Ultimate Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

When I’m planning my Thanksgiving menu, the first thing I get excited about isn’t the roast turkey or a juicy ham, it’s the sides. These Thanksgiving side dish recipes include creamy mashed potatoes, buttery breads, cozy soups, bright seasonal salads, and every sweet potato casserole in between!

The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes To Add To Your Menu

The big day has a way of sneaking up on you, doesn’t it? One minute you’re feeling confident, and the next you’re staring down a turkey that needs another hour, guests who showed up early, and oven racks that suddenly feel three sizes too small. But no matter what you have going on, you cannot forget the sides.

I like to think of this collection as a mix of familiar favorites and a few fresh ideas to round out your menu. You’ll find baked, roasted, and stovetop recipes, along with vegetable-forward dishes, comforting potatoes, and bright, seasonal salads.

Each one brings something special to the plate, and together, they build the kind of Thanksgiving spread people remember long after the leftovers are gone!

Soft, Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls

Every Thanksgiving table needs a basket of warm, buttery dinner rolls. These bake up soft and pillowy, perfect for spreading with honey butter or soaking up turkey gravy. If you’re in a rush, you can also check out this quick mayonnaise rolls recipe.

Creamy, Delicious Pumpkin Pie Dip

This one is always a hit on my holiday table. It gives you all the cozy fall flavor of pumpkin pie without touching the oven. Sweet, spiced, and scoopable, it’s the perfect addition to your sides menu!

Creamy, Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip

This spinach artichoke dip recipe checks all my favorite boxes: warm, creamy, and gooey.. Serve it with bread, crackers, or tomato chips for an easy side dish that guests can snack on while the main course finishes cooking.

Crispy, Golden Sweet Potato Fritters

If you want an unexpected but delicious way to use sweet potatoes, these fritters are it. Golden brown on the outside and soft inside, they’re seasoned with warm spices and pan-fried to crispy perfection.

Traditional Southern Collard Greens

No holiday feast feels complete without a pot of slow-simmered collard greens. Tender, savory, and full of classic Southern comfort, they bring a rich, earthy flavor that balances sweeter dishes like cranberry sauce or corn casserole.

Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Creamy sweet potatoes with a touch of maple syrup; need I say more? They’re velvety, lightly sweet, and pair wonderfully with everything from grilled turkey to sausage stuffing.

Southern Skillet Spoonbread

This spoonbread lands somewhere between cornbread and a custardy soufflé. It’s soft, buttery, and perfect with turkey gravy or a scoop of cornbread dressing. Truly one of the best Thanksgiving sides, in my opinion.

Homemade Mashed Potatoes With Evaporated Milk

Looking for the perfect mashed potatoes? This version uses evaporated milk for extra creaminess without relying on heavy cream. The result is fluffy, smooth mashed potatoes that hold up beautifully next to turkey, gravy, and all the classic sides!

Candied Carrots Recipe

These glossy carrots simmer in a buttery brown sugar sauce until perfectly tender. They’re a classic Thanksgiving dish that adds color and sweetness to the holiday feast!

Butter Dill New Potatoes

If you want something quick, fresh, and foolproof, these dill potatoes are a delicious way to round out the table. Tossed with olive oil, lemon zest, and herbs, they’re a lighter option that still feels festive.

Easy and Tangy Mustard Slaw

This bright slaw brings a crisp, refreshing bite between all those heavier dishes. It’s a great option if you want something crunchy to balance out creamy mashed potatoes and cornbread stuffing.

Colorful Cranberry Fluff Salad

This classic side brings a sweet, fluffy contrast to the savory dishes on your Thanksgiving table. Tart cranberries, crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and whipped cream; now this is a side dish that might take up most of your plate!

Flaky, Creamy Handheld Chicken Pot Pies

These mini pot pies are a total crowd-pleaser, and can act as a side or main dish! Flaky crust, creamy filling, cozy fall flavor, everything you love about the classic, in a fun handheld version.

Southern Dressing With Cornbread

Cornbread stuffing (or dressing; it depends where you’re from!) is the heart of a true Southern Thanksgiving. Moist, savory, and packed with tender vegetables, this cornbread dressing feels like the kind of side that practically begs for a spoonful of turkey gravy. 

Golden, Crispy Mac and Cheese Balls

For mac-and-cheese lovers, these fried bites are the best part of the holiday. Golden brown on the outside, cheesy on the inside, they’re easily one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes if you wanna try something new.

No matter which dishes end up on your holiday table, the best Thanksgiving sides are the ones that bring everyone back for seconds. With this lineup of family favorites, classic recipes, and a few fresh twists, your Thanksgiving menu is sure to shine.

Wishing you a warm, joyful, and very delicious Thanksgiving!