The turkey is in the oven, the counter is filling with serving dishes, and suddenly every burner seems spoken for. Thanksgiving sides have to share oven space and still bring a good mix of textures and flavors to the table.
I chose a range of familiar favorites and savory twists, from buttery corn and mashed potatoes to cranberry sides, roasted vegetables, and bubbling casseroles. There are creamy, cheesy options alongside brighter fruit and vegetable dishes, so you can build a spread that feels varied instead of repeating the same flavors.
Start with the dishes that matter most to your menu, then add a few that balance them: pair rich casseroles with cranberry sauce or roasted vegetables, and include both a potato side and something green. The make-ahead mashed potatoes are useful when the day gets busy; for the rest, plan your oven and stovetop space before you begin. A handful of well-chosen sides can make a generous table without requiring every recipe at once.
Save this Thanksgiving side dish collection to plan a table with cozy casseroles, bright cranberry flavors, and plenty of vegetables.
1. Creamy Stovetop Corn with Butter
A spoonful of creamy corn brings buttery sweetness and a soft texture to the Thanksgiving plate. It’s a familiar side that fits comfortably beside savory stuffing and richer casseroles.
Serve it straight from the stovetop as an easy alternative to another baked dish. It pairs well with #9, Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing with Celery and Onion.
2. Simple Roasted Vegetable Medley
Roasting gives a medley of vegetables browned edges and concentrated flavor, adding color alongside the creamy sides. It’s a useful way to bring more than one vegetable to the table in a single dish.
Set it beside heavier choices like #6, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with Three Cheeses, for a contrasting vegetable side.
3. Easy Homemade Cornbread with Jalapenos and Cheddar
At the bread basket, jalapenos add a lively kick while cheddar brings savory richness to homemade cornbread. The crumbly texture gives the plate a welcome change from spoonable sides.
Put it out with the main meal or alongside #1, Creamy Stovetop Corn with Butter, for a corn-forward pairing.
4. Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
A brown sugar and pecan topping gives this sweet potato casserole a crisp, nutty contrast to its soft center. It brings a touch of sweetness to a plate full of savory dishes.
Serve it as one of the richer vegetable sides, especially alongside something green like #14, Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
5. Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese and Butter
Cream cheese and butter make these mashed potatoes a rich, smooth anchor for the Thanksgiving plate. The make-ahead option is especially handy when the kitchen is busy on the day.
Serve them with gravy and savory dishes, or pair them with #10, Honey Butter Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar, for a sweet-and-savory combination.
6. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with Three Cheeses
A trio of cheeses gives baked macaroni a full, savory flavor, while the oven-baked top adds a different texture from stovetop pasta. It’s a hearty side for a holiday spread.
Put it near lighter vegetables such as #2, Simple Roasted Vegetable Medley, to balance the richness on the plate.
7. Easy Corn Casserole with Jiffy Mix and Sour Cream
With Jiffy mix and sour cream, this corn casserole brings a soft, tender texture and a creamy tang to the table. It gives classic corn a casserole-style place in the spread.
Serve it beside the turkey or other savory mains, and consider choosing it instead of another corn side such as #19, Slow Cooker Creamed Corn with Cream Cheese.
8. Cranberry Orange Sauce with Brown Sugar
Tart cranberry and bright orange bring a fruity counterpoint to rich Thanksgiving dishes, with brown sugar rounding out the flavor. A spoonful adds color and a little tang to the plate.
Offer it beside the turkey and stuffing, or set it next to #21, Cranberry Apple Stuffing with Sausage and Sage, for another blend of fruit and savory flavors.
9. Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing with Celery and Onion
Celery and onion give classic stuffing its familiar savory backbone and contrasting bits of tender vegetables. It’s the kind of traditional side that feels at home beside the turkey.
Serve it as a centerpiece among the sides, with #8, Cranberry Orange Sauce with Brown Sugar, for a bright, tart pairing.
10. Honey Butter Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar
Honey, butter, and brown sugar coat these carrots with a sweet glaze that stands out among savory sides. Their bright color also brings a welcome pop to a crowded holiday table.
They fit nicely with a classic plate of mashed potatoes, including #5, Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese and Butter.
11. Slow Cooker Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Garlic
The slow cooker gives these creamy mashed potatoes a hands-off place in the holiday cooking plan, while garlic adds savory depth. They’re a comforting match for gravy and other traditional sides.
Choose them when you want a potato side without adding another dish to the oven lineup. They pair well with #18, Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar.
12. Southern Candied Yams with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Cinnamon and brown sugar give these candied yams their warm, sweet character, making them a classic Southern-style addition to the Thanksgiving meal. Their soft texture contrasts with crisp-topped casseroles.
Serve them as a sweet vegetable side beside savory stuffing or green beans. For a different sweet potato option, compare them with #23, Brown Sugar Glazed Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
13. Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole with Sour Cream
Hash browns, cheese, and sour cream make this casserole a rich, creamy potato side with a bit of tang. It offers a change from mashed or sliced potatoes without straying far from Thanksgiving comfort food.
Set it out with a green vegetable to balance the plate, such as #14, Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
14. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts bring browned edges, while garlic and Parmesan add a savory finish. This green vegetable side helps balance the softer, creamier dishes on the table.
Serve them alongside #4, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping, for a contrast of savory greens and sweet, nutty topping.
15. Traditional Broccoli Rice Casserole with Cheddar
Broccoli and rice make this casserole a hearty side, with cheddar bringing a familiar cheesy flavor. It combines a vegetable and a grain in one dish for a relaxed holiday spread.
Because it’s substantial, serve it with a lighter vegetable such as #20, Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans, or a fresh cranberry side.
16. Scalloped Potatoes with Heavy Cream and Gruyere
Thinly sliced potatoes, heavy cream, and Gruyere make a rich, layered side with plenty of savory flavor. Scalloped potatoes bring a more composed, sliceable option to a table of mashed sides.
Serve them with roasted vegetables or cranberry sauce to add contrast to the creamy cheese and potatoes.
17. Southern Squash Casserole with Buttery Cracker Topping
A buttery cracker topping adds crunch to the tender squash beneath, giving this casserole a pleasing mix of textures. It brings a familiar Southern-style vegetable dish to the holiday menu.
Put it beside other soft casseroles for a contrasting crisp top, or pair it with #2, Simple Roasted Vegetable Medley, for a second vegetable option.
18. Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
Bacon adds a smoky, savory note to green beans, while brown sugar brings a sweet contrast. The combination gives a familiar vegetable side a bold place on the Thanksgiving table.
Serve it with potatoes or stuffing, or use it as a green counterpart to #12, Southern Candied Yams with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon.
19. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn with Cream Cheese
Cream cheese makes this slow cooker corn side especially creamy, and the slow cooker keeps it from competing for oven space. It’s a cozy choice for a table with plenty of savory mains.
Pair it with a vegetable or stuffing, and choose it over #7, Easy Corn Casserole with Jiffy Mix and Sour Cream, if you want just one corn dish.
20. Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans
Maple brings sweetness to roasted butternut squash, and pecans add a nutty crunch. The combination offers seasonal flavor and a bit of texture alongside creamy casseroles.
Serve it with a savory dish such as #15, Traditional Broccoli Rice Casserole with Cheddar, to round out the plate.
21. Cranberry Apple Stuffing with Sausage and Sage
Sausage and sage bring savory depth to this stuffing, while cranberry and apple add tart and sweet notes. Those contrasting flavors make it a more layered alternative to a traditional celery-and-onion stuffing.
Serve it as a hearty centerpiece side with the turkey. If you’re choosing one stuffing, compare it with #9, Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing with Celery and Onion.
22. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole with Bacon and Cheddar
Bacon and cheddar turn mashed potatoes into a hearty casserole with smoky, salty, cheesy flavor. It’s a substantial choice for anyone who wants more than a simple potato side.
Balance its richness with something bright, such as #24, Homemade Cranberry Orange Relish with Fresh Cranberries.
23. Brown Sugar Glazed Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasting gives sweet potatoes tender centers and browned edges, while a brown sugar glaze leans into their natural sweetness. It’s a straightforward way to add a colorful vegetable side to the holiday spread.
Serve them with a savory green vegetable, or choose them as a simpler sweet potato option beside #4, Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping.
24. Homemade Cranberry Orange Relish with Fresh Cranberries
Fresh cranberries and orange give this relish a bright, tart flavor that cuts through rich holiday food. Its fresh, fruity character is a welcome contrast to creamy potatoes and casseroles.
Set it out with the turkey and consider pairing it with #22, Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole with Bacon and Cheddar.
25. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Green Bean Casserole
Garlic and Parmesan give this creamy green bean casserole a savory, cheesy profile. It brings a familiar holiday vegetable together with the comfort of a baked casserole.
Serve it alongside a simple roasted vegetable such as #2, Simple Roasted Vegetable Medley, for variety in texture and flavor.
26. Southern Butter Beans with Bacon and Onions
Butter beans make a hearty, tender side, with bacon and onions adding savory flavor. This Southern-style dish brings something different from the usual potato and casserole options.
Serve it with a bright side such as #8, Cranberry Orange Sauce with Brown Sugar, to add a tart note to the meal.
27. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes with Cornflake Topping
A crunchy cornflake topping contrasts with the soft, cheesy potato casserole underneath. It’s a comforting, substantial side that gives the table another crisp-topped option.
Serve it with roasted vegetables or a fresh cranberry side to balance the creamy potatoes and crunchy topping.
28. Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple Butter and Cinnamon
Acorn squash becomes a seasonal centerpiece with maple butter and cinnamon adding sweet, warm flavor. Its roasted texture gives the meal a change from soft mashed sides and casseroles.
Pair it with a savory dish such as #18, Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar, for a mix of sweet squash and smoky greens.
29. Creamy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Gratin
A creamy gratin brings Parmesan richness to Brussels sprouts, turning the green vegetable into a more indulgent side. It combines a familiar Thanksgiving vegetable with a smooth, cheesy finish.
Serve it with a brighter dish such as #24, Homemade Cranberry Orange Relish with Fresh Cranberries, to offset the creamy gratin.
30. Sweet Potato Souffle with Brown Sugar Streusel
A brown sugar streusel gives this sweet potato souffle a crisp, sweet topping over its lighter, soft interior. It’s a festive alternative to a denser sweet potato casserole.
Serve it as a sweet side among savory dishes, or pick it instead of #12, Southern Candied Yams with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, if you want one sweet potato dish.
31. Homemade Creamed Spinach with Parmesan Cheese
Silky creamed spinach with Parmesan brings a savory green side to a table full of potatoes and casseroles. Its creamy texture makes it comforting, while the spinach adds a different vegetable to the mix.
Serve it beside a crisp or roasted vegetable, such as #14, Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts, for more than one green option.
How to Plan a Thanksgiving Menu From This List
Start with the make-ahead option: #5, Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese and Butter, is named for that flexibility. You can also wash and trim vegetables or organize ingredients ahead, then keep refrigerated foods safely chilled until it’s time to cook.
On Thanksgiving Day, decide which dishes need the oven and which can use the stovetop or slow cooker. The slow cooker corn and mashed potatoes (#11 and #19) offer alternatives when oven space is tight; leave room for dishes that need to be served freshly cooked.
For a balanced spread, choose a few sides rather than trying to make all 31. A potato or stuffing, one or two green vegetables, a colorful roasted vegetable, and one cranberry side give you a mix of creamy, savory, sweet, and bright flavors; adjust the number to your gathering and the main dish.
Questions About Planning Thanksgiving Sides
A Thanksgiving table doesn’t need every side to be rich or complicated. Pick a few favorites, add something bright and something green, and let the mix of warm casseroles, roasted vegetables, and cranberry tang make the meal feel complete.