20 Stress-Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Daniela Apostol

Nov 07, 2024

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A good roast needs some really good side dishes to elevate it, and if we are talking about the Thanksgiving turkey, then we can only serve the very best sides. These stress-free Thanksgiving side dishes are incredibly delicious, comforting and easy to make, so you can enjoy a relaxing Thanksgiving dinner without all the hassle that comes with it. These dishes are so big on flavours, that it will be hard deciding which one is your favourite. From classic dishes, to sides with a twist, these recipes will be a massive hit with all your families and guests.

Table of Contents

Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing

Close-up of a dish filled with stuffing, featuring toasted bread cubes mixed with chopped celery and herbs, with a hint of seasoning. The stuffing appears to be fresh and baked to a golden brown.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing made with sage, thyme, onion and celery, and cooked in chicken broth, a traditional turkey stuffing for your Thanksgiving roast. It’s a very easy and comforting recipe that can be cooked either in a casserole dish, or it can be used to stuff the Thanksgiving turkey.

GET THE RECIPE: Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing

Dinner Rolls

A plate of freshly baked bread rolls on a dark surface. One roll is sliced open with butter inside. A blue striped cloth is nearby.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This small-batch Dinner Rolls are made from scratch with little prep to create perfectly soft, fluffy and pillowy rolls with just a few simple ingredients. You really need these rolls for your Thanksgiving dinner, everybody will absolutely love them!

GET THE RECIPE: Dinner Rolls

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

The image shows baked mashed potatoes in a white oval dish with a serving spoon. The top is covered with melted cheese and garnished with chopped green onions. Nearby, a piece of the dish is served on a plate.
Image credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This delicious Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole is a stress-free Thanksgiving side dish. So cheesy and comforting, and utterly delicious!

GET THE RECIPE: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

Brussel Sprout Slaw

Brussel sprout slow in a yellow bowl.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Brussel Sprout Slaw made with carrots, spring onions, a good helping of mayo, and a touch of lemon juice, a delicious side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner party. Quick and easy to make, and so delicious!

GET THE RECIPE: Brussel Sprout Slaw

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

3 jalapeno cornbread muffins on a white rectangle plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

These Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins make a fantastic side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. They are wonderfully moist and rich, with a mixture of sweet, savoury and fiery, and are on the table in 30 minutes. So easy, and definitely a crowd pleaser.

GET THE RECIPE: Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

Vegetable Gratin

A casserole dish contains a creamy vegetable bake with a golden crust and is partially served with a spoon.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Vegetable Gratin made with brussels sprouts and leeks smothered in a cheesy white sauce, and topped with breadcrumbs and more delicious cheese, a fabulous side dish for Thanksgiving. It’s a comforting dish that makes the perfect accompaniment for any roast or roast alternative.

GET THE RECIPE: Vegetable Gratin

Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls

A bowl filled with golden-brown baked stuffing balls, featuring a crispy exterior and specks of herbs. They are arranged closely together in a bright yellow dish, providing a rustic and appetizing appearance.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

These Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls are a delicious vegetarian side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. The classic combo of sage and onions is simple, but heavenly delicious.

GET THE RECIPE: Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

On a baking tray, there are roasted Brussels sprouts, chunks of sweet potato, and pieces of bacon.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with bacon and sweet potatoes, a delicious and colourful side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. Super easy to make, and so flavourful, this dish is a family-favourite side.

GET THE RECIPE: Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Chicken Brussel Sprout Casserole

A plate with a portion of chicken and brussel sprout casserole.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Chicken and Brussel Sprout Casserole with walnuts and bechamel sauce, a delicious Thanksgiving side dish for the whole family. It’s very easy to make, and a great alternative to the plain boiled brussels. So delicious! 

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken and Brussel Sprout Casserole

Sauteed Green Beans

Close-up of cooked green beans garnished with chopped herbs. A fork is partially seen picking up some of the beans, highlighting their freshness and vibrant green color.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Sautéed Green Beans with garlic and butter, a last-minute Thanksgiving side dish. This simple recipe can be made with either fresh or frozen green beans, it’s vegetarian friendly, but it can be made vegan by swapping butter for vegetable oil.

GET THE RECIPE: Sauteed Green Beans

Garlic Butter Baby Potatoes

A portion of garlic butter baby potatoes on a plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Garlic Butter Baby Potatoes with fresh herbs, a fantastic side dish for any roast or meat alternative. A great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner menu, this dish is simplicity in itself, and it’s ready in well under 30 minutes. 

GET THE RECIPE: Garlic Butter Baby Potatoes

Roasted Butternut Squash Halves

A plate with two halves of roasted butternut squash, featuring a caramelized surface, beside a green and white striped cloth partially visible on the right side.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Roasted Butternut Squash Halves, a delicious side dish that tastes of Fall and coziness. It’s incredibly easy to make with minimal prep, and can be enjoyed not only on Thanksgiving, but also all year round.

GET THE RECIPE: Roasted Butternut Squash Halves

Sausage Stuffing Balls

A bowl with sausage stuffing balls.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Sausage Stuffing Balls with sage and onion, a delicious Thanksgiving side dish made from scratch with very little prep and effort. So easy to make, and a big hit with everyone.

GET THE RECIPE: Sausage Stuffing Balls

Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts

A pan with brussels sprouts cooked with bacon and parmesan.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts with bacon and parmesan, a delicious Thanksgiving side dish, but also great throughout the Winter months. It’s quick and easy, full of flavour and perfect for any roast.

GET THE RECIPE: Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts

Crispy Roast Potatoes

Roast potatoes with garlic cloves and rosemary sprigs.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Crispy Roast Potatoes with rosemary and garlic, a classic side dish for your Thanksgiving table. The potatoes are perfectly crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside, and are wonderfully delicious every single time.

GET THE RECIPE: Crispy Roast Potatoes

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

A close-up of creamy mashed potatoes served in a blue-patterned dish, topped with a rectangular pat of butter that's beginning to melt.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, creamy and velvety, and seasoned to perfection, the best side dish for your Thanksgiving turkey roast or just a nice meal throughout the year. This really is comfort food at its best!

GET THE RECIPE: Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Knotted Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

A plate of pumpkin bread rolls topped with sesame and poppy seeds.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Knotted Pumpkin Dinner Rolls made with canned pumpkin; soft and fluffy, and so easy to make, a great Thanksgiving side dish. From little to big ones, your whole family will be in love with these little pumpkin beauties.

GET THE RECPE: Knotted Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

A white serving jug with cranberry sauce.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice and brown sugar, a classic side dish for your Thanksgiving turkey. It’s ready in just 10 minutes from scratch if you use fresh cranberries, or 15 minutes if you use frozen ones. So easy, and so flavourful, with only simple 3 ingredients.

GET THE RECIPE: Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

Waldorf Salad

A portion of waldorf salad.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Waldorf Salad with celery, apples, spinach, grapes and walnuts,and amazingly fresh and crunchy Thanksgiving side dish. It has a homemade salad dressing made of light Greek yogurt and a bit of mayo, and a good drizzle of lemon juice – so good!

GET THE RECIPE: Waldorf Salad

Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin

The image shows a casserole dish with sliced potatoes and melted cheese, topped with herbs. A portion has been served, revealing its creamy texture.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern Creamy Sweet Potato and Muenster Gratin a staple Thanksgiving side dish that is made with little effort. It’s creamy and cheesy and so delicious!

GET THE RECIPE: Creamy Sweet Potato and Muester Gratin

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