The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

I’ve rounded up the best Thanksgiving side dish recipes – everything from classics like green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, cornbread, mac and cheese, to more modern sides like Instant Pot carrots. This roundup has something for everyone!

Green Bean Casserole (with Canned Beans) from Cooking for Keeps

This classic Thanksgiving recipe is the perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, and indulgent. 

Crispy Rosemary Butter Roasted Potatoes from Half Baked Harvest

These hasselback potatoes are perfectly crisp (think potato chips) with hints of rosemary and garlic. Bonus: They will look beautiful on your Thanksgiving table!

Chestnut Cornbread Stuffing from No Spoon Necessary

This roasted chestnut cornbread stuffing is rich, buttery, salty, and packed with herbs. It’s also easy to make!  

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes from Salt & Lavender

These mashed taters are thick and creamy, buttery, and perfectly flavored with a touch of garlic! Don’t own an Instant Pot? Don’t worry… I won’t leave you hanging. This recipe can also be made on the stove.

Bacon and Butternut Squash from Baking Mischief

You really can’t go wrong with crispy bacon and sweet butternut squash. What a combo! And those crispy charred edges taste soo good.

Sweet Potato Casserole from Salt & Lavender

This is the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish! The marshmallow-pecan topping is crunchy and satisfying.

Maple Bacon Wrapped Carrots from Kevin is Cooking

I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t resist sweet, tender carrots wrapped with bacon and basted with maple syrup and a kiss of sriracha sauce.

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes from Salt & Lavender

Where do I start with this one? These restaurant-style mashed potatoes are creamy, buttery, and oh so addictive!

Candied Yams from Self Proclaimed Foodie 

Ok, so these are actually candied sweet potatoes, but many of us use the term interchangeably. Whatever you want to call them, you’ll love the sweet citrus glaze! 

Mashed Butternut Squash from Salt & Lavender

Ever try mashing butternut squash? If not, now is a good time!

Jalapeno Cornbread from Chili Pepper Madness

This jalapeno cornbread recipe is incredibly moist with lots of spicy jalapeno peppers and cheddar cheese. Great for the holidays!

Boozy Cranberry Sauce from Salt & Lavender

A touch of Grand Marnier takes this Thanksgiving staple from good to great!

Make-Ahead Homemade Stuffing from Wine and Glue

White Cheddar Cauliflower Gratin from Cooking Classy

You’d never know that cauliflower can taste so amazing! This gratin is rich, creamy, and cheesy. 

Easy Cranberry Sauce from Wine and Glue 

This cranberry sauce has only 3 ingredients and is a great alternative to the canned stuff!

Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes from A Family Feast

Who says pumpkin is just for dessert? You will love the savory flavors in this fall twist on mashed potatoes!

Make Ahead Sage Apple Stuffing from Sweet Peas and Saffron

You can do the bulk of the prep work the day before you serve this delicious Thanksgiving stuffing recipe!

Apricot Glazed Carrots with Bacon and Jalapenos from The Beach House Kitchen

This unique twist on glazed carrots is sure to please the spice lovers at your holiday feast! 

Creamy Corn Pudding with Crispy Onions from Pinch of Yum

This casserole is buttery, creamy, just slightly sticky and a little bit sweet with a top layer of glorious crunchy golden onions.

Creamy Garlic Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes from Ambitious Kitchen 

Free up your stove and make these amazing mashed potatoes right in your Crockpot! These are on the healthier side if you’re watching your calories.

Ambrosia Salad from Foodie Crush

Nobody can pass up this ambrosia salad’s mixture of tropical fruit and marshmallows bathed in tangy whipped sour cream!

Maple Roasted Beets and Carrots from Salt & Lavender

This 5-ingredient maple roasted beets and carrots recipe is an easy, colorful, and healthy side dish. 

Scalloped Corn and Broccoli from Taste & Tell

Corn and broccoli are baked with cheese until bubbly and hot. This side dish is super warming and comforting!

Instant Pot Honey Butter Carrots from Salt & Lavender

This ridiculously easy side dish will free up your stove for other things!

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts Salad from Cotter Crunch

This salad is vegan and paleo, so it’s a great option to please everyone this Thanksgiving!

Fresh Green Bean Casserole from Vikalinka

This version of the famous American Thanksgiving side dish is made entirely from scratch, and it’s so worth it! 

Brussels Sprouts Gratin from Salt & Lavender

It’s a cheesy, creamy side dish that takes Brussels sprouts to the next level!

Roasted Delicata Squash from Table for Two

This side dish is super easy, healthy, and the delicata squash is naturally sweet. The best part? You don’t even have to peel it!

Easy Creamed Spinach from Salt & Lavender

Use either fresh or frozen spinach for this classic side dish!

Mac and Cheese from Cooking Classy

This rich & creamy mac and cheese is simple to whip up and will make a fabulous addition to your Thanksgiving table! 

Cheesy Scalloped Sweet Potatoes from Salt & Lavender

This is the ULTIMATE comfort food side dish. Gruyère, Parmesan, cream, garlic, and seasonal spices bake to melty perfection.

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole from Aimee Mars

If you want a lighter version of the classic Thanksgiving side, this one’s for you!

Easy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon from Salt & Lavender

This is a super delicious, fast, and easy 2-ingredient side dish that the whole family will love. 

Stuffing Casserole from The Cozy Cook

This stuffing casserole with sausage and green beans can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and baked in the oven or heated in the slow cooker! 

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes by Salt & Lavender

Yup, another mashed potatoes recipe. I like giving you options. 😉 These are extra creamy and buttery!

Easy Roasted Radishes from Salt & Lavender

These are a great low-carb alternative to roasted potatoes. They will also look beautiful on your table!

Easy Crockpot Honey Glazed Carrots from Salt & Lavender 

These Crockpot honey glazed carrots are a super simple side dish that frees up your stove and requires minimal effort.

Whipped Cranberry Goat’s Cheese Spread from How Sweet Eats

How gorgeous is this festive spread? It’s just perfect for snacking on this Thanksgiving! 

Green Bean Casserole from Salt & Lavender

And last but not least, this is my version of the classic side dish. It’s almost from scratch, but not quite – I use French’s fried onions to save time. Plus, they’re delicious.

Which of these Thanksgiving side dishes is your favorite?

You may also like to check out The Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes.