39 Thanksgiving Side Dishes, From Classics to Global Favorites
Thanksgiving may be best known for turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, but the side dishes are where a holiday table can really show some personality. Potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, corn, mushrooms, salads, and hearty grains all have a place alongside the main course, and there is no reason they all have to follow the same traditional formula.
This collection brings together 39 Thanksgiving side dishes from different culinary traditions, from creamy French potato dauphinois and Ukrainian garlic rolls to Greek spanakorizo and Mediterranean bean salad. Some are familiar Thanksgiving staples with a different twist, while others offer completely new flavors and ingredients for the holiday table.
Potato & Sweet Potato Sides
1. Potato Dauphinois: French Scalloped Potatoes
A Thanksgiving table needs at least one deeply indulgent potato dish, and Potato Dauphinois is exactly that dish. Because if you’re going to make an indulgent potato dish, you might as well make it a good one. These thinly sliced potatoes bake slowly in cream and butter with garlic and thyme, with Parmesan forming a golden top over the soft layers underneath. Give the dish a little time to rest before serving, and you’ll be able to cut neat portions. It’s a lovely choice for anyone who prefers their potatoes creamy rather than mashed.
35. Ham & Cheese Hasselback Potatoes
It’s hard to go wrong with potatoes, ham, and plenty of melted cheese, especially on Thanksgiving. These Hasselback potatoes are crispy and golden on the outside, with smoky ham tucked into the slices and Gruyère melted all over the top. A generous brushing of herb butter brings in rosemary and thyme, which fit right in with the flavors already on the Thanksgiving table. They’re quite substantial, so you won’t need much else to make the potato lovers at the table happy.
3. Roasted Potatoes with Tahini Yogurt Sauce
Roasted potatoes are usually an easy sell, and the sauce here gives them something extra. Baby potatoes and sweet potatoes roast with paprika, oregano, and garlic until the edges are crisp and the centers soft. Serve the lemony tahini-yogurt sauce alongside so everyone can add as much as they like. Its tang works especially well with the sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes.
4. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple since they work with a variety of meaty mains. Cut them into wedges and roast them with rosemary, garlic, and onion until tender, with caramelized edges. The herbs give them a savory finish that goes well with turkey, lamb, or pork. Simple ingredients, but plenty to enjoy.
5. Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Somewhere between a baked potato and a broccoli and cheese casserole, these stuffed potatoes give you a bit of both. The filling is soft and creamy, with tender broccoli, melted cheese, and mustard adding plenty of flavor. They’re quite substantial, so half a potato per person is a sensible starting point when there are lots of other sides to try. Potato lovers can always come back for more.
6. Lemon Potatoes with Garlic and Oregano
These roasted potatoes bring plenty of brightness to a table filled with rich Thanksgiving dishes. Lemon is the star of this dish, with garlic, oregano, and thyme adding a lot of background flavor. The centers turn fluffy, while the edges develop a deep golden finish during the final stretch in the oven. If your family prefers roast potatoes to mash, these are well worth a look. There’s plenty of flavor without adding another creamy potato dish to the menu.
7. Oriental Salad: Romanian Potato & Egg Salad
For a potato salad that skips the mayonnaise, try this Romanian favorite. Boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs are mixed with red onion, bell peppers, Kalamata olives, and fresh dill, then dressed with olive oil. There’s something different in every forkful, from soft potato to crunchy pepper and salty olive. Serve it cold or at room temperature and save on effort. The combination of all the different flavors and textures makes it a satisfying side that pairs easily with substantial mains like beef.
Vegetable Sides & Casseroles
8. Chickpea & Eggplant Casserole
If you want to make sure the vegetable sides have some substance, this chickpea and eggplant casserole delivers. It’s hearty enough that vegetarian guests can treat it as a meal in and of itself, while everyone else can enjoy a smaller portion as a side. It’s a particularly useful addition to a Thanksgiving spread when you need something plant-based yet substantial. You might want to plan it ahead, though, since dried chickpeas need some time to soak properly.
9. The Publican’s BBQ Carrots
Carrots deserve more attention on the Thanksgiving table, and this recipe gives them plenty of character. The carrots are seasoned with a smoky, slightly sweet barbecue rub and grilled until tender and lightly charred, then finished with lemon juice, crushed pecans, and a creamy dill yogurt sauce.
The combination of sweet carrots, warm spices, crunchy nuts, and tangy yogurt makes this a colorful alternative to the usual roasted vegetable side.
10. Roasted Vegetables with Cheese
Briam asks for a bit of chopping, then lets the oven take over. Eggplant, zucchini, peppers, carrots, and tomatoes bake slowly with garlic, olive oil, and thyme until soft, with a concentrated tomato sauce around them. Crumble feta over the top for a salty finish, or leave it off to keep the dish vegan. It’s naturally vegan before the feta, easily scaled up for a crowd, and works on its own as well as a side served with various meats like chicken or pork
11. Blanched Green Beans with Asian Sauce
Green beans are one of the most traditional Thanksgiving vegetables, but the standard cream-and-crispy-onion version isn’t the only way to go. These are briefly blanched, then tossed in a punchy sauce of soy, vinegar, lemon, honey, and hot spice. There’s a little sweetness, a little heat, and plenty of flavor without much fuss. It’s also a quick dish to tackle while the more demanding sides are underway.
12. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Cider and Herbs
Brussels sprouts are a Thanksgiving favorite, and this version leans fully into the flavors of the season. The sprouts are browned in rendered bacon fat, roasted until tender, then finished with apple cider, butter, and plenty of fresh parsley, sage, and thyme. The cider adds a subtle sweetness and tang that balances the smoky bacon, while the fresh herbs give the dish that unmistakable holiday aroma. It’s a savory, crowd-friendly side that pairs especially well with roast turkey.
13. Creamy Mashed Peas with Mint
Mashed peas don’t get nearly enough credit, and this version makes a good case for giving them a try. Caramelized onion and cream soften their flavor, while mint adds a fresh, herbal note. The vivid green is a bonus, especially beside all those golden potatoes and casseroles. Better still, they’re ready in about 20 minutes.
14. Oven-Baked Greek Giant Beans
hese Greek giant beans are worth planning ahead for. They bake slowly in a tomato and vegetable sauce with garlic, onion, and fresh dill until creamy and full of flavor. Serve a generous portion as a main for plant-based guests. Everyone else can take a smaller spoonful alongside the other sides. They’re good warm or at room temperature, and making them ahead gives the flavors time to develop.
Fresh Salads
15. Spinach & Butternut Squash Salad w/ Crispy Prosciutto
A fresh salad is always useful when so much of the Thanksgiving table is warm, creamy, and rich. Here, sweet roasted butternut squash makes it feel suitably autumnal, while crispy prosciutto brings a salty, savory contrast to the spinach. It’s colorful, light enough to give your plate a bit of breathing room, and still has enough fall flavor to make sense next to the traditional sides. This recipe is one to keep handy if your menu is already heavy on casseroles and potatoes.
16. Cabbage & Carrot Salad
Politiki salad is a Turkish-Greek cabbage salad. Shredded white and red cabbage, carrots, roasted peppers, and celery are dressed with olive oil, vinegar, and lemon, then topped with walnuts, pine nuts, and raisins, a combination that adds crunch, sweetness, and depth. The salad benefits from resting before serving, which lets the dressing soak into the vegetables and softens the raw edge of the cabbage. On a Thanksgiving table full of warm, cooked dishes, its crisp texture and bright acidity do a lot to keep things from feeling heavy. Great served with chicken lamb, and most roasted meats.
17. Warm Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables & Tahini Dressing
A quinoa salad with roasted carrots, beetroot, and cauliflower bring sweetness and depth as a side dish especially served with fish, though it can work well on its own as a vegetarian option. The tahini-lemon dressing ties everything together with a nuttiness that makes the whole dish feel considerably more substantial than a typical grain salad. It sits comfortably at room temperature, which makes it easy to fit into a Thanksgiving spread where timing everything to arrive hot at once is always a challenge.
18. Mediterranean Salad with Roasted Potatoes
This is a salad that earns its place at a festive table by being both substantial and fresh. Crisp-edged roasted potatoes are already pretty difficult to resist, but combined with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, red onion, and crumbled feta, the dish gains even more substance and flavor. A splash of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar at the end sharpens everything further and makes it a particularly good companion for richer meat dishes on the same table.
19. Curry-Spiced Fruit & Nut Garden Salad
A cool, crunchy salad is always a welcome addition between forkfuls of turkey, stuffing, and gravy. You have the crisp base made up of fresh lettuce and celery, a little sweetness from the sliced fruit and raisins, and walnuts which provide that extra crunch and earthy flavor. The creamy yogurt and mayonnaise dressing sprinkled with curry powder gives it a lot of character on top of that. It gives the Thanksgiving table something fresh and colorful without feeling like the same salad you’ve had every other time.
20. Mediterranean Bean Salad
White beans have a quiet versatility that makes them one of the more useful ingredients on a busy holiday table, and this salad puts that quality to good use. Made with green and Florina peppers, fresh fennel, grated carrot, dill, parsley, and lime zest, the whole dish is brought together with a creamy vegan mayonnaise dressing that adds richness without weighing anything down It’s naturally plant-based and substantial enough to work as a proper side rather than an afterthought, and it benefits from being made ahead and left to rest which is exactly the kind of flexibility a Thanksgiving spread needs.
21. Black Quinoa and Rice Salad with Fruits & Nuts
This colorful black quinoa and rice salad makes a beautiful addition to a Thanksgiving table, especially if you want something lighter alongside the richer holiday dishes. Turmeric-infused rice and black quinoa create a hearty base with plenty of texture, while dried plums, apricots, and pomegranate seeds bring natural sweetness and festive color. A scattering of crushed pistachios adds a delicate crunch and nutty finish. It’s a particularly good choice when you want a side dish that feels seasonal, substantial, and a little different from the usual Thanksgiving staples.
Rice, Pasta & Grain Sides
22. Baked Pumpkin Risotto
Pumpkin feels right at home on a Thanksgiving menu, but it doesn’t always have to end up in pie. In this risotto, it gives the rice a creamy texture and gentle sweetness, with butter and Parmesan bringing in the richness you’d expect from the dish. And because the risotto finishes in the oven, you don’t have to stand over the stove constantly stirring while you’re trying to get everything else ready. It’s a cozy alternative to the usual rice sides and makes good use of one of the season’s signature flavors.
23. Rigatoni Pasta Bake with Cottage Cheese & Tomato Sauce
For families that like a good pasta dish alongside the Thanksgiving classics, this baked rigatoni is a comforting option without an especially heavy cream sauce. Cottage cheese gives the tomato sauce a creamy quality, while mozzarella and Parmesan create the stretchy, golden cheese layer you want from a pasta bake. You can also had a few chili flakes for a some extra kick.
24. Spinach & Rice
Spanakorizo is a traditional Greek rice and spinach dish that offers a lighter, more herb-forward alternative to heavier grain sides. It’s rather easy to whip up too, since the rice simmers in broth until tender, with spinach folded in toward the end to keep its color. It’s easy to put together and goes well with roasted meat or vegetables. If you prefer a more acidic tomato-based version, try this variation instead.
25. Broccoli Pesto Pasta
This side is a nice option for bringing both pasta and greens to the Thanksgiving table in a single dish, particularly if you’d rather skip another baked casserole. Most of the broccoli gets blended into a pesto and the rest left as tender florets mixed into the farfalle. But the best part of the dish is the butter, Parmesan and anchovy sauce that adds a deep savory note to the whole thing and makes it hard not to ask for seconds.
26. Rice-Stuffed Tomatoes & Peppers
Stuffed tomatoes and peppers make a colorful addition to a holiday dinner, and these have plenty of flavor inside. The filling is fragrant with onion, garlic, mint, basil, and tomato juice; optional pine nuts and raisins add crunch and sweetness. Once filled, the vegetables bake slowly until tender. The recipe serves eight and can be enjoyed at room temperature, so you have some flexibility when it comes to serving.
27. Orzo Rice Pilaf
A good pilaf is one of those sides that quietly makes everything else on the table work better, and this Turkish-style version earns that place. Plain rice has its place, but a little toasted orzo makes this pilaf more interesting. Butter and olive oil give the grains a nutty flavor before they simmer in chicken stock, soaking up all that savory goodness. The orzo adds a slight chewiness to the fluffy rice. Spoon it alongside chicken or pork, or let it catch some of the turkey juices on your plate.
Breads & Comforting Sides
28. Savory Pesto Babka
If you want something a little more eye-catching than dinner rolls, this savory pesto babka makes a beautiful addition to the Thanksgiving table. The soft, fluffy dough is rolled with aromatic pesto, twisted into its distinctive shape, and baked until golden. Slice it at the table and serve it in place of bread alongside turkey, roasted vegetables, and the rest of the holiday spread.
29. Garlic Rolls
Every Thanksgiving table benefits from something warm and bread-like to pull apart and pass around, and these Ukrainian garlic rolls are perfect for the role. Pampushki are soft and fluffy, with a garlic, dill, and oil dressing brushed on as soon as they come out of the oven. It soaks into the golden crust and gives the rolls plenty of flavor. Traditionally served with borscht, they’re just as tempting alongside a roast dinner. Pull one apart while it’s warm, or save it for the last bit of sauce on your plate.
30. Red Wine Mushrooms
These mushrooms are slowly cooked with red wine, butter, garlic, and herbs until tender and deeply savory, with the wine reducing into a rich sauce that coats every piece. They’re simple enough to prepare without taking up much oven space, which is especially useful when you’re cooking a large holiday meal. Served warm, they make a satisfying vegetable side that brings plenty of savory depth without the heaviness of a cream-based mushroom dish.
31. Grilled Brussel Sprout Salad w/ Walnuts, Prosciutto & Parmesan
If Brussels sprouts are already a regular on your Thanksgiving table, this salad is a good way to make them a little more interesting. Grilling brings out their nutty side, while crispy prosciutto and walnuts add plenty of crunch. There’s some bitterness from the radicchio too, but the honey and balsamic dressing balances it out nicely, with shaved Parmesan adding a salty finish. It’s an unmistakably a fall salad, but one with enough going on to hold its own next to the turkey and stuffing.
32. Beetroot Yogurt Dip
This bright pink beetroot dip can bring some much-needed color to a Thanksgiving table full of browns and golden tones. It’s smooth and creamy, with the natural sweetness and earthiness of the beets balanced by tangy yogurt, garlic, and just a little vinegar. Better still, it takes about 15 minutes to put together and can be served chilled, so it won’t compete for precious oven space. Set it out with crackers, bread, or vegetables as an appetizer while everyone waits for the main event.
Thanksgiving Classics
33. Cream Cheese Corn
This is a very easy way to turn a bag of corn into something that feels much more at home at a holiday dinner. Cream cheese melts around the kernels to make them rich and silky, while butter and a touch of honey play up the corn’s natural sweetness. The whole thing takes just 15 minutes in one skillet, and you can use fresh, frozen, or canned corn. That makes it an especially handy Thanksgiving side when most of your oven space has already been claimed.
34. Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes with Greek Yogurt
For many people, Thanksgiving dinner simply wouldn’t be complete without mashed potatoes. This version keeps the familiar comfort but mixes Greek yogurt into the mash for a slightly tangy creaminess. Caramelized onions add sweetness and a deeper savory flavor. It’s a small change from the usual recipe, and an easy one to get behind. The result is silky, flavorful, and versatile enough to sit alongside virtually anything else on the table.
35. Sweet Potato Casserole
For a more traditional take on Thanksgiving sweet potatoes, this casserole goes all in on the creamy filling and buttery brown sugar topping. Baking the sweet potatoes first brings out their natural sweetness, then cinnamon and vanilla lean into those warm holiday flavors even more. You can keep the topping simple and crumbly or add pecans or mini marshmallows, depending on what your guests like. And since you can prep the filling up to two days ahead, it’s one less thing to start from scratch on Thanksgiving Day.
36. Cheesy Green Beans
Think of these as the easier, cheesier cousin of green bean casserole. Fresh green beans stay a little crisp while bacon, garlic, and smoked paprika give them plenty of savory flavor, then mozzarella and Parmesan melt right over the top. Everything comes together in one skillet in about 30 minutes, which is very welcome when the Thanksgiving kitchen is already overflowing with pans. You still get that comforting combination of green beans and something rich and creamy, just without making another full casserole.
37. Brussel Sprout Casserole
If plain roasted Brussels sprouts aren’t going to excite anyone at your table, covering them in cream, bacon, and cheese probably will. This casserole pairs the tender sprouts with white cheddar and Gruyère, then adds crispy bacon for a smoky, salty bite. Panko and Parmesan form a crunchy topping that keeps all that creaminess from becoming too one-note. It takes around 35 minutes from start to finish, so you get proper Thanksgiving casserole comfort without adding another hours-long recipe to the menu.
38. Cornbread Casserole
Can’t decide between serving cornbread or corn? This casserole lands somewhere in between, with a soft, creamy texture that’s part bread and part pudding. Whole kernels give you little pops of sweetness throughout, while creamed corn keeps the middle moist and tender. You can make it sweeter or more savory depending on your Thanksgiving menu, or throw in bacon, jalapeños, or green chiles if you want to give it a little more character. It can also be baked up to two days ahead and reheated before dinner.
39. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese hardly needs an introduction at the Thanksgiving table, and this one delivers exactly what you want from the classic. The sauce is rich and creamy, with plenty of cheddar and just a little mustard to sharpen all that cheesy goodness. More cheese goes over the top before baking, so you get that golden, bubbly finish to go with the creamy pasta underneath. You can also play around with the cheese blend and bring in Gruyère, fontina, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan if you want a little more flavor.
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