Quick Answer: What Side Dishes to Serve at Thanksgiving?
Some of the best side dishes to serve at thanksgiving are—Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Hasselback Potatoes, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Glazed Carrots, Carrot Apple Salad, Roasted Cauliflower, Cauliflower Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Green Beans Casserole, Garlicky Green Beans with Toasted Almonds, Candied Yams, Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits, Roasted Vegetables, Maple Bacon Carrots, Baked Cheese Corn, Pumpkin Soup, Cajun Cabbage, Vegetable Gravy, and Cornbread.
Here are 20 mouth-watering side dishes to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner which will make your guests super happy!
Thanksgiving is that one holiday where gluttony is forgiven and hence requires a great side dish to go on the side of the traditional turkey.
In this list, I have enumerated, with experience as a foodie, all the side dishes that are bound to make your thanksgiving dinner memorable.
So, let’s get to it!
Thanksgiving Side Dishes – Quick Access
| Recipe | Total Calories (per 100g) | Total Preparation Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes | 393 | 60 minutes |
| 2. Hasselback Potatoes | 122 | 40 minutes |
| 3. Baked Sweet Potatoes | 90 | 45 minutes |
| 4. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows | 200.5 | 60 minutes |
| 5. Glazed Carrots | 125 | 20 minutes |
| 6. Carrot Apple Salad | 130 | 10 minutes |
| 7. Roasted Cauliflower | 50 | 40 minutes |
| 8. Cauliflower Stuffing | 86 | 40 minutes |
| 9. Cranberry Sauce | 151 | 20 minutes |
| 10. Green Beans Casserole | 161 | 40 minutes |
| 11. Garlicky Green Beans with Toasted Almonds | 160 | 20 minutes |
| 12. Candied Yams | 119 | 40 minutes |
| 13. Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits | 353 | 35 minutes |
| 14. Roasted Vegetables | 81.4 | 30 minutes |
| 15. Maple Bacon Carrots | 189 | 55 minutes |
| 16. Baked Cheese Corn | 179 | 20 minutes |
| 17. Pumpkin Soup | 29 | 30 minutes |
| 18. Cajun Cabbage | 215.77 | 35 minutes |
| 19. Vegetable Gravy | 56 | 30 minutes |
| 20. Cornbread | 330 | 25 minutes |
1. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Total calories (per 100g): 393
Total preparation time: 60 minutes
Mashed potatoes are an OG side dish for thanksgiving dinners.
But roasted garlic mashed potatoes are a level up!
This side dish is creamy and has the deliciousness of potatoes, salt, pepper, milk mixed with a hint of garlicky flavor departed by roasted garlic.
Serve this as a side dish in your Thanksgiving dinner and give your guests one more thing to be thankful for.
Here is an easy recipe by Recipe30-
2. Hasselback Potatoes
Total calories (per 100g): 122
Total preparation time: 40 minutes
Hasselback potatoes have their origins in Sweden but the love for them resides in everyone’s hearts.
They are quite popular for their visual appeal but they are extremely tasty with their crunchy outside rims and soft interiors.
Hasselback potatoes are that side dish that pleases both tongue and eyes and therefore make for an excellent Thanksgiving side dish.
Check out this tasty recipe by The Cooking Foodie –
3. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Total calories (per 100g): 90
Total preparation time: 45 minutes
Sweet potatoes are healthier than normal potatoes but are equally filling. Thus considering them as a side dish won’t be a bad idea.
Serve baked sweet potatoes as a side dish at your Thanksgiving dinner and make your guests feel glad that they came.
Baked Sweet Potatoes are sweet and fluffy on the inside and have crispy thin skin on the outside. You can make them savory or sweet by adjusting ingredients.
Here is a yummy recipe by Downshiftology-
4. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Total calories (per 100g): 200.5
Total preparation time: 60 minutes
A side dish that is both sweet and savory, and has a soft, fluffy marshmallow topping? Chef’s kiss
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is the side dish to go with, for your Thanksgiving feast, if you want to leave your guests in awe.
Quick tip: You can also add the topping of pecans for flavor enhancement.
Check out this easy recipe by Delish –
5. Glazed Carrots
Total calories (per 100g): 125
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
A classic thanksgiving side dish—glazed carrots are simple yet tasty.
Carrots are simmered in brown sugar and butter then sprinkled with parsley.
It is quite easy to make, quick, and inexpensive side dish. It not only adds flavors to your thanksgiving meal but also allows you to go for an expensive main dish.
Here is a quick recipe by Let’s Get Cooking With Lamise O-
6. Carrot Apple Salad
Total calories (per 100g): 130
Total preparation time: 10 minutes
If you have gone over time with your turkey; your guests have decided to drop in early and you have no time to make your side dish— carrot apple salad will save you.
Just toss carrots, apples, and additional ingredients in a bowl and top it with a simple lemon dressing.
This side dish can be made quickly and will light up your Thanksgiving dinner with its flavors and simplicity.
Check out this quick recipe by Dr. Josh Axe-
7. Roasted Cauliflower
Total calories (per 100g): 50
Total preparation time: 40 minutes
Roasted cauliflowers are easy to make and have an inviting taste and texture.
If you are planning on an extravagant main dish for thanksgiving then going with roasted cauliflowers as a side dish is recommended.
Made with simple seasonings, oil, and butter— roasted cauliflowers make a flavourful side dish as they tend to soak in the flavors.
Here is a yummy and easy recipe by Home Cooking Adventure-
8. Cauliflower Stuffing
Total calories (per 100g): 86
Total preparation time: 40 minutes
Stuffing, in general, makes a great side dish for thanksgivings.
But cauliflower stuffing is an ‘all inclusive’ side dish as it is liked by foodies as well as those who wish to have their food gluten-free or are on a special diet.
Cauliflower stuffing is delicious and has a herby and meaty flavor. When served as a side dish, it will beautifully blend with the other dishes.
Check out this easy recipe by Delish-
9. Cranberry Sauce
Total calories (per 100g): 151
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving side dish.
It is very easy to make and doesn’t require much culinary expertise.
With a sweet and tarty balance created by orange juice and sugar, cranberry sauce makes the ultimate lip-smacking side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner.
Quick tip: Add cinnamon to spice up the recipe.
Here is a quick recipe by Gordon Ramsay –
10. Green Beans Casserole
Total calories (per 100g): 161
Total preparation time: 40 minutes
Everyone expects green beans, in any form, in a traditional thanksgiving dinner.
Green beans casserole is the best way to stand up to such expectations!
Its creamy, smooth sauce and undefeated flavor scheme with its remarkable simplicity make it a beyond delicious side dish on the Thanksgiving table.
Quick tip: You can also add bacon and cheddar to it and make it more flavourful.
Check out this tasty recipe by Food Wishes-
11. Garlicky Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Total calories (per 100g): 160
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
If you want to serve green beans but in a fancy way with more added flavors and texture, go with garlicky green beans with toasted almonds.
This side dish will make green beans appear fascinating and your guests will demand it again next thanksgiving.
DIY recipe—
12. Candied Yams
Total calories (per 100g): 119
Total preparation time: 40 minutes
Rich, tender, and full of flavors— candied yams are an indispensable part of a thanksgiving meal.
They are a bit sweet in flavor and therefore go well on the side of a savory main dish.
DIY recipe—
13. Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
Total calories (per 100g): 353
Total preparation time: 35 minutes
Soft, buttery with multiple flaky layers— buttermilk biscuits are the way to your guests’ hearts.
As a side dish, it will complement almost any main dish and will make everyone nostalgic about their thanksgiving at their grandma’s.
DIY recipe—
14. Roasted Vegetables
Total calories (per 100g): 81.4
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
A great way to incorporate veggies in your thriving thanksgiving dinner is to serve roasted vegetables as a side dish.
Roasting the vegetable deepens their flavors and also ensures a satisfying texture. As a side dish, roasted vegetables are delicious and filling.
DIY recipe—
15. Maple Bacon Carrots
Total calories (per 100g): 189
Total preparation time: 55 minutes
Imagine sweet carrots, wrapped in bacon being roasted while basting in maple syrup with a hint of sriracha sauce. Makes you drool, right?
Tender carrots, crispy bacon, and delicious sweet and spicy taste— this side dish has it all and makes your thanksgiving dinner memorable.
DIY recipe—
16. Baked Cheese Corn
Total calories (per 100g): 179
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
This cheesy and creamy delight will make everyone drool on the table.
Another side dish without which thanksgiving dinner feels incomplete is baked cheese corn.
It is an ideal side dish to serve when entertaining a large crowd as it ensures everyone’s tummy is filled and satisfied.
DIY recipe—
17. Pumpkin Soup
Total calories (per 100g): 29
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Served at almost all traditional thanksgiving dinners, pumpkin soup is soothing and nourishing.
It is thick, creamy, and full of flavor and will make your thanksgiving table bask in its glory.
Serve it with some hot buttery crusty bread.
DIY recipe—
18. Cajun Cabbage
Total calories (per 100g): 215.77
Total preparation time: 35 minutes
Looking to serve something savory and spicy? Cajun cabbage is the side dish to go with!
Cabbages are not only healthy but also inexpensive. Serving Cajun cabbage as a side dish at your Thanksgiving dinner will allow you to spend more on the main dish.
DIY recipe—
19. Vegetable Gravy
Total calories (per 100g): 56
Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Gravy is a must for throwing a traditional thanksgiving dinner.
Vegetable gravy is silky and savory and fits beautifully in a thanksgiving menu.
If you want to adhere to a specific flavor, you can also go for vegetable mushroom gravy, or for a fancy flavor, you can opt for bacon-onion gravy.
DIY recipe— Checkout!
20. Cornbread
Total calories (per 100g): 330
Total preparation time: 25 minutes
Cornbread announces the arrival of holidays. It is soft, buttery, and moist with crispy edges which make it quite appetizing.
It is the side dish that you should serve if you are running low on time but deny to serve anything below your thanksgiving meal’s dignity.
DIY recipe—
Appetizers for Thanksgiving
If you wish to start your feast in style, you can serve Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts, Fried Mac and Cheese Balls, or Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze as appetizers.
Other classy options for thanksgiving appetizers would be— Whipped Ricotta Crostini, Garlic Breadsticks, Deviled Eggs, or Baked Mashed Potato Spring Rolls.
For appetizers, you can also serve a DIY Bruschetta Board or Charcuterie Board. This will keep your guests fed and entertained.
Drinks for Thanksgiving
The best white wines to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner are— Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Albarino.
Suggestions for red wine would be—Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel and Beaujolais Nouveau.
Rosé and Sherry will also go well with your Thanksgiving meal.
Cocktail suggestions for thanksgiving are— Mezcal Negroni, Grapefruit Rosemary Mimosa, Boulevardier, Spiced Cranberry Punch, and Spicy Bloody Mary.
Non-alcoholic drinks for thanksgiving can include— Ginger Cranberry Sparkler, Mimosa Mocktails, Apple Pie Punch, and Pink ‘Champagne’ Mocktail.
Desserts for Thanksgiving
The best way to end a Thanksgiving dinner is to have a delightful dessert.
If you wish to serve a pie as dessert go with Cranberry-Pear Lattice Pie, Pear Berry Crumb Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Caramel Apple Pie, and Spiced Pumpkin Pie.
Chocolate-based dessert options can be Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, Chocolate Walnut Brownies, Spiked Hot Chocolate, and Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake.
Other dessert suggestions are— Lemon Meringue Tartlets, Sticky Coffee Pudding, Cranberry Cobbler, Spiced Parsnip Cakes, and Apple Fritters.
To Sum Up
We hope this wholesome guide helped you in picking a side dish to serve at your Thanksgiving dinner.
If you have any suggestions or tips, please let us know below!
Do share this guide with your family and friends.