These Thanksgiving Side Dishes are the BEST part of the holiday! From creamy mashed potatoes and cheesy casseroles to fresh salads, rolls and all the classics!

chelsea

author’s note

After Years Of Hosting, These Are My Fave Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

I LOVE hosting! And Thanksgiving might just be my favorite holiday to host because, let’s be honest, there’s nothing better than a table completely covered in good food!

I’ve hosted Thanksgiving for the past five years, and at this point, I feel like I’ve gotten it down to a science. I’ve figured out what can be made ahead, what absolutely needs to be made fresh, how to juggle oven space, and which dishes everyone goes back for seconds (and thirds!) of.

And while the turkey might technically be the star of Thanksgiving, I am ALL about the sides! Give me a plate piled high with mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls & a really good salad, and I’m happy!

Over the years, I’ve tried SO many different Thanksgiving side dishes, and I’ve definitely found some favorites. So I figured it was time to put all the best ones in one place!

These are my favorite Thanksgiving sides I’ve ever made! Some are classics I make year after year, others are fun twists on traditional favorites, and several can be prepped ahead to make the big day a whole lot easier.

Whether you’re hosting the whole Thanksgiving dinner or just bringing one dish to share, I hope you find a new favorite here!

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Thanksgiving Salad with roasted butternut squash, feta, cranberries, and candied nuts, one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes.

Thanksgiving Salad

This Thanksgiving Salad combines roasted butternut squash, candied nuts, feta, and dried cranberries, all finished with a simple dressing.

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Creamy homemade mashed potatoes with butter, ready to serve.

Mashed Potatoes

This Mashed Potatoes Recipe is rich, creamy, and buttery with the perfect texture. They’re easy to make, full of flavor, and always a hit at any meal.

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Fluffy homemade dinner rolls, one of the classic Thanksgiving side dishes.

Dinner Rolls

My favorite Life-Changing No-Knead Dinner Rolls are incredibly easy – no stand mixer, no hand mixer, and no kneading required! 

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Homemade green bean casserole with a creamy sauce and crispy golden topping.

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole Recipe made from scratch with a creamy cheese sauce, crisp topping, and no canned soup. It’s easy to double, triple, and make ahead.

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Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows and brown sugar streusel, a favorite among Thanksgiving side dishes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole topped with crunchy brown sugar streusel and gooey marshmallows.

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Creamy green peas tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce with bacon and onions.

Creamed Peas

These Creamed Peas are a delicious way to switch up your Thanksgiving side dishes! Tender peas, bacon & onions in a savory Parmesan cream sauce.

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Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts with golden edges, perfect for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts are perfectly crispy and loaded with flavor! They’re an easy side dish everyone will want seconds of.

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Tender candied yams coated in a buttery maple and citrus glaze.

Candied Yams Recipe

Candied Yams Recipe that combines warm spices, maple, citrus, and butter to create tender, melt-in-your-mouth sweet potatoes with incredible flavor.

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Orange Fluff Salad with mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows, a sweet addition to Thanksgiving side dishes.

Orange Fluff Salad

Orange Fluff Salad is a classic treat with orange Jell-O, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, mandarin oranges, and mini marshmallows.

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Golden potato stacks with thin, cheesy layers and crispy edges.

Potato Stacks Recipe

This Potato Stacks Recipe is one of the best ways to enjoy potatoes. They’re savory, cheesy, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

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Wild rice pilaf with cranberries, apples, and oranges, a fresh option for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Wild Rice Pilaf

Cranberry Orange Wild Rice Pilaf bursts with juicy oranges, dried cranberries, and crunchy apples finished in a simple orange honey vinaigrette.

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Creamy sweet corn with bacon and a rich Parmesan cream sauce.

Creamed Corn

This Creamed Corn is one of those Thanksgiving side dishes everyone goes back for! Sweet corn, smoky bacon & a rich Parmesan cream sauce.

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Golden roasted cauliflower with crispy edges, an easy addition to Thanksgiving side dishes.

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower comes out crisp on the edges, tender inside, and full of flavor from a hot oven. Try it two ways: classic or with a golden Parmesan breadcrumb topping.

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Creamy homemade honey butter flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.

Honey Butter

The best Honey Butter Recipe you’ve ever had, ready in 10 minutes. It’s creamy, sweet, and rich with cinnamon and vanilla flavor.

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Stack of delicious and fluffy cornbread with honey and butter on a plate.

Buttery Cornbread

Buttery, rich Cornbread Recipe in under 15 minutes! Ditch the box; this simple recipe is just as easy and way more delicious!

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Roasted sweet potatoes with caramelized edges and tender centers.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These Roasted Sweet Potatoes are one of the easiest Thanksgiving side dishes! Crispy, caramelized edges, soft centers & hardly any prep.

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Cheesy au gratin potatoes with thinly sliced layers, one of the richest Thanksgiving side dishes.

Au Gratin Potatoes

This Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe features thinly sliced golden potatoes layered in a rich, creamy, and cheesy sauce. It’s a side dish that’s always a hit!

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Homemade sourdough Thanksgiving dressing with fresh herbs and buttery vegetables.

Thanksgiving Dressing

Thanksgiving Dressing made with thick sourdough, fresh herbs, and buttery sautéed veggies. Simple ingredients, big flavor!

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Creamy Snickers Salad with chopped apples and candy pieces, a sweet twist on Thanksgiving side dishes.

Snickers Salad

Snickers Salad Recipe is a creamy dessert salad with tart apples, chopped Snickers, and a fluffy vanilla pudding base.

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Golden corn pudding casserole with a soft, buttery, creamy center.

Corn Pudding Casserole

This Corn Pudding Casserole is one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes! It’s buttery, creamy & the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

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Golden, buttery drop biscuits with flaky centers, perfect for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Drop Biscuit Recipe

This easy Drop Biscuit Recipe makes buttery, flaky biscuits with hardly any work. Just mix the dough, scoop it onto the pan, and bake. No rolling or cutting needed!

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Creamy slow cooker chicken and wild rice with tender vegetables.

Chicken and Wild Rice Crockpot

This Chicken and Wild Rice Crockpot is creamy, hearty, and packed with tender chicken, veggies, and perfectly cooked wild rice.

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Creamy crockpot mashed potatoes, perfectly seasoned and ready to be enjoyed.

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are buttery, smooth, and ultra-creamy, these indulgent potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal and a must-have on the holiday table.

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Cubes of roasted butternut squash with caramelized golden edges.

Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted Butternut Squash is simply the best! With beautifully caramelized exteriors and tender sweet interiors, you’ll be hooked after one bite!

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Colorful roasted vegetables with tender centers and caramelized edges, perfect for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Roasted Vegetables

These Roasted Vegetables bake up tender and flavorful with irresistible caramelized edges. It’s a simple sheet pan side that goes with everything.

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Creamy Frog Eye Salad with tiny pasta, fruit, and whipped topping.

Frog Eye Salad

This Frog Eye Salad Recipe is a retro side or dessert “salad” with canned fruits, acini de pepe pasta, and whipped topping–and a silly name!

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Golden cornbread muffins stacked with melting butter and honey, a favorite for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Cornbread Muffins

Skip the mix! This Cornbread Muffin Recipe is buttery, honey-sweet, and comes together in minutes with simple ingredients and a tender crumb. Perfect for dinners and holidays.

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Tender potatoes coated in a rich, creamy sauce.

Creamed Potatoes

This Creamed Potatoes Recipe is rich, creamy, and made with simple ingredients. A quick and cozy side dish everyone loves.

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Brown sugar roasted carrots with golden caramelized edges, an easy choice for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots

These Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots are one of the easiest Thanksgiving side dishes! Sweet, buttery & perfectly caramelized with minimal prep.

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Roasted broccoli florets with crispy golden edges and tender centers.

Roasted Broccoli

This Roasted Broccoli Recipe has crispy edges, tender centers, and big roasted flavor with just olive oil and salt. Quick prep and one pan.

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Halved baked sweet potatoes topped with melting butter, perfect for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

The secret to faster, perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes? Cut them in half! They roast quicker and get caramelized outsides with a soft, fluffy center.

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Individual strawberry Jello parfait cups with layers of Jello and creamy strawberry mousse.

5-Ingredient Jello Parfait Cups

5-Ingredient Double-Layered Strawberry Jello Parfait Cups with Jello on the bottom and a creamy strawberry mousse on top.

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Fresh spinach salad with apples, cranberries, bacon, feta, and candied pecans.

Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad Recipe with crisp apples, tangy red onion, sweet cranberries, creamy feta, crunchy bacon, and candied pecans, tossed in a delicious apple-Dijon dressing.

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Colorful fall fruit salad with apples, grapes, clementines, and blackberries, a refreshing option for Thanksgiving side dishes.

Fall Fruit Salad

Fall Fruit Salad is a delicious mix of crisp apples, juicy grapes, sweet clementines, blackberries, and toasted pecans tossed in a maple-cinnamon citrus dressing.

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Seven-layer salad with lettuce, peas, tomatoes, eggs, cheese, bacon, and creamy dressing.

7 Layer Salad

This 7 Layer Salad Recipe is a fresh, crunchy, flavor-packed classic stacked with crisp lettuce, sweet peas, juicy tomatoes, eggs, cheese, bacon, and the creamiest dressing.

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chelsea’s recipe tips

Thanksgiving Side Dishes Tips

  • Make ahead: Prep casseroles, dressings, and salads in advance so there’s less to do on Thanksgiving Day!
  • Plan oven space: Check cooking times & temperatures ahead of time so you’re not juggling five dishes at once.
  • Use your slow cooker: Crockpots save oven space & keep food warm until serving!
  • Mix things up: Balance creamy, cheesy sides with fresh salads & crunchy veggies.
  • Save some for last: Rolls, roasted veggies & crispy toppings are best finished right before serving.
  • Keep it simple: Stick to family favorites & add one or two new recipes. No need to make everything!

More Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

Meet Chelsea

Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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