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? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving side dishes? ›

24 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes.
  • Easy Sausage and Herb Stuffing.
  • Brussels Sprouts Gratin.
  • Fresh Cranberry Sauce.
  • Turkey Gravy.
  • Potatoes Au Gratin.
  • Creamed Spinach.
  • Challah, Wild Mushroom & Herb Stuffing.
Nov 11, 2023

What are the 10 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Here are our favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes that are delicious and easy to make.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: Up to 4 people. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Baked Corn. ...
  • Mac and cheese. ...
  • Peas & Water Chestnuts. ...
  • Fresh Rolls.
Oct 28, 2021

How many side dishes should you have for Thanksgiving? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

What are Thanksgiving must haves? ›

Four Essentials for Thanksgiving
  • Turkey. Some would say a turkey is the most important food item at the table. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. There's nothing better than smooth and creamy mashed potatoes! ...
  • Cranberry Sauce. Thanksgiving is never Thanksgiving without this iconic treat. ...
  • Pies. We saved the best for last!
Nov 6, 2023

What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

The 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes
  • Roast turkey. We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. ...
  • Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Green bean casserole. ...
  • Corn casserole. ...
  • Sweet potato casserole. ...
  • Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Cranberry sauce.
Nov 2, 2022

What is the most loved Thanksgiving food? ›

Popular Thanksgiving foods ranked
  • Turkey. The classic entree for Thanksgiving is definitely a large turkey dish. ...
  • Rolls. Though rolls are certainly not a main dish, they are a key element of any Thanksgiving meal. ...
  • Other random foods. ...
  • Pies and other sweets. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • A deep connection. ...
  • Looking ahead.
Nov 10, 2023

What are 5 Thanksgiving foods? ›

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? ›

When it comes to the big Thanksgiving feast, we consider the roast turkey and the sweet potato casserole as sides to the STUFFING. A good stuffing makes or breaks Thanksgiving dinner, and this one will absolutely make your holiday meal all the better. Get the Classic Stuffing recipe.

How many potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Potatoes. If you're making simple mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving and other holiday dinners, Food52 user boulangere usually counts one and a half potatoes per person: "Everyone gets as much as they want, and you have those heavenly leftovers.

Why is Thanksgiving dinner at 3? ›

There are many reasons, but primarily: Historically, dinner became before supper; it makes for a more relaxed day; it's simply tradition; it's more convenient for traveling guests; and, of course, to watch football.

What are the 5 most common sides served on Thanksgiving Day? ›

The Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dishes in the U.S.
  1. Mashed Potatoes.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing. ...
  3. Mac & Cheese. ...
  4. Sweet Potatoes/Yams. ...
  5. Green Bean Casserole. ...
  6. Root Vegetable Dishes. ...
  7. Breads. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. ...
  8. Salads. Allrecipes Magazine. ...
Nov 1, 2023

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What do most Americans eat on Thanksgiving? ›

Traditional foods are a large part of Thanksgiving celebrations. Many families include the entire family in the food preparation. Traditional foods include turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Many people serve pie for dessert at the end of the meal.

What is the least favorite side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

The Most Interesting Discoveries:

Most people over 60 chose Green Bean Casserole as their most hated side dish. Those under 40 also disliked Green Bean Casserole, but they had equal distaste for Sweet Potato Casserole. These two “retro” or “vintage” recipes were the most disliked on the list.

What are American's favorite Thanksgiving food? ›

What is the most common Thanksgiving food that Americans will eat on Thanksgiving? Turkey, followed by mashed potatoes, corn, yams, cranberry, peas, pumpkin pie. Other dishes can be included but these are the most common. Also stuffing is common with turkey.

What is American's favorite side dish? ›

Mashed Potatoes

They are creamy, comforting, and the perfect complement to a hearty meal.

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