Looking for Thanksgiving side dishes that go beyond brown and boring? These colorful recipes feature everything from roasted vegetables to creative salads that will make everyone forget about the turkey.
The classic Thanksgiving conundrum is a table of beige-on-beige mush: mashed potatoes, soft brown stuffing, and soggy green bean casserole. But here’s what I’ve learned: Thanksgiving side dishes can be full of bright colors and fresh flavors if you find the right recipes.
As a cookbook author who’s spent years perfecting my Thanksgiving recipe game, if I’m hosting I go into full chef mode, sketching out my menu plans in spreadsheets weeks in advance (no kidding!). Here’s a list of my Thanksgiving side dishes that will make everyone at the table ask for the recipe: spreadsheets not required!
My top Thanksgiving side dishes
Here's everyone's favorite Thanksgiving side dish: creamy potatoes swirled with fresh garlic, sauteed in butter, milk, and a bit of sour cream, then mashed into fluffy oblivion. A fan favorite (and my personal favorite, too)!
What’s better than making Brussels sprouts that taste like mac and cheese? Bake up those tender sprouts with a rich and creamy white cheddar cheese sauce, then top it with crunchy breadcrumbs toasted until they’re golden brown.
Turns out, all you need is a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes to make this classic Thanksgiving dish. This easy fresh cranberry sauce recipe comes together quickly with the flavors of brown sugar, orange, and cinnamon.
If I could eat one salad for the rest of time, this one is it. Crisp tart apple slices pair with pops of pomegranate seeds, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy, cinnamon spiced pecans. Toss them all over fresh greens with a zingy maple and apple cider vinegar dressing.
These roasted beets and carrots are simple but deliver on flavor, starring caramelized root vegetables, creamy yogurt sauce, and a shower of fresh mint and pistachios! Everyone always loves the flavor and beautiful plating: the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving.
Try this roasted acorn squash with brown butter maple drizzle! Bake acorn squash in a hot oven until it’s moist and tender, then while it’s roasting make brown butter on the stovetop. Swirl in a little maple syrup and garnish with chopped pecans.
The bright orange color and autumnal flavor of this homemade makes it the ideal side dish for the season. All you need are a few ingredients and a bit of time to stir in that luxurious broth until it all becomes absorbed by the rice.
Here's my fresh spin on the classic with crisp tender green beans, real mushrooms. and a homemade creamy sauce. It's got a new take on the traditional fried onion topping: crushed potato chips!
Here’s a hearty Thanksgiving side dish: a mix of rice with crunchy veggies, pecans, cranberries, and feta cheese crumbles. A maple Dijon vinaigrette dressing infuses a tangy flavor, punctuated by bursts of fresh parsley. It's simple to put together and easy to make ahead!
This classic recipe is perfect as a Thanksgiving side dish: creamed corn! Made at home from scratch, it’s nothing like what comes from a can. The rich and creamy sauce comes together with cream, milk, and a little Parmesan.
These braised vegetables taste like they’ve been roasting under poultry all day long, but they’re fully plant based, bursting with flavor that takes cozy to the next level. They're the perfect side dish to any main, with the jewel toned purple onion and orange carrot.
Here’s a fun Thanksgiving side dish that impresses every time: garlic roasted potatoes! The potatoes are roasted with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese for extra crispiness, then tossed with garlic butter after they’re nice and tender.
This colorful mix of fresh veggies is simple to put together and tastes refreshingly sweet tart. It stars hearty kale, crisp apples, sweet carrot, and a zingy maple apple cider vinegar dressing.
It's not as common to stuff this popular squash as its cousin the acorn squash, but baked until it’s tender and sweet, it comes out just as tasty! The rice stuffing with garlic, kale, sage and pecans are fall flavors that accentuate the orange squash perfectly.
This apple fennel salad is a family favorite, starring crisp apples, crunchy anise-scented fennel, and a light lemony dressing. It’s a simple side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.
Want to step up your Thanksgiving side dish game? Try these horseradish mashed potatoes! This trick to stepping up the standard side dish will wow everyone. Prepared horseradish adds a tang and zingy kick to eat bite of creamy potatoes.
Here’s a dreamy salad: fresh, juicy pear against funky gorgonzola cheese; bright pomegranate against savory shallot. Throw in some toasted pecans and cover it in tangy poppy seed dressing.
This Thanksgiving side dish is a fun spin on plain old mashed potatoes. The flavor is bold and sweet, with a nutty undertone. Sage, butter, and Parmesan cheese make the baked butternut squash sing. You can also whip it for a light and fluffy squash puree.
Adding mashed sweet potato to baked goods makes them deliciously moist. These tall, fluffy sweet potato muffins are perfectly cinnamon spiced and the ideal Thanksgiving side dish.
This salad a symphony in a bowl! Hearty sweet squash pairs with crisp apple, chewy cranberries and a citrusy orange vinaigrette.
These roasted Brussels sprouts are crisp and full of savory flavor. You'll find yourself sneaking those salty, crunchy leaves that fall off onto the pan! It's a winning Thanksgiving side dish.
Also try: Parmesan Brussels Sprouts or Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan
This salad is equal parts refreshing, tangy, bitter, crunchy, and tangy. Bitter endive pairs perfectly with juicy orange and a sweet tart red wine vinaigrette. Top it off with savory Parmesan shavings and crunchy almonds.
Here’s a Thanksgiving side dish that impresses every time: Hasselback Potatoes! Slice a whole potato into thin strips, then bake until the slices separate and form crispy, roasted slices.
Sweet potatoes are often amped with sweetness as a Thanksgiving casserole. Instead, here they're combined with Yukon gold potatoes and garlic, and mashed together into a savory sweet puree. Also try my Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
The contrast of garlic roasted sweet potato cubes, feathery baby arugula, cranberries and creamy goat cheese make this a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish idea. Top it with tangy honey mustard dressing.
This alterative to pumpkin bread is even more fun than the classic. It’s moist and sweetly spiced, with cinnamon and a beautiful nuance from the sweet potato.
These beans are roasted in a hot oven until tender, then spritzed with fresh lemon juice to bring a tang. Here we've topped them with hazelnuts for a nutty crunch. These get rave reviews, making them one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
Here's a hearty Thanksgiving side: delicata squash salad! Serve the roasted squash over baby greens with pistachios, pepitas, goat cheese crumbles, pomegranate seeds, and a honey mustard vinaigrette.
This simple bread is thick and airy, crispy on the outside with beautiful pillowy air pockets on the interior. The flavor is developed and perfectly seasoned, with the classic notes of salt, rosemary and olive oil notes.
Raw Brussels sprout greens aren’t bitter at all: they’re sweet and feathery. Combine them with a sweet and tangy Djion mustard dressing, apples, and dried cherries for a stunning fall salad.
These are my perfect roasted sweet potatoes, diced and mixed with a hint of garlic powder, salt and olive oil. Bake them in a very hot oven until they're roasty and caramelized, and they make a dis dish everyone loves.
What’s better than a butter and honey glaze? This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, and the flavor is sweet, savory, and salty, with fruity notes from the honey.
Here crunchy pomegranate seeds make a beautiful confetti over the top of leafy greens. Add tart green apple slices, toasted pecans, and goat cheese or feta crumbles, and a tangy vinaigrette.
Here’s a simple way to dress up fresh green beans as a gourmet side: Green Beans Almondine! The beans are bright green and perfectly tender, sautéed in butter with garlic and toasted almonds and finished with a little lemon zest.
Cozy butternut squash soup is perfect as a Thanksgiving first course recipe or side! This one features coconut milk and fresh ginger for just the right amount of creamy and sweet. It always gets rave reviews.
Roast butternut squash in a hot oven until it's irresistibly sweet and caramelized for the ideal Thanksgiving side. If you'd like, top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and pickled red onions for a crunch and a tang.
Sweet roasted beets paired with balsamic vinaigrette, thinly sliced shallots, and pistachios make a showy centerpiece for entertaining. Try Instant Pot Beets to cook the beets in half the time it takes to roast them.
Roasted carrots come out tender, lightly charred, and sweetly earthy. Roasting them with lemon wedges gives a brightness of flavor, and fresh thyme sprigs add a hint of complexity.
Deviled eggs are often part of a traditional Thanksgiving side dish spread. This recipe has a twist: Greek yogurt in the filling adds the nuance in flavor without being overly rich! Garnish with dill or smoked paprika,
Instead of covering root vegetables in marshmallows and maple syrup: why not simply roast them in a hot oven until tender and sweet? This recipe features a combination of sweet potatoes and carrots, roasted with garlic and fresh rosemary.
No need for turkey here: this gravy is vegan and plant based! Made simply with onion, flour, vegetable broth, and almond milk, it's seasoned with thyme and whole fennel seeds to bring in a meaty undertone.
Delicata squash is a variety of squash that's sweet and cooks quickly. The skin is edible, so you don't even need to peel! Roast it in a hot oven, and it comes out sweet and tender in just 20 minutes.
Here's a whole grain side dish that's perfect for Thanksgiving: farro with mushrooms! It's bursting with flavor: savory mushrooms, garlic, and fresh thyme and oregano. Garnish with a spritz of fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese.
This crisp salad is a fan favorite and the perfect antidote to rich Thanksgiving dishes! It's made simply of apples and Manchego cheese cut into matchsticks. The way the apples and cheese are cut into matchsticks makes it hard to distinguish between the two!
What table would be complete without stuffing? This classic side dish is made with whole grain artisan bread, leeks, onion, celery, and spices that make the entire kitchen smell like Thanksgiving: no turkey needed!
Tips for Planning Your Thanksgiving Side Dishes
When you’re planning a Thanksgiving menu, it’s important to think about creating balance and contrasts. I aim for a mix of textures: something creamy like mashed potatoes, something crispy like roasted Brussels sprouts, and something fresh like an apple salad. I love to have recipes that are a burst of beautiful colors.
Oven space is always at consideration Thanksgiving, too! I try to pick at least one or two sides to make ahead and serve at room temperature, like salads or grain dishes like farro with mushrooms.
For special diets, I’ve found it’s easier to make several dishes that happen to be vegetarian or vegan rather than trying to create special versions of traditional recipes. Many of the sides above naturally accommodate different eating styles like plant-based and gluten-free!
Make-Ahead Recipes
Many Thanksgiving side dishes work in advance, freeing up your time and oven space on the big day. Salads like the kale slaw and grains like wild rice salad actually improve if you make them a day ahead.
I’ve successfully made mashed potatoes and mashed squash a day or two in advance and reheated on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream. Most casseroles, including the Brussels sprout casserole, can be assembled the day before and simply popped in the oven when you’re ready.
Even roasted vegetables can be prepped ahead: you can cut and season them the night before, then just spread them on pans and roast them while the turkey rests.
Storage and Leftovers
Most of these Thanksgiving side dishes keep well for 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in airtight containers. Mashed dishes, casseroles, and grain salads do reheat well, but it’s best to enjoy fresh salads on the day they’re made.
I like to use roasted vegetables in quick soups or grain bowls in the days after Thanksgiving. And leftover mashed potatoes make great mashed potato pancakes or potato waffles!
45 Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeThis Brussels sprout casserole is pure bliss! Bake tender sprouts with a white cheddar cheese sauce and top with crunchy breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, off the stem
- 2 large shallots
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 ⅛ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups whole or 2% milk
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup (about 4 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan cheese, with an extra pinch salt)
- ½ cup plain panko (or breadcrumbs)
- Paprika, optional
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Chop: Slice off the tough ends of the Brussels sprouts and cut them into quarters, discarding any discolored outer leaves (cut any very large sprouts into sixths). Thinly slice the shallot. Mince the garlic.
- Sauté: Heat the olive oil in oven-proof skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and fragrant. Add the Brussels sprouts, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper and sauté on medium high heat for 3 minutes. Add ¼ cup water and continue cooking until tender and starting to brown, another 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce: Grate the white cheddar cheese (if necessary). Measure out the butter, flour, milk, ⅛ teaspoon salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. In a saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat; when it melts, stir in the flour. Heat the mixture for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. When the color starts to turn light brown, immediately reduce the heat to low. Add the milk very slowly: whisking constantly until the mixture is completely smooth before adding more. Then add the salt, onion powder, and garlic powder and continue cooking on low heat for about 2 minutes, whisking frequently. Gradually add the sharp cheddar cheese and Pecorino Romano cheese, and keep stirring until it is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Bake: Stir the cheese sauce into the cooked Brussels sprouts. Sprinkle with panko and bake 20 minutes until golden brown. If desired, dust with a pinch of paprika. Serve warm.
More Thanksgiving recipes
- 20 Thanksgiving Salad Recipes
- 25 Thanksgiving Appetizers.
- Best Thanksgiving Recipes or Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes
- 30 Thanksgiving Desserts
- Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes
- 25 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
- 40 Easy Thanksgiving Cocktails.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/rTbqVYD
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