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The turkey may be the Thanksgiving star, but we’ve all seen the side-dishes as unsung heroes of the Thanksgiving feast. A Thanksgiving meal is never quite full without that ideal smorgasbord of vegetable meals, potent casseroles, and cosy breads. 

 

You’ll discover irresistible Thanksgiving side dishes to complete your holiday table in this all-inclusive guide with recipes for traditional and original. Be prepared to impress your guests! 

 

Appetizers and Breads

With the turkey main course still roasting, starters and breads are good appetizers for a full meal. Check out these tasty choices: 

 

Cheesy Cornbread with Roasted Poblano Peppers

Make your cornbread extra special with roast poblano peppers and plenty of melted Cheddar. This Cheesy Bread is made using the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet! 

 

Cranberry Orange Bread

Fruity, tart cranberries and juicy citrus are fused in this festive ahead-of-time quick bread. Slice the loaf and have it warm right before dinner. 

 

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

A Thanksgiving cheese ball? Yes, please! This fall appetizer is made with cream cheese, Cheddar and pumpkin pie spice and covered with crunchy pecans. Combine with crackers or bread for a snack your guests will love. 

 

Baked Brie with Cranberry Chutney

Try serving a wheel of brie cheese with homemade cranberry chutney, and blow your guest’s mind with the result. Melted brie tastes amazing on toast or crudités for an elegant starter. 

 

Veggie Sides

How about Thanksgiving without the side dishes of vegetables?

 

Try these delicious veggie recipes for the holiday: 

Green Bean Casserole 

A Thanksgiving side, green bean casserole is the thing. This classic dish has green beans cooked soft, creamed mushrooms, fried onions and toasty bread crumbs. 

 

Honey Glazed Carrots

If you make these five-ingredient roasted carrots, I guarantee you’ll love it on Thanksgiving too. Honey, brown sugar and butter drizzle the carrots while roasting until caramelized and tender. 

 

Hasselback Butternut Squash 

The squash can be cut into thin strips and then roasted, giving even more surface for getting perfectly caramelized and crisp. Brown sugar glaze makes this dinner something special. 

 

Creamed Spinach Gratin

No one wants spinach casserole during the holidays, so try this stovetop creamed spinach instead! Your fluffy spinach savoury filling can be prepped ahead and fried up just before the meal. 

 

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Such mashed red potatoes are crisped to perfection in lots of olive oil or butter. : Leave the skins on for extra char and flavour. Good substitute for boring old mashed potatoes! 

 

Honey Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted carrots, parsnips, sweet potato and celery root in honey, thyme and olive oil for a great autumn side dish. Get an AmazonBasics Baker’s Rack to accommodate all the sheet pans! 

 

Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Bacon

Fans of Brussels sprouts won’t be able to resist these roasted sprouts, tossed with fried bacon bits, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. In my experience, Nordic Ware Sheet Pans will get you roasting enough sprouts to feed your entire family. 

 

Stuffings and Casseroles 

And you don’t have to stress about the sides when you can do casseroles and stuffing! The flavor and veggies were packed into it. 

 

Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

This sausage cornbread stuffing is the go-to food for Thanksgiving because it has the right mix of smoky beef, herbs, and crumbly bread cubes. It’s fast with the Instant Pot and the sausage and vegetables can get cooked for this recipe. 

 

Wild Rice and Mushroom Casserole

Skip the white rice – this creamy casserole is filled with rich wild rice and earthy mushrooms to serve as a posh side dish. You can prepare it ahead of time and bake just before serving. 

 

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

We couldn’t have Thanksgiving without a sweet potato casserole! One with a crunchy pecan oat streusel topping it all off. 

 

Butternut Squash and Kale Gratin 

Squash, kale and cheese assemble into this prep-ahead one-pan gratin. And you get an extra pound of vegetables! 

 

Mac and Cheese 

Creamy mac and cheese should not miss the holiday table. Make yours a little bit extra by topping it with bacon, broccoli, or crispy breadcrumbs! Farberware Nonstick Bakeware, making it convenient to bake and serve.

 

Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes that are super creamy, they’re like the perfect mashed potato with golden, cheese-y griddle edges. Mix in a little spinach or broccoli for nutrition. 

 

Pumpkin Lasagna

What could be cooler than a pumpkin lasagna for Thanksgiving? Pumpkin puree adds a sweet element to the ricotta sauce in this totally unconventional casserole. 

 

Easy Stovetop Dishes 

For oven space that’s limited, enjoy these delicious stovetop Thanksgiving sides with one pan or pot: 

Braised Kale with Garlic and Lemon

Kale stewed in garlic, olive oil and lemon juice is a fast, healthy side that still feels festive. The Progressive Collapsible Colander is handy for decanting canned vegetables, such as beans. 

 

Sauteed Green Beans with Mushrooms

Green beans made fresh, sauteed, and topped with sliced mushrooms, garlic and herbs for a good holiday side dish. 

 

Miso Honey Glazed Carrots

Don’t skip this! I mean, how easy this stove top carrot salad was. Just sauté the carrots until tender and then add them to a salty, sweet miso honey glaze. 

 

Cranberry Orange Sauce

Don’t forget the cranberry sauce! : This homemade version simmers fresh cranberries with orange juice, zest and spices for a citrusy condiment. 

 

Garlic Mashed Potatoes 

Sweetened mashed potatoes are needed to absorb all those Thanksgiving gravies. Using the KitchenAid stand mixer, add roasted garlic and lots of butter for extra taste. 

 

 

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts and Kale

Shredded Brussels sprouts and kale sautéed with garlic for a super easy green veggie dish. For easy cleanup, Line your baking sheet with Reynolds Parchment Paper. 

 

Glazed Carrots with Orange and Ginger

This stovetop glazed carrot recipe brightens carrots with freshly squeezed orange juice, ginger grate, honey and thyme.

 

Seasonal Holiday Side Dishes 

Here are some Thanksgiving-inspired treats to get in the holiday spirit:

Roasted Turkey Wings 

Make the most of your turkey with roasted turkey wings! You can rub them with a poultry herb rub and roast them until they’re super crisp. 

 

Cranberry Pistachio Wild Rice

Dry cranberries and pistachios make this classic herbed wild rice fun in the fall. That sweet part 

 

Sweet Potato Poutine 

Poutine doesn’t just happen to be for Canadians! Greasy sweet potato fries topped with gravy, turkey, cranberry sauce and cheese curds are the best Thanksgiving extra. 

 

Double Baked Sweet Potatoes

Boiling sweet potatoes carved up and layered with bacon, cheddar, and scallions. All right! 

 

Pumpkin Risotto 

Buttery pumpkin risotto with fresh sage and parmesan is a deliciously fall-inspired appetizer for your holiday table. 

 

Stuffing Muffins

Every taste of stuffing mixed up into individual muffins, so everyone gets their own right size. And you get leftovers to take home! 

 

Potluck-Worthy Side Dishes 

Bring a side to Thanksgiving potluck? These tasty accompaniments take well on the road and are sure to be a hit at any holiday celebration: 

Butternut Squash and Kale Casserole 

This creamy squash, kale and cheese casserole makes a handy potluck dish. Pour it into the Farberware Nonstick Bakeware to take with you and bake away. 

 

Corn Pudding Souffle

Coarse corn and eggs made into a souffle-like dish. This is an odd side dish that’s always a hit at potlucks! 

 

Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie

Make everyone proud by bringing baked brie coated in cranberry sauce and garnished with chopped pecans to the next potluck. Pour on crackers and spread. 

 

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Everything you’d get in a loaded baked potato – cheddar, bacon, scallions – was reworked into a large, portable casserole. It’s easy to carry around to parties in a Farberware Nonstick Baking Dish. 

 

 

Sausage and Apple Stuffing Balls

Roll each in the makings of stuffing balls, containing sausage, apples, sage and pecans, and distribute for easy finger food. 

 

Sweet Potato Biscuit Bake

Sweet twist on the classic biscuits and gravy, this bake is made with spongy biscuits, sweet potato puree, brown butter, and maple syrup. 

 

Recipes for Easy Slow Cooker Sides 

Your slow cooker does the heavy lifting with these no-bake holiday sides. By the way, I use this slow cooker for the following recipe below: 

 

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy potatoes stay warm overnight in the slow cooker for the easiest scalloped potatoes EVER. 

 

Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots

Make your slow cooker cook carrots until fork tender, in a nutty maple glaze. 

 

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Make cranberry sauce ahead of time and put it in the slow cooker to be ready by dinnertime. It’s that simple! 

 

Slow Cooker Stuffing

You can stuff the turkey outside the slow cooker. Boil slowly with broth and sage. 

 

Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Delightfully succulent sweet potatoes mashed with butter and brown sugar come together in the slow cooker. 

 

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Your comfort food all made in the slow cooker! Fettuccine a la mode with creamy cheese for the big party. 

 

 

Leftover Inspiration

Don’t let Thanksgiving leftovers waste away! Use them to make these innovative meals such as: 

Turkey Pot Pie

What’s better to do with a leftover turkey – make a creamy pot pie! Then you can add any other left-over vegetables you have. 

Stuffing Waffles

Discarded stuffing takes on new flavor when made into flaky, delicious waffles. Serve with cranberry sauce or gravy for breakfast. 

Thanksgiving Fried Rice

Shred leftover turkey, vegetables, cranberries, stuffing – anything! – with rice, eggs and soy sauce to make a simple fried rice. 

Turkey Enchiladas

Chopped leftover turkey, peppers, beans, corn, and cheese make for the most delicious enchiladas. 

Turkey Tomato Soup

Turkey soup, fresh from the garden, tomato, carrot, celery, lots of turkey left over. Excellent for colder weather. 

Day After Sandwiches

Place unfinished turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and vegetables on bread for a simple cold cut sandwich. 

And that’s it – more than 40 healthy recipes for upgrading your Thanksgiving side dishes! From new takes on old favourites to innovative variations on flavors, these savory side dishes will have everyone talking about your Thanksgiving meal. Now get cooking!