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23 Delicious Thanksgiving Sides That Everyone Will Love

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Thanksgiving is all about gathering, gratitude, and—of course—the food. While the turkey might take center stage, it’s the side dishes that steal the spotlight. From creamy classics to new favorites, these 23 delicious Thanksgiving sides are crowd-pleasers that’ll have everyone going back for seconds (and thirds!).

1. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

A buttery, garlicky mash that’s perfect for soaking up gravy.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes and garlic in salted water until fork tender (15–20 mins).
  2. Drain and return to pot.
  3. Add butter and mash.
  4. Stir in warm milk, season with salt and pepper.

2. Classic Green Bean Casserole

This holiday staple never disappoints—creamy, crispy, and comforting.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb green beans, trimmed
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 1/3 cups French fried onions
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Blanch green beans.
  3. Mix soup, milk, beans, half of onions.
  4. Pour into baking dish and bake 25 mins.
  5. Top with remaining onions, bake 5 more mins.

3. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Creamy and sweet with a nutty crunch—this is dessert in disguise.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/3 cup melted butter

Topping

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix casserole ingredients, pour into greased dish.
  3. Combine topping, sprinkle over.
  4. Bake 30–35 mins.

4. Cranberry Orange Sauce

A bright, tangy side that cuts through rich dishes.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in saucepan.
  2. Simmer 10–15 mins until berries pop.
  3. Chill before serving.

5. Herb and Sausage Stuffing

Savory, hearty, and packed with Thanksgiving flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground sausage
  • 10 cups cubed bread (stale or toasted)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh sage
  • 2 tsp thyme
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook sausage, set aside.
  2. Sauté onion and celery.
  3. In large bowl, mix all ingredients.
  4. Pour into greased dish and bake at 350°F for 45 mins.

6. Honey Roasted Carrots

Sweet, tender, and roasted to perfection.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss carrots with oil, honey, salt, pepper.
  3. Roast 25–30 mins, turning halfway.

7. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy layers that melt in your mouth.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Make roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk.
  3. Stir in cheese, salt, and pepper.
  4. Layer potatoes in dish, pour sauce over.
  5. Bake 1 hour until golden.

8. Buttery Cornbread

Moist, buttery, and just a little sweet.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine.
  3. Pour into greased 9” pan.
  4. Bake 25–30 mins.

9. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

A crispy, savory side with a smoky bite.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss sprouts with oil, salt, pepper.
  3. Spread on pan with bacon.
  4. Roast 25–30 mins, stirring once.

10. Mac and Cheese Bake

Creamy on the inside, crispy on top—pure comfort.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
  • Salt, pepper, paprika
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta.
  2. Make cheese sauce with roux, milk, cheese.
  3. Combine with pasta, pour into dish.
  4. Top with breadcrumbs, bake at 375°F for 25 mins.

11. Maple Glazed Roasted Squash

Naturally sweet and beautifully golden with a maple kick.

Ingredients

  • 2 acorn squash, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss squash slices with oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast for 30–35 minutes, flipping halfway.

12. Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Nutty, crisp, and cheesy—this one’s surprisingly addictive.

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Toss cauliflower with oil, salt, pepper, and cheese.
  3. Spread on baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes.

13. Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms

Earthy and hearty, this pilaf brings a cozy balance.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 tsp thyme

Instructions

  1. Cook rice in broth per package instructions.
  2. Sauté onion and mushrooms in oil.
  3. Stir into cooked rice with thyme.

14. Skillet Corn with Cream Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and easy to make in one pan.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups frozen or fresh corn
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in skillet, add corn.
  2. Stir in cream cheese and seasonings.
  3. Cook until thick and creamy (about 8–10 mins).

15. Southern Collard Greens

Rich, savory greens that melt in your mouth.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs collard greens, chopped
  • 1 smoked ham hock or bacon
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Simmer ham hock in broth for 20 mins.
  2. Add greens, cook for 45–60 mins until tender.
  3. Stir in vinegar, season to taste.

16. Baked Brie and Cranberry Bites

An elegant, poppable side or starter.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 1/2 wheel brie, cubed
  • 1/2 cup cranberry sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut pastry into squares and press into mini muffin tin.
  3. Add brie and cranberry to each.
  4. Bake 12–15 mins until golden.

17. Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

Soft, fluffy, and essential for gravy dipping.

Ingredients

  • 12 frozen or homemade dinner roll dough balls
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp parsley

Instructions

  1. Let rolls rise per instructions.
  2. Mix butter with garlic powder and parsley.
  3. Bake per package or recipe, then brush with garlic butter.

18. Deviled Eggs with Chives

A classic appetizer that always disappears first.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs, hard boiled
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Peel eggs and halve. Remove yolks.
  2. Mash yolks with mayo, mustard, salt, pepper.
  3. Pipe or spoon into egg whites. Top with chives.

19. Apple Walnut Salad

Crisp, fresh, and just the right touch of sweet.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups mixed greens
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta
  • Balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions

  1. Toss all ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Drizzle with vinaigrette just before serving.

20. Savory Bread Pudding

Hearty and herby with a custardy texture.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cubed bread
  • 2 cups milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/2 tsp sage
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Whisk milk, eggs, cheese, herbs.
  3. Add bread, soak 10 mins.
  4. Pour into dish, bake 40–45 mins.

21. Roasted Garlic and Herb Mushrooms

Meaty and full of umami flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb whole mushrooms
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss mushrooms with all ingredients.
  3. Roast 20–25 minutes until tender.

22. Caramelized Onion and Cornbread Stuffing

A Southern twist with sweet and savory flavor.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cubed cornbread
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 2 cups broth
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  1. Caramelize onions in butter (20 mins).
  2. Mix with cornbread, broth, eggs, and thyme.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 40–45 mins.

23. Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Tangy, sweet, and totally festive.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs Brussels sprouts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Roast sprouts at 400°F for 25 mins.
  2. Reduce juice, vinegar, and honey into glaze.
  3. Drizzle glaze and top with pomegranate seeds.

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