25 Sides That Make Thanksgiving Stand Out
Nov 22, 2025
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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.
Table of Contents
- Brown Butter French Green Beans with Toasted Pecans
- Apple Walnut Stuffing
- Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
- Southern Pineapple Casserole
- Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad
- Sausage Stuffing Recipe
- Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
- Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices
- Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing
- Pistachio Fluff Salad
- Cornbread Dressing
- Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
- Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Classic Ambrosia Salad
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta
- Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
- Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
- Thanksgiving Grazing Board
- Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
- Vegan Thanksgiving Casserole
- Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
- Thanksgiving Rolls
- Classic Southern Potato Salad
- Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn
Brown Butter French Green Beans with Toasted Pecans
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 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
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

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
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

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
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
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

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

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

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

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
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

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

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
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

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

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

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

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
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

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
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

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


