You can’t have an epic dinner without delicious side dishes. While the big bird may be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving meal the side dishes are what complement the main entrée so well. When creating your dinner menu you’ll want to have a variety of different dishes. These should range from classics such as dinner rolls to light dishes such as salads and even a few hearty dishes too. This will not only help balance the meal but will ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Whether you have volunteered to bring a dish to the big dinner or you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, make sure to check out these delicious side dish recipes. While Grandma does it best, she’ll surely be surprised and overly pleased by the recipes you try! Share a recipe or two for the big Thanksgiving feast and you’ll surely get Grandma’s stamp of approval.
If you don’t love brussels sprouts then you need to try this recipe. It’s seriously life-changing. I have never been a huge fan of brussels sprouts because I find them quite bitter. However, I have quickly discovered that the trick is to mask that bitterness with other amazing flavors just like this recipe.
This bang bang brussels sprouts dish is creamy, spicy, and is so good that you’ll be licking your plate clean once you try it. This recipe also has an option to make it dairy-free and vegan-friendly. Grandma will be shocked she didn’t think of this recipe herself!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/bang-bang-roasted-brussels-sprouts/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Make sure to throw a few lighter dishes in the mix. Salads are great options to lighten up the table and your guests will thank you.
This Caprese salad is incredibly easy to throw together and is made up of 3 fresh ingredients. These include ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. Once assembled drizzle olive oil and a balsamic glaze and then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
https://www.thekitchn.com/caprese-salad-260312?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=managed&crlt.pid=camp.F7tuAcJWXR8k PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KITCHN
Casseroles are great especially for big dinners because they can feed a lot of people and often don’t require a lot of work. This corn and brown rice casserole is thriving in wholesome ingredients and textures.
This casserole comes together as easy as throwing all the ingredients into a dish and baking for just 30 minutes. It’s creamy, cheesy, delicious, and will taste as if Grandma made it herself.
http://www.lordbyronskitchen.com/corn-broccoli-brown-rice-casserole/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: LORD BYRON’S KITCHEN
This tart is so stunning that when Grandma sees it she’ll think you spent hours preparing it. Although, in reality, it only took you 10 minutes to prep.
The secret to making this tart so easy is to skip homemade pastry and use store-bought puff pastry. The pastry is topped with Gruyere cheese, honey dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and tender asparagus.
https://hipfoodiemom.com/2015/03/13/asparagus-gruyere-tart/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HIP FOODIE MOM
Mushrooms may be boring on their own but mix in the right ingredients and they can be the star of the show. These garlic butter roasted mushrooms are savory and so easy to make too!
For this recipe, you’ll only need mushrooms, minced garlic, butter and a dash of salt and pepper. Once prepared you’ll roast them in the oven until they’ve reached a golden color and crispy texture.
https://iowagirleats.com/2015/04/15/easy-garlic-butter-roasted-mushrooms/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: IOWA GIRL EATS
Do you want to serve something other than mashed potatoes this Thanksgiving? Then you need to try this herb and garlic potato stacks.
They look gourmet but they’re actually quite easy to make. First, you’ll use a mandolin to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly. To assemble, you’ll stack the slices on top of one another, brush them with a herb and garlic glaze and then bake until they’re a golden perfection.
https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/herb-garlic-potato-stacks-video/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SWEET PEAS AND SAFFRON
You may be familiar with Hasselback potatoes or chicken but have you ever thought you could try that technique on another vegetable? Butternut squash is another classic side dish for holiday dinners and that is why you’ll want to include this Hasselback recipe on your Thanksgiving menu.
The awesome thing about this technique is it allows all the flavors to seep in and soak into each layer making it a lot more flavorful. The seasonings and other ingredients for this recipe are simple yet this dish will definitely stand out on your table.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/hasselback-butternut-squash-roasted-side-dish/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
It’s fun to throw in a few new and unique dishes to your Thanksgiving feast but including classic dishes like this, is important too. We’re going to show you how your Instant Pot can cook mashed potatoes and how it can do it quickly!
You’ll add milk, broth, garlic, and chopped potatoes to the Instant Pot. Once cooked you’ll drain any leftover liquid and mash until the potatoes have reached a desirable creaminess-it’s so easy!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/instant-pot-garlic-mashed-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Cranberry sauce is a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner. After all, it’s the classic dressing that is perfectly paired with turkey. However, make sure to save some of that cranberry sauce so you can whip up these delightful bites.
This recipe is so easy to create and better yet, you’ll need 3 simple ingredients. These include a package of puff pastry, Brie cheese, and cranberry sauce. Assemble them in a muffin tin to create the perfect single-sized servings.
https://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/3-ingredient-cranberry-brie-bites/f6c8ca72-a175-482f-a0ca-8bd07c1075d1?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=party&utm_content=fall&crlt.pid=camp.libhj7xurkcu PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: TABLESPOON
The great thing about sweet potatoes is that they’re well…sweet! So there’s no question that other sweet ingredients such as marshmallows and brown sugar would pair perfectly with a sweet potato.
You may have seen marshmallowy sweet potato casserole before but you may have not tried these fully loaded sweet potatoes! It takes on the same flavors as the casserole but fills a baked sweet potato instead. You’ll combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped pecans, and mini marshmallows with a baked sweet potato that together creates one delectable bite.
https://thenovicechefblog.com/2016/02/fully-loaded-sweet-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE NOVICE CHEF
Switch things up and add a touch of sweetness to your Thanksgiving table. This cranberry fluff is easy to make and the children at your table will go crazy for it!
The side dish only takes 10 minutes to make and is made up of 6 ingredients. Some of these include fresh cranberries, mini marshmallows, grapes, whipping cream and sugar.
http://numstheword.com/cranberry-fluff/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: NUM’S THE WORD
Recipes that look elegant but require minimal effort are awesome and these sweet potato puffs are precisely that. They’ll look stunning amongst the Thanksgiving spread but won’t take a lot of work to make.
First, you’ll need to boil the potatoes to make them nice and soft. Then, you’ll need to mix in a few ingredients and blend until they’ve reached a lovely fluffy texture. To finish this recipe you’ll use a piping bag to create the perfect little sweet potato puffs.
https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/twice-baked-sweet-potato-puffs/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: TASTES OF LIZZY T
Get creative with the presentation by trying this green bean bundle recipe. Tender green beans are wrapped in savory and crispy bacon.
Garlic, brown sugar, and a dash of salt and pepper is all you’ll need to season these bundles. Before assembling the bundles for the oven you’ll need to slightly cook the bacon as well as boil the greens beans on the stovetop.
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/bacon-green-bean-bundles/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SPEND WITH PENNIES
Dinner rolls are a must-have food item for any big dinner. Delicious rolls don’t have to labor-intensive and this recipe proves that.
For starters, you’ll use store-bought refrigerated buttermilk biscuits. With a few seasonings and melted butter, you’ll have these made in no time.
https://damndelicious.net/2014/04/14/easy-garlic-parmesan-knots/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: DAMN DELICIOUS
Everyone has favorite and traditional dishes for Thanksgiving. Often, one of these staple dishes is stuffing.
If you’re planning on having stuffing as a side dish this Thanksgiving make sure you try this recipe. This is a homemade recipe that starts with bread crumbs, chopped celery, and onion and is seasoned with the most savory flavors. Better yet, it’s made in the slow cooker for easy preparation.
https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2013/11/slow-cooker-stuffing-or-dressing-or.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE KITCHEN IS MY PLAYGROUND
Perhaps you want to try an untraditional stuffing recipe this year? If that’s the case make sure you add this cheesy stuffing casserole to your dinner menu.
It’s incredibly easy and thriving in exciting flavors. To make the recipe extra easy you’ll use a box of stuffing mix. Put a unique spin on it and add frozen broccoli florets, corn and add loads of cheese and cream of chicken soup.
https://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/cheesy-stuffing-casserole/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: LIFE IN THE LOFT HOUSE
Green bean casserole has always been a classic Thanksgiving dish in my house. If it isn’t a traditional dish in yours, once you try this recipe it is bound to become one.
This green bean casserole is made from scratch and the payoff will be well worth it. Tender green beans are surrounded by the creamiest sauce and are topped with crunchy fried onions. It is truly drool-worthy!
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/creamy-green-bean-casserole-from-scratch/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SALLYS BAKING ADDICTION
Step up your side dish game with these whiskey glazed sweet potatoes. Diced sweet potatoes are combined with honey whiskey glazed pecans and balanced with tart Granny Smith apples.
This recipe will only take about 15 minutes to prepare. It does require a couple of different cooking steps, however, the results will be well worth it.
https://www.wellplated.com/glazed-sweet-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WELL PLATED
Add a pop of color to your dinner table by serving your guest’s cranberry, almond, and broccoli salad. It has an unforgettable texture and a deliciously creamy poppy seed dressing.
Some of these wonderful textures come from broccoli florets, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, and crispy bacon pieces. This recipe also comes with a must-try homemade poppy seed dressing that you’ll love!
https://www.thechunkychef.com/cranberry-almond-broccoli-salad/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE CHUNKY CHEF
Another lovely and colorful side dish that would look great on your dinner table is this roasted brussels sprouts dish. Roasted brussels sprouts are combined with cinnamon butternut squash, pecans, and cranberries.
Both brussels sprouts and butternut squash will need to roast in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. Once cooked you’ll combine the roasted veggies with pecans and cranberries. If you like sweeter flavors you can add in 2 additional tablespoons of maple syrup.
https://juliasalbum.com/roasted-brussels-sprouts-cinnamon-butternut-squash-pecans-and-cranberries/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JULIAS ALBUM
If you’re seeking a more traditional dinner roll instead of the garlic knots then add these homemade dinner rolls to your menu. These dinner rolls may take about an hour to make but your Grandma will be astonished that you made them yourself.
You’ll need just a handful of ingredients to make these too. Follow the recipe and the directions to see how you too can bake a soft dinner roll that everyone will enjoy.
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/1-hour-soft-buttery-dinner-rolls/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GIMME SOME OVEN
Apples always remind me of Fall, mostly because this is when you get the chance to visit apple orchards and pick apples. So there’s no wonder why a lovely apple salad would be a great addition to the big Thanksgiving feast.
This salad is made up of 5 tasty ingredients. These include celery, cheese, dried cranberries, maple glazed pecans and of course, apples. This recipe also comes equipped with a homemade cider vinaigrette. Your guests, and especially Grandma will really enjoy it.
http://www.justalittlebitofbacon.com/pecan-blue-cheese-and-apple-salad/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACON
This isn’t your Grandma’s glazed carrot recipe but she’ll definitely be impressed. Glazed carrots get an exciting makeover with a spicy bourbon glaze.
The glaze is made up of quality bourbon, brown sugar, butter, and optional cayenne pepper and black pepper. There are some great tips on how to make this dish less spicy to suit your taste buds and to make it kid-friendly.
https://www.thechunkychef.com/spicy-bourbon-glazed-carrots/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE CHUNKY CHEF
Are you used to reaching for a can of creamed corn? It might be easy but try this recipe and you won’t regret it.
You only need a few ingredients to make this recipe and the slow cooker will do all the cooking for you. Some of the creamy textures come from cream cheese, butter, and milk. This side dish takes just 2 minutes to prep then you can set it and forget it until the rest of the meal is ready.
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-creamed-corn-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GIMME SOME OVEN
Mac and cheese is serious comfort food. Make this side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner and your guests will surely thank you. This slow cooker mac and cheese is nearly fool-proof and Grandma will be impressed you made it from scratch.
Like a traditional macaroni and cheese recipe, this one is made with a box of elbow macaroni pasta. The cheesy flavors and creamy texture come from evaporated milk, half and half cream, cheddar cheese, and white American cheese.
https://www.thecountrycook.net/slow-cooker-macaroni-and-cheese/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE COUNTRY COOK
This light and bright salad recipe is a total game-changer. It’s unlike any leafy green salad you’ve had before and that is what makes this so exciting.
The base of this salad is made up of peas. You’ll combine other lovely ingredients such as bacon pieces, red onion and shredded cheeses with the peas that together create a flavor like no other. To make it extra creamy you’ll combine the ingredients with mayonnaise and a dash of salt and pepper to taste.
https://www.saltysidedish.com/pea-salad/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SALTY SIDE DISH
You may be used to making regular white mashed potatoes but mashed sweet potatoes are definitely worthy of a try. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet so you’ll only need a few additional ingredients to turn them into the perfect side dish.
This recipe also provides tips on how to change the flavors depending on what kind of meal you’re planning on pairing this side dish with. Try these mashed sweet potatoes once and you’ll find yourself making them year after year.
https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/mashed-sweet-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: DINNER AT THE ZOO
This is another fun and creative way to make stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner. These “stuffins” are delicious and conveniently made in a muffin tin.
The muffin tin creates perfect single-sized portions for your dinner guests. Further, if you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers they’ll make an excellent grab and go snack for lunches.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/stuffins-stuffing-muffins/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Perhaps you prefer traditional recipes. If the bourbon-glazed carrots didn’t excite you then you’re bound to love these honey glazed carrots.
This is a slow cooker recipe which means you’ll free up some space in the oven. You’ll need only 6 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep. It’s as simple as throwing all the ingredients into the slow cooker and then setting it to cook for 5-6 hours.
https://www.evolvingtable.com/slow-cooker-honey-glazed-carrots/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: EVOLVING TABLE
Potato salad is always a crowd-pleaser. Make a tasty bowl of creamy potato salad that will taste as if it came straight from Grandma’s kitchen!
This potato salad is thriving in traditional flavors such as mustard, paprika, and boiled egg. It has a lovely crunchy texture thanks to diced celery and diced onion.
https://www.savingdessert.com/traditional-creamy-potato-salad/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=349884064_10986036_6598 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SAVING DESSERT
This side dish is bold in color and would make an excellent healthy contribution to your Thanksgiving meal. Deep red beets provide the color but a dash of salt and pepper and pure maple syrup provide the lovely flavor.
Altogether, this recipe only requires 5 ingredients. Considering these veggies only need about 15-20 minutes to roast you’ll have this side dish whipped together quickly.
https://www.saltandlavender.com/maple-roasted-beets-and-carrots/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SALT AND LAVENDER
Deviled eggs might be a classic appetizer, however, these deviled potatoes are so filling they deserve to be a side dish. Grandma will applaud your creativity and will love them too.
This recipe is also dairy and gluten-free which is great for those with allergies and those who follow a vegan diet. The only tools you’ll need for this recipe are a microwave, mixing bowl and a piping bag.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/vegan-deviled-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Impress Grandma with this fancy root vegetable dish. It might look like it came from a gourmet restaurant but it’s actually quite simple to put together.
To achieve a uniform thickness it is recommended that you use a mandolin slicer. You can also use any root vegetables you like, however, this recipe used turnips, purple beets, golden beets, and butternut squash. Further, you’ll only need a few seasonings and olive oil to add flavor to this side dish.
https://myfreshperspective.com/fancy-shmancy-herb-roasted-root-vegetables/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: MY FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Baked potatoes are a crowd pleaser so serve them this Thanksgiving as a delicious side dish. However, twice baked potatoes might be a little more exciting.
Start by baking the potatoes in the oven until they’ve reached a tender texture. Then slice in half, scoop out the cooked potato and mix with cheese, broccoli florets, and few other ingredients. Lastly, you’ll fill the potato skin with the mixture and bake again until all the cheese has melted nicely.
https://bake-eat-repeat.com/twice-baked-potatoes-cheddar-broccoli-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BAKE EAT REPEAT
This risotto is stunning and would be a lovely addition to your Thanksgiving meal. It does require a bit of supervision but if you pull it off Grandma will be amazed by your efforts.
There are so many amazing flavors that go into making this dish. Some of these include pumpkin, fresh thyme, parmesan cheese, and nutmeg. Once cooked, you’ll want to garnish the risotto with goat cheese and dried cranberries.
https://www.platingsandpairings.com/pumpkin-risotto-with-goat-cheese-dried-cranberries/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: PLATINGS AND PAIRINGS
Sheet pan recipes are awesome because they generate a minimal mess. We all know when preparing a Thanksgiving feast cutting corners to create less clean up is always a good idea.
This recipe is perfectly suited for a Fall holiday such as Thanksgiving. For this side dish, you’ll need a sweet potato, acorn squash, bell peppers, brussels sprouts, zucchini, and cauliflower. Along with the veggies, you’ll need just a few seasonings and a little olive oil.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/autumn-vegetable-sheet-pan-side-dish/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Instead of dinner rolls, maybe you’d like to make cornbread muffins to complement your Thanksgiving feast. This recipe is incredibly easy and it will taste as if Grandma made it herself.
To start you’ll need 2 boxes of cornbread mix as well as eggs, milk, sour cream, honey, all-purpose flour, and cheddar cheese. These muffins only take 5 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to bake!
http://www.stuckonsweet.com/cheesy-cornbread-muffins/#_a5y_p=4315046 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: STUCK ON SWEET
If you’re unfamiliar with kabocha, it is a lovely variety of squash. It’s green on the outside and vibrantly orange on the inside. Just like other squashes, this roasted kabocha would be an excellent side dish for Thanksgiving.
Before roasting, you’ll need to cut the squash into slices. Then, you’ll need to drizzle with olive oil and wrap in tin foil. While the squash roasts in the oven you can get started on the beautiful tahini dressing. This is made from yogurt, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic.
http://chezus.com/2014/12/03/roasted-kabocha-tahini-dressing/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CHEZ US
If you don’t love brussels sprouts then you have to give this recipe a try. Not only will these fritters impress Grandma but the children at your dinner table just might love them too.
The secret is to transform brussels sprouts into something excited such as crunchy fritters. To create these you’ll combine brussels sprouts with onion, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, olive oil, and an egg. Once the ingredients are mixed you’ll fry the fritters until they have reached a crispy texture.
http://thefitchen.com/brussels-sprout-fritters-14/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE FITCHEN
The fun thing about potatoes is there are so many different ways to cook them. If you love soft and fluffy try mashed potatoes, if you love tender textures you can boil potatoes. Or why not try making a wonderful scalloped potato dish this Thanksgiving dinner.
Combine a creamy sauce with sliced potatoes and carrots and then finish with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. This side dish will need to bake in the oven for about an hour but the result will be well worth the wait.
https://www.thereciperebel.com/garlic-parmesan-scalloped-potatoes-and-carrots-recipe-video/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE RECIPE REBEL
