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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    28 Thanksgiving Sides Everyone Remembers Long After Dinner

    Published: Nov 5, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    The best part of Thanksgiving dinner isn’t just the turkey, it’s those unforgettable sides that keep everyone talking long after the plates are cleared. From creamy casseroles to perfectly seasoned veggies, these dishes steal the spotlight every single year. It’s wild how one bite can bring back so many cozy memories from dinners past, right? Get ready to relive all the flavors that stick with you long after Thanksgiving is over.

    Sweet Cornbread That Steals the Show

    A stack of Mexican cornbread on a rack.
    Sweet Cornbread That Steals the Show. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This creamy cornbread gets its rich flavor from creamed corn and a hint of spice. It’s the side everyone asks for seconds of long after dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Sweet Cornbread That Steals the Show

    Pimento Mac and Cheese Worth Remembering

    Two plates of pimento mac and cheese.
    Pimento Mac and Cheese Worth Remembering. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    Sharp cheddar, creamy sauce, and those zesty pimentos make this mac unforgettable. The kind of comfort food everyone remembers on the drive home.
    Get the Recipe: Pimento Mac and Cheese Worth Remembering

    Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad That Still Delivers

    A bowl of carrot raisin salad with a serving spoon.
    Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad That Still Delivers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This crunchy-sweet carrot salad adds bright flavor to any plate. Simple, nostalgic, and always the one that disappears first.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad That Still Delivers

    Crispy Crushed Potatoes Everyone Talks About

    Crispy smashed red potatoes topped with melted cheese and seasoning, arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet—perfect for anyone who loves flavorful potato side dishes.
    Crispy Crushed Potatoes Everyone Talks About. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Soft in the middle, crispy on the outside—these potatoes are pure Thanksgiving magic. Easy to make, impossible to forget.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Crushed Potatoes Everyone Talks About

    Buttery Spoon Bread That Feels Like Home

    A serving spoon full of spoon bread.
    Buttery Spoon Bread That Feels Like Home. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Soft, custardy, and buttery through every bite, this Southern spoon bread hits the table warm and wins everyone over fast.
    Get the Recipe: Buttery Spoon Bread That Feels Like Home

    Golden Scalloped Potatoes with a Twist

    A spoon full of au gratin potatoes with cheese.
    Golden Scalloped Potatoes with a Twist. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Layered with creamy sauce and Gruyere cheese, these potatoes bake into pure comfort. A crowd favorite that always makes a comeback.
    Get the Recipe: Golden Scalloped Potatoes with a Twist

    Cranberry Sauce Everyone Remembers

    Cranberry sauce in a bowl with fresh cranberries
    Cranberry Sauce Everyone Remembers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich with port and figs, this sauce turns tart cranberries into something unforgettable. It’s the side you’ll wish you made more of.
    Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce Everyone Remembers

    Creamy Pea Salad That Pops with Flavor

    A bowl of pea salad with a serving spoon.
    Creamy Pea Salad That Pops with Flavor. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Cool, creamy, and full of crunch—this classic pea salad is the kind of side that keeps guests coming back for more.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad That Pops with Flavor

    Buttermilk Slaw That Balances the Feast

    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.
    Buttermilk Slaw That Balances the Feast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Tangy buttermilk and crisp cabbage bring fresh contrast to rich Thanksgiving plates. It’s the crunchy bite that keeps things lively.
    Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Slaw That Balances the Feast

    Roasted Potato Salad Guests Won’t Forget

    Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions.
    Roasted Potato Salad Guests Won’t Forget. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Skip the mayo—this warm potato salad gets its flavor from crispy bacon and herbs. A fresh twist that steals attention from the main dish.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Potato Salad Guests Won’t Forget

    Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole That Wins Every Time

    A spoon full of hashbrown casserole.
    Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole That Wins Every Time. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crunchy cornflakes meet gooey cheese in this crowd-pleasing classic. One bite, and it’s clear why it’s remembered long after dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole That Wins Every Time

    Roasted Sweet Potatoes Everyone Still Talks About

    Balsamic vinegar being poured over roasted sweet potatoes.
    Roasted Sweet Potatoes Everyone Still Talks About. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet potatoes and pears roast into caramelized perfection with a drizzle of balsamic. It’s the side that quietly steals Thanksgiving dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes Everyone Still Talks About

    Festive Cranberry Salad With Whipped Cream And Marshmallows

    A black bowl filled with pink cranberry fluff salad topped with sugared cranberries, next to a white dish of cranberries and two pinecones on a blue-gray surface.
    Festive Cranberry Salad With Whipped Cream And Marshmallows. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fresh cranberries, tart apples, and marshmallows come together in this creamy Cranberry Fluff Salad. A make-ahead holiday side that’s light, fluffy, and full of flavor.
    Get the Recipe: Festive Cranberry Salad With Whipped Cream And Marshmallows

    Honey-Glazed Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

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

    Sweet, buttery, and crisp on the edges — these honey-drizzled Hasselback sweet potatoes steal the show at Thanksgiving.
    Get the Recipe: Honey-Glazed Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

    Cheesy Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

    A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes.
    Cheesy Twice-Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This rich, creamy casserole tastes like loaded baked potatoes and keeps everyone coming back for seconds on Thanksgiving night.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

    Old-Fashioned Southern Corn Pudding

    A baked corn pudding with a serving spoon removing a portion.
    Old-Fashioned Southern Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet, silky, and golden brown — this Southern-style corn pudding is a must-have side that never makes it to leftovers.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Southern Corn Pudding

    Creamy Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

    A bowl of crock pot mac n cheese in a bowl next to a spoon.
    Creamy Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Velvety mac and cheese made hands-free in your slow cooker — a comforting classic that keeps guests talking all year long.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

    Microwave Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    A serving spoon in a bowl of microwaved mashed potatoes.
    Microwave Loaded Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes come together fast — perfect when Thanksgiving prep is already packed.
    Get the Recipe: Microwave Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    Golden Cornbread Corn Pudding

    A spoonful of cornbread corn pudding.
    Golden Cornbread Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Half cornbread, half pudding — this golden bake blends sweet corn and cheese for the perfect Thanksgiving texture mix.
    Get the Recipe: Golden Cornbread Corn Pudding

    Baked Cottage Cheese Macaroni

    A serving of mac and cheese being removed from a casserole dish.
    Baked Cottage Cheese Macaroni. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This ultra-creamy baked mac uses cottage cheese for richness — a surprising twist that wins over every Thanksgiving crowd.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Cottage Cheese Macaroni

    Grilled Corn & Blueberry Salad

    A clear glass bowl of corn salad with blueberries.
    Grilled Corn & Blueberry Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet corn, juicy blueberries, and tangy vinaigrette make this colorful salad an unforgettable addition to your holiday spread.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn & Blueberry Salad

    Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Bake

    A spoon taking out a serving of cauliflower casserole.
    Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Loaded with sharp cheddar and smoky paprika, this cauliflower casserole brings cozy comfort to your Thanksgiving table.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower Bake

    Green Bean & Potato Salad Twist

    A platter of green bean and potato salad.
    Green Bean & Potato Salad Twist. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fresh green beans and baby potatoes tossed in honey vinaigrette — a light, colorful side everyone raves about.
    Get the Recipe: Green Bean & Potato Salad Twist

    Roasted Grape Cranberry Sauce

    A white bowl of cranberry sauce with grapes.
    Roasted Grape Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This sweet-tart cranberry sauce with grapes adds sparkle and flavor — a Thanksgiving side worth remembering.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Grape Cranberry Sauce

    Cheesy Zucchini Bake Supreme

    Cheesy Zucchini Bake Supreme. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Cheesy, creamy, and perfectly crisp on top — this zucchini bake brings garden-fresh flavor to your holiday menu.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Bake Supreme

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes & Onions

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes & Onions. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Simple, savory, and perfectly crisp — these roasted potatoes and onions are Thanksgiving’s most underrated side.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Potatoes & Onions

    Savory Italian Sausage Stuffing

    A casserole dish of baked stuffing with a serving spoon.
    Savory Italian Sausage Stuffing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This hearty stuffing with sourdough and Italian sausage turns every bite into a cozy, crave-worthy Thanksgiving moment.
    Get the Recipe: Savory Italian Sausage Stuffing

    Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans

    Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Rich with molasses, bacon, and slow-cooked flavor — these baked beans are the side dish everyone remembers next year.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans

    27 Thanksgiving Dishes Guests Secretly Want More Than Turkey

    A collage of four images showcases dishes that smell like Thanksgiving morning: pumpkin pie with whipped cream, a bowl of cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes, and a lattice-topped mixed berry pie with a slice removed.

    Let’s be honest, when the big feast rolls around, turkey might get all the spotlight, but it’s those irresistible side dishes and desserts that everyone secretly craves. From creamy casseroles to perfectly baked pies, guests often pile their plates high before the bird even makes its way around.
    Grab it here: 27 Thanksgiving Dishes Guests Secretly Want More Than Turkey

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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