The BEST Thanksgiving Side Dishes

We’ve got the BEST Thanksgiving Side Dish recipes for your thanksgiving sides from mashed potatoes and stuffing to cranberry salad!

Thanksgiving is all about good food and family. If you’re anything like my family everyone has their favorite sides and it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without them!

We’ve made a list of traditional Thanksgiving sides that are must-haves and a few side dishes with a twist to change up your Thanksgiving routine.

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How Many Sides Should You Have at Thanksgiving?

What is America’s Favorite Thanksgiving Side?

Americans may be divided on a lot of things but surveys show that the favorite side dish, coming in with 46% of the vote is….Mashed potatoes!!! A close second with 43% of the vote was stuffing.

We couldn’t agree more! Mashed potatoes and dressing (I’m a southern girl so we call it dressing vs stuffing) are essential Thanksgiving side dishes!

Not Your Mom’s Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes are rich and creamy and made with a secret ingredient that is going to make your next dinner extra special!

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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Instant Pot mashed potatoes are an easy way to make creamy mashed potatoes without having to turn on the stove.

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Stuffing or Dressing?

What does your family call it…stuffing or dressing? When it comes down to it the only real difference between the two is whether you stuff it in the turkey or cook it in a baking dish.

In reality Americans use the words interchangeably and what you call it probably has more to do with where you live than how you cook it.

I don’t care what it’s called as long as it’s on my Thanksgiving table!

Southern Cornbread Dressing

This moist, delicious Southern Cornbread Dressing is a traditional stuffing recipe that makes the perfect Thanksgiving side dish!

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Don’t forget the turkey! Everything you need to know about cooking the perfect Thanksgiving turkey breast.

Apple Pecan Stuffing

This Thanksgiving Apple Pecan Stuffing recipe is a delicious blend of buttery bread cubes, apples, and pecans.

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Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes! Sweetened with brown sugar, cinnamon, and even maple syrup there are so many ways to jazz up your sweet potatoes.

Personally I like a good sweet potato casserole with pineapple and marshmallows but a close second is our cranberry sweet potato casserole. The tart cranberries are the perfect compliment to the sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic southern recipe with lots of flavor! A must have Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish.

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Cranberry Sweet Potato Casserole

Cranberry sweet potato casserole is our spin on candied sweet potatoes with the sweet and tart flavors of orange, cranberry, and cinnamon sugar.

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Mini Sweet Potato Casserole

This mini sweet potato casserole recipe is an easy Thanksgiving side dish filled with crunchy pecans, and sweet brown sugar and cinnamon.

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Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are an easy side dish. Perfectly cooked sweet potatoes every time!

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Thanksgiving Vegetables

Thanksgiving veggies are just as decadent as everything else on the menu. Spinach, brussels sprouts, and corn and cooked in creamy, cheesy, sauces, and delicious casseroles are baked into savory sides that the perfect addition to a turkey dinner.

Easy Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is a decadent, cheesy side dish special enough for the holidays but easy enough for any day. Warm, creamy, and comforting, this comes together in less than 20 minutes.

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Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This Broccoli Casserole, made with mushrooms, sour cream and cheddar cheese is creamy and delicious. The perfect side dish recipe to serve with any meal.

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Stovetop Creamed Corn

Creamed Corn is a delicious blend of corn kernels and milk, simmered on the stovetop to make a creamy, slightly sweet, classic corn side dish.

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Creamed Corn Casserole

Creamed Corn Casserole is a cheesy corn pudding casserole recipe made with Jiffy mix. It's a great side dish for holidays or weeknight dinners!

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Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

These Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are an easy side dish made with roasted green beans, bacon, and brown sugar. They make a great addition to holiday dinners!

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Cheesy Bacon Brussels Sprouts

These Cheesy Bacon Brussels Sprouts are an easy side dish for a weeknight dinner. Perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts are simmered in a creamy sauce and topped with bacon and cheese for the ultimate side!

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Green Bean Casserole

Easy Green Bean Casserole with green beans, mushroom soup, cheese and fried onions with just 5 minutes of prep. You’ll never go back to the canned stuff.

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Thanksgiving Cranberry Recipes

Don’t forget about the cranberries, these sweet and tart dishes get their own special section on the menu. Everyone loves a good cranberry sauce but you can take advantage of all of those amazing fresh cranberries that are available this time of year and make any of these awesome sides.

Cranberry Fluff Salad

This Cranberry Fluff Salad, otherwise known as cream cranberry salad, is a delicious combination of fresh cranberries, red grapes, pineapple, marshmallows, and pecans all tossed together in a creamy whipped topping.

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Cranberry Jello Salad

This delicious cranberry jello salad is made with fresh cranberries, apples, oranges and pecans. Great for a dessert, side or snack.

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Fresh Cranberry Salsa

Fresh Cranberry Salsa is an easy holiday appetizer that is a little sweet, and a little spicy. Perfect for serving at holiday parties with crisp tortilla chips!

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What Thanksgiving Side Dishes Can Be Made Ahead of Time?

Almost all of the side dishes on this list can be made ahead of time. If they can’t be cooked top completion the day before then they can be prepped to help save you some work on Thanksgiving day.

For tips and tricks on making everything ahead of time check out our Thanksgiving menu for 4-6 people.

Need more Thanksgiving Side Dish ideas? Check out these amazing Thanksgiving recipes!