Are you thinking of Thanksgiving sides yet? If not, these unique Thanksgiving side dishes should give you some inspiration for the big day!
If you’re tired of the same old Thanksgiving sides, these delicious and unique Thanksgiving side dishes will be a fresh addition to your Thanksgiving table!
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I’ve already been planning for weeks! Thanksgiving food has got to be one of my favorites as a whole. You could say I put a lot of effort into planning my Thanksgiving menu. But part of that is making sure I have easy Thanksgiving side dishes to go on my holiday table.
Of course when you think of the basics, you always have mashed potatoes, a sweet potato recipe like sweet potato casserole, traditional green bean casserole, rolls and mac and cheese; but this year I wanted to switch it up a little!
These unique Thanksgiving sides add a little variety to your Thanksgiving table, without straying too far from the traditional. These are some of my favorites! They’re the perfect balance of different, yet familiar and they will be a welcome addition on any dinner table.
Even though you might already think you have the best Thanksgiving side dishes, it never hurts to try new recipes. And this list is long enough to add something new to your Thanksgiving Day line up every year for the rest of your life! These easy sides help you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.
Clearly… don’t forget the other important things like turkey, appetizers and desserts like pumpkin pie too.
What's In This Article
Thanksgiving Salads
Beet Goat Cheese Salad
Dress this beet goat cheese salad with a simple orange vinaigrette. Easy enough for a weeknight supper, but fancy enough for a dinner party.
Fruit Fluff Salad with Cranberry, Cherry and Pineapple
Fruit Fluff Salad is a classic side dish for the holidays combining Cherry Fluff, Pineapple Fluff and Cranberry Fluff Salad into one!
Three Bean Salad
Classic Three Bean Salad is the perfect BBQ side dish. This easy, make-ahead dish is always a hit and perfect for potlucks too!
Pickled Asparagus Salad
Pickled Asparagus Salad is made with blanched asparagus marinated in a vinaigrette and tossed with water chestnuts and roasted red pepper.
Cranberry Feta Brussels Sprout Salad
Serve Cranberry Feta Brussels Sprout Salad with Candied Pecans and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette as a festive side dish this season!
Roast Pumpkin Pear Salad
This delicious Roast Pumpkin Pear Salad is made with all FRESH and seasonal ingredients – baby spinach, sweet roasted pumpkin, juicy pomegranate and pear topped with crunchy walnuts.
Roasted Carrot Salad
This Roasted Carrot Salad has wonderful flavors that come together with crisp apples and savory pistachios making the most amazing salad! Easy enough for a weeknight dinner, and beautiful enough to include in your Thanksgiving sides!
Kale Salad
Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing is tossed with currants, radicchio, walnuts and a lemon dressing. Learn how to massage kale salad and make a delicious salad!
Brussels Sprout Salad with Roasted Jalapeno and Onion Dressing
Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe is colorful and the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and savory. This dish is sure to have your guests going back for seconds.
Winter Tomato Salad
Winter Tomato Salad uses multi-colored cherry tomatoes, lots of garlic, good olive oil and basil to make a tasty side dish recipe perfect for the winter months.
Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts
Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts is the perfect winter salad for dinner parties and holidays. Honey Balsamic Dressing and tart goat cheese make the best salad recipe!
Cranberry Almond Salad
Cranberry Almond Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette is a quick yet tasty meal solution. Throw it together for a healthy quick dinner or lunch.
Breads and Rolls
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Sweet Potato Cornbread is a sweet combination of two of my favorite fall foods: sweet potatoes and cornbread.
Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins- Mexican cornbread muffins, make full or mini. Simple to make, no Jiffy mix needed. These jalapeno cornbread muffins are great with chili or to make cornbread stuffing!
Rosemary Parmesan Crescent Roll
This Rosemary Parmesan Crescent Roll recipe is as easy as it is delicious! A great way to mix up your Thanksgiving breads!
Thick & Fluffy Rosemary Focaccia Bread
A chewy bread, this focaccia recipe uses traditional Italian techniques with rosemary, garlic and olive oil to make a focaccia loaf suitable for dipping and sandwiches.
Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Soft and sweet yeast dinner rolls served warm with homemade honey cinnamon butter. Make ahead and freezer friendly!
Garlic Knots
Warm yeast rolls topped with a buttery garlic spread, these Garlic Knots make the perfect addition to any meal! Made with simple ingredients.
Everything Bagel Crescent Rolls
With only 5 simple ingredients, these CHEESY Everything Seasoning Crescent Rolls are sure to be an instant hit with your family!
Butter Swim Biscuit Recipe
No rolling, no cutting, no kneading. Just the most buttery buttermilk biscuits you've ever had and the easiest biscuit recipe you've ever made.
No Yeast Potato Bread
Thick and chewy No Yeast Potato Bread is an easy and quick homemade bread recipe perfect for deli sandwiches and more!
No Yeast Bread Recipe
This 2-Ingredient No Rise No Yeast Bread is perfect for those days when you need a loaf and can’t get to the store. Just a few ingredients and 40 minutes to delicious homemade bread!
Olive Cheese Bread
Don't have time to make homemade olive bread? Check out my hack for making this easy Olive Cheese Bread recipe. It takes no more than 15 minutes from start to finish!
No Yeast Roasted Garlic Bread
A spin-off of my most popular bread recipe, this one is laced with butter and roast garlic. No yeast and no rise time and only 6 ingredients!
Instant Pot Sweet Cornbread
Instant Pot Sweet Cornbread is an easy cornbread recipe made with honey making it both sweet and moist. Made in the Instant Pot, it cooks in half the time!
Whole Wheat Bread
Whole Wheat Bread, homemade bread is not only healthier, it is also super easy to make! Only 30 minute hands-on for an impressive loaf of whole wheat bread.
Easy Dinner Rolls
Soft, easy dinner rolls are easier to make than you think! Check out my speedy yeast rolls that you can make ahead and freeze.
Cheese Stuffed Garlic Rolls
Garlic bread rolls stuffed with gooey cheese. Serve with marinara, if desired.
Cheesy Herb Drop Biscuits
Cheese and Herb Biscuits are a delicious combination of fresh herbs, parmesan and mozzarella cheese! This recipe is perfect to enjoy as a side dish or a snack!
Brioche Rolls
Brioche Bread Recipe- making bread recipes at home isn’t as hard as you think! Step-by-step instructions on how to make buttery brioche right here!
Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Rosemary Focaccia Bread is a recipe you can be proud of! Pair with homemade butter or olive oil bread dip for the best appetizer.
Cheese Puff Bread- Copy Cat Fogo de Chao Bread
Copy cat Fogo de Chao Brazilian Cheese Puff bread- No yeast cheesy bread puffs ready in 30 minutes!
Copycat Cheddar Bay Red Lobster Biscuits
These copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits are so easy to make you will make them for dinner every night! And they only take 20 minutes!
Thanksgiving Sauces and Gravy
How to Make Gravy from Drippings
Homemade gravy has never been easier! Learn How to Make Gravy from Drippings, whether you're cooking chicken, turkey, pork or beef!
Homemade Gravy Mix
Forget the ready gravy mix, make your own Homemade Gravy Mix with just a few ingredients and no time at all!
Homemade Turkey Gravy
Homemade Turkey Gravy made easy! Make it with drippings or without drippings in just 15 minutes.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Light and fluffy, these easy savory cream cheese spread is perfect for anything from bagels to crackers!
Molasses Butter with a Zing
Molasses Butter is the blend of butter, molasses and one secret ingredient that will never guess until see the recipe! Served best on fresh zucchini bread and biscuits!
Cherry Balsamic Sauce
With only 4 simple ingredients, this EASY Cherry Balsamic Sauce is perfect for topping chicken, veggies and even vanilla ice cream!
Cranberry Relish
This homemade Cranberry Relish recipe is perfect for your Turkey Day festivities and will soon be a must-have every holiday season.
Cranberry Mayo
If you like mayonnaise, you will LOVE my Cranberry Mayo. Slightly sweet and just a touch tart, it adds a new dimension to any sandwich.
Red Wine Gravy
Homemade Red Wine Gravy Recipe is a make-ahead, rich and velvety gravy recipe without pan drippings. Perfect over turkey, chicken, mashed potatoes, or beef!
Mojito Cranberry Sauce
Take your traditional holiday cranberry sauce and give it a cocktail twist! Rum, mint, and lime juice star in this Mojito Cranberry Sauce, perfect for your Thanksgiving sides.
Cran Applesauce
In only 15 minutes, you'll have sweet and tart homemade applesauce perfect for baking, pork chops or just eating alone.
Stuffing
Chestnut Dressing
Roasted Chestnut Dressing is a rich and buttery stuffing recipe using roasted chestnuts, apples and raisins. The perfect holiday side dish!
Sausage Stuffing
Sausage Stuffing Recipe is a unique blend of sweet and savory making it the perfect holiday side dish for any turkey recipe.
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Whether you call it dressing or stuffing, this EASY Southern Cornbread Dressing will be the star of your Thanksgiving table!
Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Muffins
Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Muffins will become your favorite stuffing for Thanksgiving recipe. Who doesn’t love stuffing with bacon?!
Herb Stuffing Wreath
Of all of the homemade stuffing recipes, this Herb Stuffing Wreath is the best! It will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner!Of all of the homemade stuffing recipes, this Herb Stuffing Wreath is the best! It will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner!
Butternut Squash Stuffing
This butternut squash stuffing recipe is a delicious mix of tender butternut squash, Italian sausage, crisp bread, and a melody of fall-themed herbs and spices
Cheesy Beer Bacon Stuffing
This bacon beer cheese stuffing will kick your side dish game to the next level! Classic stuffing spiked with citrus beer, savory bacon, and cheddar cheese!
Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes
Oven Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Ricotta Topping
Hot roasted rainbow carrots topped with a cool and creamy lemon laced ricotta topping. Perfect as a side or vegetarian entree.
Crispy Parmesan Artichoke Hearts
Crunchy and crispy, these parmesan artichoke hearts are great as an appetizer, salad topper or side dish.
Honey Garlic Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
This Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is coated with a honey, garlic and soy sauce blend. Sweet and salty for the best side recipe.
Creamed Spinach
If you are wondering how to make creamed spinach, look no further! This easy creamed spinach recipe makes the perfect side dish to any meal.
Green Beans with Bacon
EASY Green Beans with Bacon make the perfect side dish for any meal! Using fresh green beans and crispy bacon, you can't go wrong!
Balsamic Glazed Baby Onions
These EASY Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions are great for a simple side dish. Elegant enough for the holidays, but also for weeknight meals!
Garlic Parmesan Broccolini
Making broccolini couldn't be easier than with the BEST Garlic Parmesan Broccolini Recipe! You only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes!
Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots
You can’t go wrong with such a classic that is sure to please everyone at your Thanksgiving table- give potatoes and carrots some love!
Green Beans in Mascarpone Cream Sauce
Green Beans in Mascarpone Cream Sauce is a sophisticated and delicious update to the old green bean casserole. It is sure to become a family favorite.
Baked Kale Gratin
This Baked Kale Gratin is one of the best kale recipes! You'll never have to wonder how to cook kale after you've tried this cheesy goodness!
Bourbon Glazed Carrots and Pumpkin with Brown Sugar
Bourbon Glazed Carrots and Pumpkin with Brown Sugar are a great way to add extra fall flavor to your Thanksgiving meal!
Steamed Green Beans Recipe
If you're in need of an easy green bean recipe, look no further than these Sherry Green Beans! Steamed green beans have never been so good!
Classic Green Bean Casserole
A classic green bean casserole doesn't get much better than this Green Bean Casserole recipe! Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Perfectly crispy and made with only 3 ingredients, these EASY Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are the perfect side dish for any meal or holiday!
Balsamic Stewed Tomatoes
A salad of sorts, this EASY roasted Balsamic Tomatoes recipe makes the perfect side dish! With only 6 ingredients, this recipe is simple yet delicious!
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe
Cheesy, rich and decadent, these Classic Au Gratin Potatoes make the perfect side dish for any meal! Simple ingredients and EASY to make!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a delightful side to serve with just about any main dish. They're easy to make and perfectly crispy!
Crab Smashed Potatoes
Crispy smashed potatoes slathered in butter, topped with creamy crab, given another butter bath before being topped with bacon and baked.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Forget the boxed stuff, this easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe will be your new go-to! These potatoes are ready in just minutes!
Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Making Homemade Mashed Potatoes has never been simpler, thanks to my basic mashed potatoes recipe! And you can jazz them up with your favorite toppings!
Slow Cooker Garlic Dill Mashed Potatoes
Slow Cooker Garlic Dill Mashed Potatoes are creamy, loaded with flavor, and unbelievably easy when made in the crock pot!
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes take traditional mashed potatoes up a notch by adding creamy mascarpone and roasted red peppers!
Mashed Potato Cups
Loaded Mashed Potato Cups are the best way to use leftover mashed potatoes. Mixed with cheese, eggs and a few other ingredients, you load them into a muffin tin and poof, you’ve got finger food mashed potatoes!
Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe
This Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe uses baked sweet potatoes with natural sugars, bay leaf infused cream and a spike of orange juice for the best sweet potato mash ever!
Loaded Smashed Potatoes
Loaded Smashed Potatoes are a cross between a loaded baked potato and loaded mashed potatoes. Topped with a zesty butter sauce, bacon, cheese, sour cream and scallions.
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
If you’ve ever been to Ruth’s Chris, you’ll know this Sweet Potato Casserole is out of the world. And now you can make it at home.
Roasted Beets and Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Beets and Sweet Potatoes make for a healthy and delicious side dish for the whole family!
Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes
Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes are velvety, buttery and cheesy- the perfect trifecta of potato perfection and the ultimate potato side dish!
Melting Sweet Potatoes
These Melting Sweet Potatoes make a delicious side dish perfect with any meal! Baked sweet potatoes topped with a maple pecan glaze!
Rosemary Parmesan Sweet Potato Stacks
Rosemary Sweet Potato Stacks are a simple and visually appealing side dish or appetizer fit for any occasion.
Duchess Potatoes
This easy Duchess Potatoes recipe is an elegant potato recipe that is perfect for Thanksgiving sides!
Potato Galette
A stunning Potato galette makes the perfect side dish made with layers of thinly cut potatoes, Swiss cheese, shallots, herbs and cream sauce.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is the ultimate sweet potato souffle recipe using fresh sweet potatoes, pecan topping and marshmallows.
Hasselback Baked Potatoes
Calling all potato lovers! These crispy Hasselback Baked Potatoes are going to be your new favorite easy side dish!
Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe
You will love how simple it is to make this easy Twice Baked Potato Casserole! Everything you love about twice baked potatoes is wrapped up into one easy dish.
Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes
Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes are velvety, buttery and cheesy- the perfect trifecta of potato perfection and the ultimate potato side dish!
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes uses bold flavors like mascarpone, garlic, and oregano to complement the classic, sweet tuber.
Thanksgiving Mac n Cheese
Seafood Mac and Cheese
This Seafood Mac and Cheese is super creamy with two types of cheese, seasonings, your favorite seafood and crunchy topping.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a quick and spicy baked mac and cheese recipe the whole family will love. Perfect as a potluck recipe or for a BBQ side dish!
Pizza Mac and Cheese
Delicious three cheese mac and cheese combined with thick pasta sauce and pepperoni makes for the best side dish or entrée with Pizza Mac and Cheese!
Garlic Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese
This Garlic Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and super easy to make. A great way to add veggies to comfort food!
Roast Garlic Mac and Cheese
Cheesy, creamy and amazingly delicious Roast Garlic Mac n Cheese will be your new go-to holiday side dish recipe.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
The healthier twist on mac and cheese! This Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese is made with lots of good-for-you stuff and ready in just 30 minutes!
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Sweet lobster, creamy cheese & a crunchy panko topping come together to make the BEST Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe! Perfect for any elegant or casual meal!
Truffle Mac and Cheese
Delicious mac and cheese using smoked gouda, white cheddar and truffle oil. The perfect side dish.
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is an easy-to-make low carb mac and cheese that follows keto guidelines. A kid-friendly cauliflower side dish!
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is the easier way to make the perfect creamy homemade mac and cheese recipe without having to make a roux.
Sriracha Gouda Mac and Cheese
Sriracha Gouda Mac and Cheese is a creamy homemade mac and cheese recipe that uses gooey gouda with spicy Sriracha and a fresh crunch for texture.
Slow Cooker Jalapeno Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese is the BEST mac and cheese recipe made in the slow cooker with gouda, cheddar bacon and jalapenos!
We’ve also got your Thanksgiving appetizers and desserts covered!
Thanksgiving turkey recipes:
- Juicy Roast Turkey
- How to Brine a Turkey
- How to Fry a Turkey
- Turkey Dry Brine
- Citrus Brine Brine
- Cheesecloth Turkey
- Honey Herb Wet Brine
We are doing a potluck for Thanksgiving at a friends! I may just take the Brussels sprouts salad. It looks delicious!
My word! This is such an amazing list, I don’t know which I want to try first! The jalapeño cornbread muffins and those bourbon on definitely on the list though!
All of these looks so amazing, but I especially love the Parmesan Cresent Rolls! Oh, and the green beans…and the salad…basically everything 😉
This list is so refreshing! I’ve been wanting to mix up our same old, same old for years now!
I love your variety of recipes! Those duchess potatoes look so pretty, and I am sure they taste amazing too! Thanks for all of the great ideas!