16 Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Be Grateful For

By Kelly Vaughan
Updated October 10, 2019
Bryan Gardner
To help you put together a showstopping selection for your holiday table, we've gathered our classic side dish recipes for Thanksgiving dinner—all of which pair perfectly with turkey recipes from our downloadable turkey tutorial.
Start Slideshow

1 of 16

Bryan Gardner

There are a few classic dishes that everyone expects to see on the Thanksgiving dinner table—a juicy, golden brown turkey garnished with herbs and citrus, creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing, flaky, buttery rolls, and a variety of fresh, flavorful vegetable side dishes. To help you get started with Thanksgiving menu planning, here are 15 traditional Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

What would Thanksgiving be without stuffing? This savory bread casserole is essential, so here are three versions to consider making for the feast. Cornbread, Bacon, Leek, and Pecan Stuffing is packed with flavor and texture; while many stuffing recipes call for country white bread, cornbread is a colorful addition for the fall harvest. If you're thinking about making a more traditional dressing for the table, this pecan version should hit the mark. Chopped, toasted pecans add just a hint of crunch and nuttiness that pairs well with the other ingredients such as fresh herbs, celery and onions, and the savory flavors from chicken broth. Or try our Vegan Stuffing with Mushroom and Leeks, pictured here, so that vegetarians and dairy-averse can dig in, too. All three are guaranteed to delight so you can't go wrong.

Of course, root vegetables are at the heart of many of our favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving. One of the key players is mashed potatoes—make Garlic Mashed Potatoes for a boost of flavor or take a page out of Martha's playbook and make her mom's recipe, Big Martha's Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese. Looking to add some festive color to your tablescape? Sweet and light Mashed Sweet Potatoes are just the thing (they also make a delicious base for Sweet Potato Casserole!).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 16

Cornbread, Bacon, Leek, and Pecan Stuffing

Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Use your favorite cornbread—whether homemade or store-bought—for this recipe. The traditional Thanksgiving flavors, such as earthy herbs and nuts, in this stuffing are enhanced by cooking the vegetables in bacon fat.

3 of 16

Sweet Potato Casserole

John Kernick
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

How sweet it is! What would Thanksgiving be without sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows? Make the mixture up to one day in advance and store in the refrigerator, then top with marshmallows just before baking until the casserole is hot and marshmallows have melted and browned.

Advertisement

4 of 16

Big Martha's Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Johnny Miller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Martha loves serving her mother's special mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving. Wondering what makes them so unique? The secret ingredient is cream cheese, which adds a luscious whipped texture and milky flavor.

5 of 16

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This is one of the easiest and simplest ways to prepare Brussels sprouts—and that's what makes them so good! In addition to salt and pepper, all you need for this delicious side is three ingredients: Brussels sprouts, olive oil, lemon juice.

6 of 16

Test Kitchen's Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits

Armando Rafael
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This is the only buttermilk biscuit recipe you'll ever need. Form them the day before Thanksgiving and store in the refrigerator. Bake the biscuits just before the big feast so they're warm when they hit the dinner plate.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 16

Chestnut Stuffing

Maria Robledo
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The nutty flavor and meaty texture of chestnuts are divine in this classic stuffing recipe.

8 of 16

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

José Manuel Picayo Rivera
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This sweet vegetable side hardly needs dressing up. Sweet potatoes pack in so much bright flavor and color that a pat of butter and a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar is all that's needed to take this side into the winner's circle.

9 of 16

Classic Cranberry Sauce

Aaron Dyer
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the canned variety and make this delicious, flavorful cranberry sauce instead. A dash of cinnamon and fresh orange zest and juice are the perfect light enhancements to tart cranberries.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 16

Green Bean Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Green bean casserole just got even better with this fried shallot topping—they're crispy, savory, and the most enticing garnish. Dig in!

11 of 16

Parker House Rolls

Mike Krautter
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The quintessential roll recipe from the famed Boston hotel deserves a place on your Thanksgiving table. They're buttery, flaky, and absolutely timeless.

12 of 16

Quick Glazed Carrots

Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pick up a bundle of carrots from a nearby farm stand because this recipe really lets their sweet, earthy flavor shine. A quick poach in water, then a butter glaze is all these vegetables need to wow guests on Thanksgiving.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 16

Pecan Dressing

Anna Williams
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A good stuffing is made with the following ingredients—hearty, crusty bread, flavorful homemade turkey stock, plenty of aromatics such as fresh rosemary and thyme, and chopped vegetables like onions and celery. This recipe has all of that with one special addition: chopped toasted pecans.

14 of 16

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mikkel Vang
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's an all-time Thanksgiving favorite! A whole head of peeled garlic cloves is boiled right in with the diced potatoes, softening the flavor of the garlic. Substitute cream for some of the milk in this recipe to make the potatoes extra luxurious.

15 of 16

Sage and Honey Skillet Cornbread

Anna Williams
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cornbread recipe doesn't stray too far from the classic. Chopped fresh sage adds an earthy flavor while honey brings sweetness. That super-moist texture and richness is all thanks to a combination of buttermilk and whole milk. Serve it right in the skillet for a pretty presentation.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 16

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Adrian Mueller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Creamy, crispy, and wonderfully indulgent, scalloped potatoes are an instant crowd pleaser. A pinch of nutmeg adds just the right amount of warmth and spice to this classic gratin.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Kelly Vaughan