Every year I am the one in charge of making Thanksgiving dinner for the family. I’m not a great chef, but I’ve never really just wanted to just cook a “traditional” Thanksgiving dinner. I like my dinner to stand out – I want to “wow” everyone that comes over.
With a few great recipes, I can add extra flavor and pizzazz to our Thanksgiving dinner by taking the side dishes to the next level. Instead of normal stuffing, I’ll add mushrooms to give it added kick. Or take the cranberry and give it a twist by adding in another fruit for a different tang. There are so many fun ways to add flavor, often without any additional work. Many of these recipes aren’t too different from a traditional recipe, but with a few extra added ingredients that really make them “pop”.
30 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Stuffing
1. Easy Delicious Stuffing
2. Stuffing-Stuffed Mushrooms
3. Slow Cooker Stuffing
4. Baked Apple Cranberry Stuffing
5. Bread and Celery Stuffing
6. Country Harvest Stuffing
7. Chestnut Stuffing with Leeks & Apples
8. Wild Rice Stuffing
9. Oyster Dressing
10. Cornbread Stuffing Muffins
Vegetables
1. Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
2. Creamy Orzo with Asparagus & Parmesan
3. Broccoli with Prosciutto & Cream Gruyere Sauce
4. Roasted Harvest Veggie, Curried Avocado + Rice
5. Au Gratin Potatoes
6. Roasted Carrots with Parsley Butter
7. Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes
8. Mashed Potatoes and Rutabaga
9. Pearl Onions in Cream Sauce
10. Cheese Potato & Smokes Sausage Casserole
Cranberries
1. Holiday Cranberry Apple Sauce
2. Citrus Cranberry Sauce
3. Cranberry Relish
4. Mango Apple Cranberry Sauce
5. Cranberry Salsa
6. Cranberry Salad
7. Calamondin Cranberry Sauce
8. Easy Cranberry Chutney
9. Cranberry Grape Compote
10. Jalapeno-Cranberry Relish
Donna says
I love Thanksgiving for the sides! Really… there are so many great sides and I’m sure to find some new god ones out of these 30!
Christie - Food Done Light says
Thanks for including my side dish. You’ve got a great selection for lots of Thanksgiving inspiration.
Mellisa says
I look forward to the sides the most at Thanksgiving! These are all great choices.
michelle riebeek says
Yum I want to try: Creamy Orzo with Asparagus & Parmesan
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
We do the old fashion favorites, stuffing, mashed potatoes and corn.
Penelope says
Thank you so much, this will be awesome to refer back to!!
md kennedy says
Great sides, but I would add one more: my Chestnut and Sweet Potato “Stew” – delish!
Jeanne says
Great side ideas. I love to cook sides and one of my best is cream corn.
Theresa says
This is a great selection!
Jenn says
I have not had oyster dressing since my great-aunt passed away. Ahhh memories.
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
I will be looking at these soon because it looks like I’ll be hosting Thanksgiving this year.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
This makes me get so fired up about the holiday. I adore Thanksgiving food!
chrissy c says
Thanks for posting these! I’m been trying to find something yummy to bring to Thanksgiving and I saw numerous things on this list I might make!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
What a delicious roundup. I’m especially loving all of the cranberry recipes. I think a lot of us get in a rut with cranberries and you posted some different and delicious sounding recipes.
Lesley Wong says
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Marcie W. says
So many of these sound amazingly tasty! I will be pinning the Broccoli with Prosciutto & Cream Gruyere Sauce now.
Robin Gagnon says
I’ve already started thinking about Thanksgiving logistics myself.
Charlene says
Like to make a least one new dish every holiday. Thanks for the recipes. I’m sure I’ll find one to make.
Linda Heng says
Thanksgiving and Christmas are my two favorite holidays! Especially the food part of it! Love trying new recipes each year so this will come in handy pretty soon! Thanks for sharing =)
Lolo says
Rosemary mashed sweet potatoes sound amazing1
HilLesha says
That’s quite a list! I need to print this out in case my family decides to have Thanksgiving this year. 🙂
Sherri Lewis says
I saw several dishes I want to try. Or get my daughter to try, since she is the cook in the family 🙂
Angela says
Great finds! I’m hoping to try a couple of new side dishes this year, so thanks.
Colleen says
The best side dish is the mash potatoes and home made gravy LOL!
courtney says
So many goodies! Love this time of year (food!!!)
Adrienne L Rudolph says
thanks for sharing I can wait to try some of these goodies this thanksgiving
Kathleen says
My mom makes Thanksgiving dinner every year and it is to die for, but I wouldn’t mind trying some of these out in our home before or after Thanksgiving.
Jenn says
Nom Nom. You can never have too many sides at the Thanksgiving table!
Stefanie says
I LOVE Thanksgiving sides…I don’t even need turkey.
Robin Gagnon says
I do pretty much the same sides each year but either add or swap one out to have some variety.
Leilani says
Stuffing is my favorite side. I could honestly have a Thanksgiving dinner with just turkey and stuffing and feel like it was complete.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
Mmm, these all sound really delicious!
Amy Adams says
Wow! All I can say is “Where do you live and can I join you?” I love the sides more than the meat and I would take 80% of those listed! Having a small family that is now scattered everywhere we are now a family of two that get our Thanksgiving meal from a restaurant every year; so, enjoy your festivities while you can before your children move out and about!
Shell Feis says
I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year but totally need to make 1 or 2 of these to bring over for dinner!
Betsy Barnes says
I love finding new recipes, especially for Thanksgiving. I always get stuck with what to do different in serving cranberries, the list had some really creative ones. I’m definitely going to give some a try, thanks 🙂
Cathy French says
i have tried several different stuffing recipes, this one looks great. Think I might try this one this year
CHRISTIE ROBINSON says
I am always looking for ways to change up meals that I fix for family. Just try something different that everyone will enjoy & love to try different each years
Kelsey Apley says
Oh gosh all that looks and sounds so good. Thanks for all the fun idea’s on what to make! We are doing Thanksgiving at our house this year!
Megan McD says
I absolutely love all Thanksgiving recipes! I want to eat everything on here.
Faye Mc says
Thank you for all the great ideas. I was getting bogged down trying to figure out what to serve. This will help. Have a great meal! 🙂
Jenn @TheRebelChick says
Everything looks so delicious! I am pining this!
Shanna Uptergrove says
Oh.My.Goodness. I am loving this roundup of side dishes for Thanksgiving. I am always trying to find something new to bring to the in laws! THANK YOU for this post 😀
Laura says
I am making all the side dishes at our families Thanksgiving celebration and am looking for some new recipes. Thank you for all of these wonderful suggestions
molly c says
my mouth is watering just looking at these. i love thanksgiving food, especially stuffing!
cheryl c. says
My family always asks me to bring the same 2 dishes. I am looking for something new and different for this year.
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
Thanks so much for sharing. I was looking for new sides for thanksgiving.
Tammy says
Oh I’m getting a new slow cooker just in time for Thanksgiving – I’m totally going to try that stuffing recipe.