16 Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Be Grateful For

By Kelly Vaughan
Updated October 10, 2019
Credit: 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.
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Credit: 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!

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Cornbread, Bacon, Leek, and Pecan Stuffing

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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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.

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Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: John Kernick
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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.

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Big Martha's Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Credit: Johnny Miller
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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.

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Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

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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.

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Test Kitchen's Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits

Credit: Armando Rafael
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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.

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Chestnut Stuffing

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

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Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Credit: José Manuel Picayo Rivera
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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.

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Classic Cranberry Sauce

Credit: Aaron Dyer
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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.

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Green Bean Casserole

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

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Parker House Rolls

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

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Quick Glazed Carrots

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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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.

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Pecan Dressing

Credit: Anna Williams
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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.

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Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Mikkel Vang
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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.

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Sage and Honey Skillet Cornbread

Credit: Anna Williams
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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.

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Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Credit: Adrian Mueller
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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.

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