Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

From classic to modern, plenty of choices for your holiday table

Baked Corn Casserole

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Looking for the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving feast? Never fear—The Spruce is here. Below we provide a whole host of options to consider for your Thanksgiving menu. From our uber-popular sweet potato casserole and scalloped potatoes to a homemade (no soup) cheddar green bean casserole and make-ahead mashed potatoes, you're sure to find a fabulous side here.

  • 01 of 72

    Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

    Sweet potato casserole recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This classic sweet potato casserole is topped with a crunchy brown sugar and pecan streusel. This is so good, that you'll need to be prepared to take a bow.

  • 02 of 72

    Vegan Mashed Potatoes

    Vegan Mashed Potatoes

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

    Ultra creamy homemade mashed potatoes are a dream of a side dish. From the holiday table to a quick side, they're a filling and satiating addition to a meal. For anyone following a vegan lifestyle, the usual additions of butter and milk or cream are off the table, but that doesn't mean you can't still make a heavenly mashed potato dish.

  • 03 of 72

    Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

    Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

    A creamy green bean casserole is an essential side dish for any holiday meal, especially Thanksgiving, and it can easily be made gluten free. Most standard cream of mushroom soups and crispy fried onions contain gluten, but there are alternatives. This version is made with gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and homemade crispy fried onions coated with buttermilk and a gluten-free flour blend.

  • 04 of 72

    Baked Carrots with Cheddar Cheese Sauce

    Carrot Casserole With Cheddar Cheese Sauce

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

    This carrot dish is a delicious baked gratin with cheddar cheese and a crumb topping. It's a nice change of pace from sweetened glazed carrots.

    Continue to 5 of 72 below.
  • 05 of 72

    Vegetarian Butternut Squash Casserole

    Vegan butternut squash

    The Spruce

    Fresh butternut squash and apples team up in this tasty vegetarian casserole. To make it vegan, use margarine instead of butter.

  • 06 of 72

    Easy Cheesy Corn Bake

    Baked Corn Casserole

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This corn casserole is made with cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Combinations of cream-style corn and flavors from traditional Mexican cuisines are used in this dish.

  • 07 of 72

    Hasselback Butternut Squash

    Hasselback Butternut Squash

    The Spruce/Leah Maroney

    Hasselback butternut squash is a gorgeous vegetarian dish that is a nice addition to any holiday table. It’s full of fall and winter flavors like walnuts, brown sugar, and sage. With only five ingredients and one pan, this dish is much easier than it looks. It will look like it took you all day to make and is sure to impress vegetarians and carnivores alike.

  • 08 of 72

    Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash With Cranberries

    Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, and Cranberries

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    This attractive fall-themed vegetable dish would make a great Thanksgiving side. Another excellent seasonal blend is this roasted Brussels sprouts dish with pears and walnuts.

    Continue to 9 of 72 below.
  • 09 of 72

    Surprisingly Simple Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

    Crock pot scalloped potatoes with cheese

    The Spruce

    Is your oven filled to the max? These slow cooker scalloped potatoes are super easy to fix and cook. Use cheddar or a milder cheese in the dish.

  • 10 of 72

    Chinese Green Beans

    Chinese Green Beans Recipe

     The Spruce

    Skip the casserole and add some new flavors from some traditional Chinese cuisines to your Thanksgiving menu with these green beans. Add extra chile peppers if your family likes hot and spicy food.

  • 11 of 72

    15-Minute Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Instant pot mashed potatoes recipe

    The Spruce / Emily Baker

    The Instant Pot, or electric pressure cooker, is another appliance that will come in handy when the oven and stovetop are full. Just throw your ingredients into the pot about 15 minutes before you are ready to eat and voilà. They're so quick, you might start making them on the regular.

  • 12 of 72

    Shoepeg Corn Casserole With Sour Cream and Green Beans

    corn and green bean casserole with sour cream sauce
    Diana Rattray

    This fantastic casserole is attractive and delicious. Buttery crackers provide a crunchy topping.

    Continue to 13 of 72 below.
  • 13 of 72

    Roasted Parsnips

    Sweet Roasted Parsnips Recipe

     The Spruce

    Roasting intensifies the sweetness in parsnips, and it's such a simple way to cook them. Toss the parsnips with vegetable oil, duck fat, or drippings for amazing flavor.

  • 14 of 72

    Classic Harvard Beets

    Harvard Beets Recipe

     The Spruce

    These nutritious, delicious beets are another great option for your Thanksgiving menu. With a bit of glaze, a sweet, and sour mixture, and butter, this sweet side dish will be a perfect off-set to the savory main course: turkey

  • 15 of 72

    Savory Scalloped Potatoes

    savory scalloped potatoes
    Diana Rattray

    These scalloped potatoes are baked with a tasty white sauce seasoned with green onions and a dash of nutmeg.

  • 16 of 72

    Baked Macaroni and Cheese

    Basic Baked Macaroni and Cheese With Variations

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    As quintessential comfort food, there are many things you can do to switch up this basic mac and cheese and turn it into a complete meal or decadent side dish. For instance, you can add breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping, mix in bacon, ham, or cooked ground beef or pork. 

    Continue to 17 of 72 below.
  • 17 of 72

    Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole

    broccoli and cauliflower casserole
    Diana Rattray

    A simple white sauce, Parmesan cheese, and buttery breadcrumb topping will transform this fresh cauliflower and broccoli florets into a delicious casserole.

  • 18 of 72

    Creamed Peas With Mushrooms and Onions

    Creamed Peas with Mushrooms
    Diana Rattray

    Swap out your boring old peas for this gussied-up version with sautéed onions and mushrooms. Your guests will sure be thankful.

  • 19 of 72

    Brown Sugar Glazed Golden Beets

    Easy Candied Golden Beets
    Diana Rattray

    These easy golden beets are vying for a gold medal as one of your Thanksgiving Day sides. Glazed with a mixture of brown sugar, butter, and fruit juice, sweet and savory fans will be cheering "hurray."

  • 20 of 72

    Easy Green Beans and Bacon

    Easy Skillet Green Beans and Bacon

    The Spruce 

    Now, we know that we have a few green bean sides on this list, however, these fresh green beans are a delicious option as they are flavored with butter, bacon, and simple seasonings. 

    Continue to 21 of 72 below.
  • 21 of 72

    Easy Asparagus Casserole With Mushrooms

    Easy Asparagus Casserole With Cheddar Cheese
    Diana Rattray

    This tasty and versatile casserole is made with a basic seasoned white sauce (a.k.a. béchamel sauce). Add shredded cheese or toasted pecans if you'd like to jazz things up.

  • 22 of 72

    Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Leeks

    Mashed cauliflower and leeks in a bowl.
    Diana Rattray

    Buttery sautéed leeks and garlic give this mashed cauliflower a flavor boost. This is an excellent choice for guests who are watching their carbohydrate intake or are looking for an alternative to the traditional potato dishes.

  • 23 of 72

    Butternut Squash Kugel

    Butternut squash kugel recipe

    ​The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    This dairy-free kugel is flavored with maple syrup and vanilla. It's made with a pecan topping and works as a nice replacement for a sweet potato casserole.

  • 24 of 72

    Japanese Kale Kobachi

    Kale Saute
    Japanese Kale Kobachi (Side Dish). Photo Credit: © Judy Ung

    Try a dish with Japanese flair for your holiday meal. Sautéed kale is seasoned with mirin, soy sauce, and a pinch of sea salt.

    Continue to 25 of 72 below.
  • 25 of 72

    Simple Honey Glazed Baby Carrots

    Simple honey glazed baby carrots

    The Spruce

     

    This is a popular holiday side dish. The baby carrots are glazed with a simple mixture of honey, lemon, brown sugar, and butter.

  • 26 of 72

    Kohlrabi in Light Sauce

    Chicken and kohlrabi side dish

     

    Luzia Ellert / Getty Images

    This German dish is made with cooked kohlrabi (German turnip) in a simple velouté sauce. Renowned for being thrifty and simple, if you're looking for a side dish to be ready in under 30 minutes, this is a winner.

  • 27 of 72

    Cheddar Cabbage Gratin

    Baked Cabbage Gratin
    Diana Rattray

    Cabbage is cooked and seasoned with garlic, a little spicy mustard, and a cheddar cheese sauce. The cabbage is baked with a buttered breadcrumb topping.

  • 28 of 72

    Savory Sweet Potato Gratin

    sweet potato gratin
    Diana Rattray

    This is a nice change of pace from the ubiquitous sweet potato casserole. It's made with only four ingredients, plus salt and pepper.

    Continue to 29 of 72 below.
  • 29 of 72

    Green Beans Amandine

    Green bean amandine recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    These fresh cooked green beans are flavored with some garlic, butter, and lemon juice. Sliced almonds add crunch to the dish.

  • 30 of 72

    Cauliflower and Cheese Casserole

    Cauliflower and cheese casserole recipe

    The Spruce / Stephanie De Melo

    This cheesy casserole is another family-pleaser. The cheddar cheese sauce gets some bite from a small amount of Dijon mustard.

  • 31 of 72

    Loaded Potato Casserole

    potato casserole
    Paul Poplis / Getty Images

    If you love loaded baked potatoes or baked potato soup, you'll love this casserole. Mashed potatoes are combined with cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and cheddar cheese. Green onions, bacon, and more cheese top it off. Yum.

  • 32 of 72

    Roasted Butternut Squash With Sage

    roasted butternut squash
    Diana Rattray

    In this savory dish, cubed butternut squash is roasted with onions and sage. So easy and so delicious.

    Continue to 33 of 72 below.
  • 33 of 72

    Easy Roasted Rutabaga

    roasted rutabaga
    Diana Rattray

    Roasting brings out the naturally sweet flavor of the rutabaga, and it is a super easy way to cook the vegetable. 

  • 34 of 72

    Easy Creamed Peas

    Easy creamed peas

    The Spruce 

    This is an easy way to make creamed peas. The peas are cooked with some sliced onion and then they're combined with white sauce and pimiento.

  • 35 of 72

    Snow Peas With Butter and Lemon

    Snow peas and butter and lemon

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada 

    Peapods are a simple preparation. Fresh snow peas are briefly boiled and then sautéed with butter and lemon zest. Toasted slivered or sliced almonds make a nice garnish.

  • 36 of 72

    Scalloped Potatoes With Bacon

    Scalloped Potatoes With Bacon
    Diana Rattray

    A creamy bacon and onion sauce takes these scalloped potatoes to new heights. 

    Continue to 37 of 72 below.
  • 37 of 72

    Slow Cooker or Baked Carnival Squash

    Simple Slow Cooker Carnival Squash
    Diana Rattray

    Nutty carnival squash is cooked with butter in either the slow cooker or oven. If you want to add a bit more depth to the flavor, feel free to add some maple syrup or brown sugar.

  • 38 of 72

    Broccoli Casserole With Stuffing Crumb Topping

    Broccoli Casserole With Stuffing Crumbs
    Diana Rattray

    Buttery stuffing crumbs are baked atop this easy broccoli casserole.

  • 39 of 72

    Glazed Carrots With Five-Spice Powder

    spiced glazed carrots
    The Picture Pantry / Getty Images

    The combination of flavors in the five-spice powder - sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty - add a powerful yet pleasant punch to the sweet glazed carrots.

  • 40 of 72

    Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk

    Bowl with mashed sweet potato on table
    belchonock / Getty Images

    These yummy mashed sweet potatoes will surely please your vegetarian and vegan guests. Coconut milk, ginger and curry powder add a warm fall-flavor to this mash.

    Continue to 41 of 72 below.
  • 41 of 72

    Buttery Creamed Spinach

    Creamed spinach recipe
    Creamed spinach. magnez2 / Getty Images

    There's no labor-intensive sauce in this easy creamed spinach dish. The spinach is simply combined with heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese.

  • 42 of 72

    Broccoli Au Gratin

    Traditional French Broccoli Gratin
    : Fotosearch - Getty Images

    This kid-friendly broccoli casserole is made with cheese soup, sour cream, and shredded cheese. The topping is made with butter and Ritz cracker crumbs.

  • 43 of 72

    Easy Delicious Mashed Turnips

    Mashed turnips

    The Spruce

     

    These easy cooked turnips are mashed with butter and milk (or cream). Add some potato to give the mash more body.

  • 44 of 72

    Butternut Squash and Apple Casserole With Crumb Topping

    Butternut squash and apple casserole

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Apples and butternut squash team up to deliver incredibly decadent fall-flavors in this casserole. Topped with a brown sugar and butter crumb mixture, your guests will surely be asking for the recipe.

    Continue to 45 of 72 below.
  • 45 of 72

    Slow Cooker Corn with Cream Cheese

    Corn With Cream Cheese
    Diana Rattray

    This is a very easy slow cooker corn recipe made with the addition of cream cheese and butter. The combination makes for a creamy corn side dish your family will love. This is an excellent side dish to serve with pork chops, a pork loin roast, or add it to your holiday dinner menu.

    If you're looking for a simple vegetable recipe for the slow cooker, this is an excellent choice.

  • 46 of 72

    Buttermilk Cornbread With Cream-Style Corn

    buttermilk corn bread

    The Spruce

     

    Cream-style corn makes this buttermilk cornbread extra tender and flavorful. The kernels act as a natural sweetener, and you can add bacon, cheese, or jalapenos for more of a savory kick.

  • 47 of 72

    Lemon Garlic Broccoli

    Lemon and Garlic Broccoli
    Diana Rattray

    Spice up this simple broccoli with some crushed red pepper flakes, finely chopped red onion or shallots. 

  • 48 of 72

    Scalloped Asparagus With Cheddar Cheese Sauce

    Scalloped Asparagus Casserole

     The Spruce

    A basic white sauce and breadcrumbs make this asparagus casserole special enough for a Thanksgiving dinner menu.

    Continue to 49 of 72 below.
  • 49 of 72

    Easy Maple Glazed Baby Carrots

    Easy maple glazed baby carrots

    The Spruce Eats/Anastasiia Tretiak

    For a worry-free vegetarian side dish, make these baby carrots with maple syrup and spices.

  • 50 of 72

    Creamed Onions

    creamed onions and fish fillets

     Philippe Desnerck / Getty Images

    Use a combination of small white onions and small red onions for an attractive presentation. The cooked onions are served in a Cajun-spiced white sauce.

  • 51 of 72

    French Green Vegetable au Gratin

    gratin
    Diana Miller/Getty Images

    Vegetable gratin is such a lovely, versatile dish. It makes a great side dish that works well with many meats and fish dishes, especially turkey for Thanksgiving. The smallest hint of a secret ingredient, poultry seasoning, is nearly undetectable hidden in the cheese and green vegetable mixture, yet gives the dish a special complexity.

    If you are serving this dish for a vegetarian, then leave out the poultry stock. 

  • 52 of 72

    Yellow Squash Casserole

    squash casserole with cheese and breadcrumb topping
     Diana Rattray

    A summer squash casserole is a popular holiday side dish in the South, and there are many ways to prepare it. This version includes cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, an egg, and a breadcrumb topping.

    Continue to 53 of 72 below.
  • 53 of 72

    Steamed Green Beans

    Steamed green beans recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

    These no-frills green beans can be gussied-up with butter or olive oil and some chopped toasted walnuts or almonds. Lemon juice is another fantastic addition.

  • 54 of 72

    Baked Beet Casserole

    Baked Beet Casserole

    AbbieImages / Getty Images

    Beets, lovely beets. This baked beet casserole recipe sweetens them up with a bit of sugar and adds just a touch of spices, so the natural flavors really shine through. Beet casserole is the perfect colorful side dish for your vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving

  • 55 of 72

    Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

    Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    This marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole is always a hit. Best part about it is that this casserole can be prepared up to one day in advance, leaving you time to focus on how much turkey one needs for Thanksgiving.

  • 56 of 72

    Vegan Potatoes Au Gratin

    Rich and Creamy Vegan Potatoes Au Gratin

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Do you love potatoes au gratin, but need a tasty vegan side dish for this Thanksgiving? Then look no further. This vegan potatoes au gratin casserole dish is an ideal option, covered in a rich and creamy cheese sauce that has no dairy ingredients. 

    Continue to 57 of 72 below.
  • 57 of 72

    Cheddar Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

    Cheddar Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

     The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This cheesy potato casserole is a great choice for your Thanksgiving feast. Feel free to add some ham or bacon to the potato mixture, or use a different cheese or blend of cheeses. Rub a cut clove of garlic over the baking dish for light garlic flavor. 

  • 58 of 72

    Brussels Sprouts With Stewed Tomatoes

    Brussels Spouts with Stewed Tomatoes
    Diana Rattray

    Brussels sprouts team up with tomatoes in this colorful and flavorful dish. (Feel free to use canned or homemade stewed tomatoes). The tomatoes, bell pepper, and seasonings lend to a surprisingly quick preparation—about 30 minutes—and make it an excellent side dish for your holiday meal. 

  • 59 of 72

    Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

    Slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Using the slow cooker to make mashed potatoes means you have more room on the stovetop to make the gravy, vegetables, and other dishes, like cranberry sauce.

  • 60 of 72

    Make Ahead Duchess Mashed Potatoes

    Make-Ahead Duchess Mashed Potatoes

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    These mashed potatoes are mounded or piped onto baking sheets and then baked to golden brown perfection. A great option is that these mounds of potatoes may be made ahead and frozen.

    Continue to 61 of 72 below.
  • 61 of 72

    Summer Squash Souffle

    squash souffle
     Diana Rattray

    The cooked summer squash is combined with eggs, shredded cheese, and milk, then baked with a buttered breadcrumb topping.

  • 62 of 72

    Crock Pot Roasted Vegetables

    Crock pot roasted veggies

    The Spruce

    Root vegetables are slow-cooked to perfection in the crock pot. Add as much garlic as you like.

  • 63 of 72

    Extra Special Three-Cheese Macaroni 'N' Cheese

    Extra-Special Macaroni and Cheese
    Diana Rattray

    Macaroni 'n' cheese is a popular side dish in the Southern states, and this version is perfect for holiday dinners. Goat cheese and fresh herbs are combined with the cheddar cheese to make this mac 'n' cheese a dish to remember.

  • 64 of 72

    Stuffed Baked Potatoes With Bacon and Cheddar Cheese

    Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon and Cheddar

    Imagesbybarbara / Getty Images

    This is yet another way to cook your potatoes. If you want something a little different, try these delicious baked stuffed potatoes.

    Continue to 65 of 72 below.
  • 65 of 72

    Brown Sugar Candied Sweet Potatoes

    Brown Sugar Cadied Sweet Potatoes

    The Spruce

    These easy skillet sweet potatoes are glazed with a simple mixture of brown sugar and butter.

  • 66 of 72

    Classic Baked Corn Pudding

    Classic Baked Corn Pudding

    The Spruce

    This popular corn pudding is an excellent choice for a Thanksgiving menu.

  • 67 of 72

    Pan-Roasted Asparagus

    Pan roasted asparagus recipe

    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

    Get the crispy delicious browned bits you find on roasted or grilled asparagus without having to heat up your oven or grill. Pan-roasted asparagus is tasty, quick, and couldn't be easier. A hot pan, a bit of oil, and a tight-fitting lid to keep in the heat and help the asparagus cook evenly are all you need to create this Thanksgiving veg.

  • 68 of 72

    Crockpot Glazed Carrots

    Crockpot glazed carrots recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Baby carrots are perfect for this dish, but large carrots may be used as well. All you need is some honey, butter, and water. The carrots are cooked in the water and then they're glazed with the honey mixture.

    Continue to 69 of 72 below.
  • 69 of 72

    Easy Brussels Sprouts Gratin

    Easy Brussels Sprouts Gratin With Cheese
    Diana Rattray

    This simple version is made with six ingredients: Brussels sprouts, bacon, butter, cream, cheddar cheese, and bread crumbs. The stand-out feature is that there's no sauce to make. 

  • 70 of 72

    Mexican Corn With Peppers

    Mexican-Style Corn With Peppers

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Try something new with this corn dish inspired by some traditional Mexican cuisines. Bell peppers and seasonings flavor this tasty corn blend. (Feel free to use frozen corn kernels in this recipe, as corn is typically out of season during the fall.)

  • 71 of 72

    Peas and Carrots

    Peas and Carrots Recipe

    The three ingredients in this side make a simple dish everyone will love. Feel free to add some red bell pepper, corn, or broccoli to the mix.

  • 72 of 72

    Skillet Corn With Bacon and Sour Cream

    Skillet Corn With Bacon and Sour Cream

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Bacon, bell peppers and sour cream add flavor, color, and interest to this easy skillet corn dish.