Thanksgiving side dishes are the best way to round out your holiday meal with comforting, seasonal flavors. From weeknight dinners to the big holiday feast, these sides bring warmth and balance to the table.
These recipes highlight classic fall ingredients like root vegetables, cranberries, apples, and fresh herbs. They're hearty, often baked or roasted, and pair well with turkey, ham, or any traditional Thanksgiving main.
We chose these Thanksgiving side dishes for their flavor, seasonal touches, and how well they fit both family meals and festive gatherings.
Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
Glazed baby carrots are slow-cooked in butter, sugar, and spices until tender and glossy, then topped with parsley for a fresh finish.
Why it's good: Made entirely in the slow cooker, it frees up oven space during the busy Thanksgiving meal prep.
5 Ingredient Corn Casserole
This corn casserole recipe combines combines canned corn, creamed corn, cornbread mix, sour cream, and butter into a soft, fluffy dish that's both sweet and savory.
Why it's good: A traditional holiday side that mixes up quickly and bakes to perfection-ideal for Thanksgiving.
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn with Bacon
Slow cooker creamed corn is slow-cooked with cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream, then finished with crispy bacon and green onions. The result is creamy, rich, and slightly smoky.
Why it's good: The slow cooker does the work for you, which makes this an easy, hands-off side dish for Thanksgiving dinner.
3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This cheesy broccoli casserole has broccoli tossed with cream and cheddar, then baked until bubbly and golden on top. This casserole is cheesy, creamy, and tender with minimal effort.
Why it's good: With only three ingredients and a quick bake time, it's a stress-free side that fits perfectly on a holiday table.
Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
Chipotle corn salsa mixes roasted poblano, corn, jalapeño, onion, and fresh citrus for a smoky yet refreshing bite. It's light but full of flavor.
Why it's good: Served cold with no reheating needed, it's an easy make-ahead option that works well alongside a heavy Thanksgiving spread.
Roasted Carrots
In this roasted carrots recipe, carrots are coated with oil, salt, and pepper, then roasted at high heat until caramelized and tender. They turn slightly sweet with a simple seasoning.
Why it's good: A classic roasted vegetable that's low-effort, oven-friendly, and easy to double when cooking for a holiday crowd.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
This hash brown casserole recipe has shredded hash browns mixed with sour cream, cheese, onion, and soup, then baked until creamy in the center with crispy edges.
Why it's good: Makes a big batch and can be prepared in advance, which makes it a reliable Thanksgiving side for feeding a crowd.
Smashed Potatoes
For these smashed potatoes, Baby potatoes are boiled, flattened, and roasted until crisp on the outside and soft inside. Brushed with butter and oil, they're simple but flavorful.
Why it's good: Their crunchy texture makes them a fun side dish for Thanksgiving, especially when served with gravy or dips.
Loaded Baked Potato Dip
This cold baked potato dip s packed with sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and green onions for the flavor of a loaded baked potato. It's creamy and scoopable.
Why it's good: No oven needed, and it's perfect as an appetizer to snack on while waiting for the Thanksgiving turkey.
Sliced Sweet Potatoes
Thinly sliced sweet potatoes are seasoned with rosemary and roasted until tender inside with crisp edges. They're naturally sweet and savory.
Why it's good: Sheet-pan easy and a Thanksgiving staple-sweet potatoes fit right in on the holiday table.
Roasted Zucchini
In this roasted zucchini recipe, Zucchini slices are tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roasted until lightly browned. The texture is soft but not soggy.
Why it's good: Simple ingredients and quick cooking time make it a good last-minute addition to a Thanksgiving dinner.
Broccoli Salad
This creamy broccoli salad has fresh broccoli is tossed with bacon, cheese, onion, cranberries, and walnuts in a creamy-sweet dressing. It's crunchy, creamy, and tangy.
Why it's good: Served cold and made ahead of time, this salad brings freshness and texture to a Thanksgiving spread.
Macaroni Salad
This classic macaroni salad has tender pasta tossed with celery, onion, pickles, cheese, and a creamy tangy dressing. It's smooth with a bit of crunch.
Why it's good: Chilled and make-ahead friendly, it's a side that saves time and travels well for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Orzo & Rice Pilaf
Orzo & Rice Pilaf takes orzo and rice and Orzo and rice are sautés them with onion and garlic, then simmered in broth until fluffy and tender. Finished with parsley for freshness.
Why it's good: A one-pan dish that pairs perfectly with turkey and roasts, adding variety to a Thanksgiving lineup.
Easy Canned Green Beans
Canned green beans are sautéed with browned butter, almonds, onions, and lemon juice for a rich, nutty flavor. The beans stay tender with a slightly crisp texture from the nuts.
Why it's good: Made with pantry staples and ready quickly, it's a dependable addition when Thanksgiving cooking gets busy.
Slow Cooker Jacket Potatoes
These slow cooker jacket potatoes take Russet potatoes that are oiled, seasoned, and slow cooked until fluffy inside and ready for toppings of your choice.
Why it's good: Great for feeding a crowd, and since they cook in the slow cooker, they don't take up valuable oven space on Thanksgiving.
