
Thanksgiving dinner may be known for the turkey, but the side dishes are the best part of the meal! From creamy potatoes and roasted vegetables to warm breads and cranberry sauce, the right sides turn Thanksgiving dinner into a true holiday feast.
This collection of Thanksgiving side dishes includes comforting classics along with a few flavorful twists from around the world. Whether you need a traditional potato dish, an easy vegetable side, or something a little different to add to the Thanksgiving table, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from.
Planning the rest of your holiday meal? Explore our Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and Planning Guide for turkey, ham, Puerto Rican pernil, appetizers, sides, desserts, and a step-by-step cooking timeline.
Table of Contents
Thanksgiving Potato and Hearty Side Dishes
Potatoes and other hearty sides bring the comfort-food factor to Thanksgiving dinner and pair especially well with turkey, gravy, and roasted meats.
Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
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Lighthouse Inn Potatoes
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Lyonnaise Potatoes
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Greek Lemon Potatoes
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German Potato Dumplings (Kartoffelkloesse)
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Homemade German Spaetzle
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Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Apple
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Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes
Colorful vegetables balance the richer dishes on a Thanksgiving menu while bringing plenty of different flavors and textures to the table.
Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
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Arkansas Green Beans
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Brown Sugar Carrots
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The Best Ever Oven Roasted Green Beans
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Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Prosciutto
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Curried Carrots
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Fennel Roasted Fall Vegetables
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Braised Flat Beans in Tomato Sauce
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Thanksgiving Salads and Lighter Sides
A fresh or lighter side provides a welcome contrast to mashed potatoes, gravy, casseroles, and the other rich dishes traditionally served at Thanksgiving.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
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Jerusalem Salad
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10 Minute Tomato and Walnut Salad
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Vegetable Ribbon Salad
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Lebanese Fattoush Salad
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Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
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Warm Moroccan Chickpea Salad
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Thanksgiving Breads and Sauces
Don’t forget the breads and sauces that help complete the plate and bring even more flavor to Thanksgiving dinner.
Easy Rustic Olive Bread
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Honey and Herb Bread
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Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)
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Pan de Agua
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Cheesy Mexican Cornbread
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No Fuss Blueberry Cranberry Sauce
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How to Choose Thanksgiving Side Dishes
A great Thanksgiving menu includes a variety of flavors and textures rather than several sides that are too similar. Start with one or two potato or starch dishes, add two or three vegetables, include something fresh or colorful, and round out the meal with bread and cranberry sauce.
If you’re serving a larger group, offering a combination of familiar classics and one or two less traditional sides gives everyone something they love while still making the meal interesting.
For buffet-style serving, use a food thermometer to keep hot sides at 140°F or warmer and cold salads at 40°F or colder. The FDA’s buffet food safety guidance has more tips for holding food safely while guests serve themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, roasted vegetables, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce are among the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes.
For a smaller Thanksgiving dinner, three to five side dishes usually provide plenty of variety, while larger gatherings may benefit from five to seven or more options.
Cranberry sauce, cold salads, some potato dishes, breads, and many casseroles can be prepared completely or partially ahead so there is less work to do on Thanksgiving Day.
Creamy potatoes, green vegetables, roasted carrots, cranberry sauce, bread, and savory comfort-food sides all pair especially well with roasted turkey.
Keep hot sides at 140°F or warmer in a preheated oven, suitable slow cooker, or warming dish, and check the temperature with a food thermometer. Keep cold sides at 40°F or colder and refrigerate perishable dishes within two hours.
Whether you stick with the classics or add a few internationally inspired dishes to your holiday table, these Thanksgiving side dishes make it easy to build a holiday meal with plenty of variety, color, and flavor.
Need ideas for the rest of the table? Browse our Thanksgiving Appetizers and Thanksgiving Desserts collections for more holiday recipes.