125 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That’ll Steal The Show

By Southern Living Editors
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Thanksgiving is a highly anticipated food-centered holiday. Everyone knows that the turkey isn't the real star of the Thanksgiving table—it’s the side dishes. These tailored side dishes will perfectly complement the main dish. Start a new family tradition this year and try our crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish recipes. Take your pick from more than 100 traditional and modern takes on Southern Thanksgiving sides including mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, roasted vegetables, casseroles, and more. Many of these Thanksgiving side dishes can even be made ahead or prepared in a slow cooker. We’ve transformed classic dishes like Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Leeks and added vegetarian friendly options like Cabbage Casserole. There's something for everyone in this special collection of Thanksgiving side dish recipes. When it comes to Thanksgiving, the more side dishes the better, and you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious recipes.

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Round Out Your Thanksgiving Meal With These Perfect Sides

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Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread

The secret to the perfect cornbread is cooking it in a cast iron skillet and browning the butter.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

Make this classic, comforting dish for Thanksgiving dinner.

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Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

We elevated this classic Thanksgiving staple by adding cornflakes, pecans, and marshmallows. 

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Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

This vibrant casserole is jam-packed with veggies from pumpkin to butternut squash.

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Macaroni Pudding

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

Recipe: Macaroni Pudding

This easy side dish fulfills our cheesiest dreams.

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Southern-Style Collard Greens

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Southern-Style Collard Greens

The addition of bacon to these collard greens provide a bold, smoky flavor.

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Sweet Potato Rolls with Cane Syrup Glaze

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sweet Potato Rolls with Cane Syrup Glaze

Rolls are always a hit on any spread, and these buttery and warm rolls are simply irresistible.

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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

 When you're tired of mashed potatoes, try this delicious layered potato dish.

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Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo

This spicy cornbread will surely bring the heat to your Thanksgiving table.

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Cheesy Bacon Pinwheels

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cheesy Bacon Pinwheels

These buttery rolls are filled with bacon, cheese, and caramelized onions.

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Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Easy Cauliflower Casserole

This healthy casserole is so creamy and cheesy, you’ll confuse it with baked mac and cheese.

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Buttermilk Spoon Bread

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Buttermilk Spoon Bread

Although technically not a bread, this dish is a mixture of cornbread and cornmeal soufflé.

 

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Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Skip the can this year and make your own mushroom cream sauce. You will taste the difference.

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Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Photo: Linda Puglies; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

We swapped out canned fried onions for crispy fried leaks for a more elegant casserole topper.

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Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Oven-roasted vegetables are so easy to make and a great change from the traditional veggie casserole.

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Aunt Grace's Famous Cornbread Dressing

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Aunt Grace's Famous Cornbread Dressing

There’s only one thing we love better than cornbread dressing, a make-ahead casserole.

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Mashed Potato Bar

Alison Gootee

Recipe: Mashed Potato Bar

This customizable Mashed Potato Bar is perfect for picky eaters.

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Classic Cornbread Dressing

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Classic Cornbread Dressing

For this Thanksgiving staple, make the cornbread in a skillet up to two days before making the rest of the dish. You will want it to dry out completely. 

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Cabbage Casserole

Photography: Victor Protasio, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

This vegetarian friendly casserole utilizes the overlooked vegetable, cabbage and transforms it into an all-star side.

 

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Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Bacon, chopped onion, and thyme transforms these Slow-Cooker Green Beans.

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Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

This casserole stays true to its roots with earthy and nutty flavors.

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Classic Cranberry Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Classic Cranberry Salad

Fresh cranberry salad is a crunchy alternative to the canned stuff.

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

It’s easy to enjoy your brussels sprouts with this savory bacon-filled dish.

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Macaroni Pie

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Macaroni Pie

Slice a piece of this savory, three-cheese macaroni dish.

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Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

We modified traditional sweet potato casserole by adding the texture of thinly sliced potatoes.

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Corn Pudding Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Corn Pudding Casserole

We combined fontina and swiss cheese to make this savory corn casserole.

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Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets

Mixed with garlic and sourdough bread, eating collard greens have never looked so delicious.

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Fluffy Corn Pudding

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Fluffy Corn Pudding

Pureed corn kernels make this dish delicate and fluffy.

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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

We elevated homemade mac and cheese by adding crispy bacon and a breadcrumb crust.

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Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

You can’t go wrong by adding this tried-and-true broccoli casserole to your spread.

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Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cheesy Potato Casserole

Adding cheese to a dish has never steered us wrong.

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Martina McBride’s Green Beans with Goat Cheese and Warm Bacon Dressing

Oxmoor House

Recipe: Martina McBride’s Green Beans with Goat Cheese and Warm Bacon Dressing

We never thought of adding goat cheese to our green beans, but now we’re hooked.

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Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries

This ribboned squash provides a unique texture and sweet and savory flavors. 

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Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole

Top your squash casserole with the snack that smiles back for an extra cheesy crunch.

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Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Pack your mac and cheese with cheddar cubes to make sure you get cramy cheese in every bite.

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Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Crispy Scallions

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Crispy Scallions

What do your mashed potatoes need this Thanksgiving? Bacon.

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Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole

How do you make green bean casserole extra Southern? You add bacon and Brussels sprouts.

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Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Spending 9 hours in the slow-cooker allows the tender ham hocks to develop savory, smoky flavors.

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Pecan-Herb Cornbread Dressing

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Pecan-Herb Cornbread Dressing

This cornbread dressing gets an extra crunch from tasty pecans.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Broccoli and cheese is a great combination. Add it to macaroni and you have a side dish the kids can't turn down.

 

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Savory Corn Pudding

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Savory Corn Pudding

Give your creamy, not-too-sweet side dish extra flavor with chopped onion and fresh thyme.

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Classic Candied Yams

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Classic Candied Yams

If you're looking to give sweet potato casserole a break this Thanksgiving, we love these Classic Candied Yams, although, we wouldn't be against having both on the sideboard.

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