10 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes To Try (Easy And Yummy)

by John Griffith Nov 10, 2022 @ 16:13

Some things are always on the Thanksgiving menu, such as the beautiful roasted turkey and some pumpkin pie. However, it doesn’t hurt to spice up your holiday menu from time to time. And a great way to do that is through the side dishes. So, in order for you to ensure your feast will be as amazing as it can be, check out our top picks for Thanksgiving side dishes. This list is a mix of classic dishes alongside some more fun ones. Just take your pick!

It doesn’t hurt to spice up your holiday menu from time to time, especially the side dishes

How Many Side Dishes Should You Have for Thanksgiving?

When it comes to your Thanksgiving guest list, every size is the perfect size. No matter if you are having a small, medium or big gathering. What’s important is that you will be surrounded by your favorite people on a beautiful holiday. However, you may be worried the food won’t be enough, or that you will be left with a ton of leftovers. Don’t worry, here is a general guideline on how many dishes you will need depending on your guest list.

4 people – 1 or 2 appetizers and 3 side dishes
8 people – 1 or 3 appetizers and 4 side dishes
16 people – 2 or 3 appetizers and 4 or more side dishes

When it comes to the number on your Thanksgiving guest list, every size is the perfect size

The Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Oh, Thanksgiving, what a delicious time. However, other than the mouthwatering turkey that’s sat up on the table, you also need side dishes that will excite everyone’s taste buds. So, what to make? We’ve got you. We’ve gathered our top picks when it comes to side dishes this holiday. While they may not be the star of the party, they will certainly be bringing your guests back for seconds.

Other than the mouthwatering turkey that’s sat up on the table, you also need side dishes

#Creamy Mashed Potatoes

We have to start with this classic side dish. After all, no Thanksgiving table is complete without a bowl of creamy, mashed potatoes. And the secret to making it extra creamy is to add some milk, butter or olive oil to give them that rich texture you desire. You can also add some roasted garlic to make it packed with flavor. If you are looking for a great recipe, you can check out Love and Lemon’s roasted garlic mashed potato recipe.

No Thanksgiving table is complete without a bowl of creamy, mashed potatoes with garlic

@Love and Lemons

#Simple Cranberry Sauce

Another must-have on the table is some cranberry sauce. However, you really don’t need to try to make it all fancy for it to be delicious. Sometimes it’s the simplest of recipes that is the yummiest. Plus, you really can’t go wrong with cranberry sauce. And the best part about it is, that it is one of the recipes you can actually make up to a week in advance. Check out this cranberry sauce recipe from Delish for inspiration.

You really don’t need to try to make your cranberry sauce all fancy for it to be delicious

@Delish

#Delicious Stuffing

Well, what’s Thanksgiving without stuffing? No holiday menu is complete without a herb-infused, chicken-y, gooey, yet crunchy bread stuffing. And once again, like the cranberry sauce, you really don’t need much to make this dish a favorite on the table. There are plenty of stuffing variations, but this recipe from Bon Appétit is our favorite.

No holiday menu is complete without a herb-infused, chicken-y, gooey, yet crunchy bread stuffing

#Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is not on everyone’s Thanksgiving menu, but we love it. And if you want it to add a special seasonal touch, we recommend you make it with butternut squash. The squash adds an extra layer of richness, body, nutrients, and color to the otherwise simple mac and cheese. Garnished with a little fresh thyme, and you have a beautiful twist on a classic meal. Make sure to try this fall flavor packed mac and cheese recipe from Delish.

If you want it to add a special seasonal touch, we recommend you make it with butternut squash

#Grandma’s Corn Pudding

This one is an amazing Southern Thanksgiving classic side dish. A creamy casserole, reminiscent of a bread pudding, is hearty, and the perfect addition to your menu. And every Southern grandma would be proud to see it on the table. It’s super easy to make, doesn’t take too much time, and you can easily make it a few days ahead and let it chill in the fridge until it’s baking time. This recipe from Country Living is a great example of a delicious corn pudding.

A creamy casserole, reminiscent of a bread pudding, and the perfect addition to your menu

@Country Living

#Candy Yams

You need to add some sweetness on the table, and there is no better way to do so than with some candied yams. They are the perfect addition to complement the variety of savory dishes on the menu. With a little Bourbon kick, this yam’s recipe from Delish will have you licking your fingers and reaching for more.

You need to add some sweetness on the table, so make some yummy candied yams

#Vegeterian Gravy with Mushrooms

There should be more options for vegetarians on the Thanksgiving menu’s. So, why not be a pal to your vegetarian friend and make some nontraditional (but, still delicious) gravy with mushrooms. Even the meat lovers won’t mind it, as it’s flavor packed and just as yummy. And it gets done much faster than normal gravy. Try it here.

There should be more options for vegetarians on the Thanksgiving menu’s

@Delish

#Bang Bang Cauliflower

Are you looking for an interesting, flavorful, vegetarian friendly side dish to spice up the table? This quick and super easy dish will become a favorite for anyone who enjoys some extra spice in their food. Bang Bang cauliflower is delicious and a super fun dish to add to your Thanksgiving mix.

Are you looking for an interesting, flavorful, vegetarian friendly side dish to spice up the table?

#Pumpkin Biscuits

Just thinking about these biscuits gets our mouths watering. A perfect mix of buttermilk and pumpkin, these easy biscuits can be made in the air fryer. They pair perfectly with some honey and butter, cranberry sauce or even more savory toppings such as gravy. Airy and delightful, they will become one of your favorite recipes. You can get the recipe from Delish.

A perfect mix of buttermilk and pumpkin, these easy biscuits can be made in the air fryer

@Delish

#Stir-Fry Green Beans

Stir-fries are superfast, simple, and easy to put together. And they always taste amazing. So, why not spice up one of the classic Thanksgiving ingredients – green beans, with a simple stir-fry? Add some bacon for an extra smokey flavor and enjoy.

So, why not spice up your green beans with a stir-fry and some bacon?

@Delish

These were our favorite picks for Thanksgiving side dishes. We hope you found this article inspiring and useful. Now you can start cooking up a storm and adding these delicious side dishes to your holiday menu.

These were our favorite picks for Thanksgiving side dishes

Sources:

Delish ©

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.