20 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

This is a collection of the best Thanksgiving Side dishes from classic sides to a few new recipes. We all know that the turkey is the center stage for a traditional Thanksgiving menu, but the delicious side dishes are the comfort food that everyone loves.

Collage image titled "20 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes" featuring nine classic holiday recipes including cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, corn casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin hummus, baked acorn squash, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, and cheesy hash brown casserole. The words "Family Traditions" are written in script underneath the title.

All these classic sides will remind you of home and the family memories you have of spending the holiday season with your parents and grandparents. If you are hosting the big day for the first time or looking for an old family favorite, you will find them all here. All the best Thanksgiving sides in one place so that you never have to search the house for your Thanksgiving recipes.

While these recipes are Thanksgiving staples, they are easy recipes that are perfect for beginners. They are also easy to follow and some are make a head so that when you have all your family members arriving, you have time to enjoy the big day too.

Traditional Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions in a white baking dish, sitting on a teal plaid cloth with a mint green spoon in the background.

In our house, the classic green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup is a must for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s creamy, crunchy, and packed with comforting green bean flavor, and the best part is, you can mix it all together the day before.

This post contains some affiliate links, for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission, which helps keep my blog up and running, but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Cornbread Stuffing – Copycat Liberty Tree Tavern Recipe

A white baking dish filled with homemade cornbread stuffing, featuring golden cubes of cornbread, chopped celery, and onions. This cozy side dish is a Liberty Tree Tavern copycat and fits perfectly with cornbread stuffing recipes, stuffing recipes, and cornbread easy holiday meals.

If you’ve ever eaten at Liberty Tree Tavern in Disney World, then you know how amazing their cornbread stuffing is. It quickly became a family favorite and is now a must-have Thanksgiving side dish at our house. This delicious recipe is our daughter’s favorite and has become one of our most cherished holiday traditions. Porcelain Rectangular Baking Dish Set of 2, Casserole Dish for all your casseroles.

Saltine Cracker Turkey Stuffing Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

cracker stuffing mixed in the silver bowl on the green striped towel on white counter with spoon

Saltine cracker stuffing is a retro holiday tradition in our family—moist, savory, and so simple to make. We stuff the cracker mixture right into the turkey cavity, then bake any extra as a cozy casserole side that everyone loves.

Instant Pot German Red Cabbage with Apple

German red cabbage, also known as Rotkohl or braised red cabbage, is a traditional side dish that brings old-world flavor to our Thanksgiving table. I use a modern twist by making it in the Instant Pot, and it always turns out tender and perfectly seasoned. This easy side dish has become a surprising favorite with the whole family.

Old-Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

Candy sweet potato casserole cooked with golden brown toasted marshmallows on top with two black mat serving spoons and a small plate with a pumpkin design top down view.

When I think of classic Thanksgiving sides, old-fashioned candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows always come to mind. This nostalgic dish brings back cherished memories of holidays spent with loved ones. Sweet potato recipes have come a long way, but this one stands out for its timeless flavor and cozy charm. Autumn Plates set of 4, you may like.

Easy Corn Bake Casserole Recipe with Jiffy Mix

Corn Bake Jiffy cornbread mix in a pink casserole dish on a white counter with blue salt and pepper shakers in the background.

Corn bake casserole is a quick and easy holiday side that you can mix together the day before and pop in the fridge. It’s fluffy, creamy, and full of sweet corn flavor, always a hit with the kids. This comforting dish is a close second to green bean casserole on our family’s list of favorites.

How to Bake Acorn Squash with Butter and Brown Sugar

4 halves of acorn squash in a square pan on a white counter white with fall leaves and pine cones on the counter

The easiest way to make baked acorn squash is to simply cut it in half and roast it in the oven. It’s quick to prepare and turns out sweet, tender, and perfect alongside any fall or winter meal. The naturally rich flavor gets even better with a touch of butter and a sprinkle of seasoning.

Homemade Fresh Cranberry Relish Sauce

cranberry relish on a red and white striped towel

Homemade cranberry sauce is a classic side dish that always makes our list of favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. Sweet, tangy, and made with fresh or frozen cranberries, it adds a burst of color and flavor to any holiday dinner. We love making this cranberry relish year-round—it’s too good to save just for the holidays.

Easy Instant Pot Fresh Corn on the Cob

6 ears of corn on the cop in the instant pot

Instant Pot corn on the cob is one of the easiest Thanksgiving side dishes to make when you need something quick and delicious. Just add a cup of water and fresh corn, and in 4 minutes, you have perfectly tender sweet corn. This simple corn recipe is a great addition to any holiday dinner menu. To speed up your cooking, you need one of these Instant Pots, check out these prices.

Easy Crispy Parmesan Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Smashed Brussels sprouts with grated parmesan cheese turn crispy and golden in the oven, making them one of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. Even if you’re not usually a fan of holiday Brussels sprouts, this recipe just might change your mind. The crispy edges and savory flavor make these a must-try at any holiday dinner.

Simple Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

perfect instant pot potatoes on counter with butter

Handmade mashed potatoes are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, just as essential as turkey and stuffing. I’ve made them so many ways over the years, but the Instant Pot version is my go-to for perfect results every time. From retro family dinners to holiday meals, creamy mashed potatoes always bring comfort to the table.

Sweet Moist Cornbread -Traditional Recipe or Quick Mix

Golden-brown sweet cornbread freshly baked in a white casserole dish, sitting on a festive white cloth with a pumpkin design, perfect for a Thanksgiving side dish.

Sweet, moist cornbread is one of those traditional Thanksgiving side dishes that never goes out of style. Whether I make it from scratch or use a quick mix, it always turns out soft, golden, and full of flavor. It’s the perfect companion to turkey, stuffing, and all the cozy holiday favorites.

Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Bake Casserole Recipe

Golden-brown cheesy hash brown potato casserole baked in a white dish, with a bright sunflower and soft-focus background decor.

Cheesy hash brown potato casserole is a recipe I got from a friend after a cozy dinner party at her house. It’s creamy, comforting, and packed with cheesy goodness. This easy, make-ahead dish has been a go-to for our holiday dinners ever since.

Christmas Party Raspberry Sherbet Punch Non Alcoholic

frosted white punch bowl with matching punch cups, with red raspberry punch in the bowl.

This Christmas sherbet punch is a non alcoholic party favorite that’s always a hit at our holiday gatherings. Made with scoops of raspberry sherbet and bubbly soda, it’s a fun and refreshing treat for all ages. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a birthday party, this easy sherbet punch recipe never disappoints. If you want to level up the elegance of your Thanksgiving, these punch bowls will make your holiday table feel timeless and beautifully festive.

Best Instant Pot Apple Butter

Instant Pot apple butter is an easy from scratch fall recipe that fills the whole house with a warm, spicy aroma. With just a few ingredients and some cozy spices, it comes together in under an hour. This old-fashioned favorite is perfect when apples are fresh from the farmers’ market or your own backyard. Pair your homemade Instant Pot apple butter with classic Ball canning jars; they’re perfect for gifting, storing, and sharing this cozy fall favorite.

Easy Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin in a cream bowl on a white counter with pumpkin seeds on top and a spoon on the side on a green plate with a pumpkin trivet in the background and a hand with a cracker dipping in the soup.

This creamy Instant Pot pumpkin soup with canned pumpkin is the ultimate cozy fall recipe. It’s rich, comforting, and comes together quickly in the pressure cooker—perfect for busy holiday prep. When pumpkin season rolls around, this easy soup is always a favorite at our Thanksgiving table.

Jello Salad Mold Holiday Vintage Recipe

christmas jello mold holiday vintage recipe red jello mold with grapes on a white tray. all the ingredients on the kitchen counter.

This Christmas jello salad mold is a holiday vintage recipe that’s been passed down from my mother-in-law and loved by our whole family. With festive layers and sweet flavors, it’s the perfect dessert for Christmas dinner or any holiday party. This classic jello salad is a fun and colorful family favorite we make year after year. Bring back vintage holiday charm with the Retro Gelatin Mold by Chef’s Pride, perfect for creating a classic Thanksgiving Jell-O salad that looks as festive as it tastes.

Easy Creamy Pumpkin Hummus

top down view pumpkin hummus on a black plate with pumpkin seed on top parsley on side of the plate top of image a black bowl with little bread dippers a 2 orange mini pumpkin and one white mini pumpkin and buckeye nuts on the white counter and a green towel.

This easy homemade pumpkin hummus is a fun and flavorful twist on traditional hummus for the fall season. Made with savory spices, it’s creamy, nutritious, and packed with fiber—perfect for a healthy Thanksgiving side or appetizer. We love serving this smooth and slightly spicy hummus as a festive fall treat everyone enjoys

Irresistible Classic Scalloped Potatoes Casserole with Bacon

scalloped potatoes in a cast iron skillet on a wood counter

Homemade scalloped potatoes are a creamy and comforting side dish that fits right in on the Thanksgiving table. Made with just six ingredients, these thinly sliced potatoes bake in a rich white sauce and get perfectly crispy on top. This classic recipe, topped with bacon, is always a holiday dinner favorite.

Easy 6-Ingredient Crockpot Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Crockpot broccoli rice casserole is one of our favorite cheesy side dishes to serve at Thanksgiving. It’s warm, comforting, and so easy to make in the slow cooker, which saves precious oven space. Topped with extra cheese, this delicious recipe is always a hit at our holiday dinner table.