A good holiday dinner needs a great selection of dishes that are just as appealing as the turkey. These Thanksgiving side dishes include familiar holiday favorites along with some less traditional options, so you can put together a menu that works for your table.
For me, choosing the Thanksgiving side dishes is always harder than deciding on the main course.
Around my house, turkey is pretty much a given, but there are so many things that taste good with it that narrowing down the rest of the menu can take a while.
I like having some of the dishes everyone expects to see at Thanksgiving, but I don’t think every recipe on the table has to be traditional.
Mixing those favorites with a few less expected choices makes it easier to put together a dinner that has all the familiar holiday flavors without serving exactly the same meal every year.
The savory aroma of sage gives this old fashioned stuffing the flavor of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. You can cook it as dressing in a baking dish, too, so it works whichever way your family likes to serve it.
Toasted almonds give these tender green beans a satisfying crunch, while lemon adds a bright finish. Their glossy green color and sprinkling of nuts make a simple vegetable side look special enough for your holiday table.
A rich, creamy filling and sweet pecan topping make this casserole worth saving room for on your Thanksgiving plate. You can prepare the filling and topping separately the day before, giving yourself one less job on the holiday.
Sweet mandarin oranges and crisp romaine make every forkful of this salad fresh and juicy. A tangy vinaigrette brings the flavors together, with toasted almonds adding the finishing crunch.
These fluffy biscuits bake up golden with plenty of cheddar flavor. With just four ingredients and a food processor to bring the dough together, homemade bread for your holiday dinner feels much more manageable.
Caramelized edges give these roasted Brussels sprouts plenty of flavor, and sweet cherries soften their bitter notes. It’s an appealing combination for anyone who needs a little convincing to try a spoonful.
A creamy sauce made with sharp cheddar makes this macaroni and cheese hard to pass up. The slow cooker handles the final cooking, freeing up oven space when you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner.
Roasted butternut squash gives this warm pilaf a sweet, earthy flavor, with dried cranberries adding little bursts of tartness. The colorful presentation makes it a beautiful dish to bring to the holiday table.
Those flavorful turkey drippings turn into a smooth gravy you’ll want to spoon over your stuffing. The recipe also includes optional sherry and mushrooms for an extra layer of savory flavor.
Lemon and garlic give these asparagus spears a flavorful finish that pairs beautifully with roast turkey. The recipe includes an oven option as well as grilling instructions, so you can choose the method that suits your dinner plans.
A golden, crisp skillet crust makes this cornbread especially tempting served warm. Tart apple and creamy cheddar give it a savory flavor with just enough fruitiness to suit a Thanksgiving meal.
Crunchy cabbage and a sweet, tangy dressing give this coleslaw its classic appeal. Served cold, it brings a crisp bite to your dinner plate without needing reheating at serving time.
A warm tomato and herb topping gives this broccoli plenty of flavor and a colorful presentation. The broccoli cooks in the microwave, so this side won’t compete for space in your oven.
Garlic butter melts into soft bread while the outside crust stays crisp. You can prepare the wrapped loaf in advance and bake it just before dinner for warm slices ready to pass around the table.
Fluffy, creamy Watergate salad brings a nostalgic sweet side to the Thanksgiving table. Its nutty flavor and little bites of fruit are even better after chilling, and you can make it up to three days ahead.
Buttery mushrooms give tender zucchini a savory flavor in this simple skillet side. It takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, with only one pan to wash afterward.
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