20 Thanksgiving Potato and Sweet Potato Recipes

By Lynn Andriani
Updated October 08, 2019
What would Thanksgiving dinner be without potatoes, both regular and sweet? These recipes transform humble spuds into scene-stealing side dishes.
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Potatoes probably weren't served at the first Thanksgiving, but they've been a traditional Thanksgiving side since at least the late 1800s. Now, we wouldn't dream of sitting down to a holiday dinner without them. Ceremony aside, potatoes have a lot more going for them: they pair well with turkey, and can be creamy or crisp, depending on how you cook them. Nearly everyone loves them—even picky eaters. And best of all, they so wonderfully soak up that delicious gravy.

Classic mashed potatoes are always welcome at Thanksgiving, whether simple or kicked up with garlic and sage. Sweet potatoes and cauliflower whipped to a silky purée make for a delicious alternative to plain white potatoes, and you can even make mashed potatoes in an Instant Pot, which frees up valuable real estate on the stove and in the oven.

Want more texture? Scalloped potatoes are an indulgent and toothsome treat; muffin-pan potato gratins let each guest have their own serving of stacked, crisp russet potato slices. And a crispy potato roast (using thinly sliced russet potatoes) offers maximum crunch if you bake it in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet.

Sweet potatoes are another option, and we've got lots of ideas for these root vegetables. Give them the twice-baked treatment and garnish with chopped pecans; roast them and glaze with maple syrup for one of the easiest sides ever; or combine them with Yukon golds in a casserole (mixing up the spuds variety adds structure and cuts the sweetness a bit).

If you really want to wow your crowd, try showstopping potatoes Anna, a beloved French sliced-and-layered potato dish (our version stars—you guessed it, Yukon gold and sweet potatoes!).

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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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When the stovetop is full of pans of turkey stock for the gravy and various other sides, the Instant Pot is a winning way to make the Thanksgiving essential that is creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. It will also hold them, keeping the potatoes warm until it's time to transfer them to a serving bowl.

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Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes Anna

Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo
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Pommes Anna is a traditional French dish that's similar to potato gratin in technique—it's layered and baked—but there's no cream, no cheese, just potatoes and butter in. In this delicious take, we mix layers of paper-thin slices of potato with layers of paper-thin slices of sweet potato. It's baked in a skillet like an upside-down cake. The resulting dish is crisp and golden on the outside and earthy and tender on the inside

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Smashed Salt-and-Vinegar Sweet Potatoes

Credit: linda xiao
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Here's an irresistible side that's also vegan. The sweet potatoes are steamed before roasting for extra fluffy interiors to contrast with the crispy outsides. Sub a favorite vinegar for the Champagne vinegar the recipe calls for if you like—white Balsamic would be a tasty choice.

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Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Johnny Miller
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Looking for a simple way to upgrade your typical Thanksgiving mashed potatoes? Just add sour cream!

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Sweet-Potato-and-Cauliflower Mash

Credit: Louise Hagger
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Combine two favorite vegetables in one dreamy mash. This recipe might well become a staple on your Thanksgiving table.

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Simple Scalloped Potatoes

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The genius of this Yukon potato concoction? It can be cooked right alongside your turkey during its last hour and a half in the oven.

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Sweet Potato Fries with Brown-Butter Marshmallow Sauce

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To add a decadent touch to sweet potato fries, we suggest pairing them with a marshmallow sauce. (It can be made up to one day in advance.)

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Muffin-Pan Potato Gratins

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Stack russet potato slices in buttered muffin tins and top with cream to create individual servings of golden-brown gratin. The recipe serves six but is easy to double.

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Maple-Whipped Sweet Potatoes

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No need to peel and dice to prepare this dish: Simply roast the sweet potatoes and scoop out the flesh. Blend in the food processor with maple syrup and butter and—voila—you're done.

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Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks

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Sautéed leeks add savory flavor to layers of cream-kissed scalloped potatoes and the shredded Gruyère topping becomes browned and bubbly in the oven.

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Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: John Kernick
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This traditional Thanksgiving casserole of creamy, nutmeg-seasoned sweet potatoes topped with toasty melted marshmallows is a classic crowd-pleaser. The dish travels well; simply reheat in the oven before serving.

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Luxurious Mashed Potatoes

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Hearty quantities of butter and cream make these mashed potatoes well-suited to a special occasion like Thanksgiving. Mix in sautéed garlic or chopped fresh parsley to take them up another notch.

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Caramelized Sweet Potato Wedges

Credit: David Loftus
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Wedges of sweet potato are tossed with orange juice and brown sugar, which create a caramelized coating in the oven. Garnish this easy Thanksgiving side dish with orange zest.

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Sweet Potato and Sage-Butter Casserole

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Yukon gold potatoes are mashed along with sweet potatoes in this fan-favorite casserole, adding structure and cutting the sweetness a bit. Fresh sage and a crunchy breadcrumb topping add texture and savory notes.

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Big Martha's Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Johnny Miller
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The combination of cream cheese, milk, and heavy cream in this recipe from Martha's mom, Mrs. Kostyra, produces one of the richest and most velvety versions of mashed potatoes we've ever had.

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Crispy Potato Roast

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Thinly sliced russet potatoes and shallots are arranged decoratively and baked until golden-brown and tender. Bake this Thanksgiving side dish in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to make the potatoes extra brown and crisp.

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Butter-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

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A simple mixture of butter, brown sugar, and pecans creates a glaze for roasted sweet potato slices. Just a pinch of cayenne pepper balances out the buttery sweetness.

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Roasted-Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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Roasted garlic brings its rich, slightly sweet flavor to these mashed potatoes. This dish can be made up to four hours in advance of the Thanksgiving dinner: simply cover the mashed potatoes with a thin layer of milk and store in the refrigerator. To serve, heat over simmering water, stirring to combine.

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Roasted Red Potatoes

Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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Red-skinned potatoes, tossed in olive oil, fresh rosemary, and pepper, are roasted for an easy Thanksgiving side dish. If you prefer, substitute thyme for the rosemary.

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Rutabaga-Sweet Potato Mash with Garlic and Sage

Credit: Lennart Weibull
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Two of our favorite root vegetables come together in this velvety mash: crowd-pleasing sweet potato and underrated rutabaga. This soon-to-be Thanksgiving classic is enriched with butter and cream and flavored with garlic and fresh sage.

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By Lynn Andriani