Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes are the key to a perfect holiday feast. Cook up the turkey and make sure you add these easy Thanksgiving sides to the table!
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving is almost here! The second November starts, my brain switches to Thanksgiving mode. All I think about is all the good food I’m going to cook and EAT. Of course you’re going to make the turkey, but let’s be honest: the true stars of the day are the side dishes!
From the classics to the more creative and fun, I’ve put together a list of EASY Thanksgiving side dishes that will complete the feast. The last thing we need is complicated dishes to add chaos to the day, so stick to recipes that won’t cause any stress!
Make sure you add these easy Thanksgiving sides to the table!
Essential Kitchen Tools for Thanksgiving
Make sure your kitchen is ready for the big feast by getting all the right tools and equipment you’ll need.
Recommended Products
Essential Thanksgiving Ingredients List
Before you start your Thanksgiving cooking, make sure you stock up on all the necessary ingredients. This is not a full list, but these are some of the things most of you will be using on the big day.
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Before we get to the easy side dish recipes, I want to share my favorite way to make Thanksgiving turkey. It’s often the hardest and most stressful part of the holiday feast, and I hate that. I want it to be simple! So I love using this easy turkey breast recipe made in an Instant Pot. That’s right, Instant Pot Turkey! So easy, and it gives you time to focus on those sides.
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes FAQ
What are the most common side dishes for Thanksgiving?
There are a few classic Thanksgiving side dishes that most people expect to see on the table. Of course you don’t have to stick to the traditional recipes, but adding a few classics to the menu will keep everyone happy!
The most common side dishes for Thanksgiving are:
- Green Bean Casserole
- Stuffing
- Mashed Potatoes
- Corn
- Cranberry Sauce
- Sweet Potatoes
What Thanksgiving side dishes can you make ahead of time?
I LOVE make ahead recipes for Thanksgiving! With all of the Thanksgiving recipes on the menu, the kitchen is absolute chaos before the feast. Anything you can make ahead of time will make the whole holiday cooking process much smoother. Two of the recipes that usually save the day by saving time are my Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes and my Make Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe!
How many Thanksgiving side dishes should I make?
When it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes, more is better! We’ve got tons and tons of people to feed here, and the last thing anyone wants is to run out of food. There’s no math or science involved in this answer, but I’m just gonna make a suggestion.
Five side dishes is a good minimum on Thanksgiving, but I wouldn’t be opposed to having up to 10 options. The larger your guest list is, the more side dishes. I mean, we’re all expecting to live off of leftovers for a week after, right? No skimping!
What are some easy Thanksgiving side dishes with cheese?
Give me ALL the cheese. If you want cheese side dishes for Thanksgiving, then I’ve definitely got you covered. I think you can add cheese to anything, but these are my favorites.
What are some easy Thanksgiving sides for vegetarians?
If you’re a vegetarian, Thanksgiving is a great opportunity for you to fill up on delicious side dishes! There are so many on the table, you definitely won’t go hungry. A lot of the recipes on this list are vegetarian-friendly, but here are some favorites.
Can I make easy Thanksgiving side dishes in a slow cooker?
My favorite easy Thanksgiving side dishes are the ones that you can make in a crock pot. It’s basically hands off cooking, which I’m a fan of.
You can make these Thanksgiving dishes in a slow cooker:
What are some healthy Thanksgiving side dishes?
If you want to keep things on the healthier side this holiday season, you still have plenty of amazing options. You might have to skip the cheese-filled dishes, but there are so many veggie-heavy recipes to make! You can even add in some salads and simple roasted vegetables.
Here are a few ideas:
What kind of bread should I make on Thanksgiving?
You’ve got the turkey, you’ve got the sides dishes, and you’ve prepared the desserts for later. But Thanksgiving needs bread too! Try some of these Thanksgiving bread recipes:
31 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Here’s a big list of all of my favorite easy Thanksgiving recipes. Find everything you need here and start making that Thanksgiving menu!
- Slow Cooker Velveeta Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Classic Green Bean Casserole
- Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Spinach Gratin
- Honey Glazed Carrots with Ginger
- Baked Butternut Squash
- Sauteed Green beans with Molasses
- Best Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Sauteed Asparagus with Pancetta
- Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
- Crock Pot Potatoes Recipes
- Brussels Sprouts with Pears, Blue Cheese, & Walnuts
- Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
- Creamed Corn Recipe with Bacon
- Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Make Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe
- Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Sweet Potato Souffle Cups
- Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with Garlic Butter
- Corn Pudding Recipe
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Bacon & Goat Cheese
- Brussels Sprouts Gratin with Bacon
- Bourbon Green Beans with Bacon
- Garlic Herb Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
- Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Cranberry Almond Charred Broccoli Salad
- Drunken Orange Ginger Carrots
- Three Cheese Asparagus Gratin
- Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Find even more Easy Side Dishes here!
Easy Thanksgiving Desserts
No holiday is complete without dessert! There are so many amazing desserts to choose from, like cookies, pies, cakes, and more. But Thanksgiving is ALL about the pie. Here are my favorite easy Thanksgiving pie recipes:
Find more Easy Dessert Recipes here!
What to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers
Okay, now let’s talk about those leftovers…after the big day, you probably have a refrigerator FULL of Thanksgiving leftovers. With all those side dishes, it’s really no surprise. But I like to think of it as meal prepping…no cooking for a week, just open the fridge and grab some more turkey and potatoes!
While it’s easy to just reheat a plate full of a few dishes, if you do want to get creative, you can combine everything to make a whole new recipe. MY favorite thing to make is this Thanksgiving Leftovers Quesadilla. It’s made with turkey, sage, and cranberry sauce. YUM. Check here to get some more Thanksgiving leftovers ideas.
Now that you’ve got your menu set and all your Thanksgiving recipes in hand, it’s time to get excited for the big feast. I know I’m counting down the days until I can eat alllllll of the delicious Thanksgiving dishes and I’m so excited. Happy Holiday!!!
