The Thanksgiving side dishes you choose to serve are just as important as the turkey (if not more!)! Plan your menu this year with this trusted collection of classic and unique Thanksgiving sides. Plus, don’t miss my BONUS Thanksgiving leftover recipes!

The Best Thanksgiving Sides

Planning your Thanksgiving menu? I’ve rounded up 29 of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, from traditional favorites like stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casseroles to homemade dinner rolls and fresh vegetable sides. Whether you’re hosting the whole family or just bringing a dish to share, you’re sure to find something here you’ll love. I’ve even included a few of my favorite ways to use up your thanksgiving leftovers at the bottom of the post!

Oh, and if dessert is more your thing, check out my collection of pie recipes or Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie 🥧

1. Classic Stuffing

We simply can’t talk about Thanksgiving sides without mentioning stuffing! You’ll love my classic recipe. I even have a tutorial on how to make bread cubes for stuffing, if you want to go fully homemade.

2. Sweet Potato Casserole

Probably one of the most beloved Thanksgiving side dishes, sweet potato casserole is best served with plenty of mini marshmallows and pecans on top.

3. Mashed Potatoes

A must-have Thanksgiving side! Feel free to keep yours basic, or add in some flavor enhancers (I include plenty of notes for jazzing things up in the recipe).

4. Green Bean Casserole

My easy green bean casserole recipe can be made with fresh, frozen, or canned green beans. It’s my absolute favorite Thanksgiving side dish!

5. Cranberry Sauce

Just like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce is another Thanksgiving must-have. This year, try something new and make your own instead of using the stuff from the can!

6. Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is more of a southern Thanksgiving tradition, but let’s be real–we all love it! I also have bacon mac and cheese, if you want to spice things up!

7. Brussels Sprouts Salad

Make something bright and crunchy to serve among all the rich and savory! Brussels sprouts salad is a unique and flavorful way to enjoy this veggie.

8. Candied Yams

Whatever you call them, these candied yams (or candied sweet potatoes!) are a well-loved thanksgiving side dish. My family can’t get enough of them!

9. Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls

Save time and make your dinner rolls ahead of time! This recipe rises overnight in the fridge and bakes the next day, so they can be warm and fresh at your dinner table.

10. Creamed Corn

Skip the cans and make this easy homemade creamed corn! It tastes SO much better.

11. Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Plain brussels sprouts too boring for your Thanksgiving table? Spice things up with this maple bacon version!

12. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

One of my newest Thanksgiving side dishes! Extra bacon for me please 😋

13. Sausage Stuffing

This is my family’s favorite recipe–my dad makes it every year and everyone looks forward to it! It’s a more hearty alternative to classic stuffing.

14. Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

A fun twist on classic dinner rolls, sweet potato dinner rolls make an amazing Thanksgiving side dish.

15. Maple Glazed Carrots

A little sweet and a little savory, maple glazed carrots are a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish.

16. Loaded Hashbrown Casserole

Tasty with both ham and turkey! This recipe is just as popular for Thanksgiving dinner as it is for Thanksgiving breakfast, lunch, or brunch.

17. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

If you prefer garlic mashed potatoes over plain, you need to try this recipe! My version is easier than most, thanks to a simple technique with infusing the butter with garlic.

18. Cornbread

Cornbread is another southern Thanksgiving staple, but my version leans more towards northern tastes–it’s on the sweeter side (of course!).

19. Creamed Spinach

Spinach may not be top of mind when you think of Thanksgiving side dishes, but creamed spinach absolutely should be. It’s so rich and creamy, and yes, incorporates some greens too!

20. Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy and tender, my scalloped potatoes are layered with a rich, creamy sauce (cheese or no cheese, take your pick!) and make a fantastic Thanksgiving side dish alongside ham or turkey. The recipe also includes instructions for making a day ahead, to save you time on Thanksgiving day.

21. Roasted Broccoli

Simple and crowd-pleasing! Perfect for adding a little green to your Thanksgiving menu.

22. Honey Wheat Rolls

These are always a huge hit at Thanksgiving dinner! Perfect for cleaning up extra gravy or cranberry sauce off your plate.

23. Buttermilk Biscuits

The buttermilk version of my beloved homemade biscuits! The flaky layers in this recipe are so impressive. I also have cornbread biscuits, if you are interested in a hybrid between the two.

24. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

If sweet potato casserole or candied yams are a bit too dessert-y for you, try these simple roasted sweet potatoes instead.

25. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Add something green to the table with these crispy roasted brussels sprouts. Even kids like them!

26. Roasted Potatoes

Fast and perfectly crispy! We enjoy these year-round, but they make a tasty Thanksgiving side dish too.

27. Risotto

A bit non-traditional but still so good, Risotto makes a for a sophisticated side dish for Thanksgiving.

28. Crescent Rolls

Forget the canned version, my homemade crescent rolls are surprisingly easy to make and taste so much better. Serve with honey butter for best results!

29. Garlic Bread Dinner Rolls

Mix things up with garlic bread-inspired dinner rolls! Everyone who tries these can’t get enough! Prefer something a bit easier? Try my garlic cheese drop biscuits instead.

Cheat Sheet: How to Choose Your Thanksgiving Sides:

I always go back to my childhood Thanksgivings where my grandmother would prepare every dish. A classic Thanksgiving dinner should always have the following:

• A creamy, comforting starchy dish: Mashed potatoes or baked mac and cheese, or, better, both. My scalloped potatoes are a good option if you want something you can make a day in advance (notes on how are in the recipe card).
• A classic casserole: Sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole.
• A fresh colorful veggie: Roasted broccoli, candied yams, maple glazed carrots, or creamed corn.
• Bread for the bread basket. Make ahead dinner rolls or crescent rolls.
• Something sweet and tart. My grandmother’s cranberry sauce always came from a can (and yes I ate it up!), but for me, homemade cranberry sauce is a must. Cranberry fluff is a good alternative option.
• Stuffing. A Thanksgiving staple, my first pick is my dad’s sausage stuffing, but I have a classic stuffing recipe, too.

Don’t think you have to make everything, or even something from each category, especially if you’re hosting a smaller group.

Did I miss anything? Let me know your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes in the comments below!

BONUS: Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes!

Get creative with your leftovers this year! Leftover turkey sandwiches can only hold you over for so long, so here are some flavorful (but still easy to prepare!) Thanksgiving leftover recipes.

1. Mashed Potato Pancakes

Mix together leftover mashed potatoes with just a few additional ingredients to transform them into these crispy and cheesy potato pancakes.

2. Leftover Turkey Chili

If you’re a fan of my award winning chili recipe, you must try this leftover turkey chili! It’s a bit different, but still SO good!

3. Turkey Pot Pie

This is not your average chicken pot pie! No, this turkey pot pie is made with seasonal ingredients like sweet potatoes and rosemary, plus carrots, corn, and green beans too.

4. Turkey Chowder

Flavored with veggies and a unique blend of spices, it’s creamy and comforting.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving Desserts (that aren’t pie!)

Pecan Pie Bars

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

The BEST Thanksgiving Pies

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of your favorite foods and loved ones 🍁

Enjoy!

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