Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes That Will Make Your Family Feast Extra Special

Delicious Thanksgiving side dishes make any turkey dinner extra special.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to lean on a few staple vegetables and side dishes that will help you and your family enjoy this delicious feast. However, there's no need to stick with the same old side dishes each and every year.

What are the common Thanksgiving sides? For me they're mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole.

In this round up of tasty Thanksgiving side dishes, you'll find everything from the old reliables like green bean and sweet potato casseroles, plus mashed potatoes, to some Irish inspired dishes such as mashed rutabaga.

Planning a menu for Thanksgiving can be challenging, especially when you consider the large number of side dish options available. Fortunately, here is a selection of reliable options that pair well with turkey and gravy.

With a selection of these side dishes you're sure to impress your guests. Simple follow the links below to find the recipes with ingredients, instructions and printable recipe cards.

Table of Contents

Cauliflower Mash

Move over mashed potatoes! This Cauliflower Mash makes for a tasty and healthier side to share.

Cauliflower mash is a popular choice in keto, paleo, and other low-carb diets because it mimics the texture and versatility of mashed potatoes while being lower in carbohydrates and calories. It can be served as a side dish with meats, vegetables, or stews. Plus it's a perfect side for Thanksgiving.

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts have never been so tasty! This recipe for Sautéed Brussels Sprouts sears them to tender perfection for your Thanksgiving dinner feast.

High heat creates a golden, crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside tender. The caramelization brings out the natural sweetness of Brussels sprouts.

Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes get a decadent upgrade with the addition of truffles. This Truffle Mashed Potatoes is a side that everyone will rave about. Every bite is a taste sensation.

Truffles elevate a classic comfort food into a luxurious and gourmet dish. The unique flavor and aroma of truffles add a rich, earthy depth that complements the creaminess of the potatoes, making them an indulgent side dish.

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes need to make an appearance at your family Thanksgiving. This is such a satisfying side to go with ham or turkey.

A mixture of cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese take these potatoes over the top.

The combination of creamy sauce, melted cheese, and tender potatoes creates a balance of richness and mild, earthy potato flavor.

Cranberry Orange Sauce

Skip the can of sauce this year. This Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe makes for a perfect partner for turkey with hints of orange to set things off.

This could just become your favorite cranberry sauce ever.

Cranberries are naturally very tart, and the bright, sweet-citrusy flavor of orange adds a contrasting sweetness and tanginess that complements the cranberries.

Smoked Mac n Cheese

Mac n cheese is always a good idea. But, smoking it brings it to a whole new level of deliciousness. You are going to want seconds for sure after just one bite of this Smoked Mac n Cheese.

This recipe takes a familiar comfort food to a whole new level with a bold, rich, and smoky twist. Smoking transforms an everyday dish into something special and restaurant-worthy.

Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus roasted with lemon and parm makes for such a tasty side dish!

This Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus is one amazing side to pair with your Thanksgiving meal.

This recipe combines simple yet complementary flavors and textures to create a dish that is fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of asparagus, leaving it tender with slightly crispy tips. The Parmesan creates a golden, slightly crispy layer that adds texture and indulgence.

Mashed Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a tasty alternative to mashed potatoes, or just a great way to add more flavors to your offerings. This Mashed Butternut Squash is sure to be a favorite side dish.

Butternut squash has a naturally sweet, nutty flavor that is enhanced during roasting or steaming, making it comforting and appealing. When mashed, the squash becomes smooth and velvety, providing a luxurious texture that’s both satisfying and tasty.

Air Fryer Green Beans

Have you ever made green beans in the air fryer? I have a feeling this is going to be a go to recipe for your future family meals.

Air Fryer Green Beans are an easy way to prepare these Thanksgiving favorites.

Cooking green beans in an air fryer is very easy, and it produces delicious results with minimal effort. The air fryer cooks green beans quickly, giving them a tender interior and a slightly crispy, flavorful exterior.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuff a few acorn squash for an unforgettable side to share on Thanksgiving.

This Stuffed Acorn Squash looks lovely and has so much great flavors stuffed inside.

Stuffed acorn squash is a dish where halved acorn squash is hollowed out, roasted until tender, and then filled with a flavorful stuffing. This dish is popular for its versatility, combining the naturally sweet, nutty flavor of the squash with a wide range of savory, sweet, or even spicy fillings.

Brussels Sprout Salad

Make room for a salad on the table.

This Brussels Sprout Salad is festive and tasty for a healthy addition to your holiday meal.

Utilizing ingredients like Brussels sprouts and cranberries, the salad captures the essence of the fall season, making it an ideal side dish for holiday gatherings or autumn meals.

Green Bean Casserole

You can’t forget to whip up a batch of Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving! This recipe is semi homemade and will bring such classic flavors to the table.

Many families associate green bean casserole with cherished holiday memories. Its creamy and savory flavors are comforting and fit perfectly within the broader Thanksgiving menu of hearty, warm dishes.

Crockpot Stuffing

Let the crockpot handle the stuffing with this fuss free recipe that is sure to satisfy. Your family will agree, there is nothing like homemade!

You can try this recipe for Crockpot Stuffing with dried sage or chopped fresh herbs.

You can make stuffing in a crockpot, and it's a fantastic way to free up oven space and ensure your stuffing stays moist and flavorful.

Creamed Corn

Creamed Corn makes for an easy side to make that tastes super good! This recipe couldn't be easier or tastier.

The rich and velvety consistency of creamed corn adds a cozy, indulgent element to the meal. Its creamy texture complements other Thanksgiving staples like turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

This Sweet Potato Casserole has the perfect topping of melty marshmallows to satisfy. It wouldn’t be the holidays without this dish - the supreme of sweet potato recipes!

Sweet potatoes are a native crop to the Americas and have been cultivated for centuries. Their natural abundance in the fall made them an ideal ingredient for Thanksgiving feasts.

Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon And Pecans

Baking sweet potatoes before mashing them helps to concentrate their flavors.

This Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon And Pecans is a delicious savory side dish casserole, which is topped with panko breadcrumbs, chopped pecans and parmesan cheese, before baking it once again.

These potatoes are not sweetened with brown sugar, but you can add a little maple syrup to the mash if you like your sweet potatoes extra sweet.

Irish Style Roast Potatoes

Roast turkey dinner for Thanksgiving is usually served with mashed potatoes, but why not add a few roast potatoes too. Check out my tutorial on How To Roast Potatoes Irish Or English Style.

These Irish style roasties are crisp and golden on the outside, and soft and tender on the inside. They're perfect for serving with turkey or ham.

Mashed Potatoes Irish Style

If you enjoy slightly dry and fluffy mashed potatoes with your turkey dinner then this is the mashed potato recipe for you. Learn how I make Floury Mashed Potatoes Irish Style.

Learn how to make mashed potatoes Irish style, which have a flourier texture than American style.

In Ireland, the floury texture of mashed potatoes is a prized characteristic, reflecting the traditional style of potato preparation that highlights their earthy flavor and natural starchiness. This contrasts with creamier mashed potatoes popular in other cuisines, which may use lower-starch potatoes or heavy cream.

Mashed Rutabaga Irish Style

Mashed rutabaga is a favorite Irish American side dish for Thanksgiving. Many families enjoy the slightly peppery flavor of rutabagas, mashed with butter and a little sour cream.

Some like to sweeten this mash with a little brown sugar. Here's my tutorial on How To Cook Rutabaga Or Turnip Irish Style.

The Irish like mashed rutabaga because of its historical importance as a staple food, its sweet and earthy flavor, and its role in traditional Irish cuisine. It's a versatile and comforting dish that reflects the resourcefulness and heartiness of Irish cooking. Whether served on its own or blended with potatoes, mashed rutabaga continues to be a beloved side dish in Ireland.

Carrot and Parsnip Mash

Carrot And Parsnip Mash is another Irish favorite side dish for roast dinners. It's often served with roast chicken or lamb on Sunday afternoons.

This is simply a mash made with boiled carrots and parsnips, mixed with butter and heavy cream.

Garlic Sautéed Mushrooms

Pan fried mushrooms with garlic are a delicious side dish to pair with a roast turkey or chicken dinner. Here's how I make Garlic Sautéed Mushrooms.

This may not be a traditional Thanksgiving side dish, but I highly recommend giving these mushrooms a try for your next Thanksgiving menu.

I hope you enjoy this collection of veggie Thanksgiving sides, and find the recipes and dishes that are perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving feast this year.

Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.