10 Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Introduction
Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey—it’s the side dishes that truly make the feast unforgettable! These 10 delicious Thanksgiving side dishes are bursting with flavor, offer beautiful color and texture variety, and are guaranteed crowd-pleasers on any holiday table. From classic comfort foods to a few unexpected twists, each dish is designed to complement your centerpiece and keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Why These 10 Thanksgiving Sides Are a Must
Great side dishes transform Thanksgiving dinner into a celebration of abundance. They add layers of taste—sweet, savory, tangy, and hearty—that ensure every plate is as exciting as the last. Whether you’re hosting a traditional or modern gathering, these side dishes strike the perfect balance between nostalgic favorites and fresh ideas, making them ideal for sharing and meal planning.
The List: 10 Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes
1. **Classic Sage and Onion Stuffing**
2. **Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes**
3. **Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon**
4. **Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping**
5. **Green Bean Almondine**
6. **Cranberry Orange Relish**
7. **Honey Butter Glazed Carrots**
8. **Cornbread Muffins**
9. **Maple Roasted Butternut Squash**
10. **Parmesan Herb Pull-Apart Rolls**
Each dish offers a unique taste profile and fits seamlessly into any Thanksgiving menu, from classic spreads to contemporary tables.
Ingredients
💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save these side dish recipes to automatically generate a clear, well-organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section, making your Thanksgiving prep and shopping easier than ever.
Instructions
- Classic Sage and Onion Stuffing: Sauté onions and celery in butter until soft. Stir in herbs. Add bread cubes, toss to coat. Pour in broth until moist but not soggy. Season and bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes.
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Boil potatoes and garlic until tender. Drain and mash with cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Toss sprouts with bacon, oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping: Boil and mash sweet potatoes. Mix with milk, sugar, butter, and nutmeg. Top with pecans and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
- Green Bean Almondine: Blanch beans, sauté in butter with garlic and almonds.
- Cranberry Orange Relish: Pulse cranberries, orange zest, juice, and sugar in a food processor. Chill before serving.
- Honey Butter Glazed Carrots: Steam carrots, then glaze in a skillet with honey and butter until shiny.
- Cornbread Muffins: Whisk dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine. Pour into muffins tins and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Maple Roasted Butternut Squash: Toss squash cubes in oil and maple syrup. Roast at 400°F for 30-35 minutes.
- Parmesan Herb Pull-Apart Rolls: Brush rolls with butter, sprinkle with cheese and herbs. Bake as package suggests until golden.
Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Thanksgiving Spread
Arrange these sides on platters for a beautiful presentation. Garnish with fresh herbs where desired, such as parsley or thyme, for pops of color. Serve hot and refresh any cold sides right before dinner begins, ensuring every dish is at its best.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
Each side dish serves about 6-8 people, making them perfect for medium to large gatherings. Most dishes range from 120–250 calories per serving, depending on the dish’s richness—see individual recipes for specifics if tracking nutritional intake.
10 Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes (Recap)
These 10 Thanksgiving side dishes offer something for everyone, featuring timeless classics and a few modern favorites. Bright, fresh, savory, and comforting—this collection is the secret to an unforgettable holiday feast.
Weekly Meal Planning
Prepping for Thanksgiving is much easier with a plan. Save and schedule this collection so you can assign prep days for each side and consolidate your grocery shopping with smart, automatically organized lists.
**Meal Planning Benefits:**
– Calculates total ingredient quantities across your entire Thanksgiving menu
– Organizes all items by grocery section to streamline shopping trips
– Eliminates duplicate purchases and helps avoid forgotten ingredients
– Makes it easy to plan prep days, delegating tasks efficiently among helpers
**Pro Tip:** When scheduling your Thanksgiving meal with CookifyAI, overlapping ingredients (like butter, sugar, and herbs) are totaled automatically, ensuring you buy just what you need and reduce holiday food waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time (for all dishes): 1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time (for all dishes): 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes (can be staggered and prepped in advance for efficiency)
