Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes – “Fantastic!”, “Can I get more of these?”, “How did you make them?!”, “This is the best Thanksgiving menu I’ve ever had!” – These are exactly the kinds of reactions a great holiday spread can bring. Looking for wholesome Thanksgiving meal ideas to serve your friends and family? Try these tried-and-true Thanksgiving side dishes for the ultimate Thanksgiving menu. Here are some of the best traditional side dishes to serve at your next holiday gathering.
Treat your guests to these 24 traditional Thanksgiving side dishes that may just outshine the turkey. With plenty of turkey dinner side dishes to choose from, your Thanksgiving dinner menu can easily become one of the highlights of the season. From classic Southern Thanksgiving side dishes to colorful vegetable options, these Thanksgiving dinner side dishes bring comfort, variety, and familiar holiday flavors to the table.
Table of Contents
This post is about the best Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
24 THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES FOR YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY DINNER
CREAMY BUTTER WHIPPED MASHED POTATOES
Of course, mashed potatoes deserve a place at the table. These creamy butter whipped mashed potatoes are a must-have on any Thanksgiving dinner menu. They deliver classic comfort-food flavor and make the perfect addition to your turkey dinner side dishes.
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
This sweet potato casserole is a classic Southern Thanksgiving side dish with the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. Finished with a crunchy pecan topping, it adds a little extra texture to traditional Thanksgiving dinner side dishes.
THE BEST BAKED MAC AND CHEESE
How about some mac and cheese? When it comes to Thanksgiving meals side dishes, baked mac and cheese remains one of the most comforting options. Its rich, gooey, cheesy texture is always welcome at Thanksgiving dinner and usually has guests coming back for seconds.
CROCKPOT CANDIED SWEET POTATOES
Add a touch of sweetness to your Thanksgiving food list with these crockpot candied sweet potatoes. They are an easy and flavorful way to bring a sweet element to your Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes.
SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE
Looking for more Thanksgiving sides? This spiced cranberry sauce brings a tangy, flavorful contrast to richer Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. It pairs especially well with turkey and adds a bright, festive touch to your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
CANDIED YAMS RECIPE SOUTHERN
These Southern-style candied yams are a traditional Thanksgiving dinner side dish worth making room for. Their rich, caramelized sweetness makes them a staple on many Thanksgiving food side dishes lists.
SOUTHERN BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
Craving warm biscuits? These Southern buttermilk biscuits are fluffy, buttery, and ideal alongside a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. They fit naturally into a classic Southern Thanksgiving side dishes spread and are excellent for catching every last bit of gravy.
SOUTHERN GREEN BEANS
For a hearty and savory choice among your Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes, try Southern green beans. Slow-cooked until tender and flavorful, they are a familiar favorite on a traditional Thanksgiving food list.
PARMESAN GARLIC ROASTED CARROTS
These parmesan garlic roasted carrots are an easy, flavorful addition to your Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. Their golden color and savory seasoning also bring plenty of visual appeal to traditional Thanksgiving dinner side dishes.
EASY CRANBERRY FLUFF SALAD
Did somebody say cranberry? This easy cranberry fluff salad is a light, refreshing addition to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. Its sweet and fruity flavor balances some of the richer turkey dinner side dishes on the table.
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE FROM SCRATCH
Green bean casserole from scratch is a classic Thanksgiving food side dish that always feels at home on the holiday table. Using fresh ingredients gives this traditional Thanksgiving dinner side dish a homemade texture and flavor.
SOUTHERN SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
This Southern sweet potato casserole combines tender sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. It is a familiar favorite in many Southern Thanksgiving side dishes lineups and brings both sweetness and texture to the meal.
BEST THANKSGIVING STUFFING RECIPE
Add this one to your list of Thanksgiving sides. A flavorful Thanksgiving stuffing is one of the dishes guests expect to find beside the turkey, and it makes a perfect addition to a complete selection of Thanksgiving dinner side dishes.
SIMPLE TURKEY GRAVY
Still perfecting your gravy? Simple turkey gravy is a must-have on the Thanksgiving dinner menu. Rich and savory, it is perfect for spooning over turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all your favorite turkey dinner side dishes.
DINNER ROLLS
These dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and one of the most familiar Thanksgiving food side dishes. They are ideal for soaking up gravy and pair beautifully with other Thanksgiving meals side dishes.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON AND ONIONS
Brussels sprouts with bacon and onions are a savory addition to your Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes. The crisp edges, smoky bacon, and sweet onions make this simple vegetable side stand out at Thanksgiving dinner.
CREAMY BRUSSELS SPROUTS BAKE
This creamy Brussels sprouts bake is a rich and comforting addition to your Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. Its creamy texture pairs especially well with turkey and the other savory Thanksgiving food side dishes on the menu.
CROCKPOT GREEN BEANS WITH BACON
Put your slow cooker to work with these crockpot green beans with bacon. They are an easy, flavorful side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner menu and cook slowly until tender while absorbing plenty of savory bacon flavor.
MAPLE ROASTED RAINBOW CARROTS
These maple roasted rainbow carrots are a colorful choice for your Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes. Their sweet and savory maple flavor helps them stand out among the richer Thanksgiving dinner side dishes.
GOUDA CHEDDAR PARMESAN SCALLOPED POTATOES AU GRATIN
These gouda cheddar parmesan scalloped potatoes au gratin bring plenty of cheesy comfort to your Thanksgiving food list. Rich, creamy, and layered with three cheeses, they make a decadent addition to traditional Thanksgiving dinner side dishes.
SWEET POTATOES WITH CANDIED MAPLE PECANS
Add a little extra sweetness to your Thanksgiving menu with sweet potatoes topped with candied maple pecans. The combination of soft sweet potatoes and crunchy pecans creates a flavorful twist on classic Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes.
ONE POT GOUDA AND CREAM CHEESE CORN
This one pot gouda and cream cheese corn is creamy, cheesy, and easy to serve alongside other Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. It is the kind of simple, crowd-friendly recipe that fits naturally into a traditional Thanksgiving sides menu.
PUMPKIN FLUFF
Pumpkin fluff is a light and airy sweet dish that can work as either dessert or a fun addition to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. Its creamy pumpkin flavor fits easily alongside other sweet Thanksgiving food side dishes.
Air Fryer Whiskey Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
This air fryer whiskey sausage and cranberry stuffing is a flavorful addition to your Thanksgiving dinner side dishes. It gives a familiar Thanksgiving food side dish a modern twist while keeping the savory, comforting flavors people expect from holiday stuffing.
Loved this collection of traditional Thanksgiving side dishes? Save these Thanksgiving side dish ideas on Pinterest so you can easily come back to them when planning your holiday dinner menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most traditional Thanksgiving side dishes?
Some of the most traditional Thanksgiving side dishes include mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, candied yams, and roasted vegetables. The exact selection varies by family and region, but these dishes are common on many Thanksgiving dinner menus.
How many side dishes should I serve for Thanksgiving?
The number depends on the size of your gathering and how much variety you want. A balanced Thanksgiving dinner menu usually includes a few different types of Thanksgiving side dishes, such as potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, bread, cranberry sauce, and gravy, rather than several versions of the same type of dish.
What Thanksgiving side dishes can be made ahead?
Many Thanksgiving dinner side dishes can be partially or fully prepared ahead, including cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and some vegetable dishes. Prepare them according to the individual recipe instructions and refrigerate perishable dishes properly until they are ready to be reheated or served.
What are good Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes?
Popular Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes include green bean casserole, Southern green beans, Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots, candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and creamy corn. Combining different colors, textures, and flavors helps balance richer turkey dinner side dishes.
