Every year I tell myself I’m not going overboard with the Thanksgiving sides. Then mac and cheese makes the list. Someone wants stuffing. I start thinking about sweet potatoes… and, well, you can probably guess how that ends haha!!
The turkey gets plenty of attention, but I loove figuring out what’s going around it. Give me something creamy, something with crispy edges, a warm roll for the gravy… now we’re talking. One little tip before you start picking? Don’t make every side fight for the oven! I usually try to mix a couple of baked favorites with something I can make on the stovetop or prep ahead. And if you already have plenty of creamy, cheesy dishes, add something green or a little tangy to the table. Your plate (and your oven!) will thank you.
So, if you’re trying to figure out what to serve with turkey this Thanksgiving, have a look through these recipes. There are some old favorites in here and plus a few ideas you might not have thought about yet. Just don’t blame me when you end up making one more side than you planned!
1) Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Cheddar and Gruyère melt into a creamy sauce with thyme and sage, giving this mac and cheese a little extra holiday flavor! A buttery Parmesan-panko topping turns crisp in the oven while the pasta underneath stays creamy. Put this one near the kids and the adults may quietly start serving themselves first…
2) Sausage Apple Stuffing Muffins
Stuffing muffins give everyone their own little portion with plenty of crisp golden edges. Turkey sausage keeps them savory, while tart apple and dried cranberries add just enough sweetness for the Thanksgiving table. Arrange them on a platter beside the turkey and nobody has to fight over the crunchy corners.
3) Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows and Pecans
Sweet potatoes get the full holiday treatment here with brown sugar, cinnamon, crunchy pecans, and a layer of toasted marshmallows on top. The creamy filling can be prepared ahead, which is very useful when dinner already has half the kitchen occupied. Try to scoop deep enough to catch a little of every layer!!
4) Jalapeño Corn Casserole
Corn casserole is already right at home beside turkey, but jalapeño and cheddar make this version a little more interesting (I hope you love it!). The center stays soft and creamy while the edges turn golden in the oven. Remove the jalapeño seeds for a gentler kick if your Thanksgiving crowd prefers things on the mild side.
5) Creamy Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green beans get covered in homemade mushroom sauce and topped with crispy baked onions for a fresher take on the classic. Some onions go into the casserole while the rest stay on top where they can keep their crunch. It still gives you all that familiar creamy comfort without relying on canned soup.
6) Candied Yams by Budget Bytes
Candied yams bring the glossy, brown-sugar side of Thanksgiving to your plate. The sweet potatoes bake until tender under a buttery cinnamon glaze, with toasted marshmallows added at the end. Put the dish near the turkey and watch how quickly people stop pretending vegetables cannot taste like dessert.
7) Cranberry Fluff by xoxoBella
Cranberry fluff is the cheerful pink bowl that sits somewhere between a fruit salad and dessert. Tart berries keep the whipped cream cheese mixture from becoming too sweet, while pineapple adds a juicy bite. Make it the night before so one job is already finished when you wake up.
8) Spicy Maple Roast Carrots with Crispy Chickpeas by RecipeTin Eats
These carrots come out of the oven sticky around the edges, with enough sriracha to stop the maple from getting too sweet. Then you get those crunchy chickpeas, cool garlic yogurt, and pistachios on top. There’s a lot going on here… Spoon everything over the yogurt, then scatter on pistachios just before your guests reach the table.
9) Thanksgiving Peas with Pancetta by Downshiftology
Frozen peas are a gift when every pan in your kitchen already has a holiday assignment. Pancetta brings salty crisp edges while the shallot cooks in the same skillet. The bright green color wakes up a very beige Thanksgiving plate without asking you to find another inch of oven space.
10) Roasted Cabbage by Wholesome Yum
Cabbage becomes sweeter and much more interesting after a hot oven browns the cut edges. Lemon lifts the flavor, so the wedges are especially welcome beside rich gravy and creamy potatoes. Cut them thick enough to hold together and give each piece room on the pan.
11) Sweet Potato Biscuits by The Real Food Dietitians
Sweet potato gives homemade biscuits a warm golden color and a soft center. The tops still bake up flaky enough for butter, but the gentle sweetness also works beautifully with salty turkey gravy. Serve them warm in a lined basket and expect someone to ask whether there are extras for breakfast.
12) Wild Rice Stuffing by Eating Bird Food
If bread stuffing is already spoken for, this is a fun one to put beside it. Wild rice gives you that chewy, nutty bite, with apple, cranberries, and pecans tucked through the mix. It also happens to be naturally gluten-free, which can make holiday planning a little easier.
13) Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables by Together as Family
A big tray of roasted vegetables is one of those sides that makes dinner look instantly more colorful.
It’s made with potatoes, beets, rosemary, and garlic, with plenty of browned edges after roasting. You can chop everything earlier in the day too… always helpful when the turkey has claimed the kitchen.
14) Butternut Squash Bake by Skinnytaste
Not every Thanksgiving squash dish needs marshmallows! This one goes in the savory direction with spinach and plenty of melted cheese on top. You can roast the squash ahead of time, then get everything assembled when you’re ready to bake.
15) Creamed Spinach by Sugar Spun Run
Creamed spinach gives your plate something green without asking anyone to skip the comfort food. Cream cheese makes the sauce smooth, while Parmesan adds enough salty flavor to stand beside turkey. It cooks on the stove in one pan, which matters quite a lot on Thanksgiving afternoon.
16) Southern Lima Beans by Southern Bite
Slow-cooked lima beans turn creamy around the edges while a smoked ham hock seasons the whole pot. Stir more often if your family likes a thick broth, or leave the beans mostly intact. Either way, a warm spoonful fits comfortably beside turkey and cornbread.
17) Creamy Parsnip Puree by The Forked Spoon
If you always make mashed potatoes, parsnips are a nice little change without getting too adventurous haha. They blend up smooth and creamy with butter and cream, but have a gentle sweetness all their own. And yes… they’re very good with gravy.
18) Creamed Onions by An Edible Mosaic
Creamed onions are a bit old-school right? Pearl onions cook until tender in a creamy sauce with a little nutmeg, giving you something different to tuck beside the turkey and potatoes. This might be the recipe that gets someone at the table asking, why don’t we make these more often??
19) Broccoli Rice Casserole by Mom On Timeout
Broccoli rice casserole is dependable holiday comfort food with a proper crunchy top. The rice cooks in the same pot as the creamy sauce before broccoli and cheese join in. Assemble it in an oven-safe skillet and you will have one less baking dish waiting by the sink.
20) Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts by My Rad Kitchen
Maple and bacon know how to win over anyone still suspicious of Brussels sprouts. The cut sides caramelize against the pan while the glaze turns shiny around the edges. Give them a final toss right before serving so every sprout picks up a little bacon and sauce.
21) Green Bean Casserole by Mom On Timeout
Green bean casserole earns its spot every year for good reason. Fresh beans stay lively under a homemade mushroom sauce, and fried onions bring the crunch everyone looks for. Assemble the base a day early, then add the onions near the end of baking so they stay crisp.
22) Old-Fashioned Yeast Rolls by The Feathered Nester
A basket of soft yeast rolls makes the table feel ready before the turkey even arrives. They bake with lightly golden tops and pull apart without crumbling into the gravy. The recipe makes a generous batch, which is useful when your guests consider a leftover turkey sandwich part of the plan.
23) Cauliflower Gratin by Once Upon a Chef
Cauliflower gratin arrives bubbling under a crisp breadcrumb lid, which is exactly how vegetables get invited back for seconds. Gruyère gives the sauce a nutty flavor without overwhelming the turkey. Blanch the cauliflower until barely tender so it keeps some structure during the final bake.
24) Thanksgiving Salad by Minimalist Baker
A crisp salad is a relief when the rest of your Thanksgiving plate leans creamy. Pear slices add gentle sweetness, and toasted pepitas bring a welcome crunch. Toss the greens at the last minute, then let the bright vinegar dressing cut through gravy and buttery casseroles.
25) Creamy Mashed Potatoes by I Heart Naptime
Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes?? I’m not volunteering to find out what that looks like! These are extra creamy thanks to sour cream, and they’re exactly the kind of potatoes you want under a generous spoonful of gravy. Just don’t keep mixing once they’re smooth or they can turn gummy.
26) Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese by On My Kids Plate
Mac and cheese in the slow cooker solves two holiday problems at once: it stays warm and leaves your oven alone. Cheddar brings the flavor while Velveeta keeps the sauce smooth. Cook the pasta only until al dente so it does not soften too far before dinner.
27) Parmesan Creamed Corn by Gimme Some Oven
Creamed corn is already cozy enough for Thanksgiving, but Parmesan and smoked paprika give it a savory little twist. The toasted garlic breadcrumbs scattered over the top are my favorite part… you get that crunch against all the creamy corn underneath. Better still, the whole thing is made on the stovetop. Give it a try!
So… which side is making it onto your Thanksgiving table this year? If you try one of these recipes, leave a comment and let me know what you picked. And if you found this list helpful, feel free to share it with someone else… it really does mean a lot more than you might think! But most of all, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food and plenty of time around the table with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!!
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