10 Best Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes

Best Thanksgiving side dishes for this holiday

Thanksgiving dinner side dishes are a must for the perfect holiday meal. They elevate the main course and provide varied flavors. Creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, and colorful roasted vegetables are just a few examples. Here are the 10 best side dishes for Thanksgiving! These recipes will wow your family and friends.

Cream Brussels sprouts

Cream Brussels sprouts is one of the best Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. It brings a creamy twist to the earthy flavor of Brussels sprouts. The sprouts are sautéed and coated in a creamy sauce. This sauce is flavored with garlic, Parmesan, and nutmeg. The dish balances bitterness with creamy indulgence.

A pan of creamed Brussels sprouts is on the table

Honey-butter roasted carrots

Honey-butter roasted carrots offer a perfect blend of sweetness and richness. The carrots are roasted and glazed with honey, butter, and herbs. The glaze intensifies the sweetness of the carrots. This Thanksgiving vegetable side dish is a crowd-pleaser. It adds color and sweetness to your spread. Here is the recipe for roasted carrots with honey butter glaze.

Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
Sweet, tender carrots are roasted until caramelized, then glazed with a fragrant butter sauce infused with fresh herbs and golden honey.
Check out this recipe
Roasted baby carrots are glazed with butter, herbs, and honey

Sweet potato casserole

Sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving classic. It consists of baked and mashed sweet potatoes. The dish is topped with marshmallows or pecan crumble. It delivers a sweet and savory balance. Its creamy texture and comforting flavors make it a holiday must-have.

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows suits holiday season
Best sweet potato casserole recipe with marshmallows

Cornbread stuffing with sausage

Cornbread stuffing with sausage is a hearty, flavorful Thanksgiving dinner side dish. It adds savory depth and pairs perfectly with turkey. Cornbread is combined with sausage, onions, celery, and herbs. Sausage infuses stuffing with savory flavor. It complements the sweetness of cornbread.

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage
A hearty Southern-inspired stuffing that combines crumbled homemade cornbread with savory sausage, aromatic vegetables, and fresh herbs.
Check out this recipe
Cornbread stuffing is mixed with crumbled sausage

Green bean casserole

Green bean casserole is an easy Thanksgiving side dish. It combines fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions. The dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The dish is easy to make. It adds a pop of green to your meal. You can check the green bean casserole recipe here.

Green Bean Casserole with Candied Bacon
A modern masterpiece. Fresh green beans are bathed in a rich, mushroom cream sauce, topped with crispy fried onions, and crowned with sweet-and-savory candied bacon pieces.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving casserole with green bean and candied bacon

Sweet potato salad

Sweet potato salad is a healthy Thanksgiving side dish. It features roasted sweet potatoes and crisp vegetables like red onions and bell peppers. The dish often pairs with apple cider vinaigrette for a tangy flavor. Some variations include pecans or a dash of cinnamon. This dish complements turkey and other main courses.

A bow of sweet potato salad mix with bell peppers, feta, parsley, and red onion

Mascarpone mashed potatoes

Mascarpone mashed potatoes are a creamy version of the classic mashed potatoes. It has the addition of mascarpone cheese. It pairs beautifully with gravies and roasted meats. Mascarpone mashed potatoes offer a delightful contrast to robust flavors. This is how to make the cheesy mashed potatoes.

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
A silky, luxurious side dish. It's perfect for holidays, special occasions, or when you want to transform ordinary mashed potatoes into something extraordinary.
Check out this recipe
Mashed potato side dish is with mascarpone

Stuffing

Stuffing is the traditional Thanksgiving side dish. It combines bread cubes, vegetables, and herbs like sage and thyme. Sausage and cranberries often enhance the flavor. The dish’s savory and slightly sweet taste makes it a crowd-pleaser. Stuffing’s soft texture and flavor-rich layers are perfect for the holiday meal.

Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
A timeless Thanksgiving side dish featuring cubed bread, aromatic vegetables, herbs, and broth. They're baked until golden and crispy on top while staying moist inside.
Check out this recipe
Baked Thanksgiving stuffing with breadcrumbs is on the table

Cranberry sauce

The next Thanksgiving dinner side dish is cranberry sauce. The sauce is a tangy counterpoint to rich meats. It is made from fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange zest. The sauce balances tartness and sweetness. It adds a refreshing burst of flavor to your plate. Cranberry sauce contrasts beautifully with mashed potatoes and stuffing. This classic is essential for any holiday spread.

Cranberry sauce is one of the most popular Thanksgiving dinner side dishes
Easy homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving

Brussels sprouts casserole

The last side dish on our Thanksgiving list is the Brussels sprouts casserole. Roasted Brussels sprouts are mixed with a creamy sauce. The sauce is often made from cheese, cream, or béchamel. The casserole is baked to golden perfection. A crunchy topping of breadcrumbs or bacon adds texture. The dish has a rich, cheesy flavor that complements other sides.

Cheesy Brussels Sprout Casserole
This crowd-pleasing side dish transforms the humble Brussels sprout into a decadent holiday favorite. Even vegetable skeptics will love it.
Check out this recipe
Baked Brussels Sprout side dish for Thanksgiving

Those are the best Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. These essential recipes elevate the entire meal. They will perfectly complement the juicy turkey centerpiece. Bring joy to your Thanksgiving table with these must-have, crowd-pleasing dishes.

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