23 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Will Completely Steal the Show

You know how every year the turkey gets all the glory, but everyone secretly piles their plate with the sides. Same here. This lineup is cozy, comforting, and packed with all the flavors we wait for all season. From creamy mashed potatoes to sweet and sticky squash, these dishes are easy enough for a chill holiday and tasty enough to make people come back for seconds. Honestly, you might need to make extra.

Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with parsley. — Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

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These mashed potatoes come out super creamy without babysitting a pot on the stove. They cook fast in the Instant Pot and mash up smooth and fluffy every single time.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes

A spoonful of roasted potatoes with some more of it in the background. — Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Crispy edges. Soft centers. These roasted sweet potatoes get caramelized in the air fryer and taste amazing with just a sprinkle of salt.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Maple Brown Sugar Roasted Acorn Squash

Acorn squash roasts up soft and golden with sweet maple and brown sugar. It smells like fall and tastes even better.
Get the Recipe: Maple Brown Sugar Roasted Acorn Squash

Potato Onion Pithivier

A potato pie in puff pastry. — Potato Onion Pithivier. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Layers of buttery potatoes and tender onions are wrapped in flaky pastry for a side that feels fancy without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Potato Onion Pithivier

Candied Pecan Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole

A sweet potato casserole with a scoop out of it. — Candied Pecan Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This classic casserole is sweet, creamy, and topped with gooey marshmallows and crunchy pecans. It always disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Candied Pecan Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole

Macaroni and Cheese

Rich, cheesy, and cozy. This creamy mac and cheese delivers all the comfort you want on a holiday plate.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese

Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole

A round dish of sweet potato casserole topped with pecans and herbs, set on a green cloth with serving utensils nearby. — Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Sweet potatoes bake up soft and silky with maple and garlic for a sweet savory combo that totally works.
Get the Recipe: Maple Garlic Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

Sweet potatoes with pecans and marshmallows on top. — Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel. Photo credit: Little Frugal Homestead.

A smooth sweet potato base gets topped with a crunchy pecan streusel. It is buttery, crisp, and ridiculously good.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Crock pot with sweet potato casserole with pecans and marshmallows. — Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let the slow cooker handle this holiday favorite. Sweet potatoes turn tender and finish with melty marshmallows and pecans on top.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Jiffy Corn Pudding

This corn pudding bakes up soft, creamy, and slightly sweet. It is simple, cozy, and pairs with everything on the table.
Get the Recipe: Jiffy Corn Pudding

Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

A slow cooker filled with a creamy dish topped with crispy fried onions, with a serving spoon inside. — Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Free up oven space and let this classic cook itself. The green beans turn tender and the creamy sauce stays rich and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Mashed Potato Casserole

A close-up of a fork lifting a portion of mashed potatoes from a bowl. — Mashed Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Fluffy mashed potatoes get baked with cheese until warm and golden. It is an easy make ahead side that everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Creamy Whipped Potatoes

A bowl of whipped potatoes with butter and herbs on top. — Creamy Whipped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Light and silky potatoes with the smoothest texture. They taste buttery and melt right on the fork.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Whipped Potatoes

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Green beans with bacon and almonds on a red plate. — Green Beans Almondine with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Crisp green beans are tossed with toasted almonds and smoky bacon. The buttery lemon finish makes them feel extra special.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Cabbage Apple Salad

Red cabbage slaw in a wooden bowl with a spoon. — Cabbage Apple Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Shredded red cabbage and sweet apples come together in a bright, zesty salad. It is fresh and crunchy and gives the table a nice pop of color.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Apple Salad

Surprise Potatoes

A casserole dish with shredded cheese and a wooden spoon. — Surprise Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This cheesy hashbrown casserole comes together fast and always gets compliments. It is cozy, creamy, and perfect for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes

Sweet Potato Puffs

A breaded and fried food item coated in crushed chips, cut open to reveal a melted cheese filling inside, on a white plate. — Sweet Potato Puffs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These fun little bites have a crispy Corn Flake coating and a soft sweet inside. They are playful and totally addictive.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Green beans with pork on a black plate. — Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Slow cooked until tender with savory seasoning, these green beans taste like the ones grandma made.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls

A fresh copycat Texas Roadhouse roll with butter on a small plate, additional rolls and a butter dish in the background on a marble surface. — Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet. These dinner rolls are perfect for spreading with butter or using to scoop up gravy.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

A wooden tray with several smashed potatoes garnished with herbs and placed on parchment paper. Garlic cloves and a sprig of parsley are placed nearby on a white surface. — Garlic Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Boiled potatoes get smashed and roasted until the edges turn crispy. The garlic makes them impossible to resist.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Smashed Potatoes

Green Bean Stuffing Casserole

Stuffing and green beans bake together in one hearty dish that saves time and dishes. It is comforting and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Stuffing Casserole

Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Roasted vegetables and lemon slices on a baking sheet, with a spoon and small bowls on the side. — Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Golden roasted veggies with a bright lemony finish. The turmeric and herbs make everything smell amazing.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli And Peppers

Vegan Stuffing

An overhead view of skillet with stuffing and a fork and spoon in it. — Vegan Stuffing. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This stuffing is packed with flavor and herbs and made completely dairy free. It is hearty enough that nobody misses a thing.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Stuffing