The Best Thanksgiving Sides (15 Easy Side Dish Recipes)
By Sammi Brondo — October 30, 2026
Can we all agree that the sides are the best part of Thanksgiving? The turkey might get all the attention, but let’s be honest: it’s hard to beat a plate piled high with stuffing, roasted veggies, and your favorite casserole. And going back for seconds? Absolutely encouraged.
From roasted grape stuffing to cheesy green bean casserole, these 15 easy Thanksgiving side dishes have something for everyone. Whether you’re all about the classics or want to try something new, these recipes are flavorful, simple to make, and perfect for your holiday table.
Bonus: many can be prepped ahead to make Thanksgiving a little less stressful!
Whether you’re looking for a classic Thanksgiving side with a fun twist or something fresh and vibrant to round out the menu, you’ll find a recipe here to love. Many can be prepped ahead, too, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday with your family.
Planning the whole menu? Check out my ultimate Thanksgiving recipe roundup for appetizers, mains, and desserts to go with these sides.
Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Sides
- They cover every kind of craving. There are cozy classics (stuffing, mac & cheese, green bean casserole), crispy veggies, and hearty salads, so everyone at the table finds something they love.
- They make vegetables taste good. Food should taste good, and that includes vegetables. Think maple glazes, crispy parmesan edges, creamy dressings, and crunchy toppings.
- Many are make-ahead friendly. You can prep the glazed carrots, roast the veggies for the salads, or assemble the mac and cheese ahead, which frees up your Thanksgiving morning.
- They give you options for every oven situation. Some are quick stovetop recipes, like the 10-minute broccoli. Others use the oven or the air fryer, so you can plan around the turkey.
- They work for a mix of dietary needs. Most of the list is vegetarian-friendly, and there’s one recipe with bacon (see notes below).
- Leftovers hold up. Sturdy kale salads and roasted veggies reheat or keep well in the fridge, so leftovers are as good as the first round.
- They’re written for real life. These recipes use easy ingredients and simple steps, even the ones that look impressive.
How to plan your Thanksgiving side dishes
A good Thanksgiving spread needs balance. Aim for 4 to 6 sides: one stuffing, one creamy or cheesy dish, a couple of roasted or crispy vegetables, and a fresh salad to cut through the richness. Mix up your cooking methods (oven, stovetop, and air fryer) so you’re not fighting over oven space. And choose at least two make-ahead options to ease the stress on the day.
To help narrow your search, I broke these recipes into four categories:
- Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing & Comfort Food Sides
- Cozy Thanksgiving Casseroles & Squash Side Dishes
- Easy Roasted Vegetable Thanksgiving Sides
- Thanksgiving Salads That Balance the Table
1. Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing & Comfort Food Sides
These cozy, carb-forward sides are the ones people go back for seconds on. They bake up in a 9×13 dish and feed a crowd.
Kale & Toasted Walnut Sourdough Stuffing
Garlicky sautéed kale, toasted walnuts, and sweet dried cranberries make this sourdough stuffing a fresh take on a Thanksgiving classic. It’s easy to make and great for a crowd.
Roasted Grape Stuffing with Candied Walnuts
Sweet roasted California grapes and crunchy candied walnuts turn classic sourdough stuffing into the star of the Thanksgiving table. It’s savory, a little sweet, and perfect for a crowd.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Creamy cheddar and parmesan meet warm butternut squash in this cozy, golden mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s a fall twist on comfort food that you can assemble ahead.
2. Cozy Thanksgiving Casseroles & Squash Side Dishes
Warm, rich, and seasonal. These are the sides that make the table feel like fall.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
While this dish is traditional for Thanksgiving, I love it as a side dish for any holiday meal. It’s a great way to add flavor to vegetables and make green beans fun.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Glazed Walnuts
This Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Glazed Walnuts is an easy, flavorful Thanksgiving side dish with crispy walnut clusters. Mostly hands-off and perfect for a busy holiday table.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice, Feta & Roasted Almonds
Meet your dream Thanksgiving side dish. Full of different flavors and textures, this stuffed acorn squash has got it all. You take a perfectly roasted and caramelized acorn squash and stuff it with a blend of even more delicious foods.
3. Easy Roasted Vegetable Thanksgiving Sides
If vegetables aren’t your thing, these might change your mind. They’re crispy, caramelized, and packed with flavor.
Crispy Parmesan Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Boiled, smashed, and roasted until crispy, these parmesan Brussels sprouts have crunchy edges and tender centers. Serve them with a creamy dip as a holiday side that even sprout skeptics love.
Crispy Carrot Fries
Coated in parmesan and spices, these baked carrot fries get crispy and are made for dipping. They’re an easy, kid-friendly Thanksgiving side or a fun veggie to bring to a potluck.
Orange and Maple Glazed Carrots with Feta, Pistachios, and Orange Yogurt Sauce
Roasted carrots get a sweet orange and maple glaze, then are piled onto a creamy orange yogurt sauce with feta, pistachios, and dill. This showstopper can be made ahead.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Oranges
Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts meet salty bacon, juicy citrus, and shaved parmesan, with a maple tahini dip on the side. It’s an easy Thanksgiving side with sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors.
10 Minute Garlicky Sautéed Broccoli
Soft, garlicky broccoli cooked in plenty of olive oil comes together in just 10 minutes on the stovetop. It’s a simple, flavor-packed side dish that frees up your oven.
4. Thanksgiving Salads That Balance the Table
Broccoli Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Roasted broccoli, crispy chickpeas, toasted breadcrumbs, and parmesan are tossed in Caesar dressing. It has no lettuce to wilt, so it’s a make-ahead salad that holds up beautifully.
Loaded Kale Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Sturdy kale, roasted carrots, crispy chickpeas, toasted walnuts, creamy avocado, and parmesan make this Caesar salad filling and satisfying. It’s a hearty option to balance a rich Thanksgiving spread.
Baked Kale Salad with Crispy Quinoa
Warm baked kale and crispy quinoa clusters are tossed with feta, almonds, dates, and a honey-lemon dressing. It’s a flavorful salad with plenty of crunch, and the components can be made ahead.
Winter Roasted Vegetable Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and crispy chickpeas sit on massaged kale with cranberries, sunflower seeds, goat cheese, and a creamy lemon tahini dressing. It’s a hearty fall salad that works as a side or main.
I hope this roundup makes planning your Thanksgiving sides a little easier. Pick a few favorites (or make them all!) and let me know which ones land on your table. If you make any of these Thanksgiving sides, tag me on Instagram at @sammibrondo.rd or leave a star rating and comment on the recipe. I love hearing how they turn out.
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