What Side Dishes to Serve at Thanksgiving? 15 BEST Side Dishes

It’s not the same thanksgiving without having a bunch of side dishes that make your table look fuller, happier, more colorful, and tastier.

In this article, we will look at the 15 best thanksgiving side dishes you have to try.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Thanksgiving?

Everyone knows that turkey is a must-show at all thanksgiving parties, but it’s incomplete without the side dishes.

The side dishes make the main turkey or ham dish stand out in the first place.

The real stars of the show are the side dishes that amplify and elevate the mains to a whole new level.

Besides, turkey and ham alone would taste boring and bland.

The sides are what add all the flavor and umami to the meal.

So side dishes are essential when planning a thanksgiving spread.

Below are the 15 best thanksgiving side dishes you can serve your guests the next time you host a dinner.

What Side Dishes to Serve at Thanksgiving? 15 Best Side Dishes

1 – Creamed Corn with Butter

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Nothing quite says Thanksgiving dinner is like a creamy, buttery side dish that melts in your mouth.

This corn dish with butter and cream is all you need to make your main thanksgiving dishes stand out.

Perhaps, it might become the star of the show.

It’s super simple to make and so delicious with the burst of flavors that make the meal such a comfort food.

Take it one step further by grating some cheese on top and give it a final toss for that crackling cheesy layer in the oven.

2 – Dinner Rolls with Garlic and Butter

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Dinner rolls are a must when you’re serving a full-on Thanksgiving dinner.

But you don’t have to keep it simple and bland.

Next time you make your dinner rolls, infuse them with garlic, thyme, or coriander for a beautiful aromatic side that will have you grabbing seconds.

When your rolls are fresh out of the oven, brush the top with melted butter and garlic.

You can also sprinkle chopped coriander or parsley for an extra kick of flavor.

3 – Green Peas with Onions and Garlic

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Green peas being the showstopper at a dinner party is very unlikely, but try this recipe, and you’ll think otherwise.

Instead of your regular pain green peas, smother it with a bit of oil, some minced garlic, and a lot of onions.

We recommend adding shallots or red onions instead of white for that flavor.

This part is up to you, but adding a thick layer of cream before you pop it in the oven is a sure way to elevate this side dish into something more than green peas and onion.

4 – Braised Long Green Beans

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Vegetable casseroles are all the hype when you think about thanksgiving sides, but instead of the usual potatoes and onions, swap it with long green beans.

Have your guests rush for seconds as they taste the crunchiness of the green beans smothered with parmesan cheese and chopped garlic with a good helping of seasonings.

If you want to take it further, add some chopped button mushrooms and pop it in the oven for a few minutes.

This will create an excellent umami side dish that will impress your guests.

5 – Fried Cauliflower with Roasted Cashews

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Another one for the books is this cauliflower side dish, unlike anything you’ve tried before.

Get ready to amaze your guests with this simple yet intriguing dish that busts like a bomb of flavors in your mouth.

With the dish having predominantly Indian roots, you can use staple Indian spices like garam masala, fennel seeds, and turmeric to amp up the dish.

Add chopped sweet potatoes to the dish for a sweet finish.

Finish it with coriander and roasted cashews as a garnish, and there you have it.

A side dish fit for any meal.

6 – Slaw with Purple Cabbage and Turnips

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If you want a salad to add to your spread but want something other than the regular greens, try this colorful salad that will light all the season’s colors.

The purple cabbage with the turnips creates the perfect base for all the other ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes and lettuce.

Add some crunch to the salad with sesame or pumpkin seeds, and finish it with a vinaigrette that will give you that klick as you take a bite of this salad.

7 – Creamy Butternut Squash Casserole

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Butternut squash is always a staple this season, so why not use it to your advantage and create a dish that will have your guests in awe?

The squash is already so creamy, but double the creaminess with cheese, and you’ll have a dish that no one can say no to.

This can be served as an appetizer with some plain crackers or dinner rolls as a creamy spread or dip.

There’s nothing traditional about this side dish, and we’re all hyped for it.

8 – Sweet Potato and Roasted Pecan

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Swap the regular and boring mashed potatoes with this sweet potato dish for a change.

Add whatever seasonings and herbs you wish, but the best combination is garlic and chives with a generous helping of butter to bring the dish together.

While waiting for the sweet potatoes to cook, roast a few pecans in a saucepan and have them chopped and ready to go into your sweet potato casserole.

Sprinkle it on top, and there you have it.

This dish brings you the best of everything – sweet and savory and creamy and crunchy, all at the same time.

9 – White Wine Gravy

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If you’re tired of having the same old turkey gravy yearly, try this white wine gravy for a change.

This savory gravy is something that will get everyone’s taste buds excited with its rich flavor.

It’s also so simple to make, and it only takes 20 minutes for the alcohol to blend into the different flavors of the gravy.

Infuse the gravy with rosemary for a unique umami aspect, but make sure you strain it before serving.

10 – Bacon and Brussel Sprouts

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For everyone who has a negative feeling about brussel sprouts, this side dish is sure to change your mind.

The combination of the sprouts with the crunchiness of the bacon makes this side dish so appetizing.

Elevate the dish by adding onions and other holiday seasonings.

If you like, you can even add roasted pecans for extra crunchiness.

Toss all these in the same pan where you cooked the bacon so that the bacon grease coats all the brussel sprouts and other vegetables.

You’ll never look at brussel sprouts the same after this.

11 – Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic

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For anyone looking for a side dish with all the umami you will ever need, this mushroom side dish is your best option.

This dish is so good that you can serve it as it is and still enjoy it.

Toss your mushrooms in a saucepan and saute until golden brown.

Then add the garlic and other herbs like thyme to bring out the full flavor of the mushrooms.

Your thanksgiving dinners will never be the same after serving this side dish.

12 – Broccoli and Cheese Soup

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It might not read as the most delicious meal in books, but this is the one if you’re looking for a rich and creamy soup.

Broccoli haters will be changing their minds about their opinion once they try this soup.

It’s everything you need for a comforting and filling meal.

With the creaminess of the cheese and the distinct taste of the broccoli shining through, you have yourself the only gravy replacement you need at your table.

13 – Roasted Carrots In A Sweet Sauce

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Toss away the bland old roasted vegetable this thanksgiving and replace it with sweet glazed carrots.

Add your favorite seasoning and pour some honey into the mix before you serve it.

This is a definite game-changer.

If you want, add mustard and create this honey-mustard glaze to go with your roasted carrots.

14 – Thinly Sliced Baked Potatoes and Cream

Potatoes are a must at every thanksgiving dinner, but instead of mashed, why not try these sliced and baked potatoes? Potato lovers will be joyfully dancing when they see this dish on your table.

It’s the cream that makes these potatoes even more irresistible.

You can also grate some cheese on top before you put it in the oven to make it even creamier.

15 – Cumin and Chipotle Pumpkin Soup

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Pumpkins are always present around thanksgiving, but instead of the regular pumpkin soup with the same old spices, we have this cumin and chipotle-infused pumpkin soup, which will change how you look at pumpkin soups forever.

To give your soup a smoky flavor, roast your pumpkin slices before you mash them into a paste for the soup.

Now bring out the real guns with your spices like chipotle and cumin.

And instead of regular cream, try sour cream to bring out the flavors better.

Conclusion

So there you go- 15 of the best side dishes you can try for your next thanksgiving party.

They are sure to stand out and have the praises flowing inform your friends and family.