The turkey may sit in the middle of the table, but the sides are what fill most plates. These Thanksgiving side dishes include creamy casseroles, sweet potatoes, crisp salads, stuffing, and vegetables that cook outside the oven.
There are 22 recipes here, so you can choose a few that fit your family and your cooking space. Pair something rich with something fresh, then add the holiday favorite everyone expects. You will find classic green beans, corn, and mashed potatoes, along with apples, cranberries, and butternut squash for a table that feels full of fall flavor without needing every dish.
1. Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole
Brown butter gives mashed butternut squash a nutty flavor, while maple syrup and warm spices bring gentle sweetness. A pecan crumble adds a crisp layer over the soft filling. This baked side fits beside turkey and savory stuffing when you want another fall vegetable on the table.
Make room for this brown butter butternut squash casserole on your holiday menu.
2. Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad
Baby spinach, thin apple slices, and dried cranberries bring fresh color to a plate of warm holiday food. Feta adds a salty bite, and toasted pecans give each serving crunch. A honey Dijon dressing with apple cider vinegar ties everything together without hiding the fruit.
Toss this apple cranberry spinach salad just before serving to keep the leaves very fresh.
3. Crock Pot Crack Creamed Corn
Frozen corn and cream-style corn cook with cream cheese, cheddar, butter, and milk for a thick, rich side. Crisp bacon adds a salty bite, while sliced green onions finish the dish. The slow cooker is useful when your oven already holds turkey and several casseroles.
Find the full method for Crock Pot crack creamed corn before planning your cooking schedule.
4. Classic Green Bean Casserole
Canned green beans and condensed mushroom soup keep this familiar casserole simple. Milk loosens the sauce, and a little soy sauce adds savory flavor. Fried onions go into the filling and over the top, giving you soft onion flavor inside and a crisp finish outside.
Bring back a holiday favorite with this classic green bean casserole for the family table.
5. Cranberry Apple Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potato halves make tidy servings with a filling of apple, dried cranberries, and pecans. Butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon bring the flavors together without losing the fruit. Baking the filled shells again gives you a warm side that feels a little different from a large casserole.
See how to prepare these cranberry apple twice-baked sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner.
6. Slow Cooker Honey Butter Baby Carrots
Whole baby carrots soften in the slow cooker with honey, butter, salt, and pepper. Their own juices help form a thin, glossy sauce that coats the carrots lightly. There is no peeling or chopping, so this side keeps prep simple while freeing space in the oven.
Add these slow cooker honey butter baby carrots to your Thanksgiving holiday cooking plan.
7. Apple Cranberry Stuffing
Day-old bread cubes soak up chicken broth, butter, and eggs in this fruit-filled stuffing. Onion, celery, sage, thyme, and parsley keep the flavor savory, while apples and dried cranberries add sweetness. It is a good match for turkey when you want a familiar side with fall fruit.
Get the directions for apple cranberry stuffing and plan your holiday baking time.
8. Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green beans bake in a homemade sauce made with cream cheese, milk, and chicken broth. Bacon and sharp cheddar bring extra richness, while fried onions add the familiar crisp topping. This is a filling choice for a holiday meal built around comforting sides and roast turkey.
Try this cream cheese and bacon green bean casserole for a richer variation.
9. Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad
Honeycrisp apples bring a crisp bite to mixed greens, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans. Thin red onion adds a little sharpness. The honey Dijon dressing uses apple cider vinegar, making this a companion for buttery potatoes and warm casseroles at Thanksgiving dinner.
Put this Honeycrisp apple and feta salad together close to serving time for the best texture.
10. Brown Sugar Glazed Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Thin sweet potato rounds sit in overlapping circles with a brown sugar, butter, and maple glaze. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla add warm flavor as the slices bake until tender. The arranged layers look inviting in the baking dish and make a sweet side for a savory holiday plate.
Follow the recipe for brown sugar glazed scalloped sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving.
11. 5 Ingredient Jiffy Corn Casserole
Whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, Jiffy mix, sour cream, and butter make this short ingredient list easy to follow. The baked casserole has a golden top and a soft center. Letting it rest before serving helps it hold together, whether you scoop portions or cut squares.
Keep this 5 ingredient Jiffy corn casserole handy for a simple Thanksgiving side dish.
12. Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green beans meet a homemade mushroom sauce made with plain oat milk and vegetable broth. Browned cremini mushrooms, onion, garlic, and thyme give the filling savory flavor. Vegan fried onions finish the top, so this version still brings the familiar contrast of creamy filling and crunch.
Read the full recipe for vegan green bean casserole before choosing your ingredients.
13. Butternut Squash Cranberry Quinoa Salad
Roasted butternut squash and quinoa give this salad a hearty base. Dried cranberries, pecans, feta, red onion, and parsley add color and different textures. A maple Dijon dressing coats everything lightly. You can serve it slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled alongside your holiday dishes.
Explore this butternut squash cranberry quinoa salad for another way to serve fall vegetables.
14. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Yukon Gold potatoes turn creamy with butter, warm milk, and sour cream before going into the baking dish. Sharp cheddar, crisp bacon, and green onions add the loaded potato flavors. This is a hearty option when you want mashed potatoes served as a warm, shareable casserole.
Make this loaded mashed potato casserole part of your Thanksgiving spread for the family.
15. Green Bean Casserole Cups
Crescent roll dough holds a creamy green bean filling in these small muffin-pan portions. Mushroom soup, cheddar, and fried onions bring familiar casserole flavors, while the dough forms a golden shell. The individual cups are easy to add to a buffet where guests are choosing several sides.
See the method for green bean casserole cups before filling your muffin pan.
16. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Mashed sweet potatoes bake with butter, brown sugar, milk, eggs, and warm spices for a soft filling. Mini marshmallows add the sweet topping that many families look forward to each year. This dish brings a familiar holiday flavor alongside turkey, stuffing, and more savory vegetable sides.
Save this sweet potato casserole with marshmallows for a touch on your Thanksgiving table.
17. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Shredded cabbage, carrot, apple matchsticks, and dried cranberries give this slaw plenty of crunch. A creamy dressing combines mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice for a sweet, tangy finish. A short chill brings the flavors together while keeping the vegetables crisp enough for a holiday plate.
Serve this apple cranberry coleslaw cold beside your warm Thanksgiving favorites today.
18. Crockpot Southern Bacon and Green Beans
Fresh green beans cook slowly with bacon, onion, garlic, and chicken broth until tender. Cooking the bacon first adds deeper flavor, and a little butter finishes the beans. This is a useful option when you want a savory green vegetable without putting another casserole in the oven.
Check the recipe for Crockpot Southern bacon and green beans to plan ahead.
19. Cranberry Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted sweet potato cubes bring browned edges to baby spinach, dried cranberries, and crumbled goat cheese. Toasted pecans and red onion add crunch and bite. A maple balsamic dressing brings the sweet and tangy parts together, giving this salad flavor to stand beside rich holiday casseroles.
Build this cranberry sweet potato goat cheese salad when you want a colorful side.
20. No Mushroom Green Bean Casserole
A homemade onion and garlic sauce gives fresh green beans a creamy coating without mushrooms. Milk and chicken broth form the base, with thyme adding a herbal note. Fried onions go into the casserole and over the top for familiar holiday flavor and a crisp finish.
Find the steps for no mushroom green bean casserole before starting your dinner prep.
21. Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Sweet potato cubes cook in the air fryer with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. The edges turn golden while the centers stay tender. This simpler savory side gives you another way to serve sweet potatoes when the oven is busy with turkey, stuffing, or a bubbling casserole.
Use this recipe for air fryer roasted sweet potato cubes at Thanksgiving.
22. Southern Green Bean Casserole
Fresh green beans and sliced mushrooms bake in a homemade sauce with milk, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Sharp cheddar melts into the filling, while fried onions add crunch inside and on top. It is a comforting choice for guests who enjoy a cheesy version of this familiar side.
Get the directions for Southern green bean casserole before the holiday.
Final Thoughts
Choosing Thanksgiving side dishes gets easier when you think about the whole plate. Start with a family favorite, add a hearty potato or corn dish, and leave room for a salad or a simpler vegetable. You do not need several versions of every side to make dinner feel complete.
Before shopping, read the recipes you plan to use and compare their oven temperatures, cooking times, and serving sizes. A slow cooker side or an air fryer option can help spread out the work. Pick the dishes your guests enjoy, then build a cooking plan that gives each one time.