Thanksgiving is all about the sides. The turkey gets the spotlight, but it’s the potatoes, stuffing and casseroles that fill the plates and disappear first. I grew up on my grandma’s from-scratch Sunday dinners in Ohio, so a table full of cozy, homemade sides is my kind of meal.
Below are 25 easy Thanksgiving side dishes from FoodieFiber, grouped so you can build a balanced menu: something creamy, something sweet, something green and a homemade cranberry sauce. Many of them can be made ahead, which is the real secret to a calm Thanksgiving Day.
How to Plan Your Thanksgiving Sides
- Pick one from each group. A potato, a sweet potato or stuffing, one or two green vegetables and a cranberry sauce makes a full, balanced table.
- Make what you can ahead. Mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and most casseroles can be prepared a day or more early.
- Plan your oven time. Use the slow cooker and stovetop for a couple of sides so the oven stays free for the turkey.
- Plan for leftovers. Most of these reheat well, and they make the best next-day turkey plates and sandwiches.
Creamy, Cheesy Potatoes
No Thanksgiving plate is complete without potatoes. These five cover everything from a do-ahead mash to a bubbling, cheesy bake.
1. Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Make the mash before the big day and reheat it while the turkey rests. It frees up the stove and one more burner when you need it most. Get the recipe →
2. Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Buttery mashed potatoes with garlic and plenty of melted cheese folded in. An easy upgrade on the classic that kids love. Get the recipe →
3. Twice Baked Potatoes
Crisp potato skins filled with a creamy sour cream and cheddar filling, then baked again until hot and melty. You can fill them a day ahead. Get the recipe →
4. Au Gratin Potatoes
Thin potato slices layered with garlicky cream and cheese, baked until golden on top. A rich, make-it-once-a-year kind of side. Get the recipe →
5. French Onion Funeral Potatoes
The cheesy potato casserole everyone goes back for, with the deep flavor of French onion. Great for feeding a crowd. Get the recipe →
Sweet Potato Favorites
Sweet potatoes are the side people argue about every year: marshmallows or pecans? Here are both, plus a hands-off slow cooker option.
6. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan and Marshmallow Topping
Why choose? This one has a crunchy pecan layer and toasty marshmallows on top, so both camps at the table are happy. Get the recipe →
7. Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
Inspired by the famous steakhouse side, with a buttery, crunchy pecan crust over a smooth sweet potato base. Get the recipe →
8. Praline Sweet Potato Casserole
Creamy sweet potatoes under a crisp, caramel-like praline topping. It tastes almost like dessert, in the best way. Get the recipe →
9. Crock Pot Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Let the slow cooker do the work. Tender sweet potatoes in a sticky maple glaze, and your oven stays free for the turkey. Get the recipe →
Stuffing and Bread
Stuffing is the heart of the meal for a lot of families. These three bring classic flavor with a few fun twists.
10. Cornbread Stuffing with Bacon and Sage
Southern-style cornbread stuffing with smoky bacon and fragrant sage. Crisp on top, soft and savory underneath. Get the recipe →
11. Broccoli Stuffing Casserole
Stuffing and a vegetable side in one cheesy dish. Handy when you are short on oven space. Get the recipe →
12. Easy Stuffing Biscuits
All the cozy flavor of stuffing baked into soft biscuits. Perfect for the bread basket, and even better for leftover turkey sandwiches. Get the recipe →
Green Vegetables and Casseroles
Something green to balance all that richness, from the classic green bean casserole to roasted Brussels sprouts.
13. From Scratch Green Bean Casserole
The classic, made without the can: tender green beans in a homemade creamy sauce with crispy onions on top. Get the recipe →
14. Mac and Cheese Green Bean Casserole
Two holiday favorites in one dish. A fun way to get green beans onto the kids' plates. Get the recipe →
15. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries
Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with bacon, toasted pecans and tart cranberries. Festive, colorful and a little sweet. Get the recipe →
16. Roasted Green Beans and Butternut Squash with Bacon
A sheet pan of fall colors: green beans and butternut squash roasted with bacon until caramelized at the edges. Get the recipe →
17. Broccoli Rice Casserole
A creamy, cheesy broccoli and rice bake that feels like a church potluck classic. Easy to double for a big crowd. Get the recipe →
18. Southern Squash Casserole
Tender yellow squash baked in a cheesy, buttery casserole with a crunchy top. A Southern holiday staple. Get the recipe →
Corn and Carrots
Sweet, colorful sides that round out the table and are easy to make ahead.
19. Crack Corn Casserole
Creamy, cheesy corn that disappears fast. One of the easiest sides on this list, and always the first dish scraped clean. Get the recipe →
20. Thanksgiving Succotash
A bright mix of corn and beans that adds color and freshness next to all the creamy casseroles. Get the recipe →
21. Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Inspired by the restaurant favorite: tender baby carrots in a sweet, buttery glaze. Get the recipe →
22. Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese
Roasted carrots dressed up with crunchy candied pecans and creamy goat cheese. Pretty enough for the center of the table. Get the recipe →
Cranberry Sauce and Relish
Homemade cranberry sauce takes minutes and tastes so much better than the can. All three can be made days ahead.
23. Ina Garten Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce
Inspired by Ina Garten's classic. Make it up to a few days early and it is one less thing to think about on Thanksgiving morning. Get the recipe →
24. Cranberry Orange Relish
Fresh, tangy and bright with orange. A no-cook style relish that cuts through rich turkey and gravy. Get the recipe →
25. Cranberry Apple Chutney
Cranberries and apples simmered with warm spices. Great with turkey, and just as good on a cheese board. Get the recipe →
More Holiday Recipes to Try
Planning the rest of the meal? Browse our side dishes, cozy soups and stews for the cold nights ahead, and desserts and baking for pies, cookies and holiday treats.
Save this list to your Thanksgiving board on Pinterest so it’s ready when you start planning your menu. Happy Thanksgiving from my kitchen to yours!
