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    Home » Holiday

    19 Swoon-Worthy Sides to Make this Thanksgiving

    Published: Apr 30, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    It's not a Thanksgiving spread without the side dishes! A perfectly roasted turkey looks awfully sad without mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and freshly baked rolls.

    a large spoonful of sweet potato casserole.

    Holiday Side Dishes:

    I'm team side dishes, one hundred percent. It's not that I dislike turkey, it's just that I look forward to the sides. All. Year. Long.

    I've been known to make a sweet potato casserole in July. It's TOO good not to whip one up mid-summer, am I right?!

    If you're like me and you live for holiday side dishes, this list is for you! From scalloped potatoes and maple glazed carrots to cranberry sauce, all these sides are completely drool-worthy.

    1. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese

    a bowl of roasted butternut squash with goat cheese, walnuts, and pomegranate seeds.

    Roasted butternut squash with creamy goat cheese is an easy recipe that's a little bit sweet AND savory.

    Cubed squash is baked in the oven, then tossed with toasted nuts, juicy pomegranate, and fresh rosemary.

    Serve this easy and healthy side dish for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, or whip it up for a weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe!

    2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

    sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows on top.

    This sweet potato casserole is heavenly! Lusciously smooth sweet potato souffle is topped with a buttery pecan crumble and toasted marshmallows.

    Just try not to devour the entire casserole dish. I thought I had WAY too much last Thanksgiving and it was the first thing to go!

    3. Sriracha Honey Brussels Sprouts

    a serving dish with brussels sprouts in it.

    I'm a sucker for sweet and spicy dishes! These pan-fried brussels are perfectly caramelized, then coated in a sweet and sticky sriracha sauce.

    They're ready in less than 30 minutes and you can customize the heat level.

    Perfect for the holidays, but easy enough for a Tuesday night.

    Get the recipe

    4. Christmas Wreath Salad with Pomegranate and Pear

    a spinach salad wreath with pear, pomegranate, and feta.

    This pear and pomegranate salad is so simple yet stunning! It looks like a festive Christmas wreath with pops of red and green.

    It's a light and healthy dish that complements all the rich and decadent sides you know and love.

    You can easily swap the homemade vinaigrette with a store-bought one and this recipe takes all of 5 minutes.

    Get the recipe!

    5. Easy Scalloped Potatoes

    a casserole dish with scalloped potatoes in it.

    Scalloped Potatoes are an iconic, cheesy, savory side dish that attends every holiday feast!

    Nobody has to know it's super simple to make.

    Thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a cream sauce with Monterey jack cheese for a decadent and comforting side dish.

    Get the recipe!

    6. Twice Baked Potato Casserole

    a spoonful of twice baked potatoes with cheese and bacon.

    This creamy, cheesy twice baked potato casserole is the perfect side dish for the holidays or any get together.

    Everyone will go crazy for this loaded potato casserole with bacon and cheese!

    Get the recipe!

    7. Maple Glazed Carrots

    a plate of glazed carrots.

    Sliced carrots are cooked until fork-tender in a sweet and sticky maple glaze! These carrots will convert even the pickiest of kiddos into carrot lovers.

    Bonus: they take less than 20 minutes to make!

    Get the recipe!

    8. Apple Cranberry Sauce

    a casserole dish with cranberry sauce in it.

    A sweet spin on classic cranberry sauce! The apples counteract the sourness of the cranberries and act as a thickener.

    This apple cranberry sauce features cranberries, apples, brown sugar, apple cider, oranges, and cinnamon.

    Everyone will be asking for the recipe!

    Get the recipe!

    9. Healthy Green Bean Casserole

    green bean casserole with fried onions on top.

    Fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and a crispy, crunchy onion topping!

    This healthy-ish green bean casserole is a fresher, lightened up take on the classic Thanksgiving dinner recipe. No mushroom soup required!

    Easy to make gluten-free and vegan too!

    Get the recipe!

    10. Candied Sweet Potatoes

    a bowl of candied sweet potatoes with nuts

    A classic holiday side dish, this sweet potato recipe is simple and sweet with warm spices, a buttery syrup and crunchy pecans.

    It can be made ahead and is cooked on the stovetop.

    Get the recipe!

    11. Sausage, Cranberry, and Apple Stuffing

    a casserole dish with sausage, cranberry, and apple stuffing in it.

    This festive stuffing is a delightful medley of juicy sausage, tart cranberries, and sweet apples, making it a perfect holiday side dish!

    Its full of holiday flavors and everyone loves it! The perfect blend of sweet and savory.

    Get the recipe!

    12. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

    mac and cheese with a big spoon in it.

    This southern baked mac and cheese always steals the show at any holiday dinner! It's pure comfort food in a casserole dish - rich, melty, and cheesy.

    It features a combination of extra-sharp cheddar cheese, mascarpone, and Cajun seasoning. This recipe is a must try this Thanksgiving!

    Get the recipe!

    13. Garlic Bread Rolls

    rolls with garlic butter and parsley on top.

    There's nothing quite like fresh baked rolls. These garlic bread rolls are pillowy soft with lots of garlic flavor!

    It's in the rolls and the garlic butter, so they taste just like garlic bread.

    They're surprisingly simple to make AND everyone will love that you made them.

    Get the recipe!

    14. Cranberry Salad

    a cup of cranberry fluff salad.

    If you love ambrosia, you will love this cranberry salad! It's packed with fresh cranberries, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream.

    It's a delicious dessert that doubles as a side dish!

    Get the recipe!

    15. Waldorf Salad

    a bowl of Waldorf salad with grapes, walnuts, and apples.

    If you're on the hunt for a side dish that's impossible to mess up, this Waldorf salad is it!

    It takes all of 15 minutes to throw together and everyone loves juicy fruit covered in vanilla yogurt.

    Get the recipe!

    16. Corn Casserole with Cheese

    cheesy corn casserole

    A simple but crave-able dish with sweet corn, rich cheeses, a touch of seasoning, and bacon!

    You can assemble this corn casserole up to 3 days in advance and keep it in the fridge.

    Get the recipe!

    17. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    an instant pot filled with mashed potatoes and minced parsley.

    Our holiday table isn't complete without a ginormous bowl of homemade mashed potatoes! And this instant pot version is SO easy!

    All you need are 5 basic ingredients and an instant pot. These mashed potatoes are comfort food at its best.

    Get the recipe!

    18. Pear Arugula Salad

    pear arugula salad

    This arugula pear salad is light and fresh with sweet cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and a pear vinaigrette!

    It's a bright contrast to all the decadent dishes served around the holidays.

    Get the recipe!

    19. Candied Brussels Sprouts

    a plate of candied brussels sprouts.

    Brussels sprouts caramelize in a hot skillet, then finish with maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.

    These candied brussels sprouts are full of flavor and a cinch to make!

    Get the recipe!

    If you try any of these holiday side dishes, let us know in the comments!

    More Holiday Recipes:

    • 19 Festive Peppermint Dessert Recipes
    • 13 Festive Eggnog Desserts To Try This Christmas
    • Chocolate Dipped Ritz Cookies

    More holiday recipes

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      Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
    • a bowl with scoops of raspberry sorbet with mint leaves on top.
      Blender Raspberry Sorbet
    • a plate of triple chocolate cookies.
      Triple Chocolate Cookies

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    Hi friends!

    My name is Carolyn and I'm the food-obsessed creative behind Caramel and Cashews!

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