70 Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

A classic Thanksgiving side dish spread isn't complete without a delicious offering of sweet potato recipes.

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Cranberry Sauce

Dress up your Thanksgiving turkey with one of our delicious cranberry sauces. We have plenty of variations from the sweet-and-tangy classic to hot-and-spicy chutneys.

Cranberry Sauce Recipes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Cornbread Dressing

Turkey may be the centerpiece, but cornbread dressing is the heart and soul of a Southern Thanksgiving menu, whether served alongside turkey, sweet potaotes, and cranberry sauce, or by itself straight out of the fridge the next day.

Recipe: Cornbread Dressing
Top Turkey Dressing Recipes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Squash Casserole

Fresh squash and basil, a mix of Parmesan and Cheddar cheeses, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping all make this squash casserole divine.

Recipe: Squash Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole

Sugared pecans and mini marshmallows add a sweet note to this updated Thanksgiving classic.

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole

Cornbread Stuffing with Sweet Potato and Squash

This hearty stuffing has a hint of sage and is packed with nutrients.

Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing with Sweet Potato and Squash

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Wild Rice with Mushrooms

A mixture of sautéed mushrooms, onions, and Marsala up the ante of packaged wild rice.

Recipe: Wild Rice with Mushrooms

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Fresh asparagus is always a delicious treat, and often on sale during the holidays. Wash and trim the spears up to a day ahead, and chill in a zip-top plastic bag.

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Balsamic-Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

For a lighter option to traditional Thanksgiving sides, try these Balsamic-Roasted Carrots and Parsnips. Light brown sugar and cherries add a bit of sweetness balanced by crushed red pepper and lemon zest.

Recipe: Balsamic-Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

To make our rich, fluffy Perfect Mashed Potatoes recipe it takes only six ingredients and three simple steps. Yukon gold potatoes yield a texture that's just right for holding a pool of flavorful gravy or melted butter.

Recipe: Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

New Ambrosia

This recipe is a fresh way to use holiday citrus. Sprinkle toasted sweetened flaked coconut over each serving for a sweet finishing touch.

Recipe: New Ambrosia

Cajun Corn Maque Choux

Smoky bits of andouille sausage, traditionally used in Louisiana gumbo and jambalaya, add a bold and spicy flavor to this colorful dish.

Recipe: Cajun Corn Maque Choux

Sweet Potato Casserole

We couldn't decide which topping we liked best – the candy-sweet crunch of crushed cornflakes and pecans or toasted marshmallows. So, we simply added them both. Yummm!

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Tina Cornett / styling: Cari South / Food Styling: Pam Lolley

Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Soft, white breadcrumbs are the secret to this classic casserole's tender, soufflé-like texture. To make fresh breadcrumbs, tear day-old slices of sandwich bread into pieces, and pulse several times in the food processor or until coarse crumbs form.

Recipe: Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Green Beans With Shallots and Red Pepper

Frozen whole green beans offer a timesaving shortcut in this speedy recipe. Sautéed in butter with strips of red bell pepper and shallots, they can easily stand in for fresh – even when company is coming.

Recipe: Green Beans With Shallots and Red Pepper

Cornbread Dressing

Deliciously moist and perfectly seasoned, this five-star favorite really has no rivals. It does take a little extra time to prepare cornbread dressing from scratch, but it's definitely worth the effort, and freezes beautifully.

Recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Shrimp and Grits Dressing

Classic dressing and Lowcountry shrimp and grits fuse together in this must-try stuffing.

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Dressing

Double Cranberry-Apple Sauce

A mix of fresh and dried cranberries team up with Granny Smith apples for an irresistible holiday treat. Make a double batch, and send the extra home with guests.

Recipe: Double Cranberry-Apple Sauce

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

The rich, nutty taste of browned butter adds extraordinary flavor to these everyday-easy mashed potatoes. A slow cooker is a great way to keep them moist and hot while you prepare the rest of meal.

Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Creole Cornbread Dressing

We dressed up classic cornbread dressing with andouille sausage, sherry, and Creole seasoning.

Recipe: Creole Cornbread Dressing

Golden Macaroni and Cheese

This is the easiest of all homemade macaroni and cheese dishes, and one of the very best. The secret to the super-quick prep time is in how we make the sauce.

Recipe: Golden Macaroni and Cheese

Cranberry-Strawberry-Jicama Salad

Crisp, colorful salads, with fresh fruit and leafy greens, make a welcome addition to the heavier foods on a holiday menu. Best of all, most of the components can be prepared ahead and assembled just before serving.

Recipe: Cranberry-Strawberry-Jicama Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Balsamic Green Beans

Enjoy the crunch from crispy fried shallots, crumbled bacon, and coarsely chopped roasted almonds on top.

Recipe: Balsamic Green Beans

Collards With Red Onions

Dried, crushed red pepper flakes and a touch of brown sugar add a spark of sweet heat to these tasty greens.

Recipe: Collards With Red Onions

Harvest Mashed Potatoes

Horseradish is the surprise ingredient in this lightly spiced blend of sweet and savory potatoes.

Recipe: Harvest Mashed Potatoes

Broccoli-and-Cauliflower Gratin

A quick and creamy Dijon-mustard sauce, laced with Parmesan and Cheddar cheese, turns a simple dish of broccoli and cauliflower into company fare.

Recipe: Broccoli-and-Cauliflower Gratin

Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes: Saffron Rice Pilaf, Cranberry-Almond Wild Rice, Pecan Rice Recipes

Saffron Rice Pilaf, Pecan Rice & Cranberry-Almond Wild Rice

Each of these quick-to-fix recipes gets a speedy start with seasoned rice mix – just stir in a sprinkling of fresh herbs and diced bell pepper, or a handful of dried fruit and toasted nuts. For a festive turnout, fill lightly greased custard cups or ramekins with hot rice, packing the mixture tightly into the cup with the back of a spoon; invert the cup onto a serving plate, unmolding rice.

Recipes:
(Left) Saffron Rice Pilaf
(Center) Pecan Rice
(Right) Cranberry-Almond Wild Rice

Roasted Fingerlings and Green Beans With Creamy Tarragon Dressing

Richly flavored fingerling potatoes wreathed in baby green beans make a festive presentation on any holiday table.

Recipe: Roasted Fingerlings and Green Beans With Creamy Tarragon Dressing

Roasted Root Vegetables With Horseradish Vinaigrette

Oven roasting is an easy hands-off method of cooking that intensifies the natural sweetness of the vegetables and allows you plenty of time to get the rest of the meal ready.

Recipe: Roasted Root Vegetables With Horseradish Vinaigrette

Cranberry Congealed Salad

A Bundt pan gives this fresh cranberry salad a decorative shape, while pickled peaches and toasted pecans add the finishing touches. Lightly grease the pan with vegetable cooking spray to ensure easy release of the salad.

Recipe: Cranberry Congealed Salad

Creamy Fried Confetti Corn

Crisp, crumbled bacon puts this irresistible dish over the top. The recipe is wonderful made with fresh corn, but if you're short on time, just substitute an equal amount of frozen.

Recipe: Creamy Fried Confetti Corn

Photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Maple Sweet Potato Cups

Swing by the freezer section for one of our favorite convenience items―frozen sweet potatoes. If you want to skip the meringue, top with miniature marshmallows instead.

Recipe: Maple Sweet Potato Cups

Lemony Green Beans

The bright fresh flavors of citrus and basil take steamed green beans to a whole new level.

Recipe: Lemony Green Beans

Glazed Butternut Squash

Apple cider simmers with butter and sugar to create a golden glaze for this flavorful side dish. A serrated grapefruit spoon makes quick work of removing the seeds and stringy fibers from winter squash.

Recipe: Glazed Butternut Squash

Pear Salad with Raspberry Cream

A delicious complement to turkey, this elegant salad is easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.

Recipe: Pear Salad with Raspberry Cream

Mac and Texas Cheeses With Roasted Chiles

Poblano peppers and a trio of delicious cheeses magically transform elbow macaroni into a gourmet side dish.

Recipe: Mac and Texas Cheeses With Roasted Chiles

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Cumin

Sweet potatoes take on a savory, Southwestern note when roasted and mashed with purple onions, ground cinnamon and cumin.

Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Cumin

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

We cut more than half the fat and sugar in our favorite Thanksgiving side, and we like it better than the original!

Orange-Ginger-Glazed Carrots

This super-easy side dish gets a fast start from trimmed and peeled baby carrots. Use a microplane zester to grate both the citrus zest and the fresh ginger.

Recipe: Orange-Ginger-Glazed Carrots

Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

This fabulous recipe receives rave reviews whenever it's served. For special occasions, we use a large, star-tipped pastry bag to pipe the potatoes in decorative swirls – but they're every bit as impressive simply spooned into the dish.

Recipe: Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

Bacon-Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts

Crisp, crumbled bacon and a hint of brown sugar add just the right amount of flavor to this nutrient-packed vegetable dish.

Recipe: Bacon-Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts

Photo by Jim Franco

Sautéed Greens

Ready in just 26 minutes, Sauteed Greens are packed with fresh flavor from chopped ginger and spicy serrano peppers. (And without all the pork usually found in classic collards, it’s a lot better for you!)

Recipe: Sautéed Greens

Roasted Green Beans with Sun-dried Tomatoes

Bake your green beans with pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes. It's a hands-free way to pack the greens with flavor. We also like to prepare Brussels sprouts this way.

Recipe: Roasted Green Beans with Sun-dried Tomatoes

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford / Food Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Balsamic Root Vegetables

Balsamic Root Vegetables makes a flavorful match for any entrée.

Recipe: Balsamic Root Vegetables

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Pancetta and Parmesan cheese add salty flavor to roasted Brussels sprouts. You can substitute bacon for the pancetta.

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford / Food Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Wild Rice Pilaf

Lightly coating rice with butter or oil before adding the broth prevents the grains from sticking together. Less liquid is used during slow cooking because it doesn’t evaporate as quickly as when cooking rice on the stovetop.

Recipe: Wild Rice Pilaf

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford / Food Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Green Bean Casserole and Cranberry Sauce

Fresh Cranberry Sauce and Green Bean Casserole are a snap to make in the slow cooker.

Recipes:
Green Bean Casserole
Cranberry Sauce

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford / Food Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Cornbread Dressing

Spoon Cornbread Dressing into pretty bowls, and top with fresh sage.

Recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Green Beans with Garlic

Sauté fresh garlic to jazz up this simple yet delicious green side dish.

Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic

Edamame Succotash

These green heart-healthy soy beans complete the warm rainbow of diced bell peppers and corn in this take on a traditional Southern side dish.

Recipe: Edamame Succotash

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Carrot Orzo

Though made with orzo rather than rice, this colorful dish is similar to risotto. The creamy pasta perfectly complements the Lemon Chicken and flavor-filled green beans.

Recipe: Carrot Orzo

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Green Beans with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, and Almonds

These green beans are far from ordinary; the fresh garden veggie is mixed with creamy goat cheese, crunchy toasted almonds, juicy red tomatoes, and flavorful vinaigrette.

Recipe: Green Beans with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, and Almonds

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Cheddar and Parmesan combine forces with summery yellow squash for this creamy casserole. For a tasty and colorful twist, substitute sliced zucchini for half of the yellow squash.

Recipe: Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Creamed Collards

Full-bodied and richly flavored, this collards dish is inspired by flavors of New Orleans. A Béchamel sauce gives fresh collard greens a creamy consistency. It's a classic taste of the South.

Recipe: Creamed Collards

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Apples

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Apples elevates this often overlooked veggie to new and delicious heights. Even the skeptics on our Foods staff agreed that Brussels sprouts never looked or tasted so good.

Recipe: Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Apples

Photo: Tina Cornett

Turnip Greens Stew

Frozen vegetables provide a shortcut to make savory Turnip Greens Stew. Sautéed ham and chicken broth give the greens plenty of flavor.

Recipe: Turnip Greens Stew

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Tee's Corn Pudding

This classic recipe has a rich, soufflé-like texture without the hassle. The result is an impressive holiday side dish the entire family will love.

Recipe: Tee's Corn Pudding

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Roasted Sweet Potato-and-Onion Tart

Think outside the casserole and make this savory beauty center-stage at your next family dinner.

Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato-and-Onion Tart

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Cranberry-Apricot Sauce

Make, and break, the mold with this homemade version of classic cranberry sauce.

Recipe: Cranberry-Apricot Sauce

Au Gratin Potato Casserole

What could be better than a deep dish of creamy hash brown potatoes loaded with cheese? It's a terrific match for almost any entrée, as well as a great option for weekend brunch.