97 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That’ll Outshine the Turkey
While turkey is arguably the center of attention at dinner, Thanksgiving side dishes are just as important. When your guests take a bite of these creamy mashed potatoes or melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls, they’ll forget all about who burned the bird and who forgot that your second cousin’s girlfriend is vegan—again. (Speaking of which, just in case, here are some Thanksgiving vegetables ideas.) Sidesgiving, as it will henceforth be referred, is all about drool-worthy riffs on the classics. Like this lush kimchi and squash mac and cheese, flaky parathas layered with brown butter and sage, or spicy cauliflower studded with cashews and laced with fresh herbs. And for the traditionalists among us: Don’t fret. We've got oodles of Thanksgiving stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, and brussels sprouts too. Here you’ll find our best Thanksgiving side dishes. Read on—and don’t forget the party punch.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman2/97Ultra-Creamy Mashed Potatoes
There are no tricks here. No toppings, no bold ingredients choices, just potatoes, heavy cream, garlic, rosemary, butter, salt, and pepper, for the creamiest and silkiest version of this comfort food classic.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens3/97Charred Brussels Sprouts With Warm Honey Glaze
You could make a streamlined recipe for brussels sprouts, or you could make this one, which features pleasantly charred veggies dressed in honey, red wine vinegar, lemon zest, spicy chile flakes, and a good dose of butter.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi6/97Parker House Rolls
With a top coat of melted butter and a sprinkling of sea salt, these golden brown Parker House rolls are nothing short of trophy-worthy—they’re the perfect tool for sopping up all the sauciness left on your Thanksgiving plate.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams7/97Extremely Cheesy Corn Casserole
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni9/97Almost-Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman12/97BA’s Best Mac and Cheese
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Maya Rossi13/97Twice-Baked Potatoes
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop styling by Sophie Leng14/97Bitter Greens With Cranberry Dressing
Your Thanksgiving menu needs this salad. It’s got everything: pleasantly bitter endives and frisée, a tangy cranberry dressing, crunchy candied pecans, and salty shavings of Manchego cheese.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Christina Allen15/97Potatoes au Gratin
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Carla Gonzalez-Hart16/97Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Bobbi Lin17/97Citrus-Pomegranate Relish
Some people aren’t into cranberries, but do you know anyone who doesn’t like oranges or tangelos? This simple, five-ingredient relish—you could also call it a fruit salad recipe—will please everyone at your Thanksgiving table.
Photo by Chelsie Craig18/97Mashed Baked Potatoes With Chives
A sheet pan isn’t usually involved in making mashed potatoes, but baking the potatoes rather than boiling them is a game-changer. (It also frees up a burner on the stovetop.)
Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker19/97Charred Green Beans With Brown Butter Vinaigrette
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Maya Rossi20/97Yellow Squash Casserole With Easy Cheesy Cream Sauce
Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker21/97Pumpkin and Cheddar Strata
Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker22/97Sweet Potato and Onion Tempura With Chive Mayo
Want an unexpected sweet potato recipe? Skip the casserole and give your spuds the crunchy tempura treatment instead. Just don’t forget the tart, chive-studded dip.
Photograph by Joshua Kissi, food styling by Roscoe Betsill, prop styling by Amy Wilson23/97Roasted Carrots With Ayib and Awaze Vinaigrette
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro24/97Make-Ahead Sausage and Caramelized Onion Stuffing
We like some carbs with our carbs: There will be a stuffing recipe, there will be bread, and there will be at least one potato side.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Jillian Lehner, Prop Styling by Emilie Fosnocht25/97Creamy Yukon Golds With Crispy Potato Skins
This twist on the classic Thanksgiving potato dish will have you saving your potato peels from their usual destiny, the compost bin. Instead, transform them into a crunchy, salty garnish.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime27/97Sweet Potatoes With Maple Tahini
Now might be a good time to explain the difference between yams and sweet potatoes. True yams are part of an entirely different genus, but most of the so-called yams you see in American grocery stores are actually orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. (Confusing, we know.) The roasted sweet potatoes in this recipe are—you guessed it—purple.
Photo and Food Styling by Emma Fishman28/97One-Pot Kimchi and Squash Mac and Cheese
If you are a macaroni and cheese family on Thanksgiving, we urge you to try this version with Napa cabbage kimchi, butternut squash, and scallions all mixed in.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski29/97Glazed Leeks With Pine Nut Salsa Verde
When cooked until tender, doused in a chile-honey-vinegar sauce, and finished with salsa verde, humble leeks transform into the in-demand side that no one saw coming. Be prepared for requests next year.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea30/97Cheesy Broccoli Casserole With Butter Cracker Crunchies
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams31/97Parsnip Purée
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski32/97Buttermilk Cornbread
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop styling by Sophie Leng33/97Cacio e Pepe Rösti
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones34/97Crispy Black Rice and Chinese Sausage Dressing
Wild rice stuffing is a wonderful gluten-free alternative. This one features nutty black rice, Chinese pork sausage, maple syrup, peanuts, and Fresno chiles.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime35/97Brussels Sprouts With Cranberry Mostarda
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio36/97Citrus-Ginger Raita With Spice Oil
What’s that on top of the raita? It’s a DIY chile oil with coriander seeds, turmeric, and either Kashmiri chile powder or cayenne pepper—and you will want to make double.
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio37/97Brown Butter and Sage Parathas
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio38/97Tahdig With Cranberries and Herbs
Most of our favorite Thanksgiving dinner side dishes are, we admit, pretty texturally uniform. There are creamy mashed potatoes, creamed vegetables, buttery stuffing...you get where we’re going. Bring in a tahdig for some much-needed crunch.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman39/97Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski40/97Cornbread Dressing With Sausage and Corn Nuts
Photograph by Alex Lau, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Sophie Strangio42/97Hibiscus Cranberry Sauce
Photograph by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio43/97Crispy Potatoes With Bay and Scallions
Photograph by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio44/97Smashed Green Beans With Lemony Sumac Dressing
These make-ahead green beans soak up a bright lemon and sumac dressing overnight. Fun holiday fact: Smooth sumac is native to all of the 48 contiguous states.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski45/97Coconut Creamed Greens
Photograph by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio46/97Cornbread and Salami Dressing
Picture this: A buttery hunk of cornbread and slice of salty salami, both skewered on a fork with a piece of turkey and doused in gravy. It is the perfect Thanksgiving bite.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski47/97Shaved Carrots With Charred Dates
You need something colorful, crunchy, and punchy on the Thanksgiving table. You need these raw, shaved carrots tossed in a blood orange dressing and served with fresh tarragon leaves.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski48/97Cheesy Cabbage Gratin
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski50/97Fancy Jellied Cranberry Sauce
We dreamed up a cranberry “sauce” as sliceable and jiggly-wiggly as the retro canned stuff, but with deeper fruit flavor and more nuance thanks to cardamom and bay leaves.
Photograph by Jenny Huang, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Martha Bernabe51/97Dutch Oven No Mai Fan
This sticky rice studded with Chinese sausage, umami-packed shiitake mushrooms, and other savory bits is one of our favorite parts of chef Peter Som’s epic Thanksgiving menu.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski52/97Shingled Sweet Potatoes With Harissa
The classic savory-sweet side gets a makeover with the addition of harissa for an extra hint of spice. We promise you won’t miss the marshmallows.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski54/97Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni55/97Sausage-and-Herb Stuffing
Breakfast sausage is a cheat code to luscious stuffing that’s deeply imbued with classic sage flavors. Here, we bump it up with fennel seeds, fresh thyme, and lots of parsley. It doesn’t need turkey gravy on top, but we wouldn’t stop you from a long pour.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski56/97Cranberry Orange Sauce With Cinnamon
Cranberry sauce divides Thanksgiving diners into two camps: Those who prefer a chunky compote and those who like a sliceable condiment that jiggles. This one’s for the first group.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski57/97Glazed Shallots With Chile and Thyme
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Leng58/97Twice-Roasted Squash With Vanilla, Maple, and Chile
Wrangling winter squash isn’t that fun. So we’ve decided to roast it whole until tender. Then you can wait overnight before discarding the seeds, tearing it into big pieces, glazing and roasting a bit more.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski59/97Parsnip Confit With Pickled Currants
Sturdy parsnips soften in a warm bath of olive oil, then get seared and bejeweled with pickled currants. In other words, you’ll never look at these root vegetables the same way again.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski60/97Broccoli Caesar
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni61/97Cheesy Corn Pudding
Bobbi Lin63/97Duchess Baked Potatoes
If you’ve ever asked if mashed potatoes can be cooked ahead, the answer is yes. The recipe is this one. The texture is like that of a twice-baked potato.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Thu Buser64/97Upside-Down Cornbread
Alex Lau65/97Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Make your own breadcrumbs from a sourdough loaf or use store-bought, but every component of this recipe is key to making this Thanksgiving side dish sing.
Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Rick Martinez68/97Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Gratin
You really can’t go wrong with cream and cheese. This is a holiday-worthy, crowd-pleasing side dish—and it might even bring some brussels sprouts haters to the other side.
Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski72/97Shaved Fennel Salad With Croutons and Walnuts
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Pearl Jones74/97Instant Pot Collard Greens
Your oven is busy with a spatchcocked turkey and a tray of dressing. Which means it’s time to call the Instant Pot into action.
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li75/97Spicy Cauliflower Sabzi With Cashews
This dish of sautéed cauliflower, fennel, and sweet potatoes could be great alongside many of our favorite roast turkey recipes, but heads up: It also makes for an excellent and filling vegetarian main course. Just add a dollop of yogurt and some cooked rice.
Photo by Laura Murray. Food Styling by Judy Mancini.76/97Celery, Apple, and Peanut Salad
Keep parsley leaves whole and thinly slice Fresno chiles to give this salad some peppery bite and a good dose of heat. As for the apples, mix and match whatever types you like.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio77/97Garlic-and-Parmesan-Braised Greens
Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker78/97Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Maple-Soy Caramel
Roasted brussels sprouts may be one of your usual Thanksgiving side dishes, but we bet you’ve never made a caramel sauce for them. Well, now you can if you just get some maple syrup, butter, cream, soy sauce, and sriracha.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Molly Baz, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen79/97Extra-Corny Corn Muffins
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Leng80/97Green Beans and Mushrooms With Crispy Shallots
You might be disappointed that there’s really not room in your oven for the classic casserole. But once you taste this stovetop dish, you’ll never go back. The buttery green beans still have some bite, the browned mushrooms are packed with concentrated flavor, and the frizzled shallots and a flurry of Parmesan bring it all home.
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Gerri Williams81/97Buttery Milk Buns
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni82/97Teriyaki-Style Brussels Sprouts
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni83/97Sour Cream and Onion Hasselback Potatoes
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Emma Ringness84/97Roasted Delicata Squash With Crispy Onions
Top caramelized delicata squash with juicy pomegranate seeds and store-bought fried onions tricked out with cumin, garlic powder, and paprika.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni85/97Green Beans With Almond Butter Sauce
Lean on a jar of almond butter for a speedy and extra-nutty green bean dish.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni86/97The Easiest Glazed Carrots
These sticky carrots require a total prep time of just 20 minutes, so you can focus on making yourself a 3-ingredient pomegranate spritz.
Photograph by Jenny Huang, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Martha Bernabe88/97Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Gochujang Brown Butter
Photograph by Jenny Huang, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Martha Bernabe89/97Sweet Potato Tian
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Chris Morocco, Prop Styling by Bea Chastka90/97Grain Salad With Pickled Onions and Herbs
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop styling by Sophie Leng91/97Kale Salad With Pecan Vinaigrette
The ideal Thanksgiving salad is sturdy enough to dress ahead of time—you have enough to handle at the last minute.
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by JoJo Li92/97Sticky-Spicy Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by JoJo Li93/97Sour Cream and Onion Mashed Potatoes
Nicole Franzen94/97Seared Mushrooms With Garlic and Thyme
This is our idea of magic mushrooms: crisp, golden, and buttery. They lend a bass note of flavor to grain salads, but they also stand alone as a savory Thanksgiving dinner side dish.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop styling by Sophie Leng95/97Cranberry and Golden Raisin Relish
This no-fuss gingery sauce looks like a bowl of rubies on your Thanksgiving table—and it’ll be a great addition to your leftover turkey sandwich the day after.
Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker96/97Radicchio and Apple Salad With Mustardy Croutons
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni97/97Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Some of the best Thanksgiving side dishes have main dish energy—which works out well for vegetarians, or anyone who just isn't wowed by turkey, no matter how bronzed and beautiful.
