Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Classic Recipes to New Side Dish Ideas
Whipping up Thanksgiving side dishes is one of the best parts of the holiday, bringing together all those comforting, delicious flavors we look forward to every year. Here’s are our Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Classic Recipes to New Side Dish Ideas.
Whether you’re making classic favorites like mashed potatoes and stuffing or trying out something new, the sides are what really make the Thanksgiving meal special. With so many tasty options, you can mix and match to create the perfect spread that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
Try adding at least one new side dish to your Thanksgiving menu and your guests will thank you.
Basic Supplies You’ll Need:
- Chef’s Knife – For chopping, slicing, and dicing vegetables and other ingredients.
- Cutting Board – A sturdy surface for all your prep work.
- Mixing Bowls – For mixing, tossing, and prepping ingredients.
- Saucepan – Perfect for making gravy, sauces, or boiling vegetables.
- Baking Dish/Casserole Dish – Essential for baking dishes like stuffing, casseroles, and gratins.
- Wooden Spoon/Spatula – For stirring, mixing, and sautéing ingredients.
- Wood Spurtle Set – This set is perfect for sautéing things like garlic or crispy bacon.
Try out some of these delicious and easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes this year:
Lemon and Chive Potatoes – Bright and zesty, lemon and chive new potatoes add a fresh twist to any meal. They’re quick to make and bring a burst of flavor to your holiday table.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes – Grilled sweet potatoes offer a smoky, charred sweetness that pairs well with almost any main dish. A simple and delicious side that’s perfect for outdoor or indoor grilling.
Air Fryer Carrots – Tossed in ranch seasoning, these carrots are a flavorful and easy way to elevate your veggie game. Perfect for adding a little extra zing to your dinner.
6 Cheese Mac & Cheese – Rich, creamy, and loaded with six different cheeses, not just cheddar cheese, this macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. It’s a showstopper side that everyone will love digging into.
Oven Roasted Parmesan Asparagus – Elegant and easy, roasted asparagus with olive oil and a touch of salt is a healthy side that’s ready in minutes. A simple dish that complements any main course.
Green Bean Casserole with Mushroom Soup – Creamy and topped with crispy onions, green bean casserole is a classic holiday side that never goes out of style. It’s a must-have on any Thanksgiving table. And it’s an easy side dish.
Sourdough Stuffing – Sourdough stuffing brings a tangy, hearty twist to traditional stuffing, making it a perfect pairing for holiday turkey. The robust flavors with fresh herbs are sure to satisfy.
Fried Okra – Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fried okra delivers that perfect Southern crunch. It’s a great way to add texture and flavor to your meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole – Combining a creamy sweet potato base with a crunchy pecan topping, sweet potato casserole offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The key for htis one is butter. That makes this dish a holiday favorite that everyone looks forward to.
Broccoli Cheese Casserole – Packed with cheesy goodness, broccoli cheese casserole is the ultimate comfort food that sneaks some veggies onto your plate. It’s indulgent and satisfying.
Traditional Succotash – A vibrant mix of corn, lima beans, and veggies, succotash adds a colorful and hearty element to your meal. This side dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Honey Glazed Cornbread – Moist and sweet, honey-glazed cornbread is a perfect complement to savory dishes. It’s a crowd-pleaser that adds a touch of sweetness to your spread.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts – Roasted Brussels sprouts get a festive upgrade with cranberries and pecans, bringing together sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors. The balsamic vinegar adds the perfect finishing touch.
Slow Cooker Mushroom Stuffing – Rich and earthy, mushroom stuffing made in a slow cooker frees up oven space while delivering deep flavors. It’s an easy and delicious addition to any holiday meal.
Southern-Style Collard Greens – Slow-cooked to tender perfection, collard greens bring Southern comfort to your holiday table. They’re flavorful, nutritious, and a great way to add greens to your meal.
Candied Sweet Potatoes – Sweet and caramelized, candied sweet potatoes are a must-have for holiday gatherings. They strike the perfect balance between sweet and spice, making them irresistible. Do you add marshmallows to the top of your Sweet Potatoes?
Creamy Corn Casserole – Creamy and cheesy, corn casserole is always a hit at family dinners. It’s simple to make and delivers big flavors that everyone will enjoy.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce – Smoky and bold, smoked cranberry sauce offers a unique twist on the traditional holiday condiment. It pairs perfectly with turkey, adding depth and complexity to your meal.
Baked Mac n Cheese – Baked to golden perfection, this mac and cheese is rich, cheesy, and everything you want in a comfort food. It’s sure to be the star of any side dish spread.
Cornbread Dressing – Cornbread dressing combines the savory flavors of stuffing with the sweet, moist texture of cornbread. It’s a flavorful and comforting addition to any holiday feast.
Orange Jello Salad With Cottage Cheese – It’s not thanksgiving without some type of Jell-O salad at our house. This is our favorite and just tastes like family time to me.
Creating Thanksgiving side dishes is all about enjoying the process and bringing those classic, comforting flavors to the table. With just a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can whip up a spread that’ll have everyone coming back for more.
Gather your ingredients, dive into cooking, and have fun making some delicious sides that will make your Thanksgiving dinner unforgettable!
Now you just need to decide what to make for dessert. I’m always up for apple or pumpkin pie.
Tell me, do you do mostly traditional food for your Thanksgiving day meal? Or do you mix things up with a ham, and different side dishes?