34 Thanksgiving sides worth adding to your holiday menu

Turkey gets plenty of attention on Thanksgiving, but nobody wants a plate with only turkey. This collection of side dishes offers options to round out the meal, from classic comfort food to vegetables and other holiday favorites.

Perfect Baked Potatoes

A tray of Perfect Baked Potatoes.
Image Credit: Tessie’s Table

These baked potatoes come out perfectly crisp. Learn the secret time-saving tips, then enjoy that satisfying skin that’s perfect for cracking open and loading with your favorite toppings. Get the recipe: Perfect Baked Potatoes

Broccoli With Garlic Sauce and Bacon

A plate of Broccoli With Garlic Sauce and Bacon.
Image Credit: Cooking with Lei

This broccoli with garlic sauce is savory, simple, and topped with crispy bacon bits for extra flavor. It’s a quick and budget-friendly side dish that makes eating your greens way more enjoyable. Get the recipe: Broccoli With Garlic Sauce and Bacon

Pumpkin Tomato Soup

A bowl of pumpkin tomato soup.
Image Credit: Salads, Soups and Sweets

Settle in with a warm bowl of creamy pumpkin tomato soup. The rich blend of pumpkin and tomatoes is just what you need when the weather cools down. Get the recipe: Pumpkin Tomato Soup

Cheesy Cauliflower Broccoli Bake

A horizontal view of a broccoli cauliflower cheese casserole.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This cheesy cauliflower broccoli bake is the side dish you didn’t know you needed. Loaded with veggies and melted cheese, it’s the perfect comfort food to complement any meal. Get the recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

Kale Salad with Apples

A dish of Kale Salad with Apples.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This massaged kale salad is fresh, crunchy, and perfectly balanced with apples, cranberries, toasted almonds, and Pecorino Romano. A lemon Dijon dressing with a splash of apple cider vinegar brings it all together. Get the recipe: Kale Salad with Apples

Mashed Potato Casserole

A dish of Mashed Potato Casserole.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

This mashed potato casserole is pure comfort in every bite, creamy and cheesy with a crunchy panko topping. Crisp bacon and fresh chives add the perfect salty pop and a splash of color. Get the recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Roasted Carrots and Asparagus with Tarragon Butter

A plate of Roasted Carrots and Asparagus with Tarragon Butter.
Image Credit: Maplevine Kitchen

Time to level up your veggie side dish game with these roasted carrots and asparagus, topped with fresh tarragon herb butter and toasted pistachios. It’s simple, gorgeous, and perfect for any occasion with just a few easy ingredients. Get the recipe: Roasted Carrots and Asparagus with Tarragon Butter

Arugula and Sweet Potato Salad with Goat Cheese

A plate of Arugula and Sweet Potato Salad with Goat Cheese.
Image Credit: The Honour System

You’ll want to bookmark this arugula salad with goat cheese ASAP. Peppery arugula, tangy goat cheese, and roasted sweet potatoes come together for a perfect balance of flavors and textures that works as an appetizer or side. Get the recipe: Arugula and Sweet Potato Salad with Goat Cheese

Wild Rice Salad with Beets and Lemon Ricotta

A bowl of Wild Rice Salad with Beets and Lemon Ricotta.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This wild rice salad is colorful, fresh, and packed with beets, blood oranges, wild rice, and greens. Top it with whipped lemon ricotta for a healthy, delicious side or light meal. Get the recipe: Wild Rice Salad with Beets and Lemon Ricotta

Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

A dish of Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

These roasted sweet potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned with herbs that make them seriously addictive. Simple, flavorful, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight at dinner. Get the recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots

A plate of Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots.
Image Credit: My Rad Kitchen

Sautéed green beans with shallots bring the perfect balance of crisp and savory to any meal. Buttery caramelized shallots take this simple side up a notch, whether it’s a Tuesday night or a holiday spread. Get the recipe: Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots

Honeycrisp Apple Candied Pecan Salad

A bowl of Honeycrisp Apple Candied Pecan Salad.
Image Credit: Modern Honey

This honeycrisp apple and candied pecan salad is a seasonal showstopper for autumn and Thanksgiving gatherings. Apples, goat cheese, candied pecans, and a maple dressing make every bite fresh and crunchy. Get the recipe: Honeycrisp Apple Candied Pecan Salad

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

A plate of Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato.
Image Credit: Simply Macros

These air fryer baked sweet potatoes come out perfectly fluffy every single time. Quick, foolproof, and an easy way to add a healthy side to any meal. Get the recipe: Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

Farro and Apple Arugula Salad

A plate of Farro and Apple Arugula Salad.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This farro salad is fresh, versatile, and packed with crisp arugula, chewy farro, sweet apples, and shaved Parmesan. Tossed in a tangy Dijon vinaigrette, it’s perfect as a nutritious main or a hearty side. Get the recipe: Farro and Apple Arugula Salad

Honey Butter Roasted Carrots

A dish of Honey Butter Roasted Carrots.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

These roasted carrots are as simple as they get, with only 10 minutes of prep time. The sweet and savory honey butter seasoning is so good that everyone will be going back for seconds. Get the recipe: Honey Butter Roasted Carrots

Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash

A dish of Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This spicy roasted butternut squash with quinoa and dried cranberries brings together warm, balanced flavors that feel right for fall. It works well as a warm salad or a simple gluten-free side dish. Get the recipe: Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

A pot of Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

Sweet, creamy, and topped with a cinnamon-pecan crumble, this slow cooker sweet potato casserole is pure holiday comfort. Bonus: it frees up oven space for everything else you’re juggling. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Garlic Butter Corn

Butter fried corn in a bowl.
Image Credit: The Honour System

This buttery skillet corn is next-level, with fresh garlic vibes and a sprinkle of parmesan on top. It is super easy and works for both a weeknight dish and for a special occasion. Get the recipe: Garlic Butter Fried Corn

Spinach Pear and Feta Salad

A plate of Spinach Pear and Feta Salad.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This spinach, pear, and feta salad combines sweet pomegranate arils, earthy walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. Sweet, tangy, and crunchy, it’s ready in just 5 minutes. Get the recipe: Spinach Pear and Feta Salad

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

A plate of Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

These roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon are literally the easiest thing ever, with just 10 minutes of prep. Crispy bacon, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and a maple Dijon sauce that ties it all together make this side dish an absolute showstopper. Get the recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Homemade Green Bean Casserole

A dish of Homemade Green Bean Casserole.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

This green bean casserole skips the canned soup and goes all in on homemade flavor. With a creamy mushroom sauce and that nostalgic crunch on top, it’s the side dish your holiday table deserves. Get the recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole

Sweet and Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

A plate of oven roasted sweet potatoes.
Image Credit: The Honour System

Sweet and spicy roasted sweet potatoes are the perfect side dish. With just the right mix of sweetness and heat, they’re sure to step up your meal. Get the recipe: Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Butternut Squash Risotto

A plate of Butternut Squash Risotto.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This butternut squash risotto is creamy, savory, and loaded with Parmesan, tender squash, and kale. Perfect as a comforting main or a flavorful side. Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto

Maple Glazed Carrots

A baking sheet of maple roasted carrots.
Image Credit: The Honour System

These maple-glazed carrots are side dish goals. They’ll steal the show at any meal, sweet, spicy, buttery, and perfectly caramelized. Get the recipe: Maple Roasted Carrots

Quinoa Beet Salad

A dish of Quinoa Beet Salad.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This quinoa beet salad is simple to make but packed with vitamins, minerals, and sweet-savory flavor. Crunchy chopped veggies and a homemade honey Dijon vinaigrette make it a fresh, easy addition to any lunch rotation. Get the recipe: Quinoa Beet Salad

Sweet Potato Casserole

A dish of Sweet Potato Casserole.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

This sweet potato casserole is rich, cozy, and topped with the most addictive brown sugar pecan crumble. Make it ahead, bake it later, and watch it disappear fast. Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Roasted Root Vegetables

A plate of Roasted Root Vegetables.
Image Credit: Pass Me Some Tasty

These honey-glazed root veggies roast up sweet and golden with just the right amount of caramelization. Carrots, parsnips, and golden beets bring all the color and cozy vibes. They’re easy to throw together and pair well with almost everything. Get the recipe: Roasted Root Vegetables

Instant Pot Beets

A bowl of Instant Pot Beets.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

Instant pot beets come out perfectly tender every time and cook in a fraction of the time. Quick, easy, and ready to enjoy in salads, smoothies, or soups. Get the recipe: Instant Pot Beets

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

A dish of Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This Brussels sprout salad mixes shaved Brussels sprouts, chopped kale, pomegranate arils, avocado, and candied pecans in a bright lemon vinaigrette. Quick to make, it’s perfect for a holiday side or a light lunch. Get the recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Koginut Squash Bowl

A plate of Koginut Squash Bowl.
Image Credit: Running to the Kitchen

This squash salad mixes pears, walnuts, toasted buckwheat, wild rice, fennel, goat cheese, and greens in a simple balsamic vinaigrette. It’s basically peak fall on a plate and tastes as good as it looks. Get the recipe: Koginut Squash Bowl

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

These mashed potatoes come out rich, creamy, and perfectly buttery every time. They’re the kind of classic side that belongs on every table for weeknights or holidays. Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Beet Salad with Miso Dressing

A bowl of Roasted Beet Salad with Miso Dressing.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This roasted beet salad is fresh, colorful, and packed with tender beets, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy hazelnuts. A creamy miso dressing ties it all together, adding a rich, savory-sweet finish to every bite. Get the recipe: Roasted Beet Salad with Miso Dressing

Cornbread Casserole

A dish of Cornbread Casserole.
Image Credit: House of Yumm

This cornbread casserole is buttery, sweet, and packed with all the corn flavor you could want. It’s the kind of side that steals the show, holiday or not. Get the recipe: Cornbread Casserole

Spicy Roasted New Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

A dish of Spicy Roasted New Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts.
Image Credit: Occasionally Eggs

Roasted new potatoes and Brussels sprouts, mixed with sweet pomegranate seeds, roasted garlic, and lots of lovely spices, make for a beautiful holiday side dish. Seasonal and flavorful, this will become a staple on your table. Get the recipe: Spicy Roasted New Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

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