Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes (2024)

We're counting down our top 10 Thanksgiving side dishes (you've got to try #1!).

Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes (1)

It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without all your favorite side dishes! Turkey may get top billing, but Thanksgiving side dishes are just as important as the holiday bird. Feast your eyes on our collection of the Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes, featuring the best sides for your holiday dinner. From essential vegetable side dishes to easy make ahead side dishes, this go-to list has the most festive fare for your Thanksgiving meal. It was tough to narrow the list down to just the top 10 Thanksgiving sides, so be sure to check outThe Ultimate Thanksgiving eCookbook, which has more than 15 side dish recipes, including gravies, cranberries, stuffing, potatoes, and more!

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10. Best Bacon Sprouts

Most people either love or hate Brussels sprouts but we bet you can change any negative opinion with these magnificent Best Bacon Sprouts! Tender and savory, this is one Thanksgiving vegetable side that'll make sprout-lovers out of your gang.

  • Click here for the recipe!

9. Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits

Who can resist the smell of homemade biscuits? These all-important staples are a must at Thanksgiving dinner, especially when paired with turkey and gravy. Our light and fluffy Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits melt in your mouth, just like Grandma's biscuits always did!

  • Click here for the recipe!

8. Creamy Corn for a Crowd

For an easy crowd-pleasin' Thanksgiving side dish, our Creamy Corn for a Crowd is a breeze to make and feeds ten! Your slow cooker does all the work for you and the result is a creamy delight. Garnish with bacon bits for a holiday-worthy side dish!

  • Click here for the recipe!

7. Butternut Squash Mash

Seasonal butternut squash is a traditional Thanksgiving side dish that goes all the way back to the Pilgrims. After trying our recipe for creamy, buttery Butternut Squash Mash, it won't be any wonder why this delicious Thanksgiving dish has stuck around all these years!

  • Click here for the recipe!

6. Cauliflower Blossom

Onion blossoms are a classic, but did you know that you can create an equally flavorful version with cauliflower? This easy dish has a crispy crust surrounding the tender vegetable, making this a perfect Thanksgiving side — especially when served with extra butter for dipping.

  • Click here for the recipe!

5. Baked Cranberry Sauce

If you’ve never made your own homemade cranberry sauce, you are really missing out. Besides being easy to make, with each spoonful, you’ll experience a burst of flavor that is second to none. Ditch the can — try this easy recipe for homemade cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving!

  • Click here for the recipe!

4. Sweet Potato Casserole

There couldn't be an easier way to make an elegant sweet potato side dish. Canned sweet potatoes are a huge time-saver, and when they're mixed and baked with a few ingredients and topped with pecans, you get a super Thanksgiving meal side that's sweet and savory. This recipe belongs on any list of top 10 Thanksgiving foods.

  • Click here for the recipe!

3. New Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is one the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes, and we bet you'll love this updated version of a classic veggie casserole. A tasty twist on a timeless dish, New Green Bean Casserole may just become your new favorite!

  • Click here for the recipe!

2. Best Mashed Potatoes Ever

If you love the creamy comfort of classic mashed potatoes, we think you'll agree that these are the Best Mashed Potatoes Ever. Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

  • Click here for the recipe!

1. Holiday Stuffing

This easy recipe for Holiday Stuffing is our number one must-have Thanksgiving side dish! Here's the secret combo: Using a stuffing mix along with some of our own fresh ingredients makes the perfect pairing with your holiday bird. And if there's any leftovers, this stuffing reheats well the next day!

  • Click here for the recipe!

Now that you've checked out our top 10 Thanksgiving sides, how about you take a peek at some of our collection of 10 Desserts for Thanksgiving: Pie Edition?

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Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes (2024)

FAQs

Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes? ›

For sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing, you should have at least one dish for every five people and at least two dishes for 10 people or more. If you're serving a salad, one should be enough unless you're serving 20 people or more.

What are the top 10 side dishes for Thanksgiving? ›

Thanksgiving side dishes: Here's the 10 most popular for your...
  • Sweet potatoes.
  • Brussels sprouts.
  • Gravy.
  • Bread.
  • Stuffing/dressing.
  • Cranberry sauce.
  • Squash.
  • Corn.

How many side dishes should you have for Thanksgiving? ›

For sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing, you should have at least one dish for every five people and at least two dishes for 10 people or more. If you're serving a salad, one should be enough unless you're serving 20 people or more.

What are the 3 traditional foods Americans eat during Thanksgiving? ›

Along with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry the "traditional" table now included white bread, apple pie, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and various fruit pies.

What are 5 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

If you're lucky, there might even be leftovers to enjoy the next day!
  • 01 of 51. Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy. ...
  • 02 of 51. Our Easiest Pumpkin Pie Ever. ...
  • 03 of 51. Buttermilk-Brined Turkey. ...
  • 04 of 51. Classic Candied Yams. ...
  • 05 of 51. Cornbread Dressing. ...
  • 06 of 51. Turkey Gravy. ...
  • 07 of 51. Classic Cranberry Salad. ...
  • 08 of 51. Yeast Rolls.
Jul 6, 2022

What is Thanksgiving favorite food? ›

Most Traditional Thanksgiving Foods. A traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of roast turkey and many sides including stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans and cranberry sauce, with pumpkin pie as dessert.

What is the most important food on a Thanksgiving table? ›

Turkey. Just as it's a traditional meat used for Christmas dinner, turkey is favoured because it's big – and that means it can feed a whole family. Turkeys are usually stuffed with chestnuts and/or sausage meat and grains and baked in the oven before being carved at the table for everyone to enjoy.

What is the most important meal on Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey. Some would say a turkey is the most important food item at the table. A turkey is the center of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, 88 percent of Americans eat Turkey on Thanksgiving, with 46 million Turkeys eaten on the holiday.

What is the number one Thanksgiving side dish? ›

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

What to cook first on Thanksgiving? ›

Since it's the main event, the turkey should be the first dish you start cooking in the morning. "The resting process is an absolutely imperative part of the cooking process," Holzman said. Many people overcook their turkeys in the oven and overlook letting them rest, rendering the final product dry and rubbery.

What can you make ahead of time for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Dishes you should definitely make in advance
  • Thanksgiving stuffing. "We always make my mom's sweet potato stuffing ahead of time. ...
  • Casserole. "Pretty much anything with 'casserole' in the name is built for being made in advance." — ...
  • Mise en place. ...
  • Gravy. ...
  • Turkey and chicken stock. ...
  • Most desserts. ...
  • Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Dinner rolls.
Nov 14, 2023

What is the least favorite side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

And the least favorite side dish for Americans on Thanksgiving is -- green bean casserole. 31.4 percent of people surveyed do not like it.

What to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner as a guest? ›

Here are a couple of suggestions:
  • Flowers (arranged in a vase or container)
  • Cornucopia.
  • Box of chocolates.
  • Box of teas.
  • Gourmet treats like specialty cheeses, jam containers, crackers or a beautifully packaged gourmet gift basket.
  • Wine.
  • Holiday drink mix.
  • Book.
Nov 16, 2023

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