16 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Deserve a Spot on the Table

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t be the same without plenty of side dishes. As much as I love the turkey, it’s always the mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, and warm bread that everyone seems to pile onto their plates first. In my house, the side dishes are every bit as important as the main event.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes here, from the classics you’d expect to see every year to a few recipes that are a little bit different. There are plenty of potato dishes, lots of veggie options, and a couple of recipes that are guaranteed to disappear before you know it.

The hardest part is deciding which ones to make! Hopefully you’ll find a few new favorites to add to your Thanksgiving table this year, alongside the family recipes you already love.

1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

If there’s one side dish I always make room for, it’s a big bowl of creamy, buttery potatoes. Roasting the garlic first gives them so much extra flavor, and they’re perfect for mopping up all that lovely gravy.

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2. Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

These are the sort of potatoes that always feel a little bit special without being difficult to make. They bake in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with plenty of Parmesan and thyme, and the golden top is probably my favorite part.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1.7 lbs Yukon Gold or similar potatoes, thinly sliced (about 0.8 kg)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half/milk)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 tsp dried thyme leaves
• 1 tsp salt

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.

2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to create a smooth roux.

3. Gradually whisk in the cream and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken. Stir in the Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth, adding a little milk if needed to adjust the consistency.

4. Stand the potato slices upright in the prepared baking dish. Pour the sauce evenly over the potatoes and sprinkle with extra Parmesan if desired.

5. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden.

6. Let the dish rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

3. Hasselback Potatoes

If you want something that looks really impressive without a lot of extra effort, this is a great one to add to the table. They’re crisp around the edges, soft in the middle, and perfect for soaking up plenty of gravy.

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4. Mini Loaded Baked Potatoes

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with potatoes topped with bacon and cheese. These are always popular, and because they’re mini, people somehow convince themselves it’s perfectly acceptable to go back for another one!

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5. Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes

Don’t let the name put you off because these are ridiculously good. They’re creamy, cheesy, packed with flavor, and I can pretty much guarantee there won’t be any leftovers.

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6. Apple Stuffing

Stuffing is one of those things I could happily eat all year round, not just at Thanksgiving. The apples add just the right amount of sweetness without taking over, and it goes so well alongside turkey and gravy.

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7. Herb and Vegetable Stuffing

If you’re sticking with a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner, this fits right in. It’s full of buttery bread, herbs, and vegetables, and it’s one of those sides that somehow tastes even better covered in gravy.

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8. Stuffing Biscuits

This is such a fun little twist on a Thanksgiving favorite. You get all those classic herby stuffing flavors tucked into soft, buttery biscuits that are perfect for passing around the table.

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9. Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Sometimes the simplest side dishes end up being everyone’s favorite. The buttery sauce with a touch of honey makes the corn extra tasty, and it only takes a few minutes to throw together.

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10. Southern Collard Greens

Not every Thanksgiving table has a bowl of greens, but I think they deserve a place. Cooked low and slow until tender, they’re packed with smoky, savory flavor and help balance out all the richer dishes.

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11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots

If you think Brussels sprouts are boring, this might change your mind. Roasting brings out their sweetness, and paired with tender carrots they make such an easy side for a big Thanksgiving dinner.

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12. Maple Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Even people who usually avoid Brussels sprouts tend to grab one of these. Wrapping them in crispy bacon with a drizzle of maple syrup makes them completely irresistible.

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13. Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

When the oven is already packed with Thanksgiving dishes, the air fryer really earns its keep. The carrots come out perfectly tender with caramelized edges, making them an easy side that’s always worth adding to the table.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bag of baby carrots
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil and seasonings, stirring to mix well.

3. Add the carrots to the bowl and toss them until they’re fully coated with the seasoning mixture.

4. Spread the carrots in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

14. Brown Sugar Roasted Root Vegetables

This is one of those side dishes that fills the whole kitchen with the best smell while it’s cooking. The brown sugar brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables, and the roasted edges add so much flavor.

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15. Sweet Potato Bites

These are almost too pretty to eat… almost. They’re the perfect little mix of sweet and savory, and they’re ideal if you want something a bit different alongside the traditional Thanksgiving favorites.

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16. Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

There’s something about warm homemade bread that makes any Thanksgiving dinner feel even more special. These are soft, buttery, and packed with little bursts of cranberry, making them perfect for passing around the table.

Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

• 1 can of refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits)
• 1 wheel of brie
• 1/2 cup of whole cranberry sauce
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 6-inch bundt cake pan with cooking spray.

2. Cut each biscuit into eight pieces, then roll the pieces into small balls with your hands.

3. Add a layer of biscuit balls to the pan, followed by spoonfuls of cranberry sauce and cubes of brie.

4. Continue layering biscuit pieces, cranberry sauce, and brie until the pan is filled.

5. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the microwave.

6. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the layered ingredients.

7. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.

8. Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes after baking.

9. Invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate and enjoy warm.

I honestly think the side dishes can steal the show at Thanksgiving, and I never seem to have room for everything I want to try! I hope this list has given you a few new ideas to mix in with your family favorites, and that your Thanksgiving table is full of delicious food and happy memories.