh Pomegranate seeds and a balsamic vinaigrette - it's one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes! 

Roasted cauliflower with garlic and herbs

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Best cauliflower recipe you'll ever try... cross my heart!

Roasted squash with pomegranate and cheese

Brown Butter Roasted Pumpkin

This roasted veg salad will leave you weak in the knees it's so good.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes with chives

The BEST Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes Recipe

These are equal parts creamy, cheesy, buttery and perfect.

Crispy golden-brown roasted potato cubes

Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

The keys to the best roasted potatoes await you!

Creamy, cheesy baked potato dish

Classic Au Gratin Potatoes

Layered and baked potatoes with cheese and cream, what more could you ask for?

Creamy orange mashed sweet potatoes dish

Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Another sleeper success at my friendsgiving last year. Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes was a major crowd pleaser.

Crispy baked sweet potato fries.

Garlic Herb Sweetpotato Fries

Who doesn't love a quick hit of french fries at Thanksgiving.

Baked sweet potato gratin with herbs

Sweet Potato Gratin

More gratins!! More is always more.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Stuffing

Golden-brown stuffing with mushrooms and herbs.

Wild Mushroom Stuffing

It's the only stuffing I'll allow on my table 7 years and running... it's can't be beat! And if you're not into mushrooms, just omit them.

Savory sausage stuffing in a pan

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage

If you're into Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage โ€“ this is the perfect recipe for you!

Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Salads

Colorful salad with nuts and cheese

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad

Want something a little lighter, this shredded salad is a very festive addition to the table!

Colorful salad with fruits and nuts

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Persimmons

This quick and easy salad is loaded with pomegranate seeds, candied walnuts, persimmons, honeycrisp apples, creamy avocado, and feta.

Colorful salad with fruits and nuts

Fall Farmers Market Salad

This quick and easy persimmon and pomegranate loaded Fall Farmers Market Salad goes well with just about any main course this time of the year!

Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Mac and Cheese

Creamy baked macaroni and cheese dish

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

The cheesiest and creamiest mac and cheese you'll ever make with a crispy panko topping.

Creamy baked macaroni with artichokes

Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese

Itโ€™s your fav game day dip (spinach dip) meets mac and cheese.

Pick 3 Crowd-Pleasers

Tap any button below and the WGC AI Kitchen Assistant will help you pick the perfect Thanksgiving sides based on what you need.

And there you have it!! The best tried and true Thanksgiving Side Dish recipes for your big holiday feast!

PS โ€“ are you thinking of putting this on your Thanksgiving menu? Check out the full Whatโ€™s Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track! And don't forget to prep ahead for the most delish bird you'll ever make using my Easy Turkey Brine!

And if you need more Thanksgiving Ideas check out this roundup of 80+ Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas

50 Thanksgiving Side Dishes | The Best Mashed Potatoes

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 3 votes
Looking for the best creamyย mashed potatoes? These mascarponeย mashed potatoesย will truly knock your socks off!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people +

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • ยฝ cup heavy cream or whole milk, plus more if needed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 4 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • freshly chopped chives

Instructions
 

  • Peel and dice potatoes, making sure all are in about 1 inch cubes.
  • Place in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to medium low to maintain a rolling boil. Cook until potatoes are fork tender and you can easily pierce them with a fork when touched.
  • Remove the potatoes from the heat and drain off the water. Place the diced potatoes through a ricer and then place back into the warm pot. Alternatively, if you don't have a ricer, mash the potatoes with a masher and place back into the warm pot
  • Add the cream, butter, Parmesan, mascarpone and garlic and stir to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper and fold in the chopped chives before serving.

Notes

Want to make the holiday meal easy? You can cut your potatoes up to 24 hours in advance. Just store them covered in water in a bowl in the fridge. Drain and proceed with the recipe, using fresh water to boil.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 982mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 637IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @WhatsGabyCookin or tag #whatsgabycooking!

9 Comments

  1. They all look delicious! Hard to decide which ones to make!! Thanks for the great variety! Canโ€™t wait to brine my turkey this yearโฃ๏ธ

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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