Discover the BEST Thanksgiving side dishes to impress all your guests this holiday season. From bright salads to comforting casseroles, there’s an option for everyone on this list!
The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
The holiday season is officially upon us! I won’t lie, I look forward to the holidays all year long, but I know that for many people this time of year can just feel stressful. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, planning and cooking can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. You probably already know that you’re making a roasted turkey, maple honey glazed ham, or maybe even a whole roasted chicken.
The main course is the easy part, but we can’t forget about the sides! Honestly, they’re my favorite part of any holiday meal. So, to help make your planning easy, I’ve rounded up all my tried and true best side dishes for Thanksgiving. Whether you’re cooking for a large crowd or having a small, cozy meal, I’ve got you covered with simple, easy sides that you’ll absolutely love!
Thanksgiving Salads and Soups
- Roasted Sweet Potato Spinach Salad
- Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Delicious Shallot Vinaigrette
- Fall Orzo Salad with Hot Honey Vinaigrette
- Honey Mustard Kale Salad
- Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
- Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Mustard Vinaigrette
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Loaded Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
Breads and Muffins
- Brown Butter Skillet Cornbread with Whipped Cranberry Honey Butter
- Brown Butter Honey Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
- Sweet Potato Cornbread Muffins
- Herbed Brown Butter Cheddar Cornbread
- Gluten Free Honey Cornbread Muffins
- Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread with Whipped Hot Honey Butter
Veggie-Based Sides
- Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin
- Brown Butter Orange Sweet Potato Casserole
- Healthy Homemade Green Bean Casserole
- Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
- Brown Butter Maple Roasted Carrots
- Healthy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Loaded Mashed Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Mac n Cheese
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries
- Honey Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Mashed Butternut Squash
- Sheet Pan Harvest Roasted Vegetables
Classic Comfort Food Options
- Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
- Gluten Free Cornbread Sausage and Herb Stuffing
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Creamy Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
- Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing
- Rosemary White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Need help planning the rest of your menu? Take a look at my collection of the best Thanksgiving recipes from appetizers to mains and desserts!
A Couple of Quick Notes
How many side dishes should you serve at Thanksgiving?
It really depends on the size of your gathering, but a good rule of thumb is 3-5 sides for a small dinner or 6-8 for a larger holiday feast. I always like to plan for a little extra to ensure there’s plenty of leftovers to share with my guests. The leftovers are the best part!
Can I make Thanksgiving side dishes ahead of time?
Yes! Many dishes like stuffing, casseroles, and mashed potatoes can be prepped a day or possibly two ahead. Check out individual recipes for make-ahead and storage instructions.
I hope you give a few of my best Thanksgiving side dishes a try this holiday. They’re all so delicious, and there’s something for every taste bud on the list. If you do give these recipes a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating on that recipe. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.
