Our 16 Most Unforgettable Thanksgiving Side Recipes That Go Way Beyond Stuffing and Mashed Potatoes - Dining and Cooking

There are two kinds of people in this world on Thanksgiving: those who come for the roast turkey, and those who only care about the sides. I’m definitely in the latter group; I would be totally happy with a plate of nothing but buttery mashed potatoes, creamy mac and cheese, and perhaps a vegetable (if there’s enough space).

For anyone who can relate, I’ve rounded up our best-ever Thanksgiving sides (according to our readers). These are 16 of our most popular holiday recipes — of all time. You’ll find all the classics, like cornbread dressing, plus some delicious twists, like cheesy French onion scalloped potatoes, that’ll almost guarantee you earn the “best host ever” title.

Jiffy Corn Casserole

A box of Jiffy cornbread alone is a crowd-pleaser in my house, but throwing the mix in a bowl with just five ingredients will totally upgrade your spread. And it comes together in just five minutes before you toss it in the oven, so you’ve got more time to tackle the turkey.

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Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

Everything you’d expect from the Thanksgiving MVP: gooey marshmallows, buttery texture, and sweet flavor. The best part: It’s ridiculously easy to whip up (unless you’re like me and find yourself meticulously arranging every marshmallow).

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The Best Candied Yams

In this classic Southern side dish, par-cooked sweet potatoes are topped with a mixture of butter, sugar, and spices, then baked until tender and coated in a sweet sauce.

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Thanksgiving Slaw

Pro tip: You want to make sure your table isn’t all rich, indulgent comfort food. This salad stand-in delivers crunch and bright acidity to help cut the butter. Our readers (and editors) love this year after year.

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Chopped Broccoli Salad with Warm Honey Vinaigrette

Make way for that mandatory green dish on your table — no sad tossed lettuce allowed. You can prep this a few days in advance for the flavors to really develop and give you one fewer thing to worry about on the Big Day.

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Roasted Green Beans

You only need 20 minutes to throw together these cheesy, crispy, and lemony roasted green beans that’ll help cut through some of the richness of other dishes on your plate.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

Okay, these deviled eggs are not technically a side — but there’s no chance your guests will miss the chance to put a couple of them on their plates. This classic is made even better with buttery garlic breadcrumbs.

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Butter-Swim Biscuits

A simple homemade biscuit dough is baked atop a stick of melted butter, creating light, tender, and, yes, extra-buttery biscuits.

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Crispiest Skillet-Fried Potatoes

The secret to these impossibly crispy potatoes? No baking or boiling. All you need is a skillet and a lid (yes, really) to pull off these perfect spuds.

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Perfect Mashed Potatoes

If you’re a mashed potato purist when it comes to Turkey Day, this rich and creamy mash is the only recipe we ever make.

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