27 Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes to Rival the Turkey

All traditional Thanksgiving side dishes, roasted carrots, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce and stuffing
Photo credit: iStock/VeselovaElena

We all know the turkey is the star of the show when Thanksgiving rolls around. But that doesn’t mean the side dishes are any less important. If this is your first year hosting the holiday feast (or you just want to trade your go-to recipes for something fresh and new), check out some of our all-time favorite vegetable-based Thanksgiving side dishes that might just rival the turkey on your table this year.

1. Sage and Onion Stuffing

We all have tried-and-true recipes for holiday staples like stuffing. But if you want to branch out and try something new, give this delicious Sage and Onion Stuffing a chance

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2. Potato and Green Bean Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Green beans and potatoes tossed in this simple but addictive mustard vinaigrette will ensure you never make green bean salad the same way again.

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Crispy Potato Stacks
Crispy Potato Stacks; Photo and recipe by Half Baked Harvest

3. Crispy Potato Stacks

You can’t have a Thanksgiving feast without potatoes, but why settle for your ordinary mashed variety when you can make these crispy, cheesy potato stacks instead? All you need is 20 minutes of prep time to make this crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish.

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4. Cranberry Chutney

Cranberry sauce is usually a staple at Thanksgiving. But why not change things up and present a cranberry chutney this year instead? Follow this recipe to learn how it’s made.

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Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash; Thanksgiving side dish
Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash; Photo credit: Jessi Heggan

5. Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Looking to impress your dinner guests this Thanksgiving? Try our Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe loaded with veggies, fresh sage, pecans and Parmesan cheese.

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See more: Turkey Day Tips: 14 Pointers for Hosting the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner

6. Whiskey and Maple Roasted Parsnips

Surprise and delight everyone at the dinner table with Whiskey and Maple Roasted Parsnips. The burst of flavor will leave everyone coming back for seconds.

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7. Roasted Delicata Squash

Tangy, spicy, sweet … this 7. Roasted Delicata Squash checks all the flavor boxes. And it couldn’t be easier to prepare. Fifteen minutes of hands-on time and you have a wonderful side dish that looks and tastes like autumn.

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Roasted Rosemary Beets and Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Rosemary Beets and Sweet Potatoes; Photo credit: Jessi Heggan

8. Roasted Rosemary Beets and Sweet Potatoes

Made with just a few simple ingredients, our Roasted Rosemary Beets and Sweet Potatoes make a quick and easy side dish for Thanksgiving (or any autumn meal).

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9. Collards and Cabbage with Gremolata

We all want to eat more greens, but can you prepare them in a way that makes even the pickiest of eaters eager to spoon more onto their plates? With this collards and cabbage recipe, you can.

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10. Honey-Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables

You can’t go wrong with sweet and savory honey-glazed root vegetables roasted in olive oil and thyme with a touch of sherry vinegar for the perfect tang.

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Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar-Pecan Topping; Photo credit: Rebecca Denton

11. Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar-Pecan Topping

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a classic sweet potato casserole. All your guests are sure to love our traditional version made with cream cheese, maple syrup, and a tasty pecan and brown sugar topping.

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12. Simple Sautéed Greens

Want to add some impressive vegetable dishes to the menu but want to keep things simple at the same time? This easy sautéed greens recipe is exactly what you need.

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13. Pumpkin Risotto

Savory and comforting, this pumpkin risotto will become a must-have at your holiday dinner table. Top it with balsamic vinegar if you really want to make your taste buds sing.

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Layered Autumn Harvest Salad
Layered Autumn Harvest Salad; Photo credit: Jeffrey S. Otto.

14. Layered Autumn Harvest Salad

Fall ingredients including butternut squash, cranberries and pears are featured in this filling salad.

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15. Baked Stuffed Onions

You may be acquainted with stuffed chicken, peppers and mushrooms. But when was the last time you stuffed and baked an onion? A side dish of Baked Stuffed Onions combines a pretty presentation with savory flavor, perfect for the holidays.

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16. Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are excellent, but we think scalloped sweet potatoes are even better. This version calls for nutmeg and thyme to enhance the natural flavors of the sweet potatoes, as well as a sprinkling of savory Gruyere cheese.

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See more: 25 Sweet Potato Recipes for Your Fall Table

aWhole Roasted Cauliflower
Whole Roasted Italian Cauliflower; Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

17. Whole Roasted Italian Cauliflower

If you want to surprise your dinner guests this year, consider roasting an entire head of cauliflower instead of chopping it into florets. Presentation is everything, as they say, and this gets the job done right. It also makes a perfectly elegant main dish for any vegetarian guests at your Thanksgiving dinner.

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18. Butternut Squash Hummus with Feta and Pomegranates

How do you make butternut squash even better? You turn it into hummus and throw in tangy feta cheese and sweet pomegranates, of course.

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19. Cider Glazed Carrots with Walnuts

Everyone loves a good glazed carrot, right? But have you ever had Cider Glazed Carrots with Walnuts? This is your chance to make everyone at the dinner table beg for seconds.

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creamed kale
Cheesy Creamed Kale; Photo and recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking

20. Cheesy Creamed Kale

If you’re a fan of creamed spinach, you’ll love this Cheesy Creamed Kale recipe made with cream cheese, fontina cheese and a perfectly crunch panko breadcrumb topping.

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21. Rustic Onion Tart with Apple and Gruyere Cheese

If you need a gorgeous centerpiece for your side dish display this year, we’ve got you covered. Caramelized onions, sweet apples and Gruyere cheese make this a rich and savory holiday treat.

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22. Cranberry Maple Skillet Cornbread

You can’t have a Thanksgiving feast without cornbread, so why not go all out and make a fall-inspired cranberry maple version? Crisp and buttery with the option to add cheese, sweet corn, peppers and herbs, this recipe will not disappoint.

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See more: 9 Perfect Pies for Your Thanksgiving Feast

Onion Apple Chutney Recipe
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole; Photo credit: Jeffrey S. Otto

23. Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

This sweet potato casserole goes the opposite direction of the typical requisites of marshmallows and brown sugar. Instead, this savory side dish gets its flavor from bacon, rosemary, shallots and Gruyere cheese.

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24. Lemon Parmesan Green Beans

You may associate lemons with spring and summer dishes, but you’ll love addictive taste of these bright and fresh green beans – even in autumn.

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25. Brie Stuffed Crispy Baby Potatoes

Baby potatoes stuffed with creamy brie cheese? Yes please! This clever concoction will quickly earn a permanent spot on your Thanksgiving dinner menu.

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Rustic Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Rustic Mashed Sweet Potatoes; Photo credit: Jeffrey S. Otto

26. Rustic Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Put a spin on traditional mashed potatoes by using sweet potatoes in this quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish recipe.

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27. Wild Mushroom Galette

When you think about a galette, you often think of fruit recipes. But this wild mushroom version is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table.

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