If you had to pick your favorite Thanksgiving food, would you choose turkey, pumpkin pie, or side dishes? In my opinion, sides are the ultimate winner.
In this post, I’m sharing 40+ easy Thanksgiving side dishes, many of which can be made ahead. Time is of the essence when you’re planning and preparing a Thanksgiving meal. I hope this recipe roundup helps you plan your menu (and impresses your guests, too!).
Related: 15 Pumpkin Desserts to Bake this Fall
This roundup of Thanksgiving side dishes includes savory casseroles, salads (including the best Jello salad recipe) and unique dishes like stuffing meatballs.
Looking for more Thanksgiving ideas? Check out …
Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans
An easy green bean casserole with pepper jack cheese
Jello Salad
This is Emma’s great-aunt’s Jello salad recipe—it’s so nostalgic and delicious. It has a pretzel crust, cream cheese center, and a strawberry-cranberry Jello top.
Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Here’s one more macaroni and cheese recipe option that’s hard to resist. Baked macaroni and cheese. It’s a classic, delicious recipe topped with homemade breadcrumbs. Yum!
Corn Casserole
A savory bread pudding-like side dish.
Bruschetta
Learn to make authentic Italian bruschetta using ripe tomatoes, basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Sweet Potato Casserole
A sweet and savory side dish with brown sugar pecan topping OR toasted marshmallows.
7 Layer Salad
A decadent salad perfect for a holiday meal. If you’re in charge of bringing the salad, try this recipe!
Garlic Butter
The perfect compliment to homemade or store-bought bread rolls. This is a reader favorite!
Broccoli Casserole
A creamy, cheesy broccoli casserole with a Ritz cracker topping. Love this recipe!
Chanterelle Mushrooms
A delicious chanterelle mushroom risotto recipe using dried chanterelle mushrooms.
Funeral Potatoes
A creamy, cheesy comforting potato casserole with corn flake topping.
Stuffed Mushrooms
This can be an easy appetizer or side dish option for any holiday meal!
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes … made easy. Throw everything in the crockpot on Thanksgiving morning, and you’ll have delicious mashed potatoes in no time.
Crab Cakes
Learn to make Maryland Crab Cakes using real lump crab and very little filler. These crab cakes are easy to make at home.
Stuffing Meatballs
If you love stuffing but want to make it a little different this year, you are going to love these stuffing meatballs. They’re juicy, delicious, and can be made the night before.
Funeral Potatoes
Creamy, cheesy comforting potato casserole with corn flake topping.
Creamy Kale, Brussels and Cranberry Salad
My favorite salad! Crunchy kale, Brussels sprouts, sliced almonds, and a bright burst of flavor from fresh cranberries.
Honey Butter
Honey butter takes me back to my childhood. I love the idea of creating a honey butter board to snack on with things like rolls, croissants, and crackers!
Garlic and Miso Green Beans
Green beans are a classic Thanksgiving side, but this recipe takes it up a notch with the addition of garlic, soy sauce, and miso paste.
Bacon and Bourbon Stuffing
This bacon and bourbon stuffing has been a popular recipe on our blog for years. Bacon, bourbon, bread … what’s not to love?
Macaroni Salad
A classic, creamy macaroni pasta salad recipe.
Easy Jalapeño Popper Dip
My all-time favorite hot dip for any gathering is this jalapeño popper dip. Everybody loves it and it’s incredibly easy to make.
Cocktail Sauce
Shrimp cocktail dipping sauce made from just five ingredients.
Caprese Skewers
Learn to make caprese skewers in just minutes using cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves and balsamic glaze.
Butternut Squash Soup
A creamy, silky soup recipe.
Easy Broccoli Salad
This broccoli salad has only three ingredients, plus a creamy dressing. But don’t let that fool you—it’s full of flavor and can be customized with all kinds of add-in ingredients.
All the Herbs Popovers
Did someone say popovers? If bread-making seems intimidating, this is the recipe for you. These popovers don’t require any yeast or rising time, and your guests will love them!
Homemade Pretzel Pizza Bites
Pretzel bites filled with pizza toppings.
Creamy Garlic Mac u0026 Cheese
This creamy garlic macaroni and cheese can be made a in a crockpot. That’s right—delicious, homemade mac and cheese without all the work. It also makes great leftovers (if your guests don’t eat all of it).
Parmesan Baked Brussels Sprouts
What’s a Thanksgiving side dish roundup without Brussels sprouts? I love this recipe because the sprouts are extra crispy, and the addition of parmesan and lemon juice is so good.
Duchess Sweet Potato Casserole
This duchess sweet potato casserole is equally pretty and mouthwatering. It’s rich, creamy and a little savory with the addition of bacon.
Overnight Pumpkin Butter
An easy recipe for making pumpkin butter from scratch in a crockpot overnight.
Tuna Casserole
Learn to make a classic tuna casserole.
Cauliflower Au Gratin
If you love potatoes au gratin, you have to try this version made with cauliflower. The basic premise is vegetables dressed up in butter, milk, and most importantly … cheese.
Easy Gluten-Free Bread
If you or your guests are gluten-sensitive, this easy gluten-free bread will satisfy any bread cravings you have.
Pumpkin Pasties
Learn to make pumpkin pasties inspired by Harry Potter using pie crust, pumpkin puree, honey, vanilla, spices and egg wash.
Creamy Kale Harvest Salad
There are plenty of fall-time flavors in this kale salad, like pecans, apples, and dried cranberries. And the homemade avocado dressing is incredible!
Lentil Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce
If you’re hosting a vegan Thanksgiving or prefer a meatless option, you won’t be disappointed with these lentil meatballs topped with homemade cranberry sauce.
Portobello Mushrooms
How to make portobello mushroom steaks with just 5-6 basic ingredients.
