25 Thanksgiving Sides That Deserve a Trial Run Now

With the holidays creeping up, it’s never too early to start experimenting in the kitchen. There are so many Thanksgiving sides that deserve a trial run now—think creamy casseroles, crispy potatoes, and those flavor-packed veggies everyone secretly loves more than the turkey. Testing them early means you can tweak recipes, find new favorites, and skip any last-minute stress when the big day arrives. Plus, who’s going to complain about an extra round of taste-testing comfort food?

Roasted Cranberry Sauce to Try Early

A white bowl of cranberry sauce with grapes. — Roasted Cranberry Sauce to Try Early. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This roasted cranberry sauce with grapes brings a sweet-tart twist that deserves a test run before Thanksgiving—it just might steal the show.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cranberry Sauce to Try Early

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes You’ll Love

Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes. — Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes You’ll Love. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

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These creamy Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with mascarpone are the perfect side to test now—rich, silky, and stress-free for the big day.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes You’ll Love

Fluffy Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls

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

These soft and pillowy rolls use mashed potatoes for extra tenderness—ideal to bake ahead and perfect for your Thanksgiving bread basket.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls

Baked Mac and Cheese Fit for the Feast

A spoon scooping out creamy mac and cheese from a black bowl. — Baked Mac and Cheese Fit for the Feast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, creamy, and baked until golden—this Southern-style mac and cheese is the comfort side your Thanksgiving table needs a preview of.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese Fit for the Feast

Golden Brioche Rolls for Your Table

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. — Golden Brioche Rolls for Your Table. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, buttery, and lightly sweet—these brioche rolls are the kind of side you’ll want to test early and serve proudly on Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Golden Brioche Rolls for Your Table

Caramelized Southern Candied Yams

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

Test these classic Southern candied yams now—sweet, buttery, and caramelized to perfection with just three simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Southern Candied Yams

Broccoli Cranberry Salad That Pops

A bowl of broccoli salad on a serving tray. — Broccoli Cranberry Salad That Pops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This colorful salad with cranberries, broccoli, and honey-yogurt dressing adds freshness to your menu—try it before Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cranberry Salad That Pops

Creamy Kentucky Spoon Bread

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

Soft, buttery, and almost pudding-like, this Kentucky spoon bread is a cozy side worth perfecting before the holiday crowd arrives.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Kentucky Spoon Bread

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Bake

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

This hearty butternut squash and wild rice bake with a crisp parmesan topping is a side dish worth testing before Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Bake

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes

A close-up of homemade scalloped potatoes with a golden, bubbly cheese and cream topping, sprinkled with black pepper. A serving spoon rests in the dish, and a small bowl of grated cheese is visible in the background. — Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Layers of tender potatoes baked with cream and Gruyere cheese—try this elegant side before it becomes your Thanksgiving go-to.
Get the Recipe: Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes

Sweet Potato Casserole Preview

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

With a homemade marshmallow meringue topping, this cozy sweet potato casserole deserves a dress rehearsal before Thanksgiving Day.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole Preview

Classic Apple Waldorf Salad

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

Bright, crisp, and refreshing, this old-fashioned Waldorf salad balances out heavier sides—try it now for a lighter Thanksgiving touch.
Get the Recipe: Classic Apple Waldorf Salad

Cranberry Fig Relish Test Run

Cranberry sauce in a bowl with fresh cranberries — Cranberry Fig Relish Test Run. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cranberry relish with port and figs adds rich sweetness and depth—perfect to try early and elevate your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Fig Relish Test Run

Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw

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 Slaw. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Try this tangy, creamy red cabbage slaw now—it’s quick, colorful, and adds a crisp contrast to rich Thanksgiving mains.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw

Crispy Hot Water Cornbread

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

Golden, crispy, and irresistibly Southern, this easy hot water cornbread is a must-try before it joins your Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Hot Water Cornbread

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

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

Savory Green Beans With Bacon

A bowl of Green Beans with Bacon and Onions, topped with crispy bacon pieces and caramelized onions, sits on a light cloth napkin with serving utensils. A small dish of extra bacon crumbles is nearby for added flavor. — Savory Green Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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

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