16 Must-Try Thanksgiving Side Dishes for a Perfect Dinner

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Turkey may be the star of Thanksgiving, but let’s be honest—the side dishes are just as important. A great spread of sides adds variety, texture, and flavor to the meal, making every bite more exciting. Whether you’re a fan of creamy mashed potatoes, crispy roasted veggies, or cheesy casseroles, there’s something here for everyone.

What I love about Thanksgiving sides is that they bring personality to the table. You can stick with the classics like cranberry sauce and mac and cheese or switch things up with a wild rice pilaf or caramelized onion tart. And let’s not forget one of the best parts—leftovers. Some of these dishes taste even better the next day!

This list of 16 Thanksgiving side dishes has a little bit of everything—crispy, creamy, cheesy, and sweet. Whether you’re cooking for a big gathering or just bringing a dish to share, these recipes will make sure your plate is loaded with deliciousness.

Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

• Plan ahead – Prepping or partially cooking sides the day before makes Thanksgiving Day so much easier.
• Balance flavors – A mix of creamy, rich dishes and fresh, lighter ones keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.
• Make extra for leftovers – Thanksgiving leftovers are a must, so double your favorite dishes!
• Use fresh herbs – Fresh parsley, thyme, and rosemary add a big boost of flavor and make every dish feel extra special.
• Be mindful of oven space – If your oven is packed, go for sides that can be made on the stovetop, slow cooker, or even in an air fryer.

Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Garlic roasted potatoes are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with flavor. They’re easy to make, go with everything, and are always a crowd favorite.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) baby potatoes, halved
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
3. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Garlic Roasted Broccoli

This simple roasted broccoli dish is crispy, garlicky, and packed with flavor. It’s a great way to add some greens to your Thanksgiving plate without taking up oven space for too long.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 500g (1 lb) broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
2. Toss broccoli with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15–20 minutes, until crispy.
4. Serve warm with an optional sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Maple Syrup Glazed Carrots

Whole roasted carrots glazed with maple syrup and butter make the perfect sweet and savory side. They’re tender, flavorful, and bring a pop of color to the table.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 500g (1 lb) whole carrots, peeled
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Toss carrots with melted butter, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving.

Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect indulgent veggie side that pairs well with turkey and mashed potatoes.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 500g (1 lb) fresh spinach
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 250ml (1 cup) heavy cream
• 60g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté spinach in a pan over medium heat until wilted, then set aside.
2. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add heavy cream and let simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Add the spinach back to the pan and mix well.

Couscous Salad with Tomatoes

This light and fresh couscous salad adds a bright contrast to all the heavier Thanksgiving sides. It’s quick to make and full of fresh herbs and juicy tomatoes.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 250g (1¼ cups) couscous
• 250ml (1 cup) vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 200g (1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cucumber, diced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Boil vegetable broth, then remove from heat and stir in couscous. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Fluff couscous with a fork and let cool slightly.
3. Toss with olive oil, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, lemon juice, and salt.
4. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Caramelized Onion Tart with Gruyère

This savory tart is packed with sweet caramelized onions and melty Gruyère cheese, making it a rich and decadent side dish for Thanksgiving.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 120g (1 cup) Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. In a pan, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat, then add onions and salt.
3. Cook onions for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelized.
4. Roll out puff pastry onto a baking sheet and top with caramelized onions and shredded Gruyère.
5. Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown.
6. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve warm.

Peas and Pancetta

This simple yet flavorful dish combines sweet peas with crispy pancetta for the perfect mix of savory and fresh. It’s an easy side that pairs well with turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 200g (1½ cups) frozen peas
• 100g (3.5 oz) pancetta, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then add pancetta and cook until crispy.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
3. Stir in the peas and cook for 3–4 minutes until warmed through.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Creamy Sweet Potato Mash

This creamy sweet potato mash is smooth, buttery, and slightly sweet, making it a must-have on the Thanksgiving table. It’s a great alternative to regular mashed potatoes.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 60ml (¼ cup) heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil sweet potatoes in salted water for 15–20 minutes until tender.
2. Drain and mash with butter, heavy cream, and maple syrup.
3. Season with salt and cinnamon (if using).
4. Serve warm.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Parsley and Cheese

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving essential, and this version is extra creamy and topped with fresh parsley and shredded cheese for added flavor.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 120ml (½ cup) heavy cream
• 60g (¼ cup) butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 50g (½ cup) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes in salted water for 15–20 minutes until soft.
2. Drain and mash with butter and heavy cream.
3. Stir in salt and top with shredded cheese and fresh parsley before serving.

Wild Rice Pilaf

This nutty, flavorful rice pilaf is a great alternative to traditional stuffing. It’s packed with veggies and fresh herbs, making it a perfect balance to richer Thanksgiving dishes.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 200g (1 cup) wild rice
• 500ml (2 cups) vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Cook wild rice in vegetable broth according to package instructions.
2. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery in olive oil until soft.
3. Toss cooked rice with sautéed veggies and parsley before serving.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Forget the canned version—this homemade cranberry sauce is sweet, tart, and full of fresh flavor. It’s the perfect complement to turkey and stuffing.

Number of servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 200g (2 cups) fresh cranberries
• 120ml (½ cup) orange juice
• 100g (½ cup) sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, and sugar.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes until cranberries burst.
3. Stir in cinnamon (if using) and let cool before serving.

Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese

This rich and creamy mac and cheese is a must-have comfort food on the Thanksgiving table. It’s packed with cheesy goodness and a crispy baked topping.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 250g (2 cups) elbow macaroni
• 500ml (2 cups) milk
• 200g (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
• 50g (¼ cup) butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 30g (¼ cup) breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions and drain.
2. In a pan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux.
3. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
4. Stir in shredded cheese, salt, and pepper until melted.
5. Mix with cooked macaroni, then transfer to a baking dish.
6. Top with breadcrumbs and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Biscuits

These soft, fluffy pumpkin biscuits are slightly sweet and pair perfectly with butter or honey. They’re a great addition to any Thanksgiving bread basket.

Number of servings: 8 biscuits

Ingredients:

• 250g (2 cups) flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 60g (¼ cup) butter, cold and cubed
• 120g (½ cup) pumpkin purée
• 80ml (⅓ cup) milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Cut in butter with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.
4. Stir in pumpkin purée and milk until just combined.
5. Roll out dough and cut into biscuits.
6. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon make for a savory, slightly smoky Thanksgiving side dish that’s always a hit.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 500g (1 lb) Brussels sprouts, halved
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and scatter bacon pieces on top.
4. Roast for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Baked Parmesan Zucchini

This cheesy, crispy zucchini is easy to make and adds a lighter, fresh element to the Thanksgiving table.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 50g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Toss zucchini slices with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange on a baking sheet and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and crispy.

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This cheesy, comforting casserole is creamy, rich, and loaded with broccoli. It’s a perfect way to sneak in some greens on Thanksgiving.

Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 500g (1 lb) broccoli florets
• 250ml (1 cup) heavy cream
• 200g (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
• 50g (¼ cup) butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 30g (¼ cup) breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Steam broccoli until just tender.
3. In a pan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux.
4. Slowly add heavy cream and cook until thickened.
5. Stir in shredded cheese, salt, and pepper.
6. Toss broccoli in the sauce and transfer to a baking dish.
7. Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes.