33 Thanksgiving Sides Guests Quietly Rank Higher Than the Turkey

Somehow every Thanksgiving ends with us laughing about how the so-called star of the meal isn’t always the turkey. I swear the sides keep stealing the spotlight, as guests quietly admit which dishes they’d rank higher in secret. It’s kind of comforting, though, knowing that the real magic comes from all those flavors working together. Makes the whole day feel a little more fun than the usual holiday routine.

Pretzel Sweet Potato Casserole Guests Love

A large spoon full of sweet potato casserole. — Pretzel Topped Sweet Potato Casserole . Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet potatoes get a crunchy pretzel topping and festive cranberries in this side that might just steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Smoky Baked Beans Everyone Raves About

A spoon full of baked beans with hamburger. — Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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Classic Southern baked beans with ground beef and a sticky-sweet sauce that quietly become the table favorite.
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

Fluffy Challah Rolls Steal the Show

Individual challah buns on a wooden board. — Challah Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Light, fluffy, and golden, these challah rolls are a subtle star on any Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Challah Rolls

Rich Creamed Corn Guests Crave

A skillet filled with creamy, cooked corn kernels being stirred by a wooden spoon. The creamed corn appears to be seasoned and mixed with a rich, creamy substance, creating a luscious texture. The background is a grayish cooking surface. — Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Buttery, creamy corn made in minutes—this simple side often outshines the turkey itself.
Get the Recipe: Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

Honey Vinaigrette Green Bean Potato Salad

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

Fresh green beans and tender new potatoes tossed in honey vinaigrette—a bright, must-try Thanksgiving side.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

Classic Southern Mac & Cheese Winner

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

Creamy baked mac and cheese that keeps everyone coming back for seconds before the turkey is touched.
Get the Recipe: Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Sweet Stove Top Candied Potatoes

A round baking dish filled with glazed sweet potatoes, coated in a shiny caramelized sauce and sprinkled with chopped pecans. A large spoon is resting in the dish, ready for serving. The background surface is a cool, muted color. — Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Caramel-glazed sweet potatoes simmered to perfection—sweet, rich, and table-approved.
Get the Recipe: Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes

Red Cabbage Coleslaw Guests Adore

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.

A quick and creamy red cabbage slaw that adds crunch and color while quietly stealing the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

Broccoli Salad With Sweet Honey Twist

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

Broccoli gets a sweet, creamy makeover with honey yogurt dressing, a crunchy side that guests can’t get enough of.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls Everyone Loves

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

Fluffy mashed potato rolls perfect for using leftovers, and surprisingly become the table’s favorite bite.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls

Sweet & Savory Cornbread Dressing Hit

A serving spoon in a casserole dish of cornbread dressing. — Sweet And Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This warm cornbread dressing blends herbs, veggies, and sweetness, often leaving turkey in the shade.
Get the Recipe: Sweet And Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing

Cranberry Sauce With a Gourmet Twist

A glass dish full of homemade cranberry sauce. — Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Homemade cranberry sauce with walnuts and Grand Marnier—sweet, tart, and far more popular than you expect.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cheddar Pea Salad Guests Secretly Love

A bowl of pea salad with a serving spoon. — Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This Southern-style pea salad is cheesy, creamy, and a side that quietly wins over every guest.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

Pimento Mac & Cheese Table Favorite

Two plates of pimento mac and cheese. — Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cheesy pimento mac and cheese baked to golden perfection, a hidden hit at Thanksgiving gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Side Star

Roasted cauliflower with brown butter in a serving bowl. — Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted cauliflower with browned butter and a spicy kick—a side dish that secretly gets the most compliments.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice

A baking dish filled with twelve golden-brown, fluffy dinner rolls arranged closely together on a dark countertop. — Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Hawaiian Rolls have just a hint of sweetness from pineapple juice. They are so fluffy. and EASY to make for your holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice

Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms

Learn how to prepare fresh green beans and mushrooms that are crisp, not soggy, with these easy-to-follow steps and tips.
Get the Recipe: Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms

Creamy Cranberry Fluff That Steals the Show

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.

Tart cranberries, crisp apples, and fluffy marshmallows create a sweet-and-tangy holiday dream. This make-ahead cranberry salad is pure Thanksgiving nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cranberry Fluff That Steals the Show

Green Bean Casserole That Steals the Spotlight

A serving spoon in a green bean casserole made from scratch, — Green Bean Casserole That Steals the Spotlight. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Skip the canned soup and wow your guests with this fresh green bean casserole made from scratch with a rich cream sauce.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole That Steals the Spotlight

5-Ingredient Macaroni Pie Guests Secretly Love

A casserole dish of baked macaroni pie. — 5-Ingredient Macaroni Pie Guests Secretly Love. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy baked macaroni pie uses just five ingredients but leaves everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Macaroni Pie Guests Secretly Love

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham: The Quiet Star

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Scalloped Potatoes & Ham: The Quiet Star. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This comforting casserole of creamy potatoes and savory ham melts in your mouth, often outshining the main turkey.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes & Ham: The Quiet Star

Oven Roasted Potatoes Everyone Craves

A serving bowl of crispy potatoes and onions. — Oven Roasted Potatoes Everyone Craves. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Golden roasted potatoes and caramelized onions make a simple side that quietly steals the show on your table.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes Everyone Craves

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes Guests Adore

Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes. — Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes Guests Adore. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with mascarpone are a decadent make-ahead side your guests can’t stop raving about.
Get the Recipe: Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes Guests Adore

Fluffy Brioche Rolls That Disappear Fast

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 That Disappear Fast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Golden, buttery brioche rolls with a hint of sweetness that vanish as soon as they hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Brioche Rolls That Disappear Fast

Decadent Mac & Cheese That Steals the Show

Scooping mac and cheese. — Decadent Mac & Cheese That Steals the Show. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, creamy macaroni and cheese with evaporated milk that keeps guests coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Mac & Cheese That Steals the Show

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes Everyone Loves

A spoon full of au gratin potatoes with cheese. — Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes Everyone Loves. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Thinly sliced potatoes baked with creamy sauce and gruyere cheese, a side that often outshines the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes Everyone Loves

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes Everyone Will Crave

Hasselback sweet potatoes on a black platter with honey on the side. — Hasselback Sweet Potatoes Everyone Will Crave. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Thinly sliced, honey-drizzled sweet potatoes that make a stunning side your guests will rave about.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potatoes Everyone Will Crave

Creamy Macaroni Salad That Wins Hearts

Creamy macaroni salad with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Macaroni Salad That Wins Hearts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Southern-style macaroni salad with cheddar cheese and tangy dressing that quietly steals the spotlight at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad That Wins Hearts

Dill & Gruyere Yeast Rolls Guests Love

Light, fluffy yeast rolls with dill and gruyere that elevate any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Dill & Gruyere Yeast Rolls Guests Love

Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon Magic

A Butternut Squash Casserole topped with golden breadcrumbs, chopped walnuts, and fresh parsley sits on a gray surface, surrounded by parsley sprigs, whole walnuts, two forks, and a plate. — Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon Magic. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet butternut squash paired with bacon and mushrooms, baked under a buttery crumble that wows the table.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon Magic

Candied Yams Everyone Secretly Loves

Sweet potatoes cooking in a skillet. — Candied Yams Everyone Secretly Loves. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Simple, sweet, and tender 3-ingredient yams that quietly steal the show on Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Candied Yams Everyone Secretly Loves

Classic Carrot Salad Guests Can’t Resist

A bowl of carrot raisin salad with a serving spoon. — Classic Carrot Salad Guests Can’t Resist. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet, crunchy carrot raisin salad with a hint of tang that often outshines the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Classic Carrot Salad Guests Can’t Resist

Sour Cream Rolls That Vanish First

Sour cream rolls in a basket — Sour Cream Rolls That Vanish First. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Elegant, soft sour cream rolls that are often the first to disappear at the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Rolls That Vanish First

27 Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Wishes They Had Thought Of First

A collage of four Thanksgiving side dishes: stuffed acorn squash, baked cheesy casserole, savory bread pudding with a serving spoon, and a basket of golden brown dinner rolls—plus cranberry creations that brighten every Thanksgiving plate.

Every year, when Thanksgiving rolls around, someone shows up with a dish so good it makes everyone at the table wonder why they didn’t come up with it first. From creative twists on classics to brand-new flavor mashups, these dishes have a way of stealing the spotlight.
Grab it here: 27 Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Wishes They Had Thought Of First

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