I’ve collected up 10+ of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, each one easy, flavorful, and made to impress. From creamy comfort classics to lighter veggie sides, these recipes add the perfect balance of color and texture to your holiday menu.
When the spotlight’s always on turkey, ham, and pies, it’s easy to forget the true heroes of the holiday table , the Thanksgiving side dishes! From creamy potatoes to roasted veggies and bright cranberry sauce, the sides bring comfort, color, and balance to every festive meal.
This hand-picked list of easy Thanksgiving side dishes has everything you need to round out your feast, its simple, make-ahead recipes that taste like you spent all day in the kitchen (without actually doing it!). And the best part? They’re so good, you’ll want to make them again for Christmas dinner too!
So whether you’re hosting a full Thanksgiving feast or planning a cozy family dinner for Christmas, these top 10 easy holiday sides are sure to impress. Each one has been tested from my home kitchen to deliver big flavor with minimal effort, from cheesy casseroles and creamy potatoes to roasted veggies and homemade cranberry sauce.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes In 2025
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (Without Mushroom Soup)
- Crispy Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts (Oven or Air Fryer)
- Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries
- Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots
- Broccoletti (Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic)
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
- Roasted Mini Peppers with Balsamic and Garlic
- Roasted Carrots and Asparagus
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Related
- Pairing
- 10+ Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes for the Holiday Season
Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Something for everyone – From creamy classics to modern veggie sides, this collection has recipes everyone at the table will love.
- Oven-roasted favorites – Golden, caramelized veggies like roasted carrots, asparagus, and cauliflower that bring warmth and color to your spread.
- Air fryer options – Quick, crispy, and lighter dishes like sweet potato wedges and brussels sprouts that cut down on oil without losing flavor.
- Fresh salad for balance – A shaved Brussels sprouts salad that adds a crisp, refreshing touch among the rich and hearty sides.
- Classic and modern mix – Enjoy familiar comfort foods like mashed potatoes and casseroles alongside creative new favorites.
- Make-ahead friendly – Many of these dishes can be prepped ahead of time, saving you stress (and oven space!) on Thanksgiving Day.
- Healthy, colorful, and crowd-approved – Full of flavor, easy to prepare, and perfectly suited for both small gatherings and big holiday feasts.
Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes In 2025
These are the best Thanksgiving side dishes to make this year, easy, flavor-packed, and tested to please every guest at your holiday table. Whether you’re all about the classics or love adding a modern twist, these recipes will make your 2025 Thanksgiving feast unforgettable.
Scroll down, pick your favorites, and mix and match your menu, because this year, the side dishes deserve just as much love as the main course! Do you agree?
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
This Creamy, buttery, and loaded with melted cheese, mashed potatoes are comfort in a bowl. Made in one pot with garlic and sour cream, they’re the ultimate side for turkey, roasted chicken or ham, or roasted veggies on Thanksgiving. If you’re browsing mashed potato recipes, this one leans extra creamy with butter, sour cream, and a whisper of garlic so every spoonful tastes like home.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (Without Mushroom Soup)
Skip the canned soup and make this classic from scratch! Tender green beans baked in a creamy cheese sauce and topped with crispy onions, a crowd favorite that always disappears first. A flavorful twist on a classic holiday side dish. Casseroles are comfort food and this one is my MOST favorite!
Crispy Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts (Oven or Air Fryer)
Sweet, spicy, and perfectly crisp, these Brussels sprouts bring a bold twist to your Thanksgiving spread. The hot-honey glaze caramelizes beautifully in both the oven and air fryer. These Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts, topped with crumbled goat cheese and vibrant pomegranate seeds, are a true showstopper on any table, a must try recipe on this holiday season!
Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries
No fresh cranberries? No problem! This easy sauce uses dried cranberries and cooks into a sweet-tart, jammy side that adds the perfect pop of color and flavor to every plate. t’s tangy, slightly sweet, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, and has just the right amount of citrus from the orange juice and zest. Honestly, it’s so flavorful that you’ll want to enjoy it year-round!
Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
These golden sweet potato cubes are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and lightly seasoned for that cozy fall flavor. It’s a simple side that cooks fast and pairs perfectly with just about anything. The best part? You only need 20 minutes and a few basic ingredients to make it! This recipe offers a healthier twist on a classic Thanksgiving side disheveryone will love.
Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots
Earthy cauliflower and sweet carrots roast together with olive oil and herbs until caramelized and tender. You can save time by purchasing your vegetables pre-chopped at the store to save your time. This vibrant veggie medley brightens any Thanksgiving table which is very simple yet delicious recipe to make!
Broccoletti (Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic)
This side dish is a little different from the usual Thanksgiving sides, all you need is a large pan, no oven required! Quick to cook and full of flavor, this sautéed broccolini with garlic adds a crisp-tender, vibrant green touch to your holiday plate. It’s ready in 15 minutes and always a hit at the table.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
This shaved Brussels sprouts salad is the refreshing side every Thanksgiving table needs. Tossed with a tangy maple Dijon vinaigrette, dried cranberries, and crunchy nuts, it brings a crisp, bright contrast to all the warm, hearty holiday dishes. Perfect make-ahead salad that still feels festive and fresh! This thanksgiving side dish is perfect for Make-ahead option, you can shave the sprouts and mix the dressing up to 2 days ahead. Keep them separate; combine and rest 10–15 minutes before serving. Nuts and apples are best added right before serving to keep them crisp.
Roasted Mini Peppers with Balsamic and Garlic
Sweet mini peppers roasted with olive oil, garlic, and a splash of balsamic, colorful, juicy, and bursting with flavor. As they roast, the peppers caramelize beautifully, turning soft and slightly smoky with a touch of tang from the balsamic glaze. It’s a vibrant, festive side that brightens any Thanksgiving or Christmas table, and the best part, it tastes just as delicious served warm or at room temperature. Perfect alongside roasted meats, casseroles, or as part of a holiday veggie platter!
Roasted Carrots and Asparagus
Simple, delicious, and full of flavor, these roasted carrots and asparagus add a fresh, colorful contrast to rich Thanksgiving sides. Tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, the vegetables roast until tender and lightly caramelized, bringing out their natural sweetness. It’s the kind of dish that looks beautiful on the table yet takes minimal effort to prepare. Perfect for busy holiday cooks, this quick oven recipe pairs wonderfully with turkey, ham, or any festive main and adds a bright, wholesome touch to your Thanksgiving spread.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Thick, hearty wedges seasoned and air-fried until perfectly crisp, a lighter, fuss-free alternative to roasted potatoes that everyone will reach for seconds of. These air fryer sweet potato wedges are the perfect healthy swap for traditional potatoes, giving you that same crispy outside and soft, fluffy inside without the excess oil. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and natural sweetness, they make a wholesome and delicious side for your Thanksgiving feast or any weeknight dinner.
And there you have it, 10+ easy Thanksgiving side dishes that bring comfort, color, and balance to every holiday table. Whether you’re planning ahead or cooking last minute, these recipes are simple, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress. Save your favorites, share them with family, and don’t forget to pin this post so you can come back to it for Christmas dinner inspiration too. Because when the sides taste this good, they just might steal the spotlight from the turkey!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this holiday side dishes recipe:
If you tried this Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes recipe or any other recipe from my blog, I’d love to hear your thoughts! ⭐ Please leave a STAR rating and share your experience in the COMMENTS below. Your support means so much and helps me continue creating delicious recipes. Thank you for being part of this journey!
10+ Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes for the Holiday Season
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- Cranberry Sauce From Dried Cranberries
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts
- Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
- Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots
- Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic
- Roasted Carrots and Asparagus
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Roasted Mini Peppers with Balsamic and Garlic
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Instructions
- Every dish has its own cooking time and temperature, so plan your oven space and prep schedule before you start.
- Chop veggies, grate cheese, and measure spices a day ahead, it makes cooking smoother and stress-free.
- Bake casseroles and roasted sides first since they reheat beautifully. Keep them covered with foil in a warm oven while finishing air fryer or stovetop recipes.
Notes
- Many of these sides can be prepped a day or two in advance, like casseroles, roasted veggies, or cranberry sauce , so you can relax on Thanksgiving Day.
- Combine rich, creamy dishes (like mashed potatoes or green bean casserole) with lighter sides (like salads or roasted veggies) for a balanced, colorful spread.
- Cook oven sides first and keep them warm while using your air fryer for the quicker dishes, it saves time and keeps everything crisp.
- Turn extra veggies or mashed potatoes into next-day wraps, bowls, or breakfast hash, nothing goes to waste!
Stephanie says
Thank you for putting this together. It will definitely be so helpful to have all these amazing recipes in one spot for Thanksgiving.
Abi Guna says
These are my favorite holiday side dishes, glad you find it useful, thank you for your feedback!
Abi Guna says
These Thanksgiving side dishes are some of my absolute favorites to make every year! From the cheesy mashed potatoes to the crispy hot honey brussels sprouts and homemade cranberry sauce, each one brings so much comfort and flavor to the table. I love mixing in a few air fryer and roasted veggie sides for a lighter touch, they always get the best compliments!