25 Sides That Make Thanksgiving Stand Out

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Planning your Thanksgiving menu and need side dishes that wow? These 26 Thanksgiving side dishes offer everything from classic Southern favorites to vegan-friendly options, with stuffing recipes, vegetable casseroles, and sweet salads to complete the perfect holiday meal. Whether you want a dish that can be prepped in advance like make-ahead turkey gravy or are looking for a fresh twist on green beans, this collection has something to complement any Thanksgiving feast.

Brown Butter French Green Beans with Toasted Pecans

A white oval dish filled with fresh green beans topped with chopped pecans. The dish is placed on a wooden board with an orange cloth napkin in the background.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

For a more refined green bean dish, try these Brown Butter French Green Beans with Toasted Pecans. The nutty flavor of browned butter combined with crunchy pecans makes this dish an elegant and flavorful side. It’s a perfect option among the best Thanksgiving vegetable sides that won’t overpower the main course.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter French Green Beans with Toasted Pecans

Apple Walnut Stuffing

Apple Walnut Stuffing
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

Apple Walnut Stuffing is a Thanksgiving dinner short cut that uses fresh ingredients to upgrade simple boxed stuffing mix for more flavor and texture!
Get the Recipe: Apple Walnut Stuffing

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

A baking tray filled with golden-brown breaded slices topped with drizzles of white sauce and garnished with chopped herbs.
Image Credit: Real Balanced

Crispy and cheesy, these Parmesan Crusted Potatoes will be a hit at any Thanksgiving feast. The golden parmesan crust adds a delicious crunch, while the soft potatoes inside make it a comforting side. If you need a simple yet flavorful dish, this is one of the top Thanksgiving sides to consider.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Southern Pineapple Casserole

Southern Pineapple Casserole
Photo credit: Simply Stacie

This classic Southern Pineapple Casserole is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, with an irresistibly buttery topping that’s addicting.
Get the Recipe: Southern Pineapple Casserole

Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

A glass bowl filled with quinoa salad, featuring fresh parsley, cranberries, and chopped nuts. A lemon slice and sprigs of parsley are visible in the background on a light surface.
Image Credit: fANNEtastic food

This Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad is a colorful and nutritious option for your Thanksgiving table. With cranberries, pecans, and quinoa, it’s a light and refreshing dish that balances out richer foods. This salad is ideal if you’re looking for healthy Thanksgiving sides without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

Sausage Stuffing Recipe

Delicious Sausage Stuffing Recipe ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This make ahead sausage stuffing recipe is so good I just know you are going to love it! Make ahead side dish for your Thanksgiving and holiday menus.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffing Recipe

Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

Make Ahead Turkey Gravy at its finest
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This make ahead turkey gravy recipe is must for Thanksgiving. This homemade, no drippings gravy is easy and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Slices of roasted sweet potatoes are arranged neatly on a black slate platter placed atop a wooden cutting board. A silver spoon lies beside the platter, and a gray cloth is partially visible in the corner.
Image Credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen

These Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices offer the perfect mix of sweet and savory, making them a must for your holiday spread. The caramelized brown sugar creates a delicious glaze, while the simplicity of the dish makes it one of the easiest and best Thanksgiving sides to prepare. It pairs perfectly with turkey and other rich mains.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing

Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

A few fresh ingredients added to a simple box of cornbread stuffing makes this vibrant and flavorful Thanksgiving side dish – Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing

Pistachio Fluff Salad

A bowl of light green dessert topped with two cherries and sprinkled with nuts. A wooden spoon is in the bowl. In the background, there are smaller bowls with similar contents and marshmallows. A gray napkin is placed beside the bowl.
Image Credit: Upstate Ramblings

This Pistachio Fluff Salad brings a sweet, creamy touch to your Thanksgiving table. With its blend of crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and pistachio pudding, it’s an easy dessert-like side that complements heavier dishes. It’s a great option for anyone looking for the best Thanksgiving sides that stand out with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fluff Salad

Cornbread Dressing

Tasty Cornbread Dressing on display
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Cornbread Dressing recipe is filled with fresh herbs, garlic, celery, and moist cornbread. Cornbread stuffing is a delicious side!
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Green bean casserole with bacon being served with a spoon.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

Creamy comfort meets crispy crunch! This homemade green bean casserole boasts a luxurious sauce from scratch and a golden, breaded topping for a textural experience that’s just as delightful as the taste.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Delicious Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes ready to be enjoyed
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These make ahead mashed potatoes are so creamy and easy to make! They’re the perfect Thanksgiving side because all the prep work is done.
Get the Recipe: Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Classic Ambrosia Salad

Classic Ambrosia Salad
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This delightful ambrosia salad recipe is a perfect blend of coolness, creaminess, sweetness, and refreshing flavors! It embodies the essence of a classic American fruit salad, meticulously crafted in a single bowl within a mere 15 minutes. Enjoy the harmonious combination of colorful fruits and creamy textures in every delicious spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Classic Ambrosia Salad

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A ceramic bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts mixed with almonds and crumbled cheese. Two small bowls are in the background, one with a brush in a sauce and another with spices. A cloth napkin lies beneath the bowl.
Image Credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen

Add a little crunch to your holiday table with these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. The almonds bring a nice texture, while the feta adds a creamy tang that balances the roasted flavors. It’s a sophisticated yet simple option that belongs among the best Thanksgiving vegetable sides.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables

Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables served fresh
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables are perfect for cooking up on Thanksgiving or any holiday! Fall veggies and flavors get so crispy!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

A spoonful of sweet potato casserole topped with mini marshmallows and pecans, lifted from a dish filled with the casserole. The dish is a creamy blend of orange sweet potatoes, white marshmallows, and brown pecans.
Image Credit: Upstate Ramblings

The Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole is a crowd-pleaser that requires little hands-on time. Creamy, sweet, and topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, this dish is one of the best Thanksgiving side options that lets you focus on other cooking tasks. It’s both easy and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Thanksgiving Grazing Board

Thanksgiving Grazing Board
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

A Thanksgiving grazing board makes an easy pre-meal snack tray or a festive stand-in for a full meal when you don’t feel like cooking!
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Grazing Board

Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

A whole roasted cauliflower seasoned with herbs and spices, resting on a baking sheet with golden brown residue from cooking. The surface of the cauliflower is crispy and lightly charred, adding texture and flavor.
Image Credit: Real Balanced

This Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower makes for a visually impressive and delicious side dish for Thanksgiving. Coated in butter and roasted to perfection, it offers a savory and hearty addition that’s easy to prepare. If you want something unique among your best Thanksgiving side dishes, this cauliflower is a great choice.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Vegan Thanksgiving Casserole

Vegan Thanksgiving Casserole
Photo credit: Namely Marly

Infuse the flavors of Thanksgiving into one plant-based casserole dish. You’ll love the easy stuffing based, topped with roasted carrots, potatoes, and tofu. It’s all topped with gravy and baked to deliciousness! Serve it any time of year!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Thanksgiving Casserole

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A dish of green beans topped with crispy onions in an oval blue-rimmed dish. A spoon rests inside, and the dish is placed on a dark wooden table.
Image Credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen

For a fresh take on a classic vegetable side, these Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions are a great addition to your Thanksgiving menu. The garlic and fried onions give them a flavorful kick, making them a memorable addition to the table. They’re simple yet stand out as one of the best sides for Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Thanksgiving Rolls

Thanksgiving Rolls at its finest
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

These soft and fluffy Thanksgiving dinner rolls are easy to make and extra delicious, so they’re the perfect bread for holiday meals!
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Rolls

Classic Southern Potato Salad

A rustic bowl filled with creamy potato salad, garnished with vibrant green parsley leaves and generously sprinkled with red paprika powder. The bowl is placed on a wooden surface, and two whole eggs are visible in the background.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Classic Southern Potato Salad is a must-have for any holiday gathering. Creamy, tangy, and full of flavor, it’s a side dish that everyone will appreciate. Its simplicity and traditional taste make it one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes to bring a touch of the South to your table.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Potato Salad

Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn

Looking down on a casserole with lots of toppings, like chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapeños.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

This Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn is the perfect side dish you can serve alongside your favorite meals. Made with loads of butter, you’ll be thrilled to have this easy slow cooker recipe to share at your next family dinner!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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