The turkey gets the spotlight, but the sides are what most people actually fill their plates with. This list of Thanksgiving side dishes covers the classics everyone expects, fresh twists on old favorites, vegetable and lighter options, and make-ahead ideas that free up your oven on the big day. You will also find a simple guide to how many sides to make and a cooking timeline, so your Thanksgiving food comes out hot and on time.
In this article
- How Many Thanksgiving Sides Should You Make?
- Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Vegetable Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Fresh Salads to Balance the Plate
- New Twists on Thanksgiving Sides
- Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Thanksgiving Day Side Dish Timeline
- Easy Ideas for Special Diets
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
How Many Thanksgiving Sides Should You Make?
| Guests | Number of sides | Good mix |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 | 4 to 5 | 1 potato, 1 stuffing, 1 vegetable, cranberry sauce, rolls |
| 8 to 12 | 6 to 8 | Add a second vegetable, a salad and a casserole |
| 14 or more | 8 to 10 | Add a grain dish, a second potato and a make-ahead bake |
A good rule is one starch, one bread, one stuffing, at least two vegetables and something tart, like cranberry sauce or a crisp salad, to cut through the rich food. For a crowd, about half a cup to three-quarters of a cup of each side per person is plenty, because guests take a little of everything.
Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes
These are the dishes most families consider non-negotiable.
- Mashed potatoes. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes mashed with butter and warm milk or cream. Yukon Golds give a naturally buttery, smooth mash.
- Classic bread stuffing. Day-old bread cubes with celery, onion, sage, thyme and broth. Bake it in a dish (often called dressing) for a crispy top.
- Green bean casserole. Green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy fried onions. Fresh beans and a homemade sauce make it taste brighter.
- Cranberry sauce. Fresh cranberries simmered with sugar and orange zest until they burst. It keeps for days in the fridge, so make it early.
- Sweet potato casserole. Mashed sweet potatoes with warm spices, finished with either toasted marshmallows or a pecan crumble topping.
- Dinner rolls. Soft yeast rolls or flaky biscuits for mopping up gravy. Store-bought is fine; warm them just before serving.
- Turkey gravy. Made from the pan drippings, a little flour and broth. Make a backup gravy a day ahead with roasted wings in case the drippings are thin.
- Cornbread. Served on its own or crumbled into a Southern-style cornbread dressing.
- Baked macaroni and cheese. A must in many Southern and Black American households, baked until bubbling with a golden top.
- Corn casserole. A soft, spoonable bake of corn, eggs, sour cream and cornbread mix. Very easy and loved by kids.
Vegetable Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
Roasted and fresh vegetables add color and balance a heavy meal.
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon or a balsamic glaze; roast cut-side down for crispy edges.
- Maple-roasted carrots with a little butter and thyme.
- Roasted butternut squash with sage and a sprinkle of toasted pecans.
- Green beans almondine, a lighter option than the casserole, with toasted almonds and lemon.
- Honey-glazed root vegetables, such as parsnips, carrots and beets, roasted on one tray.
- Creamed spinach or creamed kale for something rich and green.
- Roasted cauliflower with parmesan or a curry spice blend.
Fresh Salads to Balance the Plate
- Autumn salad with mixed greens, sliced pears or apples, dried cranberries, candied pecans and a light vinaigrette
- Shaved Brussels sprout salad with parmesan and lemon
- Kale salad with roasted squash, pomegranate seeds and feta
- Simple cranberry and orange relish served cold
Dress leafy salads at the last minute so they stay crisp. Sturdy kale salads can be dressed an hour ahead.
New Twists on Thanksgiving Sides
Want to keep the classics but surprise your guests? Try one or two of these.
- Garlic-parmesan smashed potatoes: boiled baby potatoes, smashed flat and roasted until crisp.
- Wild rice pilaf with mushrooms, cranberries and herbs. It is naturally gluten-free.
- Sausage and apple stuffing or a sourdough stuffing with leeks.
- Hasselback sweet potatoes brushed with maple butter.
- Cheesy scalloped potatoes or a potato gratin as a rich alternative to mash.
- Cranberry-jalapeño relish for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Elote-style corn with lime, chili and cheese for a modern take on corn casserole.
Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Oven space is the biggest problem on Thanksgiving Day. These sides can be fully or mostly made in advance.
| Side dish | Make ahead | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Cranberry sauce | Up to 1 week | Serve cold or room temperature |
| Mashed potatoes | 1 to 2 days | Reheat in a slow cooker on low with extra butter |
| Sweet potato casserole | 1 to 2 days (without topping) | Add topping and bake |
| Stuffing | Assemble 1 day ahead | Bake while the turkey rests |
| Green bean casserole | Assemble 1 day ahead | Add onions and bake |
| Gravy | 1 to 2 days | Reheat and whisk in fresh drippings |
| Mac and cheese | Assemble 1 day ahead | Bake until bubbling |
Cool make-ahead dishes quickly and keep them in the fridge. The USDA advises refrigerating cooked food within two hours and reheating leftovers to 165°F.
Thanksgiving Day Side Dish Timeline
- Morning: take make-ahead dishes out of the fridge so they are not ice-cold going into the oven.
- While the turkey roasts: use the stovetop and slow cooker for mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.
- When the turkey comes out: it needs to rest for at least 30 minutes. Turn up the oven and bake stuffing, casseroles and mac and cheese.
- Last 15 minutes: warm the rolls, dress the salad and finish the gravy.
Easy Ideas for Special Diets
- Vegetarian: make stuffing and gravy with vegetable broth, and offer a wild rice pilaf or a roasted squash dish as a hearty main-style side.
- Gluten-free: roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, wild rice and cranberry sauce are naturally gluten-free. Thicken gravy with cornstarch.
- Dairy-free: use olive oil or plant butter in mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
Label dishes on the buffet so guests with allergies know what is safe to eat.
Setting the table too? Here are Thanksgiving table setting ideas with a place setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes?
Mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole and dinner rolls are the most traditional Thanksgiving sides in the United States.
Can I make Thanksgiving sides the day before?
Yes. Cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy and most casseroles can be made or assembled one to two days ahead and reheated on the day.
How do I keep side dishes warm?
Use a slow cooker on the warm setting for mashed potatoes and gravy, cover casseroles with foil, and keep the oven at a low temperature for dishes waiting to be served.
What can guests bring?
Sides that travel well are a great thing to ask guests to bring: rolls, salads, cranberry sauce and room-temperature vegetable dishes.
Final Thoughts
The best Thanksgiving spread mixes a few must-have classics with one or two new ideas, and leans on make-ahead dishes so the day stays relaxed. Pick a starch, a stuffing, two vegetables and something tart, and you have a balanced table. For more holiday ideas, explore the latest articles on The Urban Splatter.
