If I had to choose favorite Which Thanksgiving meal would you choose: turkey, pumpkin pie, or side dishes? In my opinion, the side is the ultimate winner.
In this post, I’ll be sharing 40+ easy Thanksgiving side dishes. Most of them can be made ahead of time. Time is of the essence when planning and preparing a Thanksgiving meal. We hope this collection of recipes will help you plan your menu (and impress your guests, too!).
relevant: 15 pumpkin desserts to bake this fall
This collection of Thanksgiving side dishes includes delicious casseroles, salads (including the best Jell-O salad recipe), and unique dishes like stuffed meatballs.
Looking for more Thanksgiving ideas? Check it out…
Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans
Easy Green Bean Casserole with Pepper Jack Cheese
jello salad
This is Emma’s aunt’s Jell-O salad recipe. It’s really nostalgic and delicious. It has a pretzel crust, cream cheese center, and strawberry cranberry jello top.
Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Here’s one more macaroni and cheese recipe option that’s hard to resist. Baked macaroni and cheese. A classic and delicious recipe topped with homemade breadcrumbs. Yum!
corn casserole
A side dish like savory bread pudding.
Bruschetta
Learn how to make authentic Italian bruschetta using ripe tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
Sweet Potato Casserole
A sweet and savory side dish with a brown sugar pecan topping or toasted marshmallows.
7 layer salad
This luxurious salad is perfect for holiday meals. If you’re in charge of bringing the salad, try this recipe!
garlic butter
It’s the perfect compliment to your homemade bread or store-bought bread rolls. This is a reader favorite!
Broccoli Casserole
Creamy, cheesy broccoli casserole topped with Ritz cracker topping. I love this recipe!
chanterelle mushrooms
This is a delicious apricot mushroom risotto recipe using dried apricot mushrooms.
funeral potatoes
A soft, cheesy, comforting potato casserole topped with cornflake topping.
stuffed mushrooms
This can be an easy appetizer or side dish option for any holiday meal!
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes… easy to make. Just throw everything into a pot on Thanksgiving morning and you’ll have delicious mashed potatoes in no time.
crab cakes
Learn how to make Maryland crab cakes using real lump crab and very little filling. These crab cakes are easy to make at home.
meatball filling
If you love stuffing but want to make it a little different this year, you’ll love these stuffed meatballs. It’s juicy and delicious and can be made the night before.
funeral potatoes
A creamy, cheesy, comforting potato casserole topped with cornflake topping.
Creamy Kale, Brussels, and Cranberry Salad
My favorite salad! Bright flavors of crunchy kale, Brussels sprouts, sliced almonds, and fresh cranberries.
Honey Butter
Honey butter takes me back to my childhood. I love the idea of making a honey butter board to snack on with rolls, croissants, crackers, etc!
Garlic and soybean paste mung beans
Green beans are a classic Thanksgiving food, but this recipe takes them one step further by adding garlic, soy sauce, and soybean paste.
Bacon and Bourbon Stuffing
This Bacon and Bourbon Stuffing has been a popular recipe on our blog for years. Bacon, bourbon, bread… What’s not to love?
macaroni salad
A classic and creamy macaroni pasta salad recipe.
Easy Jalapeno Popper Dip
My favorite hot dip for any gathering is this Jalapeno Popper Dip. Everyone loves it and it’s super easy to make.
cocktail sauce
This shrimp cocktail dipping sauce is made with just 5 ingredients.
caprese skewers
Learn how to make caprese skewers in just minutes using cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and balsamic glaze.
Butternut Squash Soup
A silky smooth soup recipe.
Easy Broccoli Salad
This broccoli salad has just three ingredients and a creamy dressing. But don’t let that fool you. It’s full of flavor and can be customized with all kinds of additional ingredients.
All Herb Popovers
Did someone say popovers? If you’re afraid of making bread, this is the recipe for you. These popovers require no yeast or rising time and your guests will love them!
Homemade Pretzel Pizza Bites
Pretzels are filled with pizza toppings.
Creamy Garlic Mac u0026 Cheese
This creamy garlic macaroni and cheese can be made in a crock pot. you’re right. You can enjoy delicious homemade mac and cheese without putting any effort into it. It also makes great leftovers (if your guests don’t eat them all).
Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
What’s a Thanksgiving side dish without Brussels sprouts? I love this recipe because the sprouts are extra crunchy and the addition of parmesan cheese and lemon juice makes them so delicious.
Duchess Sweet Potato Casserole
This Duchess Sweet Potato Casserole is equally pretty and mouth-watering. The addition of bacon makes it rich, creamy, and with a hint of flavor.
overnight pumpkin butter
This is an easy recipe for making pumpkin butter from scratch in the crock pot overnight.
tuna casserole
Learn how to make a classic tuna casserole.
Cauliflower au gratin
If you love potato au gratin, be sure to try this version made with cauliflower. The basic premise is vegetables with butter, milk, and most importantly, cheese.
Easy Gluten Free Bread
If you or your guests are sensitive to gluten, this easy gluten-free bread will satisfy your bread cravings.
pumpkin pastry
Learn how to make Harry Potter-inspired pumpkin pastry using pie crust, pumpkin puree, honey, vanilla, spices, and egg wash.
Creamy Kale Harvest Salad
This kale salad is packed with fall flavors like pecans, apples, and dried cranberries. And the homemade avocado dressing is so delicious!
Lentil Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce
If you’re hosting a vegan Thanksgiving or prefer a meatless menu, these lentil meatballs topped with homemade cranberry sauce won’t disappoint.
portobello mushrooms
How to make Portobello Mushroom Steak with just 5-6 basic ingredients.
