With Thanksgiving just over a week away, here are 40 favorite side dish recipes to inspire your holiday menu. This selection ranges from classic comfort foods—mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and stuffing—to inventive alternatives you may not have tried before. Whether you want tried-and-true family favorites or something new to wow your guests, you’ll find plenty of options below.
To make planning easier, the recipes are organized by cooking method so you can quickly find dishes that fit your kitchen setup. If oven space is limited while roasting a turkey, the slow cooker, air fryer or Instant Pot can take on many sides. Each recipe title links to full instructions and ingredient lists so you can prepare step-by-step. Photos accompany many recipes to show the finished dish and help guide you.
40 Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
Oven Baked Side Dish Recipes
1. Oven Baked Scalloped Potatoes
Layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a simple homemade cream sauce until golden and tender. An economical, comforting classic.
2. Sweet Potato Casserole With Crumb Topping
Skip the marshmallows and top mashed sweet potatoes with a buttery crumb topping for a slightly lighter, crowd-pleasing side.
3. Easy Corn Casserole
A quick, budget-friendly dish made with just a few ingredients. Ready in minutes and always popular at holiday tables.
4. Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
Shredded potatoes mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, baked until bubbly and golden. A nostalgic favorite at many gatherings.
5. Creamy Confetti Corn Casserole
A colorful twist on corn casserole with diced vegetables folded in for extra flavor and texture—simple and family-friendly.
6. Green Bean Casserole (No Canned Soup)
All the classic flavors without canned soup—homemade creamy sauce and tender green beans for a fresher, healthier result.
7. Baked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese with a golden top—controversial for a Thanksgiving table, but beloved by many families and always a hit with kids.
8. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
All the flavors of twice-baked potatoes made into an easy casserole—rich, comforting, and simple to serve a crowd.
9. Hasselback Potatoes
Thinly sliced baked potatoes that crisp between the layers and soak up seasonings—an elegant side with great texture.
10. Keto Cauliflower Casserole
A loaded, low-carb option that satisfies even those who normally reach for higher-carb sides.
11. Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes
Par-cooked potatoes smashed, dressed in garlic butter, and baked until crispy outside and tender inside—a simple favorite.
12. Oven Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
A classic side that balances wholesome vegetables with a touch of sweetness—easy to prepare and crowd-pleasing.
13. The Best Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted with a little brown sugar and bacon, these brussels sprouts win over even the skeptics.
14. Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes
An easy, flavorful potato side that takes five minutes to prep and roasts to tender perfection.
Slow Cooker Recipes
15. Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Perfect for transporting or making ahead—let the crock pot deliver creamy, tender scalloped potatoes without tying up the oven.
16. Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Dressing
A beloved, family-style dressing cooked in a slow cooker so it stays moist and ready while you focus on other dishes.
17. Crock Pot Hash Brown Casserole
All the comfort of cheesy hash brown casserole made easily in the slow cooker—warm, cheesy, and effortless.
18. Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
Cheesy, creamy au gratin potato slices prepared in the slow cooker and finished with extra cheese on top.
19. Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Free up stovetop space by making mashed potatoes in the crock pot—prepare early and keep them warm until serving.
20. Slow Cooker Cornbread Dressing
A Southern classic made easy in the slow cooker—cornbread or a mix of corn and white bread creates a flavorful, moist dressing.
Other Popular Side Dish Recipes
21. How To Make Light & Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
Tips for achieving light, fluffy mashed potatoes so you never serve gluey texture again.
22. Stove Top Mac & Cheese
A take-along mac & cheese made on the stovetop—creamy and perfect when oven space is limited.
23. Waldorf Salad
A timeless creamy fruit-and-nut salad that works as a side or a light course—crisp apples and grapes provide bright contrast to richer dishes.
24. Creamy Broccoli Salad
A cool, crunchy alternative that often appears on holiday buffets—great for lower-carb diners and a nice contrast to warm dishes.
25. Fruit Salad
A refreshing, light option to balance heavier holiday fare—easy to assemble and visually appealing.
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
26. Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Cubed and seasoned butternut squash cooked in the air fryer becomes crisp outside and tender inside—an oven-free favorite.
27. Air Fried Asparagus
A quick, healthy side that crisps beautifully in the air fryer—ideal for smaller gatherings.
28. Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Make baked potatoes in the air fryer to save oven space while still delivering tender, fluffy insides.
29. Roasted Baby Potatoes
Small roasted potatoes that are weeknight-ready but elegant enough for holiday service—crispy and flavorful.
30. Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes
Baby potatoes tossed in dry Ranch seasoning and air-fried until crisp—simple, tasty, and oven-friendly.
31. Air Fryer Macaroni and Cheese
Make mac and cheese with a crunchy top in the air fryer—great for smaller portions or to add texture to the dish.
32. ‘Baked’ Sweet Potatoes
Cook sweet potatoes or yams in the air fryer for a hands-off alternative to the oven.
33. Herb Roasted Potatoes
Red or yellow new potatoes roasted with classic herbs—simple, aromatic, and very complementary to turkey.
Instant Pot Holiday Side Dishes
34. Instant Pot Corn Casserole
A small-batch corn casserole made quickly in the multi-cooker—ideal for busy holiday prep.
35. Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
Pressure-cooked potatoes come out fork-tender without constant monitoring—great when you prefer peeled or skinless potatoes.
36. Mashed Potatoes
A convenient Instant Pot method for reliably smooth mashed potatoes without watching the stovetop.
37. Large Batch 5 lb. Mashed Potatoes
Need to feed a crowd? This pressure-cooker recipe handles large quantities so you have plenty to go around.
38. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Make sweet potato casserole quickly in the Instant Pot—great for smaller batches or when oven space is limited.
39. Garlic Green Beans
Fresh green beans sautéed with garlic and butter in the Instant Pot—quick, flavorful, and ready while the turkey rests.
40. Thanksgiving Dressing
Prepare traditional bread dressing in the Instant Pot for a moister texture and hands-off cooking.
There you have it—40 Thanksgiving side dishes organized by cooking method so you can find the right recipes for your kitchen and guest list. I hope you discover a few new favorites to share with family and friends this holiday.
Enjoy! Mary
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