Happy Sidesgiving! 14 Thanksgiving Sides That Steal the Show
Let’s be real: the turkey gets all the attention, but really it’s the sides that make Thanksgiving. Nobody’s daydreaming about a roast bird the month before… They’re daydreaming about comforting, creamy potatoes, a big scoop of stuffing, and that green bean casserole with the crunchy onions on top. We may as well call it Sidesgiving! These are 14 of our favorite Thanksgiving sides, from family recipes we’ve made for decades to a few new classics that earned a spot at the table. Pick a few, make them all, and be sure to grab a bigger plate.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
For years I made mac and cheese the same way, roux and all. Then I finally tried the southern version and was blown away by how good (and how easy!) it is. There’s no stovetop sauce at all, just a simple mixture poured right over the pasta and cheese, and somehow it bakes up incredibly creamy and custardy. If you’ve never had it this way, this is the year. Get the full recipe here!
Mamaw’s Cornbread Dressing
What goes next to the turkey depends a lot on where you’re from. Up north, it’s usually stuffing made with crusty white bread. Down south, it’s cornbread dressing, with that signature sweetness and flavor nothing else can match. Mamaw’s version brings in a little of both, and it’s not a lot of ingredients for a whole lot of flavor. Click here for the recipe!
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Not a fan of soggy green beans in canned soup? This is the green bean casserole for you. It keeps the French fried onions (of course), but swaps in fresh, vibrant green beans and a from-scratch sauce that’s creamy and cheesy. Cheese is the way to my heart, so this one has a permanent spot at my holiday table. Get the full recipe here!
Mashed Baked Potatoes
If juggling the mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving Day stresses you out, you’re not alone. How early can you peel them? How long will they stay warm? This recipe takes all that worry off your plate with a set-it-and-forget-it method that still turns out wonderfully creamy potatoes. Click here for the recipe!
Salted Caramel Pretzel Sweet Potato Casserole
This isn’t just any sweet potato casserole. The thing that takes it from the usual holiday staple to a new favorite is the topping: salty, crunchy pretzels and sweet caramel. Why didn’t we think of this sooner? Don’t be surprised if it makes a repeat appearance at Christmas. Get the recipe here!
Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling
There are two kinds of people at Thanksgiving: the ones who head straight for the mashed potatoes and the ones who head straight for the stuffing. Long ago, a Pennsylvania Dutch cook asked, why not both? Creamy mashed potatoes get folded together with buttery toasted bread, onion, and celery, then baked until golden on top. That’s a lot of comfort in one casserole dish. Get the full recipe here!
Classic Green Bean Casserole
You know what they say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The original green bean casserole has been a holiday staple for generations for good reason. It’s cozy, creamy, and topped with that irresistible crunch of fried onions. Just like Grandma made. Click here for the recipe!
Wild Rice Pilaf
This hearty pilaf is one of my favorite holiday sides. It’s nutty, savory, and has just enough crunch to be a seriously worthy rival to stuffing. (I won’t tell anyone if you make both.) Get the full recipe here!
Pearl Onion Gratin
Creamed pearl onions have been on holiday tables for generations, and this gratin makes them extra creamy and indulgent. The real secret weapon, though, is the buttery cracker crumb topping. Don’t skip it! Click here for the recipe!
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Classic Bread Stuffing
You might turn to Gwyneth Paltrow for a good rom-com, but she’s also a cookbook author with a lot more up her sleeve. So can she make a great Thanksgiving stuffing? We had to find out, and this classic bread stuffing was a very pleasant surprise. Get the full recipe here!
Potatoes au Gratin
There’s a reason potatoes au gratin show up at so many special occasion dinners. Tender potatoes baked in cheese and cream, seasoned to savory perfection, are about as close to perfect as comfort food gets. What’s better than cheesy baked potatoes? Click here for the recipe!
Stuffed Mushroom Casserole
Stuffed mushrooms are one of our all-time favorite party appetizers, and they’re always the first thing to go at family gatherings. This casserole takes everything we love about them (earthy, buttery mushrooms, creamy cheese, and crispy bread crumbs) and bakes it all in one easy dish. No stuffing mushrooms one by one required! Get the full recipe here!
Garlic Butter Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
I have a confession: I don’t really love sweet potato casserole. It’s often too sweet and too soft for me. But dress sweet potatoes up with cream, garlic, cheese, and crispy edges? Now that’s my ideal sweet potato situation. They’re a showstopper on the Thanksgiving table but easy enough for a weeknight, too. Click here for the recipe!
Minnesota Dressing
If there’s one thing Minnesotans know, it’s stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. This dressing gives the traditional Thanksgiving side a local twist with wild rice, one of the state’s signature ingredients. It adds a nutty, earthy flavor and a wonderfully chewy texture that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. Get the full recipe here!