15 Delicious Thanksgiving Sides to Complete Your Turkey Day Feast
Let’s hear it for the sides!
Anna Williams
We look forward to Thanksgiving Dinner all year, but let’s be honest, it’s really for the sides. The turkey (or tofurkey) is great and all, but it’s the casseroles and mashed potatoes and creamy green veggies that surround your entree that makes this meal so memorable. And it’s the sides that have everyone going back for seconds. You can never have too many sides at Thanksgiving, so make these traditional, vegetarian, and vegan side dish recipes to complete your feast this Turkey Day.
Related: 17 Recipes For Your Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Sides
Tradition is what makes the annual Thanksgiving feast so special. But if you’ve lost a family recipe, want to spruce up a classic, or add to the spread with a new tradition, these classic Thanksgiving side dish recipes are for you.
Sage Apple Stuffing
Stuffing on the table is a Thanksgiving classic, but up the ante a notch with this version that adds apple and sage for ultimate savoriness. Swap chicken broth for veggie broth to make this one vegetarian too.
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
The trick to never having leftover mashed potatoes? This brown butter. It just takes a few more minutes to get those toasty notes, and you’ll be known as the Thanksgiving mashed potato expert.
Easy, Make-Ahead Shallot Gravy
Greg Dupree
This gravy is so good, you'll want to put it on everything. Chopped sautéed shallots get mixed into the silky gravy for added texture. If you prefer a completely smooth gravy, strain the shallot bits or blend it till smooth.
Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette
No one’s ever said no to a little extra bacon at Thanksgiving dinner. This green bean casserole recipe skips the crispy canned onions for a crunchy upgrade.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta
These crisp, caramelized sprouts have some added crunch from the pancetta, and are the perfect accompaniment to any Thanksgiving feast. They're so luscious, in fact, you may forget they’re a vegetable.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Sides
It’s 2022, meat is totally optional at Thanksgiving! And while plenty of traditional sides include non-vegetarian ingredients, there are countless 100 percent vegetarian sides that are crave-worthy and don’t require any ingredient swaps.
Related: Interested in a Flexitarian Diet? Try These 5 Recipes
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
Add some creaminess and sweetness to your mashed potatoes with this mascarpone recipe. It’s simple to make and oh-so-elegant.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Marshmallows aren’t always vegetarian, so switch it up with this sweet potato casserole. Shredded coconut and pecans add a sweet crunch that makes this side dish almost dessert-worthy.
Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese
Every great Thanksgiving table has mac and cheese on it. Add some greens to your mac with this recipe, which will entice vegetarians and carnivores alike. Expect an empty casserole dish.
Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Bake
Add some sophistication to your Thanksgiving spread with wild rice, which is indigenous to North America. This squash bake can be prepared in advance and will earn you compliments, whether you’re hosting or bringing a side
Vegan Thanksgiving Sides
A purely plant-based Thanksgiving is totally possible, and there are plenty of vegan sides to make it happen. Whether you’re going with faux-turkey or making a feast of side dishes, these recipes will make your vegan holiday special.
Related: 22 Vegan Soup Recipes Using Your Favorite Seasonal Vegetables
Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Grapes
Pack a little bunch in your Brussels dish with this elegant side that’s as pretty as it is tasty. Add some breadcrumbs or crushed nuts on top for added crunch.
Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole
Creamed spinach, but veganized, tangy, and nutritious, this casserole is totally plant-based and delicious. Almond milk and cashew butter add to the richness, and plenty of greens make this decadent side healthy.
Garlicky Green Beans With Pine Nuts
Mikkel Vang
This recipe has it all, and it’s super-easy to make! Garlic, nuts, and fresh green beans all come together quickly for the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner.
Israeli Couscous With Corn
Forget creamed corn, this couscous dish is where it’s at. It’s a side that will pair with pretty much everything on your table, and is delicious hot, room temperature, or even cold. Can you imagine a more beautiful thing?
Loaded Sweet Potatoes With Coconut and Kale
A half-dozen of these sweet potatoes would look delectable on a platter, but the recipe can be scaled for plant-based Thanksgivings of any size. Cut the baked sweet potatoes in quarters for smaller portions to share.
Maple Roasted Vegetables
Add some more veg to your table with this 100 percent plant-based side dish recipe using maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Get creative and use whatever late fall veggies you have on hand, like beets!
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