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If you're looking for traditional or more creative Thanksgiving side dishes that are colorful, festive, and full of flavor, you'll love this collection of 60 best recipes.
The Thanksgiving feast simply isn't complete without a generous mix of side dishes-the cozy classics and the colorful, creative veggies that make the whole table feel festive. While I always look forward to the traditional holiday meal highlights like turkey (or roast duck), sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sausage stuffing, and old-fashioned pecan pie, it's the side dishes that truly make Thanksgiving feel fun, vibrant, and special.
That's why I've gathered my 60 best Thanksgiving side dishes-our family's tried-and-true favorites, along with fresh, vibrant ideas that add a little extra flair to the holiday table. This roundup has everything for your holiday menu: traditional staples like classic green beans and mashed potatoes, and easy modern twists (think sausage-and-cranberry stuffed butternut squash, a pecan-cranberry holiday cheese ball, and apple-stuffed acorn squash) your guests will love.
Let's Start with Classic Thanksgiving Sides
Best Mashed Potatoes: These are classic mashed potatoes elevated with the addition of roasted garlic and Parmesan cheese!
Classic Green Beans: No Thanksgiving is complete without green beans. This recipe features crispy beans with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan.
Roasted Fall Veggies: This is one of my most popular holiday side dishes, showcasing classic fall harvest ingredients: roasted Brussels sprouts and cinnamon butternut squash with pecans and cranberries.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: I take traditional Brussels spouts and elevate them with the addition of bacon, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans!
Homemade Dinner Rolls: Pillowy, soft, from-scratch dinner rolls drenched in garlic butter and topped with fresh herbs and sea salt.
Sweet Potato Side Dish: If you're looking for a delicious way to serve oven-roasted vegetables, you'll love these sweet potatoes and broccoli!
Roasted Butternut Squash: Roasted with sage-honey butter and topped with crunchy candied pecans, this will become your new favorite holiday side dish. It will make a beautiful veggie centerpiece - savory, sweet, and deeply caramelized.
Holiday Cheese Ball: This classic, American holiday cheese ball is packed with cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, garlic, herbs, cranberries, pecans, and pumpkin seeds-mixed, rolled, chilled, and served with crackers or veggies.
Table of Contents (by Ingredient)
Jump to:
- Let's Start with Classic Thanksgiving Sides
- Butternut Squash Side Dishes
- Brussels Sprouts Side Dishes
- Green Beans Side Dishes
- Acorn Squash Side Dishes
- Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Asparagus Side Dishes
- Potato Side Dishes
- Sweet Potato Side Dishes
- Spaghetti Squash Side Dishes
- Broccoli Side Dishes
- Other Side Dishes
- More Thanksgiving Recipes
- 60 Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Veggie Tray
Butternut Squash Side Dishes
Butternut squash is the ultimate Fall vegetable and will definitely add a nice Autumnal twist to your Thanksgiving side dish menu selection. It will no doubt be the star of the show!
- Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries
- Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Bacon, and Cheese
- Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Pecans, and Cranberries
- Green Beans for Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries
- Thanksgiving Roasted Veggies (Green Beans and Butternut Squash) with Bacon and Pumpkin Seeds
- Stuffed Butternut Squash with Feta Cheese, Spinach, and Bacon
- Southwestern Ground Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Green Bean Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Feta and Spinach
- Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Beets
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries
- Autumn Dinner with Sausage, Pasta, Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash and Black Bean Orzo with Sausage and Spinach
- Creamy Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup with Orzo and Spinach (30-Minute, One-Pot)
- Black Bean and Butternut Squash Casserole
- Roasted Butternut Squash stuffed with Corn, Zucchini, and Cheese
Brussels Sprouts Side Dishes
Brussels sprouts are cruciferous leaf vegetables that look like tiny cabbages. Why not add this healthy vegetable to your Thanksgiving Menu?
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans, and Cranberries
- Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries
- Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
- Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Beets
- Asiago Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries
- Autumn Dinner with Sausage, Pasta, Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mandarin Oranges, Walnuts, Cranberries, and Balsamic Glaze
- Autumn Chicken Dinner with Roasted Vegetables
Green Beans Side Dishes
Thanksgiving Feast is not complete without green beans! Every family has their favorite way to make a traditional green bean casserole. These green bean recipes offer a great alternative to the traditional green bean recipes, and I hope you try some!
- Green Beans with Pine Nuts
- Green Beans for Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Garlic Green Beans with Olive Oil and Parmesan
- Thanksgiving Roasted Veggies (Green Beans and Butternut Squash) with Bacon and Pumpkin Seeds
- Green Bean Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries
- Garlic and Bacon Green Beans
Acorn Squash Side Dishes
Any Thanksgiving side dish made with acorn squash is an immediate show-stopper on the holiday table. The unique shape of this winter squash + its orange color always adds vibrancy and a festive look to any holiday menu!
Thanksgiving Stuffing
Thanksgiving stuffing comes in many forms. I prefer to cook stuffing in a separate baking dish, not inside the turkey. It's a safer cooking practice and also prevents stuffing from getting mushy. And what about stuffing the Thanksgiving dressing into roasted butternut squash or spaghetti squash instead of turkey? Try these stuffing recipes below for your next holiday menu, and you might never go back to the traditional stuffing (or dressing):
- Italian Sausage Stuffing with Apples, Cranberries, Pecans, and fresh herbs
- Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash with Spinach, Pecans, and Cranberries
- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Southwestern Ground Beef Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Mushrooms
Asparagus Side Dishes
Adding refreshing recipes, such as asparagus, is always a great idea with all the comfort food on the Thanksgiving Table. Who knows - these kind of recipes might steal the show!
Potato Side Dishes
Thanksgiving potatoes don't have to be boring or complicated. And there are so many other fun ways to serve the potatoes other than just mashing them! Share these comforting and cozy side dishes at your next Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving party.
Sweet Potato Side Dishes
Take your sweet potato game to the next level by trying these new, exciting ways to serve them. These side dishes will make a great addition to a traditional sweet potato casserole.
Spaghetti Squash Side Dishes
Spaghetti squash is often a neglected vegetable at Thanksgiving dinners. But it's a delicious way to serve Thanksgiving stuffing and makes a beautiful presentation. Serving Tip: Slice each stuffed and roasted spaghetti squash half into 2, 4, or more slices and serve it on a large platter. Your guests can grab some of these smaller portions with a serving utensil.
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Baked Spaghetti Squash with Zucchini, Corn, and Bacon
- Parmesan Zucchini and Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts
- Bacon, Spaghetti Squash Fritters Recipe
- Parmesan Spaghetti Squash, Spinach, and Bacon with Pine Nuts
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Mushrooms
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Smoked Sausage, Roasted Bell Peppers, and Zucchini
- Spaghetti Squash, Quinoa and Parmesan Fritters
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Broccoli, Sausage, and Cheddar Cheese
- Spaghetti Squash with Chicken, Tomatoes, Spinach, and Feta Cheese
Broccoli Side Dishes
Combining broccoli with other Autumn ingredients, such as apples, dried cranberries, or pecans, turns this healthy vegetable into a delicious Thanksgiving side that might become a show-stopper at your next holiday gathering!
- Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries
- Broccoli Bacon Salad with Pecans, Raisins, and Cranberries
- Asiago Roasted Broccoli
- Creamy Broccoli, Cauliflower, Corn, Bacon Salad
- Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli
- Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Broccoli, Sausage, and Cheddar Cheese
- Broccoli Pasta Salad
- Broccoli Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Sweet Peas, Cheddar Cheese
Other Side Dishes
This section features some "bonus side dishes" that have been reader favorites for years. Give them a try at your holiday gathering.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
- If you're looking for Thanksgiving salads, check out my collection of 30 Best Thanksgiving Salads.
- If you're looking for a complete Thanksgiving menu that features everything: Fall-inspired holiday appetizers, side dishes, salads, main courses, pasta recipes, desserts, and even breakfast, check out my 50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes (The Complete Holiday Menu).
- For a MEATLESS, VEGETARIAN holiday menu that features many vegetarian holiday main dishes and side dishes, don't miss my 40 Best Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes.
60 Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Veggie Tray
Ingredients
Fresh Vegetables
- 8 baby carrots
- 8 celery stalks cut into approx 5 inch lengths
- 8 French radishes halved
- 1 sweet pepper sliced lengthwise
- 2 small heads Belgian endive quartered
- 2 small heads radicchio quartered
- 1 Small bunch tender stem broccoli
- 6 sugar snap peas halved lengthwise
- 8 baby corn halved lengthwise
- 8 cherry tomatoes halved (red and yellow mix for color)
- 8 mini cucumbers halved lengthwise
- 8 asparagus tips
- Small handful of fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme or micro greens, for garnish
Sour Cream and Chive Dip
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Begin by preparing the vegetables:
- Wash and pat dry all vegetables so they look crisp and vibrant on the board. Trim and long stems, eg. We cut the celery stalks, asparagus tips and broccoli to around 5 inches so the majority of the vegetables had uniform length. The length of vegetables such as sweet peppers, endive and radicchio will be determined by size, it's good to have some variation as this adds contrast. The radishes, tomatoes and snap peas are smaller which helps to add depth and texture to the overall feel of the wreath.
Create the wreath shape:
- Place a round marble board in front of you. Imagine a clock face - we started by adding the celery stalks at positions 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. Work your way around the board adding the longer vegetables beside the celery and so on. We ended up with groups of longer vegetables that eventually filled the gaps in the "clock".
- Once your base layer is in place, build upward by tucking in smaller pieces - radish halves, tomatoes and snap peas. This creates a sense of fullness.
- Garnish and finish by tucking in fresh herbs or micro greens.
Make the dip:
- In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, chives garlic powder and lemon juice.
- Season generously with salt and pepper then stir until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and add seasoning as needed. Add a little extra lemon juice for more tang or extra chives for freshness. Sprinkle a few extra chives to garnish.
- Place the dip in the center of your crudité wreath.
- Allow guests to help themselves. Enjoy!
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
I originally published this roundup in November 2023 and updated it on November 17, 2025 with new recipes, fresh photos, and an improved structure.
I tried the dip and made a platter similar to yours for a party - it was a huge, huge hit!! Some people even said that they usually don't eat veggies but they felt compelled to eat them because it looked so good!
Darlene, I love that the presentation actually convinced others to eat more veggies, LOL. I am wishing you a wonderful and very tasty Thanksgiving celebration! ❤️❤️
I have made several of your recipes and have liked most of what I've made. I will say I up the spices in all of them.
Hi Sally, thank you for your kinds words!! 🙂 I usually try to keep my spices levels down for sensitive stomachs (and acid reflux issues in my family). 🙂
I had printed out a copy of this recipe some time ago. Recently found it and as I had all the ingredients I decided to make it. Boy, was I sorry I had waited so long! It is delicious and flavorful! Can’t wait to make it again! Thanks!
Oh wow, Claudia, your comment made my day! 🙂 Thank you, you are the sweetest!
These Thanksgiving sides sound delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipes. Everything you post is awesome. You make my holiday menu planning easy!
Annie, you are so sweet! ❤️ I am happy to have you here.
Favorite side dish: Corn Pudding. Received this recipe from the Amish in PA.
Nancy, I need to add that to my list of Thanksgiving sides. I don't even have a corn side dish on this list. 🙂
Saved this menu for the holidays. You are the butternut squash queen!
Bonnie, you are so funny! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
A favorite in my family is the Pineapple Casserole...topping is crumbled buttered Ritz Crackers.
Charleen, that sounds really interesting! I have quite a few holiday recipes that use pineapple on my to-do list that I yet have to make.
I was running out of ideas what to do with squas until I discovered your page on FB. So much inspiration - thank you!
Cathy, I am so glad that you find inspiration on my website! 🙂 Enjoy and let me know if you try any of these recipes! 🙂
I tried the butternut squash stuffed with cheese and the sausage acorn squash from this menu - loved it!
Beth, thank you for your feedback - it's always appreciated! 🙂