10+ Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner Sides That Everyone Will Love

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most cherished meals of the year. It’s a time for family and friends to gather around the table and share delicious food. You can make your Thanksgiving extra special by choosing the perfect side dishes to accompany the main course.

From classic mashed potatoes to vibrant vegetable medleys, there are countless options to suit everyone’s taste. This article will guide you through a variety of recipes that will elevate your Thanksgiving feast and leave guests asking for seconds.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. The creamy texture paired with the rich flavor of garlic makes them a favorite side dish.

Start by cutting the potatoes into chunks. It’s best to use Yukon gold potatoes for their buttery taste. Boil them in salted water until tender, then drain.

In a separate pan, cook garlic in olive oil until golden. This adds a lovely depth of flavor. Mash the potatoes and mix in the garlic, some chicken stock, and a bit of sour cream for creaminess.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can adjust the consistency by adding more stock if needed. Serve warm and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and cut potatoes into chunks.
2. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3. In a separate pan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until golden.
4. Drain the potatoes and mash them.
5. Mix in sautéed garlic, chicken stock, and sour cream.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve warm.

2) Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic side dish that many people look forward to at Thanksgiving. It combines tender green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce and crispy fried onions.

This dish is easy to make and very satisfying. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans, depending on what you prefer. The creamy texture and the crunchy topping make it a comforting choice.

For a twist, some recipes add ingredients like cheddar cheese or mushrooms for extra flavor. The blend of tastes and textures will please your guests and make your dinner special.

Ingredients

• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups green beans (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 ½ cups French-fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup and milk.
3. Stir in the green beans and half the French-fried onions.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
5. Bake for 25 minutes.
6. Top with the remaining French-fried onions and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until golden brown.

3) Cranberry Orange Relish

Cranberry Orange Relish is a fresh and tangy addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. It pairs perfectly with turkey and adds a burst of flavor to your plate. Making this relish is simple and quick.

You will need fresh cranberries and oranges for the best taste. The bright color and tartness of the cranberries combined with the sweetness of the oranges make it a festive side dish.

You can customize the recipe by adding spices like cinnamon for extra warmth.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 large orange, zest and juice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 – 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the cranberries and remove any stems.
2. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, and sugar.
3. Heat on medium until the mixture boils.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until cranberries pop.
5. Allow to cool before serving.

4) Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Brown sugar glazed carrots are a sweet and delicious side dish. They add a lovely touch to your Thanksgiving table. Plus, they’re easy to make, which is a bonus during the busy holiday season.

To prepare, you’ll start by peeling and cutting fresh carrots. Then, combine them with butter, brown sugar, and a little salt and pepper. You can cook them on the stovetop or even in a slow cooker.

These carrots cook quickly. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the carrots are fork-tender. For a twist, you can use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.

Your family and guests will enjoy the sweet flavor. It pairs wonderfully with turkey and other holiday dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450 g) carrots
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water

Cooking Instructions:

1. Peel and slice the carrots.
2. Combine carrots, butter, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in a pan.
3. Add enough water to cover the carrots halfway.
4. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until tender.

5) Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Maple roasted Brussels sprouts are a delicious side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. The sweet and nutty flavors make them stand out on the table. Plus, they’re easy to make!

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature helps create that nice caramelization. Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until they are well coated.

Spread the sprouts on a baking sheet. Roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes. Once they are golden brown and crispy, drizzle maple syrup over them before serving. This adds a sweet touch that everyone will love.

You can also customize them. Adding chopped walnuts or dried cranberries gives a nice crunch and flavor contrast.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Optional: walnuts or dried cranberries

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet.
4. Roast for 20 minutes.
5. Drizzle with maple syrup before serving.

6) Cornbread Stuffing

Cornbread stuffing is a delicious addition to any Thanksgiving dinner. It pairs perfectly with turkey and adds a comforting flavor to your meal. The soft texture of cornbread combined with seasonings creates a delightful dish.

To start, you can make this stuffing using homemade or store-bought cornbread. Stale cornbread works best, so let it sit out overnight. If you’re short on time, toast it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes.

For extra flavor, mix in ingredients like onion, celery, and poultry seasoning. These ingredients enhance the stuffing and give it that classic taste.

Ingredients

• 5 cups crumbled cornbread
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1½ cups chicken stock
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp sage

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Melt the butter in a pan and sauté the onion and celery until soft.
3. In a large bowl, combine cornbread, sautéed vegetables, thyme, and sage.
4. Pour in chicken stock and mix until moist.
5. Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

7) Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is a comforting side dish perfect for Thanksgiving. Its creamy texture and sweet flavor make it a family favorite. You can customize it with toppings like marshmallows or pecans for added crunch and sweetness.

To make this dish, start with cooked and mashed sweet potatoes. Mix in butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. You can add vanilla extract for extra flavor. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with your favorite crunch, such as marshmallows or nuts.

Bake the casserole at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes. This will let the flavors meld together and create a delicious topping. It’s a delightful addition to your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients

• 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini marshmallows or chopped pecans (for topping)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla.
3. Mix until smooth and creamy.
4. Pour into a greased baking dish.
5. Top with marshmallows or pecans.
6. Bake for 25 minutes until heated through.

8) Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Honey Butter Skillet Corn is a delightful side dish that adds a touch of sweetness to your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s quick to prepare, making it an excellent choice when you have many dishes to manage.

To make this dish, start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You can add some honey for a sweet flavor burst. Once the butter and honey are combined, toss in your corn, whether canned, frozen, or fresh.

Cook the corn, stirring occasionally, for about 5 to 8 minutes. You want it heated through. If you like, adding cream cheese will give it a creamy texture.

This dish is easy and will impress your guests with its great taste.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 4 cups corn (canned, frozen, or fresh)
• 4 tablespoons cream cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter and honey in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add corn and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in cream cheese, salt, and pepper if desired. Cook until heated through.

9) Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild rice pilaf is a tasty and nutritious side dish perfect for Thanksgiving. It combines nutty wild rice with the sweetness of cranberries and the freshness of herbs. This dish is easy to prepare and can add color to your holiday table.

You can use a wild rice blend for a chewy texture. Cooking it in vegetable broth makes it even more flavorful. Mixing in ingredients like leeks and pecans offers added crunch and taste.

This dish pairs well with turkey or any main course you choose. It’s an excellent addition to any festive gathering.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups wild rice blend
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 leek, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Fresh herbs (like parsley)
• Olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the wild rice under cold water.
2. In a pot, combine wild rice and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and cover for 40-50 minutes or until tender.
4. In a skillet, heat oil or butter. Sauté leeks until soft.
5. Stir in cranberries and pecans. Cook for a few minutes.
6. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and mix in the leek mixture.
7. Add salt, pepper, and fresh herbs before serving.

10) Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut squash risotto is a warm and creamy side dish perfect for Thanksgiving. The sweetness of the butternut squash pairs well with the rich flavor of the risotto.

Start by cooking the squash until it’s tender. Then, use arborio rice and slowly add broth, stirring frequently. This technique gives the risotto its creamy texture.

You can also add some parmesan cheese for extra flavor. A sprinkle of parsley will make it look beautiful on your table.

This dish is vegetarian-friendly and will impress your guests. Enjoy the cozy and comforting taste of butternut squash risotto this holiday season.

Ingredients

• 1 cup arborio rice
• 2 cups butternut squash, diced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until it softens.
3. Stir in the diced butternut squash and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add arborio rice and stir for a few minutes.
5. Gradually add vegetable broth, one cup at a time, and stir often.
6. Once the rice is creamy, stir in parmesan cheese.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with parsley before serving.