15 Easy Cold Side Dishes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Introduction

Thanksgiving dinner is all about balance—flavors, temperatures, and the right combination of comforting mains and crowd-pleasing sides. While warm stuffing and gravy-smothered potatoes are classics, don’t overlook the refreshing, vibrant impact of cold side dishes. These easy-to-make, chilled sides lighten the meal, add color to your table, and are prepared ahead, letting you stress less on the big day.

Why Cold Side Dishes Belong on Your Thanksgiving Table

Cold side dishes offer a delightful contrast to rich, hot entrees. They refresh the palate, save valuable oven space, and usually require less last-minute prep. Plus, these dishes can be assembled ahead of time, making your holiday entertaining much smoother and allowing you to focus on roasting the perfect turkey.

15 Easy Cold Side Dishes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Here are 15 versatile, flavor-packed cold side dishes that can elevate your Thanksgiving spread:

1. Cranberry Orange Relish – A fresh twist on classic cranberry sauce, full of zesty citrus and sweet-tart flavor.
2. Waldorf Salad – Apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts tossed in a creamy dressing for crunch and sweetness.
3. Classic Deviled Eggs – Always a hit and customizable with herbs, paprika, or a little mustard zing.
4. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad – Shredded Brussels, apple slices, and Parmesan in a lemony vinaigrette.
5. Marinated Green Beans – Blanched beans tossed with onions, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette.
6. Pickled Vegetable Medley – A colorful, palate-cleansing mix of cucumbers, carrots, and radish in light brine.
7. Greek Yogurt Coleslaw – Creamy, tangy, and light, with crunchy cabbage and carrots.
8. Caprese Skewers – Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze—easy finger food!
9. Herb Potato Salad – Chilled potato cubes tossed with fresh herbs, lemon juice, and a touch of olive oil.
10. Autumn Farro Salad – Nutty farro, roasted squash, dried cranberries, and pecans in a maple vinaigrette.
11. Charred Corn and Black Bean Salad – Southwest-inspired, zesty, and full of color.
12. Rainbow Veggie Platter with Hummus – Crisp, raw veggies paired with a creamy hummus dip.
13. Citrus Fennel Salad – Thinly sliced fennel and orange segments for a cooling, aromatic accompaniment.
14. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad – Roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, and walnuts over greens, assembled in advance and served cold.
15. Apple-Celery Slaw – Sweet apples and crisp celery in a light, tangy dressing for a refreshing crunch.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this collection to instantly generate an organized shopping list for all your Thanksgiving cold sides. With all ingredients automatically sorted by store section, shopping and meal planning become stress-free and efficient!

Instructions

For each side dish, the general process is:

1. Prep Ahead: Wash and chop all produce as needed. Many salads and slaws improve in flavor when refrigerated for a few hours.
2. Toss and Chill: Combine all ingredients per recipe directions. Dress salads just before serving for best texture, unless otherwise noted.
3. Serve Cold: Arrange cold sides on platters or in bowls shortly before guests arrive. Add garnishes like herbs, nuts, or a final drizzle of dressing for color and freshness.

Specific recipes can easily be found by choosing your favorites from the list!

Weekly Meal Planning

Cold side dishes don’t just belong at Thanksgiving: they’re perfect for weekly meal prep, potlucks, and everyday healthy lunches. Save and schedule these sides to your meal plan and let CookifyAI consolidate all the ingredients you need for the week.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient quantities for all dishes
– Groups your shopping list by store section for easy trips
– Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten necessities
– Reduces waste by showing overlapping ingredients across meals

Pro Tip: Planning a big holiday? Batch schedule multiple sides and mains—CookifyAI will do all the math and list organizing for you, so you can focus on hosting.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15–60 minutes (per dish; most under 30 minutes)
Cook Time: 0–20 minutes (if required; most involve chilling only)
Total Time: 15–90 minutes (depending on the recipe mix, most can be made ahead and refrigerated)

These 15 easy cold side dishes will add delicious contrast, vibrant color, and valuable time savings to your Thanksgiving table—making your holiday dinner a flavorful and memorable feast!