26 Irresistible Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Will Outshine the Turkey!

You know how everyone gets excited about the turkey, but let’s be real—Thanksgiving side dishes are where the magic happens. I’ve rounded up some mouthwatering options that might just steal the spotlight from the main course. From creamy classics to unexpected twists, there’s something here for every kind of feast. Trust me, these dishes will have everyone going back for seconds (or thirds).

Cranberry Sauce For Thanksgiving

A white bowl of cranberry sauce with grapes. — Cranberry Sauce For Thanksgiving. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving is a slightly sweet but tart cranberry dish that changes up your traditional sauce perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce For Thanksgiving

Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes. — Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

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One bite and you’ll agree these are the BEST make ahead mashed potatoes. This creamy side dish can be reheated in the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls

mashed potato rolls in a white towel. — Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Heavenly Mashed Potato Rolls are my family’s favorite. Great for using up leftovers, light, fluffy and perfect every time.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls

Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

A spoon scooping out creamy mac and cheese from a black bowl. — Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Poole’s Diner is a classic with a creamy base and crusty cheese on top. Comfort food at its BEST.
Get the Recipe: Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Fluffy Brioche Rolls Recipe

A basket filled with freshly baked golden brown rolls, lined with a light gray cloth. In the background, there is a small dish of butter with a knife on a dark plate. The setting is on a textured blue surface. — Fluffy Brioche Rolls Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft brioche rolls made with eggs, butter, and a hint of sweetness. Fluffy, golden, and brushed with butter.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Brioche Rolls Recipe

Southern Candied Yams Recipe

Sweet potatoes cooking in a skillet. — Southern Candied Yams Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You can’t beat these super simple, 3-ingredient Candied Yams. Tender and sweet with a caramelized sauce, ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Southern Candied Yams Recipe

Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

A bowl of broccoli salad on a serving tray. — Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You’re going to love this healthy broccoli salad served with a yogurt dressing that’s sweetened with honey. An old fashioned salad you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

Kentucky Spoon Bread

A cornbread muffin on a plate with a spoon of honey. — Kentucky Spoon Bread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This Kentucky spoon bread recipe bakes up moist with a dense custardy texture creamy flavor, and the perfect golden, buttery color.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Spoon Bread

Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice

A serving spoon in a baking dish of butternut squash casserole. — Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Butternut squash casserole is a comfort food dish that includes flavorful wild rice and a crunchy parmesan topping baked together in a creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

A baking dish of homemade scalloped potatoes. — Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This side dish casserole for cheesy scalloped potatoes is made with thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes and fresh garlic, milk and cream, plus gruyere cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

Sweet Potato Casserole With Homemade Marshmallow Topping

A spoon full of marshmallow topped sweet potato casserole. — Sweet Potato Casserole With Homemade Marshmallow Topping. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

No mini marshmallows! Recreate the classic sweet potato casserole by adding a homemade marshmallow meringue topping.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Homemade Marshmallow Topping

Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

A bowl of apple salad with a serving spoon. — Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic Waldorf Salad recipe never goes out of style. Crispy apples, celery, walnuts, and sweet raisins are coated in a light mayonnaise dressing.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

Cranberry Sauce With Figs, A Little Sweet & Tart

Cranberry sauce in a bowl with fresh cranberries — Cranberry Sauce With Figs, A Little Sweet & Tart. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cranberry Sauce with port and figs will be the star of your holiday meal as it’s both sweet and tart and a little decadent!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce With Port And Figs, A Little Sweet & Tart

Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Looking for a mouthwatering red cabbage coleslaw recipe? Try our quick and easy Southern dish that is perfect for busy cooks. Enjoy the creamy goodness!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Recipe

A rack of hot water cornbread with butter and honey. — Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This heavenly hot water cornbread recipe has the creamiest texture with a perfectly crisp exterior. An easy pantry staple favorite.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Recipe

Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

Balsamic vinegar being poured over roasted sweet potatoes. — Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Not as sweet as sweet potato casserole, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears is a healthy addition to your Thanksgiving or Holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Honey

Hasselback sweet potatoes on a black platter with honey on the side. — Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Honey. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with honey and pecans are not only fun but just add cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper for an amazing side dish.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Honey

Cornbread Corn Pudding

This baked cornbread casserole features a custardy cornbread pudding base,mixed with toasted cornbread and fresh or frozen corn. Top with grated cheese!
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Corn Pudding

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

A glass bowl of potato salad with Ranch dressing. — Bacon Ranch Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Ranch potato salad loaded with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for your next potluck.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Savory Green Beans With Bacon

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions will transform a simple side dish into a FABULOUS one. Great for when you want to jazz up your vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Savory Green Beans With Bacon

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Our all time favorite homemade cranberry sauce recipe includes crunchy walnuts and a splash of Grand Marnier.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe

A platter of roasted carrots. — Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

Oven Roasted Carrots are a healthy side to add to any meal. You won’t find them bland with this vinaigrette addition to the vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe

Apples Baked Beans

Each bite of these Apples and Bourbon Baked Beans brings a new flavor sensation in your mouth.
Get the Recipe: Apples Baked Beans

Creamiest, Cheesiest, Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

My slow cooker mac and cheese recipe uses all the best things in life: butter, Velveeta, half and half, and cheddar cheese. Only 20 min. prep.
Get the Recipe: Creamiest, Cheesiest, Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

A plate of four baked potatoes, each split open and filled with fluffy, seasoned white potato filling. They are garnished with chopped herbs and a sprinkling of ground seasoning. The plate is placed on a yellow cloth. — Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This air fryer baked potatoes recipe creates the perfect baked potato with salty crispy skin and light fluffy insides every time.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

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