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Here are my 30 easy Thanksgiving side dishes, sorted by type so you can build the plate around the turkey. The four that readers make the most every November are my Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole, Cheesy Potatoes, Yam Casserole, and Corn Casserole.
I’ve been sharing easy family recipes here since 2009, and these are the sides I come back to because they are simple to make and most of them can be assembled a day ahead. If you are planning the whole dinner, start with my most popular Thanksgiving recipes, then add the air fryer turkey breast, no bake pumpkin pie and crockpot ham. For dishes you can finish before Thursday, see my make-ahead side dishes.
Why you’ll love these sides
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the food is always front and center. Sure, the roast turkey is the main portion of the meal, but I believe the side dishes are just as important. If you want sides that impress but are still easy to make, you have come to the right place!
All of these recipes are simple to put together but will give you that cozy, homemade feeling and flavor that you are looking for. Whether you choose to try my slow cooker green bean casserole or my classic mashed potatoes, you are sure to have a beautiful, mouthwatering Thanksgiving feast with these sides on the menu!
Table of Contents
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
This is where most of the plate goes. Two of these cook in the slow cooker and the make-ahead casserole bakes straight from the fridge, so the oven stays free for the turkey.
1. Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole
Upgrade your classic sweet potato casserole with this gorgeous copycat Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole recipe instead! Featuring a fluffy base of sweet potatoes, it uses a toasted nut topping instead of marshmallows for an elevated recipe that’s picture-perfect and easy to make.
2. Cheesy Potatoes
Cheese and potatoes are a true match made in heaven. The combination is always a hit and will have everyone going back for seconds and thirds. You might as well double this recipe for your Thanksgiving feast, as everyone will want to have a scoop on their plate.
3. Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
The slow cooker version of cheesy potatoes. It keeps one more dish out of the oven on Thanksgiving morning and stays warm on the counter through dinner.
4. Yam Casserole
Sweet, fluffy yams under a crunchy, candy-like topping. This is the recipe readers pull up the most every November, and it is a make-ahead dish.
5. Mashed Potatoes
Would it really be Thanksgiving if there were no mashed potatoes on the table? Add the traditional food to your Thanksgiving table this year with this mashed potato recipe. The creamy potatoes never get old, no matter how often you make them.
6. Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole
Take your mashed potatoes to the next level with cheddar, green onions and bacon baked right in. The whole thing goes together a day ahead and bakes straight from the fridge, which is the point on a morning when the oven is already busy.
7. Amish Funeral Potatoes
You can never have too many potatoes when it comes to Thanksgiving. Add these Amish funeral potatoes to your menu as a welcome addition to the mashed potatoes. These potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and topped with a buttery cornflake topping for a great crunch.
8. Potatoes Au Gratin
There are always multiple types of potatoes when it comes to Thanksgiving. These potatoes au gratin are so tasty that they will give the classic mashed potatoes a run for their money. Thin potato slices layered with a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce and baked until golden, and you can assemble the dish a day ahead.
9. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Sweet dishes on Thanksgiving don’t normally come out until dessert. However, this sweet potato casserole is the exception to the rule. It adds a sweetness to your plate that you didn’t know you needed, and it is the perfect companion to the juicy turkey.
Casseroles and Vegetables
Corn, green beans and a few greens to balance the plate. The green bean casserole cooks in the slow cooker and both Brussels sprouts recipes use the air fryer.
10. Corn Casserole
If you are looking for a dish to bring to a friend’s house this Thanksgiving, look no further than this corn casserole. This dish is very transportable and couldn’t be easier to make. It combines whole corn, creamed corn, and a cornbread box mix for a simple yet tasty side.
11. Corn Pudding
If you are looking to put a side dish out on Thanksgiving that everyone will approve of, look no further than this corn pudding. It has all of the flavors that everyone loves. It’s a little sweet, slightly crunchy, and overall just delicious. It is also a dish that you can make ahead of time and serve at room temperature.
12. Homemade Creamed Corn
Forget going to the store and buying creamed corn. This recipe is so good you’ll never return to the storebought version again. Not only is the recipe delicious, but it is also so easy to make. You can even make it in your crockpot. The secret to getting the corn so creamy is all in the sauce. The mixture combines butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream for a luscious sauce.
13. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
One reason I really love this recipe is that you can make everything in the slow cooker, freeing up some space in the oven and on the stovetop. Just add all the ingredients into your Crockpot, set the temperature, and come back a few hours later to a perfectly cooked Thanksgiving side!
14. Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
These subtle twists give it a not so subtle flavor. The sautéed mushrooms and onions infuse the green beans with a delicious flavor while the pepper jack cheese kicks it up a notch with a bit of spiciness.
15. Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
This cheesy cauliflower casserole knows how to pack in the flavor. The veggie-forward casserole is loaded with bacon and green onions and topped with a garlicky cheese sauce for an irresistible bite. Do yourself a favor and make two of these casseroles for Thanksgiving. That way, everyone can go back for seconds, and you can have leftovers to snack on the next day.
16. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer Brussels sprouts are one of those rare Thanksgiving sides that save oven space. Don’t underestimate the air fryer when making this recipe. The little device can make the Brussels sprouts super crispy and roast them perfectly. It will be one recipe that you will keep making after the holiday has passed.
17. Air Fryer Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Sometimes you make a side dish on Thanksgiving that is almost too pretty to eat, and these are exactly that — boiled, smashed flat, then crisped in the air fryer until the edges char and the cheese browns. They also keep the oven free, which on Thanksgiving morning counts for a lot.
18. Roasted Broccoli
With all of the heavy food on Thanksgiving, you’ll be extra thankful for this roasted broccoli side dish. The roasted veggies will break up the creamy, cheesy food on your plate and add a nice touch of green. The char on the broccoli will have you going back for seconds and thirds.
19. Honey Glazed Carrots
Carrots go sweet and glossy under a simple honey glaze, and the recipe scales up without any extra work. One pan handles a weeknight dinner; a double batch handles the holiday table.
20. Creamed Spinach
Turn your spinach dish into a Thanksgiving side everyone will want seconds and thirds of with this creamed spinach. This creamed spinach takes its name seriously and does not lack when it comes to creaminess. It is a dish that will surprise you with how tasty it is on each and every bite.
Stuffing, Dressing and Breads
Something to soak up the gravy. The cornbread is a one-bowl batter, the rolls can be baked the day before and warmed up, and the biscuits take three ingredients.
21. Sausage Stuffing
Savory sausage stuffing with Italian sausage, celery, onion and herbs. It starts with a box of stuffing mix, so it is faster than it looks, and it is the stuffing readers make the most from this site.
22. Apple and Sausage Stuffing
Sweet and savory, this stuffing is the perfect combination! It will quickly become a family favorite and a staple on your Thanksgiving table.
23. Cornbread Dressing
Switch up your traditional dressing this Thanksgiving and make this cornbread dressing instead. The cornbread takes the place of regular bread in the dressing to give it a slightly sweeter flavor. The cornbread does an amazing job pairing with all of the other ingredients in the dressing to make it the perfect side for the turkey.
24. Homemade Cornbread
Skip the classic dinner rolls this Thanksgiving and make homemade cornbread instead. Don’t be intimidated to make cornbread from scratch. It is actually pretty simple and will taste so much better than anything you would buy in the store. If you have any extra cornbread, throw it in the freezer and save it for your Thanksgiving leftovers.
25. 1-Hour Dinner Rolls
Homemade rolls will really make your Thanksgiving dinner shine. This recipe takes just an hour to put together so you can get those fluffy, buttery rolls on the table in no time! Now this is an impressive side (but easy!)
26. Parker House Rolls
Thanksgiving is all about a carb overload in the best way possible, so having these Parker house rolls on the table is a must. The rolls are great to sop up all the extras from your Thanksgiving plate. They also are great with a cinnamon butter spread if you are craving something sweet!
27. 3-Ingredient Sprite Biscuits
Three ingredients and no yeast. These biscuits bake in minutes and are the easiest bread on this list, which makes them the one to hand off to a helper.
Mac and Cheese and Cranberries
Two mac and cheese recipes for the table that treats it as a side, and the one cranberry sauce you can make two days ahead.
28. Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese
When it comes to Thanksgiving, there are no rules for side dishes. This is why this creamy bacon mac and cheese, which can basically be a meal in itself, is considered a side dish. The best part about this dish, besides the super creamy cheese sauce, is that it can be made ahead of time. Make it a few days before the holiday and place it in the freezer. Thaw and warm it up in the oven right before you are ready to eat super cheesy mac and cheese.
29. Ina Garten Mac and Cheese
If you’ve never had Ina Garten’s mac and cheese recipe, get ready to fall in love. This recipe elevates the classic mac and cheese dish in the best way possible. Rich gruyere and cheddar cheese mix together for the cheese base and get topped with a refreshing base of tomatoes. It’s the addition you never knew you needed.
30. Cranberry Sauce
It is basically a requirement to have cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving table. Stick with the traditional dish and serve up this cranberry sauce. The best part about making this dish is the aromas it gives off when cooking on the stove. It will fill your kitchen with loads of amazing fall scents. (You’ll also love this Cranberry Jello Salad recipe!)
Oven Space Tips
- Use the slow cooker: The green bean casserole and the cheesy potatoes both cook in a Crockpot, so the oven is free for the turkey and rolls.
- Use the air fryer: Both Brussels sprouts recipes crisp up in the air fryer in under 20 minutes while the turkey rests.
- Make two things the day before: The make-ahead mashed potato casserole and the cranberry sauce both hold in the fridge and taste just as good on Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions
The top Thanksgiving sides usually include mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce. These classic dishes are crowd-pleasers and pair perfectly with a traditional holiday meal.
You can make many Thanksgiving sides ahead, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole. Prepping these dishes early saves time on the big day and makes hosting much easier.
Slow cooker green bean casserole and crockpot cheesy potatoes cook in the slow cooker, both Brussels sprouts recipes use the air fryer, and cranberry sauce and honey glazed carrots cook on the stovetop. That leaves the oven for the turkey, rolls, and casseroles.
More Thanksgiving Favorites
Slow Cooker
Crockpot Turkey Breast
No Bake Desserts
No Bake Pumpkin Pie
Thanksgiving
Classic Turkey Gravy
Pies
Apple Pie
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Which side are you making first this year? Let me know in the comments!
