Thanksgiving is a highly anticipated food-centered holiday. Everyone knows that the turkey isn’t the real star of the Thanksgiving table—it’s the side dishes.
This year, start a new family tradition and try our crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish recipes. These tailored side dishes will perfectly complement the main dish. Take your pick from these traditional and modern takes on Southern Thanksgiving sides, including mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, roasted vegetables, casseroles, and more. Many of these Thanksgiving side dishes can even be made ahead or prepared in a slow cooker. We’ve transformed classic dishes like Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Leeks and added vegetarian-friendly options like Cabbage Casserole. There’s something for everyone in this extraordinary collection of Thanksgiving side dish recipes.
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the more side dishes, the better, and you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious recipes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If your Thanksgiving crowd can’t stand the sight of marshmallows on their crowded plate, try this sweet potato casserole recipe. The decadent pecan streusel is sure to make it a family favorite, year after year.
Photo: Caitlin Bensel Food Stylist: Torie Cox
With lots of aromatics, seasonings, butter, and bread—both crumbled day-old cornbread and toasted white bread—it’s pretty simple to whip up. It’s impressive to serve it with hot sauce and lemon wedges, like you’re an elegant seafaring chef.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Scalloped potatoes belong on Southern dinner tables at almost any occasion. The rich, tender, creamy potato casserole is elegant enough for a nice holiday dinner but also humble enough for a weeknight meal, family dinner, or reunion potluck.
Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
This casserole mashup takes the best of au gratin potatoes and a loaded baked potato for the creamiest, cheesiest dish. Layers of thinly sliced spuds, sour cream, garlic and fine herb cheese, smoky bacon, and cheddar cheese ensure each bite is mouthwateringly delicious.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
With a touch of maple sweetness and a hint of heat, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash bring together tender vegetables with pecans and cranberries for a nutty, tangy twist. This autumnal dish is perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy weeknight meal.
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Sally McKay, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
If you’re looking for a fun new way to serve dressing to your family, we have just the recipe. These cute muffins are made with sourdough, so we think they can be served in addition to the classic cornbread version.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
New Orleans-based chef Ana Castro serves this Mexican side dish for Thanksgiving as a way to share her roots with her friends. All the best Thanksgiving sides include potatoes, and this one is no exception.
Molly Bolton
The secret to this classic cornbread dressing recipe, other than the little bits of shredded chicken breast, is the addition of fast-food biscuits. Trust us, it’s worth the extra run to Hardee’s.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This sour cream mashed potatoes recipe uses no liquid milk or cream, but rather just sour cream and butter to create a decadent side dish that will quickly become a family favorite.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you need another side for your Thanksgiving menu, but need it to be easy pull together, this is the dish you need. This recipe comes together with just a handful of ingredients in just 25 minutes.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This dish comes to us from Sedesh Boodram Wilkerson, a talented Birmingham chef who grew up in Trinidad and Tobago. Of this recipe, he says, “It takes me back to my childhood, as it was a staple for all of our large family gatherings. It’s truly the perfect addition to any holiday table.”
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
If you’re an avid sourdough baker (or eater!), you may want to consider adding this stuffing recipe to your Thanksgiving menu.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Mix things up this Thanksgiving with this sweet and spicy braised sweet potato side. The pecans on top add crunch and a hint of Piri Piri pepper heat.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The basic recipe is sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, milk, eggs, and a few more simple ingredients, but for many, the pleasure is the toppings. Cornflakes, marshmallows, sugar, and pecans are delicious. This classic casserole is nutty, buttery, savory, and sweet, all in the same mouthful.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Thickened with sweet corn, layered with a savory blend of cheeses, and topped with an irresistible buttery cracker topping, this scalloped corn casserole is a perfect addition to your holiday spread.
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
For those who love dressing for it’s crunchy edge, stuffing balls will be their new favorite way to enjoy this classic Thanksgiving recipe.
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Micah Morton, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Oven space can be limited on Thanksgiving day, so save some room for the rest of your menu by making this stovetop broccoli casserole.
Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Pack your mac and cheese with cheddar cubes to ensure you get creamy cheese in every bite. Using different types of cheese helps this dish to burst with rich flavors.
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Micah Morton, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Sweet, salty, smoky, and tart, this fresh addition to your holiday lineup will bring color and flavor to your plate.
Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Throw it back this holiday with this retro “salad.” Made with simple ingredients and super easy to prep, this vintage-inspired recipe is sweet, tart, creamy, and studded with crunchy pecans for a well-rounded flavor to top off your Thanksgiving plate.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Southerners know the secret to the most flavorful turkey gravy: the giblets. Find those extra parts of the turkey tucked inside the cavity, and turn them into this rich and savory gravy you’ll want to pour on the turkey, the mashed potatoes, the dressing, and maybe even the rolls.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Make the cornbread in a skillet two days before making the rest of the dish. You will want it to dry out completely to get a crispy, golden crust.
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
It’s easy to enjoy your Brussels sprouts with this savory bacon-filled dish. Smaller Brussels sprouts work better in this dish because they have a milder flavoring.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Spiced with fresh ginger and simmered in coconut milk, these green beans from chef Nikko Cagalanan are a fresh take on the Thanksgiving classic.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
If you’re a lover of marshmallows on top of sweet potato casserole, we feel the same way. This sweet potato casserole with meringue is every bit as delicious as the classic but with less sugar.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Many Southerners grew up eating this “salad” as a crunchy, tangy, sweet condiment for collard greens, field peas, and corn pudding.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This stuffing is almost hearty enough to be a main, because it’s packed with veggies (butternut squash, red onion, and spinach) and sourdough.
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
Bring this salad to Thanksgiving this year and you’ll be requested to bring it again next year. Not only is it delicious, but it’s pretty too.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Having cornbread shaped into muffins makes it so easy for people to serve themselves: Just pass the bowl around! The buttermilk in this recipe aids in keeping these little muffins full of moisture. Prep the dry cornbread mix ahead to shave off some prep time on Thanksgiving day.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This flavorful twist to the classic cranberry chutney has a little something extra, thanks to the addition of cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, cloves, and mustard seeds.
Caitlin Bensel
Green beans are a Thanksgiving staple, and this recipe makes them as good as they get. Meaty bacon, crispy Parm, and plenty of garlic make these green beans easy to love.
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Micah Morton, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
If a traditional sweet potato casserole isn’t doing it for you this season, the recipe for brown butter mashed sweet potatoes are the perfect alternative. The nuttiness of the brown butter mixed with the earthiness of the herbs and sweet potatoes creates stunning and elegant way to get your sweet potato fix.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
While you can’t go wrong with a classic macaroni and cheese at Thanksgiving, consider giving it an autumnal upgrade by incorporating earthy, rich butternut squash.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you need a quick and easy side for your Thanksgiving spread, these roasted Brussel sprouts couldn’t be simpler and will please a crowd.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This might be the easiest recipe on your Thanksgiving lineup. With just three ingredients and eight minutes of active time, these baked acorn squashes with add a wonderful, nutty flavor to your holiday spread.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Not every side dish has to be savory. In these candied sweet potatoes, rosemary and sorghum contribute enough bitterness and earthiness to balance out the sweetness for a delicious bite on your plate.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Matthew Gleason
Bacon makes everything better, and these bacon deviled eggs are no exception. Double down on the bacon goodness by quickly frying the egg whites in bacon drippings and then filling them and topping them with crispy bacon bits.
William Dickey
With just seven ingredients (including salt and pepper) and 10 minutes of active time, these homestyle butterbeans come together for a rich, indulgent side dish dish with little effort.
Emily Laurae
Southerners everywhere visit Cracker Barrel for their delectable fried apples, and we created a twist on this to make them just as good, if not better, than the classic. Put these on your Thanksgiving table and they’ll be gone quick.
Brian Woodcock
Browning the butter is the secret to the perfect cornbread cooked in a cast iron skillet. This dish is savory but can easily pair with a Whiskey Caramel sauce for those with a sweet tooth.
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
When in doubt, make this comforting dish for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a classic for a good reason.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Skip the standard sweet potato casserole, and try these syrupy sweet potato slices instead. Pecans add a nice crunch, while sorghum syrup and bourbon add just enough bitterness to keep the sweetness from being overwhelming.
Photo: Jim Franco
These Southern-style greens may take a few hours to simmer, but the wait will be well worth it. Time and the addition of bacon make for a bold, smoky flavor.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Rolls are always a hit on any spread, and these buttery and warm rolls are simply irresistible. Prepare these rolls in advance with enough time for them to rise. They are warm, light, and fluffy.
Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Try this deliciously layered potato dish when you’re tired of mashed potatoes. The ingredient list is short, and this dish doesn’t require much hands-on time.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
This healthy casserole is so creamy and cheesy that you’ll confuse it with baked mac and cheese. After baking, add fresh parsley and panko breadcrumbs for the perfect toppings.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Although technically not bread, this dish is a mixture of cornbread and cornmeal soufflé. Beat the egg whites and yolks separately to add height to the pudding-like side. Customize it to your preferences by adding corn kernels, ham, sausage, herbs, or cheese.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Skip the can stuff this year and make your own mushroom cream sauce. You will taste the difference. Make this casserole ahead of time and wait to bake, and add the toppings when you are ready to serve.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Oven-roasted vegetables are easy to make and a significant change from the traditional veggie casserole. Root vegetables pair well with a candied, crunchy, and slightly spicy pecan topping.
Micah Leal
For the fluffiest take on sweet potato casserole, this soufflé offers an airy and sweet side dish to complement all the savory dishes on the table—the buttery, brown sugar-pecan topping bakes into a delicious, solid top layer.
Iain Bagwell
Bacon, chopped onion, and thyme transform these Slow-Cooker Green Beans. Free up stove-top space and enjoy the infusion of fresh herbs.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Fresh cranberry salad is a crunchy alternative to canned. Serve this sauce over the Thanksgiving turkey, or enjoy it on its own.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
We elevated homemade mac and cheese by adding crispy bacon and a breadcrumb crust. Large elbow macaroni is the ideal noodle for this dish. Remember that a combination of cheeses is necessary when making creamy, rich macaroni-and-cheese.
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Adding cheese to a dish has never steered us wrong. Allowing the egg yolks and cream to reach room temperature before adding them to the potatoes will make mashing them easier. Broil until the top browns, which usually takes about three or four minutes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Sweet potato biscuits are the perfect pairing for a Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy alongside the turkey and cranberry sauce, or serve with butter and honey. Freeze these biscuits before baking to give the butter time to firm again.
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
You can’t go wrong by adding this tried-and-true broccoli casserole to your spread. The whole milk and Cheddar cheese sauce, flavored with onion, garlic, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard, make this sauce thick, rich, and creamy. Add buttery crackers for a crunchy topping.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Oyster casserole has graced Southern Thanksgiving tables for decades, and this recipe lets oysters’ fresh, salty flavor shine with a topping of crushed buttery crackers.
Southern Living
We always seem to need more oven space come Thanksgiving. Let us introduce you to our problem solver: the slow cooker. Cubing the sweet potatoes offer a nice bite of texture that classic versions sometimes lack.
Antonis Achilleos
Slice a piece of this savory, three-cheese macaroni dish. Gruyere, extra-sharp white Cheddar, and fontina are the trifecta of cheeses that make this dish tasty and silky smooth. Add in roasted broccoli for a mix-in.
Emily Laurae/Southern Living
These angel biscuits are the perfect nod to cornbread for Thanksgiving. Brush with extra butter and serve warm. Your guests will thank you.
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Since Thanksgiving is the ultimate day to turn anything into a casserole, we’re showing up with this veggie-packed casserole loaded with a combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and two different kinds of cheese. Oh, and bacon, of course.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This hybrid casserole marries our favorite things: cornbread and corn pudding.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
How do you make green bean casserole extra Southern? You add bacon and Brussels sprouts. Make this dish up to three days in advance and add your toppings to bake the day of your event.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Spending nine hours in the slow cooker allows the tender ham hocks to develop savory, smoky flavors. Don’t let the long cook time scare you—hands-on time is only about 15 minutes.
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners
Skip the casserole this year and serve creamy, dreamy, spiced mashed sweet potatoes instead. It’ll be a welcome update to any Thanksgiving menu.
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
Flavor green beans with a coating of tomato paste and chicken broth before letting shallots and a bacon topping come together for a salty-sweet taste everyone will love.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Broccoli and cheese are a great combination. Add it to macaroni, and you have a side dish the kids can’t turn down. Use cubed Cheddar cheese to ensure pockets of cheese in every bite.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Give your creamy, not-too-sweet side dish extra flavor with chopped onion and fresh thyme. This corn pudding’s rich, soft texture makes it seem almost like a dessert.
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
We combined fontina and Swiss cheese to make this savory corn casserole. Fresh chives and thyme add brightness and extra seasoning to this dish.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
If you’re looking to give sweet potato casserole a break this Thanksgiving, we love these Classic Candied Yams. Although, we wouldn’t be against having both on the sideboard.
Antonis Achilleos
This classic steakhouse side also pairs well with all the turkey, dressing, and casseroles served on Turkey Day. Plus, the ingredient list is short and sweet, so why not add it to your menu?
Photography: Victor Protasio, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
This vegetable casserole, made wonderfully occasion-worthy with a crispy Parmesan-breadcrumb topping, adopts our favorite elements of a baked potato gratin using cabbage and onions instead.
Iain Bagwell
This dish is easy to make and next-level sweet. Carrots topped with a honey glaze is a simple side dish and pairs nicely with all the casseroles.
Iain Bagwell
Impress your guests by adding this elegant squash dish to the Thanksgiving spread. Maple syrup and crumbled bacon are the perfect toppings.
Kim’s Cooking Now
Oven-roasted asparagus is a quick, easy, and delicious side dish. Almonds are only one way to top these vegetables. Try substituting sesame seeds or bacon as toppings.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Assemble this dish quickly by using pre-washed bagged kale and pre-shredded cheese. In under 30 minutes, this kale-infused mac-and-cheese will be your new favorite way to east this classic dish.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Similar to a biscuit, these sausage balls are the perfect bite-sized side. Enjoy many layers of savoriness by using extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, cinnamon, and plum jelly in these sausage balls.
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Micah Morton, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Homemade rolls are a welcomed addition to any Thanksgiving spread. Make these tender, buttery rolls the night before. After cooling on a wire rack, brush with the remaining butter.
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Melissa Gray
Enjoy the decadence of a loaded baked potato in convenient casserole form, and that’s reason enough to include it on the spread. Each bite is creamy, cheesy, and bacony.
Southern Living
If no matter the season, you must have tomatoes at your family gatherings, this recipe is for you. These broiled tomatoes, topped with a crispy, cheesy breadcrumb crust, are an excellent opportunity to divert from the usual casserole.
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
Two words we love to hear come November? Make ahead. This classic casserole will be ready to bake without giving you any worries. Store in the fridge for up to four days.
Hector M Sanchez
We recommend you always have corn pudding on your Thanksgiving table. If you’d like to dress up the dish a little, it is even more impressive when topped with chopped fresh chives.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
You’ll find more coastal takes on holiday foods like this crab-filled fried rice side throughout the Lowcountry and Sea Islands, particularly in Gullah Geechie communities.
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
This relish will have you relishing its flavors once you taste its perfect combination of sweet, tart, and spicy. Store in an air-tight container for up to one week.
Hector Sanchez
Make a classic like mac-and-cheese even more Southern by adding Pimiento cheese. Try undercooking the pasta for a minute because it will continue to cook under the broiler.
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
Green beans are a simple vegetable, but we love to add textures and flavors to this everyday family favorite. We have green beans on our table every year for Thanksgiving, and this recipe shows you wonderful new ways to savor this holiday staple.
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
Roasted root vegetables make a great Thanksgiving side, but there are many options if you prefer something other than traditional potatoes or sweet potatoes. Try these Roasted Carrots and Parsnips for a lighter alternative.
Laurey W. Glenn
You can never have enough dressing at the Thanksgiving table. Make this “grits-bread” one to two days ahead of time and store it in a Zip-loc bag or airtight container after it has cooled.
Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy
Buttery crackers top this classic casserole. Double the recipe and have it on hand for another day. The creamy, cheesy filling has a perfect crunchy topping.
Photo: Hector Sanchez
The old-school version of this recipe uses canned soup and often calls for frozen broccoli. This version takes a little more time, but the fresh ingredients make a big difference in taste.
Greg DuPree
In about 25 minutes, this Brussels sprouts slaw combines the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples with the fresh flavorings of toasted pecans and Parmesan cheese. A mandoline will help get the thinnest Brussels sprouts needed for this recipe.
Southern Living
The crispy crunch of smoky bacon cuts through the creamy richness of the dish, making it easy for this casserole to pair with just about anything. It has just a hint of sweetness thanks to the corn, the sugar, and the half-and-half. A pinch of pepper gives it just the right amount of bite.
Hector M Sanchez
Congealed salads are staples on Southern tables at Thanksgiving, and this Molded Cranberry Salad is a fresh, refreshing take on this holiday staple.
Caitlin Bensel/Southern Living
Everyone anticipates that there will be a green bean casserole on the Thanksgiving table. You can go beyond the standard “recipe on the can” by making simple substitutions and additions. Start by substituting Alfredo sauce for the cream of mushroom soup. Then, dress it up with add-ins, including mushrooms, water chestnuts, Parmesan cheese, and toasted pecans.
Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist Julia Bayless
If there is only room for one potato-based dish on your Thanksgiving table, this gratin is sure to be perfect for everyone. This rich, crispy, cheesy potato dish flavored with thyme, pepper, and cloves will be your new go-to dish.
Photo: Jennifer Davick
If you relish having squash casserole as a Thanksgiving table staple, this Cheddar and Parmesan Squash Casserole may become your go-to recipe. For a tasty and colorful twist, you can substitute sliced zucchini for half of the yellow squash. You’ll love the hint of sweet onion and the bold, savory cheese flavors. Crumble some bread, shred some cheese, and get ready to enjoy this fantastic holiday casserole.