If there’s one thing we all know to be true about Thanksgiving, it’s this: the turkey may technically be the main event, but the sides… the sides are where the magic lives. Creamy, savory, crispy-topped, buttery, veggies and carbs piled high on a plate – that’s the Thanksgiving energy we’re all really here for. 🧡
This collection brings a mix of cozy classics and a few fun twists — because sometimes Thanksgiving calls for tradition, and sometimes it calls for a little zhuzh. And the best part? So many of these dishes are naturally vegetarian, which means the people at your table who pass on the turkey will still be fully living their best Thanksgiving life. Think fluffy potatoes, saucy green beans, pillowy gnocchi, warm and toasty breads, and salads that actually feel exciting.
These are the sides that make the feast feel extra special. Let’s plate ’em up!
The Very Best Thanksgiving Sides
Green Bean Casserole
This Green Bean Casserole is a Thanksgiving classic! Fresh green beans in a silky, rich sauce speckled with gruyere and shallots – plus crispy onions on top, of course!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Topping
That crunchy brown sugar topping will give you life! An absolute must for the Thanksgiving table for me!
7-Layer Beet Salad
This 7-Layer Beet Salad is a fall stunner! Studded with cooked beets, supremed oranges, chopped pistachios, creamy truffle ricotta, and a bit of fresh mint. So fresh, so good!
Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad
Hands down, my favorite salad to serve on Thanksgiving! Thinly shaved brussels sprouts, chopped bacon, and a light citrus dressing.
Everybody’s Favorite Corn Casserole
Bursty bites of cream-style corn and sweet corn plus garlic, bacon, and cheese throughout – so you know it’s really, really good!
House Favorite Roasted Brussels Sprouts
We eat these all the time, but they are especially excellent for Thanksgiving! Speckled with bright bursts of cranberries and nutty walnuts.
The Best Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
The perfect way to give yourself some stove space! Mashed Potatoes made in the Instant Pot! So creamy, so fluffy, and SO GOOD.
Roasted Carrots with Honey and Garlic Yogurt Sauce
These beauties need to be on your table! Deeply roasted rainbow carrots, swizzles of tangy garlicky yogurt sauce, a golden drizzle of honey, and festive pistachio crunches on top.
Avocado Kale Caesar Salad
Kale, avocado, and crunchy seeds drenched in a quick creamy avocado caesar dressing that can easily be made vegan, too.
Liz’s Roasted Broccoli Salad
Another roasted veggie winner! Bright lemon, crisped-up bacon, tangy feta, and crispy roasted broccoli.
Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce
So incredibly pillowy and delicious and feels just right for a holiday. Topped with a 5 ingredient sage garlic butter sauce that will blow your mind.
Simple Green Salad
Every table needs a Simple Green Salad! Fresh spring greens drizzled with a maple balsamic dressing and sprinkled with whatever crunchies your salad-loving heart desires.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Love this one as a vegetarian main or side for the big day! It’s sweet, rich, buttery, and filling.
Brussels Sprouts with Gochujang Butter
Roasted brussels, but elevated! Shredded roasty brussels sprouts flecked with toasted walnuts and bites of plumped dried cranberries, and blanketed with a luscious sheen of gochujang garlic butter sauce.
Baked Mac and Cheese
This Baked Mac and Cheese is cheesy on the inside, crispy on the outside, heavy on the OMG yum factor.
Kale Apple Salad with Crispy Shallots
Love this salad so much! Kale, brussels sprouts, rosemary cashews, apples, fried bread cheese, crispy shallots, and crisp apple maple dressing!
Avocado Caesar Green Beans
Grab a bag of green beans, blitz up a quick avocado caesar, toast some panko, and let’s go! My kids love this one!
Brussels & Kale Caesar with Cheezy Garlic Croutons
Papery-thin shreds of brussels sprouts and chopped kale, tossed with a creamy, garlicky, avocado-based vegan caesar dressing, topped off with the most addicting cheezy garlic croutons.
Miracle No Knead Bread
This is SO UNBELIEVABLY GOOD and ridiculously easy to make. The perfect thing to bring along to a holiday gathering. Crusty outside, soft and chewy inside.
Gingery Cranberry Salsa
This is my favorite holiday app! Cranberry Salsa that is finely textured, juicy, zippy, fresh, and sweet, with a little fire from the jalapeño.
Roasted Sweet Potato, Wild Rice, and Arugula Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato, Wild Rice, and Arugula Salad: served with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing.
House Favorite Garlic Bread
Skip the rolls and make fresh garlic bread! French bread, butter, fresh garlic, garlic powder, Parmesan, and parsley. It’s so simple and so ridiculously good.
Autumn Glow Salad with Lemon Dressing
Lots of good stuff happening here! Roasted cauliflower, sweet potato, grains, and apples. YUM.
Toasted Bread and Parmesan Kale Salad
This is THE BEST Kale Salad! Lots of shredded kale, Parmesan cheese, homemade breadcrumbs, and a lemon olive oil dressing. So simple, SO GOOD.
Pomegranate, Kale, and Wild Rice Salad with Walnuts and Feta
Pomegranate, Kale, and Wild Rice Salad, with walnuts and Feta cheese and a simple homemade dressing. Another favorite holiday salad!
More Holiday Recipes and Resources
If you’re looking for more than just sides, here are some of my favorite holiday and Thanksgiving dinners, desserts, brunch recipes, and more!