Recipes Holidays & Events Thanksgiving Recipes Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes 22 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Will Be the Talk of the Table These holiday sides offer a mix of comforting classics and creative twists, adding vibrant flavors and unexpected touches to round out your meal. By Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani Lynn Andriani is a New York City-based writer with 24 years of experience working in professional publishing and communication roles in addition to being a food writer for six years with MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on November 13, 2024 Close Photo: Brie Goldman Thanksgiving dinner may be all about tradition, but it’s the side dishes that truly bring personality to the table. From classic casseroles to unexpected twists, our collection of recipes showcases the range of flavors and textures that make each side unique and memorable. You’ll find all-time favorites like creamy baked masterpieces, as well as fresh takes that incorporate ingredients such as parsnips, acorn squash, and corn, accented with delightful flavors ranging from maple to chives. Whether you’re looking to please your guests with comfort or surprise them with a side they never saw coming, each recipe here will balance and complement the main event. Make Perfect Stuffing Every Time With Our Customizable Recipe (and Step-by-Step Instructions) 01 of 22 Sweet Potato Casserole John Kernick This classic casserole blends creamy mashed sweet potatoes with a hint of nutmeg and a gooey, toasted marshmallow topping. Ready in under an hour, it's a warm, comforting addition to your holiday table. View Recipe 02 of 22 Test Kitchens Favorite Mac and Cheese Armando Rafael Here's a mac and cheese that blends American, cheddar, and Parmesan into a rich, creamy sauce that clings perfectly to every bite of pasta. With just 30 minutes from start to finish, it's an easy side to put together, so you can focus on other parts of the meal. View Recipe 03 of 22 Scalloped Potatoes Maxwell Cozzi Rich and creamy, scalloped potatoes get a delicious twist with a golden, crispy Gruyère topping. Cooking the slices in milk first ensures every bite is tender, and also prevents the common issue of unevenly cooked potatoes. View Recipe 04 of 22 Creamed Corn with Jalapenos This unexpected Thanksgiving side combines sweet corn and mild heat. Puréed corn adds a smooth texture, while whole kernels provide a satisfying bite. And you can easily adjust the spice level by removing jalapeño seeds for a milder taste. View Recipe 05 of 22 Brussels Sprouts with Oranges and Bacon Bryan Gardner Here's a sweet, smoky, and caramelized side dish that’s hard to resist. Thin-skinned oranges roast alongside the sprouts, adding vibrant, slightly bitter notes that balance the rich, crisp bacon. For extra crunch, separate a few sprout leaves before roasting. View Recipe 06 of 22 Maple-Glazed Parsnips And Carrots In this tasty side, sweet maple-glazed parsnips and carrots roast with thyme and smoky bacon until caramelized and tender for an irresistible blend of savory and sweet. View Recipe 07 of 22 Roasted Acorn Squash with Pomegranate Glaze Victoria Pearson Roast acorn squash rings until tender, then brush them with a tangy pomegranate glaze. Garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds for a burst of color and flavor. View Recipe 08 of 22 Spinach and Peas Sauté shallots in olive oil until translucent, then toss them with cooked peas and wilted spinach for this quick, vibrant side. The peas' sweetness balances the spinach's earthiness for a fresh, flavorful combination. View Recipe 09 of 22 Cheddar-Jalapeno Cornbread Falling nicely between tender and crumbly, this cornbread gets a kick from sharp cheddar and zesty jalapenos. Try it with chili or soup for a comforting, cool-weather meal. View Recipe 10 of 22 Potato, Cauliflower, and Cheddar Bake This hearty bake combines tender potatoes and crisp-tender cauliflower under a rich layer of sharp cheddar. We're not sure which part we love more: the herby hint of thyme or the bubbly, golden topping. View Recipe 11 of 22 Mashed Potatoes with Pumpkin and Greens Mike Krautter This holiday mash blends creamy Yukon Gold potatoes, earthy pumpkin, and tender Swiss chard for a seasonal twist on traditional mashed potatoes. With a hint of nutmeg and a mix of textures, it's a flavorful side that brings color and warmth to the table. View Recipe 12 of 22 Herb-Roasted Potatoes David M. Russell All you need to make this solid side are red potatoes, olive oil, and thyme. Preheating the baking sheet ensures a perfectly crispy finish, making each bite golden and delicious. View Recipe 13 of 22 Brown-Sugar-and-Bacon-Glazed Brussels Sprouts This dish's balance of sweet and savory flavors will beautifully complement your turkey and stuffing. The caramelized glaze and crispy bacon add a festive richness, while the sprouts themselves deliver a fresh, earthy taste. View Recipe 14 of 22 Sweet Potato and Sage-Butter Casserole In this cozy casserole, earthy sage balances the natural sweetness of the potatoes. And it's a convenient make-ahead dish, allowing you to prepare it up to two days in advance—perfect for easing the holiday cooking rush. View Recipe 15 of 22 Khalil Hymore's Parker House Rolls Food editor and recipe developer Khalil Hymore shares a recipe for buttery, soft rolls that are perfect for a holiday meal. Twice-brushed with melted butter and finished with a sprinkle of salt, they're pillowy and irresistible. View Recipe 16 of 22 Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes Brie Goldman Made with russet potatoes, caramelized garlic, and rich, heavy cream, this rendition of the classic turns out smooth and indulgent. The garlic’s mellow flavor adds a savory depth that will nicely complement your holiday meal. View Recipe 17 of 22 Sauteed Collard Greens with Garlic This smart recipe transforms a traditionally slow-cooked dish into a fast side, thanks to a brief steaming and a burst of flavor from garlic and red pepper flakes. The result is a tender, slightly spicy dish that balances the natural bitterness of collard greens. View Recipe 18 of 22 Butternut-Squash and Kale Gratin Chris Court This unexpected dish combines hearty layers of seasonal squash, vibrant kale, and a creamy, savory sauce, topped with crunchy panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Assemble and then bake to golden perfection. View Recipe 19 of 22 Classic Cranberry Sauce Aaron Dyer This easy and flavorful cranberry sauce combines fresh or frozen cranberries with orange zest and juice, sugar, and a hint of cinnamon. Simmer it for just 12 to 15 minutes to create a thick, tangy sauce that you can make ahead and store for up to a week. View Recipe 20 of 22 Green Bean Casserole Brie Goldman The Thanksgiving standby gets a fresh update here, with tender green beans in a savory mushroom sauce topped with homemade crispy shallots. The lighter, from-scratch version brings rich flavors to the table while keeping the dish's classic appeal. View Recipe 21 of 22 Corn Pudding with Chives Not a sweet potato fan? Here's a different way to bring a touch of sweetness to the table. This cozy side features fresh chives for a subtle onion-like flavor and a creamy texture accented with a bit of texture from whole corn kernels. View Recipe 22 of 22 Roasted Mushrooms and Pearl Onions These roasted mushrooms and pearl onions bring an unexpected twist to the Thanksgiving table, offering a sophisticated contrast to classic sides. With their rich, earthy flavors and caramelized sweetness, they’re a refreshing departure from the usual. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit