23 Best Thanksgiving Sides for 2025

Here are 23 of the best Thanksgiving side dishes that your guests will rave about! These easy, flavorful recipes range from cozy classics to comforting casseroles, all perfect for pairing with turkey, ham, or whatever’s on your holiday menu.

Collage featuring six Thanksgiving side dish recipes: Green Bean Casserole, Creamed Spinach, Cornbread Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Party Potatoes, and Honey Glazed Carrots. Each recipe includes a list of ingredients and is paired with a photo of the completed dish. Text at the top reads "Thanksgiving Sides."

When planning a Thanksgiving feast, you can’t have a roast turkey without the sides! They are what make a meal unforgettable, from the classics to the creatives; it’s the smells, flavors, and comforts of home cooking and gathering with people you love.

I’ve collected over 20 of my favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipes that can easily be doubled as Thanksgiving potluck recipes if you’re headed out to someone’s house for dinner. I’ve got everything from classic mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole to stovetop macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, and more.

Pair these sides with Thanksgiving turkey or ham and finish the meal with one of our no-bake Thanksgiving desserts (I highly recommend the pumpkin pie) for the most satisfying holiday spread. No matter what you’ve got planned for your dinner, you’ll find the perfect dish for Thanksgiving dinner right here. Easy, delicious, and sure to impress!

Collage of side dishes for Thanksgiving, including: green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, glazed carrots, stuffing, green beans, and cranberry sauce.

Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Plan ahead. A Thanksgiving menu doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does take planning. Buy ingredients early, and consider how long each dish takes to make and what appliances (oven, stove, crockpot) you’ll need.
Make ahead. Simplify the big day by prepping some dishes in advance. Most sides reheat beautifully just before serving.
Offer a variety. Combine textures and flavors — think roasted veggies, creamy casseroles, fresh salads, and classic comfort foods. A mix of sweet, savory, and tangy keeps things interesting.
Use quality ingredients. Freshly grated cheeses, seasonal produce, and real butter make a big difference. Opt for fresh over canned when possible.
Don’t stress! Choose recipes you love and know will be a hit. Stick to what’s realistic for your time, budget, and kitchen space.

20+ Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Click on any photo or button to take you to the individual recipe instructions.

Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, buttery, and irresistibly smooth, these old fashioned mashed potatoes are a must-have for your Thanksgiving table. Made from scratch with just a few pantry staples, they’re the ultimate comfort food that pairs perfectly with turkey and gravy.

Get Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Cranberry Sauce

Skip the canned stuff and make homemade cranberry sauce instead! Made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon, enjoy this classic side dish made from scratch.

GET CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE

Old-fashioned homemade stuffing with onions, celery, and fresh herbs.

Old-Fashioned Stuffing

This traditional bread stuffing is packed with savory flavor from sautéed onions, celery, fresh sage, and thyme. Baked until golden and crisp on top, it’s the perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving side that tastes just like Grandma used to make.

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Southern Green Beans

No Thanksgiving plate is complete without a helping of old fashioned Southern green beans. Simmered low and slow in a smoky broth and served with crispy bacon and onions, this dish is not to be missed.

GET SOUTHERN GREEN BEANS RECIPE

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

Crispy and golden, tossed in a honey and balsamic glaze, these caramelized Brussels sprouts are made even better with crunchy pecans and red pepper flakes for heat!

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

No list of Thanksgiving recipes is complete without sweet potatoes. Simple, classic, and a side dish everyone loves. This sweet side dish pairs well with all your savory dishes.

GET SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH MARSHMALLOWS RECIPE

Green Bean Casserole

The secret to this creamy green bean casserole? Worcestershire sauce and a crispy French onion topping!

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A close-up of a white bowl filled with glossy, brown sugar honey glazed baby carrots, garnished with finely chopped green herbs. The carrots have a slightly caramelized exterior and are arranged in a heaping pile.

Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots

Ready in under 30 minutes, these caramelized carrots add a sweet and savory element to every meal.

GET HONEY GLAZED CARROTS RECIPE

Creamy macaroni and cheese in a slow cooker.

Crockpot Mac and Cheese with Velveeta

When you need an effortless side dish, crockpot mac and cheese with Velveeta does all the work to deliver a creamy, cheesy side dish.

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Sweet Potato Cornbread

A classic cornbread recipe with a fall twist! Infused with the flavors of cinnamon and sweet potato, just one slice and you're hooked!

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Red Skin Mashed Potatoes

You'll love not having to peel the potatoes first. It looks rustic, and tastes amazing, and is the perfect side dish for this year's Thanksgiving meal.

GET RED SKIN MASHED POTATOES RECIPE

Broccoli Casserole

Tender crisp broccoli and mushrooms in a rich cream sauce topped with buttery breadcrumbs is a classic and comforting side dish recipe that is sure to be a hit!

GET BROCCOLI CASSEROLE RECIPE

Serving spoon scooping cornbread casserole with jiffy mix and creamed corn.

Jiffy Cornbread Casserole

We're using Jiffy muffin mix and cream-style corn to make this tasty cornbread casserole quickly and easily, for a no-fuss Thanksgiving side dish.

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Creamed Spinach

This rich and creamy spinach made with butter, onions, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese is so good, even the kids will ask for seconds!

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Party Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes baked until golden brown on top is an easy way to jazz up a classic.

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Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole

Save room in your oven by making a sweet potato casserole in your crockpot, complete with crunchy pecans and gooey marshmallows. It turns out perfect every time!

GET CROCKPOT SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE RECIPE

Crockpot Glazed Carrots

It doesn't get better than an easy veggie side dish that produces incredible sweet and savory flavors with almost no effort. If you are looking for some vegetables to serve with your Thanksgiving feast, these are perfect!

GET CROCKPOT GLAZED CARROTS RECIPE

A wooden spoon scooping a portion of cheesy potatoes with hasbrowns with a golden cornflake crust from a casserole dish. The creamy, cheesy texture of the hash brown potatoes contrasts with the crispy topping.

Cheesy Potatoes with Corn Flakes

With just 10 minutes of prep time, using frozen shredded hashbrowns makes these cheesy potatoes with cornflakes topping one of the easiest potato side dishes!

GET CHEESY POTATOES WITH CORNFLAKES RECIPE

Roasted Butternut Squash

This easy roasted butternut squash is a warm and flavorful addition to any Thanksgiving spread. Lightly seasoned and caramelized to perfection, it’s a simple side that brings out the natural sweetness of the squash. Sprinkle with fresh herbs for an easy, delicious vegetable side dish.

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Stovetop Mac and Cheese

You'll never go back to boxed mac and cheese again with this easy, cheesy, homemade version perfect alongside your holiday mains!

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Creamed Corn

Sweet corn kernels in a cream sauce can be made simply with fresh, canned, or frozen corn. A simple and classic side dish made easy!

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Pecan Streusel Sweet Potato Casserole on white plate with stuffing

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Fluffy mashed sweet potatoes are topped with a pecan streusel and baked until sweet, buttery, and crunchy. A sure-fire hit with your Thanksgiving guests!

GET SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH PECANS RECIPE

Baked Mac and Cheese

Made with freshly grated cheddar and Gruyere, it doesn't get any cheesier than this! Baked until bubbly, you'll want to make this for Thanksgiving and beyond.

GET BAKED MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE