Holidays & Entertaining Holidays Thanksgiving 47 Easy Thanksgiving Sides You Can Make in Less Than an Hour Save time—and your sanity—in the kitchen with these simple sides. By Phoebe Fry and Sue Hughes Sue Hughes An award-winning author, magazine columnist, and accomplished aviation technical writer, Sue Hughes now lends her editing expertise to Real Simple. She also draws on her homesteading lifestyle in rural Oklahoma to contribute to articles on gardening, food, cleaning, and health. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 15, 2024 Close Photo: Christopher Testani As far as we’re concerned, Thanksgiving sides are the best part of the menu, but offering a wide array to accommodate everyone's favorites, not to mention juggling everything on your burners and oven racks, can pose a challenge. This year, go easy on yourself by choosing easy Thanksgiving side dish recipes with minimal fuss. We compiled a bunch of tried-and-true recipes—from standards like creamy mashed potatoes and sweet-tangy cranberry sauce to out-of-the-box options like tender roasted eggplant and a colorful citrus salad—and all come together in less than an hour. Many are suitable for making ahead, take minimal (if any) oven or stove time, or promise easy cleanup. Relax, you've got this! 01 of 47 Herb-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Marcus Nilsson If you’re not wed to mashed potatoes, may we suggest roasted potatoes? With no mixing or mashing, these herby, garlicky fingerlings roast in about 30 minutes and taste amazing with everything. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 47 Grilled Honeynut Squash Salad Christopher Testani This colorful salad will be the star of your Thanksgiving table. The dressing—which doubles as the marinade for the grilled honeynut squash and napa cabbage—is made from apple cider vinegar, white miso, brown mustard, and maple syrup. There's plenty of contrast in flavors, ranging from sweet and tangy to smoky, making every bite symphonic. Radicchio and pepitas give the toss a good crunch. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 47 Double Cranberry and Apple Sauce Greg Dupree This homemade cranberry sauce is easy to make and can be ready in just half an hour with a few simple ingredients: cranberries, apples, maple syrup, and salt. If you don't have time on Thanksgiving day, make it up to a week in advance and store it in the fridge. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 47 Green Bean and Celery Salad Greg Dupree Tangy and fresh, this salad will complement the savory dishes on your Thanksgiving table. The green bean, celery, and apple base is elevated with a light apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey dressing. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 47 Citrus Spice Cranberry Sauce Christopher Testani Homemade cranberry sauce is delicious, but canned cranberry sauce jazzed up with citrus and spices is just as great. This Thanksgiving recipe calls on cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and orange to elevate a humble can of cranberry sauce to a warmly spiced, autumnal condiment. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 47 Make-Ahead Holiday Salad Greg DuPree With a base of Brussels sprouts and kale, this salad gets better with time as the greens absorb the honey-mustard vinaigrette, so it’s a great side to prepare in advance. Just hold off on adding the toasted hazelnuts and croutons until right before serving so they don’t get soggy. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 47 Creamy One-Pot Mashed Potatoes Greg DuPree If you’re in need of a reliable mashed potato recipe, look no further than this creamy number, which calls for the trinity of half-and-half, butter, and sour cream. The best part is it only takes 20 minutes of hands-on, and cleanup is easy-peasy. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 47 Brussels Sprouts Salad Heami Lee This beautiful autumnal salad is full of color and texture, thanks to radicchio, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans. To make ahead, store the Brussels sprouts mixture and dressing in separate airtight containers and combine 30 minutes before serving. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 47 Creamed Spinach Casserole Christopher Testani We’re big fans of a supermarket shortcut, and this spinach casserole recipe takes advantage of store-bought, herb-and-garlic goat cheese like Boursin. Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers on top for a crunchy, golden topping. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 47 Brown Sugar-Glazed Baby Turnips Danny Kim Best in the fall and winter, these baby turnips are delightful with a buttery brown sugar glaze and can be cooked in a single skillet on the stovetop. For a charming, rustic look, keep a sprig of the turnip tops intact. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 47 Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta Anna Williams Brussels sprouts and pancetta are a match made in heaven, and this recipe yields extra crispy, caramelized sprouts. Easy to prepare ahead of time and reheat, it’s a great option for the holidays. Before serving, sprinkle with lemon zest to contrast with the dish’s earthy, savory flavors. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 47 Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette Gentl & Hyers Green beans are a Thanksgiving side go-to, and this rendition with whole-grain mustard, bacon, and shallots is extra punchy and crave-worthy. This low-maintenance recipe can be made at the last minute and doesn’t take up any coveted oven space. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 47 Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf With Cranberries Gentl + Hyers Incorporate cranberries into your Thanksgiving menu in a new way with this earthy, satisfying rice pilaf that features dried cranberries, a variety of mushrooms, parsley, and tarragon. When it isn’t a holiday, this pilaf is also wonderful as a weeknight vegetarian main. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 47 Beet-Radicchio Salad Christopher Testani This vibrant, seasonal salad with beets, radicchio, and oranges will brighten your holiday table and excite your palate. To save time, buy packaged and pre-cooked beets instead of cooking your own. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 47 Cheddar Mashed Potatoes Christopher Testani For this recipe, buy prepared mashed potatoes and dress them up with the cheese of your choice (we like sharp white cheddar), sour cream, and whole-grain mustard. You’ll be left with a luxurious-tasting, cheesy mash, and your guests will never know you took a shortcut. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 47 Bourbon-Cranberry Compote Gentl & Hyers This cranberry compote couldn’t be simpler to make, but tastes elegant and adult thanks to a hearty splash of bourbon. Don’t toss the leftovers, which we recommend spreading on turkey sandwiches or serving alongside vanilla ice cream. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 47 Molasses and Chile Roasted Sweet Potatoes Caitlin Bensel Jalapeño and stone-ground mustard balance the potatoes’ sweetness in this sheet pan recipe. Roasted in a hot oven, these sweet potato wedges are ready in about 20 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 47 Honey-Butter Creamed Corn Antonis Achilleos How can you go wrong with any recipe that starts with "honey-butter"? The secret to this sweet-savory side is that half the corn-onion-cream mixture is pureed in the blender and added back, resulting in a thick, chunky dish that warms your heart. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 47 Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Victor Protasio Bet we had you at "make-ahead"! The beauty of this—besides the fact it's mashed potatoes—is that you can make and refrigerate it up to 3 days ahead. Another advantage is you don't have to wait until the last minute to find out if your mashed is too runny or lumpy. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 47 Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole Antonis Achilleos If you're the rebellious type or one who shuns tradition in favor of the unexpected, this recipe's for you! Reminiscent of that creamy spinach-and-artichoke-dip appetizer, this vegan dish is loaded with hearty quinoa in a cashew butter and almond milk base and then finished with a crunchy potato chip topping. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 47 Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pecans John Kernick This Thanksgiving recipe dresses up plain old Brussels sprouts without extra fuss. Simply add pecans to the sprouts as they roast to elevate an everyday dish to special occasion status. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 47 Miso Roasted Radishes Greg DuPree If you think the only thing to do with a radish is to slice it atop a salad, think again! Roasting gives radishes a texture similar to roasted potatoes, and this recipe coats them with a punchy Asian-inspired treatment that'll wow your guests. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 47 Loaded Sweet Potatoes With Coconut and Kale Victor Protasio Surprise your guests with this sweet potato treatment they never saw coming! A citrusy twist of lime and grapefruit juice, along with coconut milk, will take their taste buds to a tropical island. The best part is that these potatoes cook in the microwave, freeing up valuable oven real estate. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 47 Swiss Chard With Chickpeas and Couscous John Kernick "Nutritious" isn't something you look for in a Thanksgiving side, but this recipe delivers nonetheless. And it's not all business: Raisins lend a sweet chewiness and roasted pine nuts provide a nutty, crunchy topping. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 47 Roasted Butternut Squash With Tahini Sauce Caitlin Bensel This recipe takes a traditional Thanksgiving staple and gives it a Middle Eastern spin. It treats roasted butternut squash to a thin, pourable, tahini-based sauce laced with honey, garlic, and soy sauce. A topping of pepitas, sesame seeds, and cilantro brings a tasty crunch and lovely color to this company-worthy dish. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 47 Green Bean Salad with Crispy Bread Crumbs Greg DuPree If you're tagged to take a dish to Friendsgiving, this green bean salad would be a good one. To make it a day ahead, cover and chill the dressing and cooked beans separately. Store the breadcrumb mixture in an airtight container at room temperature. To serve, bring the beans and dressing to room temperature, toss, and then top with breadcrumbs. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 47 Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese Caitlin Bensel Here's a way to get your kids to eat their greens at Thanksgiving without the coaxing. Mozzarella, Parmesan, and evaporated milk combine for a rich, creamy base. Even better, everything cooks in one skillet on the stove for less than 30 minutes, saving you cooking and cleanup time—and freeing up the oven. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 47 Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds Antonis Achilleos Eggplant for Thanksgiving: Why isn't this already a thing? This recipe tops roasted eggplant rounds with an Asian-inspired sweet-spicy miso sauce. After a quick broil and sprinkle of sesame seeds and scallions, each bite delivers a deliciously melted center with a slight nutty crunch. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 47 Spanakopita Creamed Spinach Jennifer Causey This recipe is a traditional Thanksgiving side with a Greek accent. It's based on spanakopita—a savory spinach-and-feta pie enveloped in crispy phyllo. Ditch the crust and you have a decadent, silky, rich side dish worthy of a food-focused holiday. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 47 Pomegranate Dressing Christopher Testani It's hard to find a stuffing recipe that qualifies for our ready-in-under-an-hour list, but this one does. A package of frozen mirepoix (chopped celery, onion, and carrots) and store-bought bread cubes give you a head start. Last-minute additions of apricots, pomegranate arils, and pine nuts give this stuffing a nutty, fruity finish. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 47 Every-Citrus Salad With Almonds and Manchego Caitlin Bensel Looking for something bright and fresh for your Thanksgiving table? This salad packed with in-season citrus certainly fits the bill. Far from your everyday fruit salad, this one adds punchy radicchio and is dressed with an orange juice-based concoction made with shallots, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. GET THE RECIPE 32 of 47 Baked Sweet Potatoes Joy Skipper/Getty Images If your guests are expecting that sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows, we doubt they'll be disappointed to see this dish instead. Prep is so easy: just one baking sheet, four ingredients, 5 minutes to prep, and 45 minutes to cook. Make the toppings your own: Try maple syrup or brown sugar, cinnamon, and freshly grated orange zest. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 47 Maple Roasted Vegetables Grace Elkus Easy prep and cleanup? Check. Fall flavors? Check. Uses ingredients on hand? Check. This Thanksgiving-worthy recipe dresses up carrots and Brussels sprouts with a maple-syrup-and-olive-oil coating, resulting in beautifully caramelized vegetables that everyone will love. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 47 Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes Chris Court Just when you think we've listed every possible twist for mashed potatoes, here's one that goes back to basics. It adds just butter, sour cream, and whole milk (and salt and pepper, of course) to boiled potatoes to create this gravy-ready staple. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 47 Mustardy Kale Salad With Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple Roland Bello Leafy kale, roasted sweet potato chunks, and crunchy apple slices make this salad a celebration of fall flavors. Dressed in a tangy mustard vinaigrette and topped with roasted almonds and shaved pecorino, it delivers a medley of flavors and textures in every bite. GET THE RECIPE 36 of 47 Buffalo Cauliflower With Yogurt Ranch Victor Protasio This recipe takes a cauliflower side dish from bland to mind-blowing. Taking cues from the popular chicken-wing treatment, this recipe coats cauliflower with your favorite Buffalo-style hot sauce, and then cools things down with a Greek-yogurt-based finish. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 47 Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes Gentl & Hyers Brussels with grapes? Roasted grapes? We wondered about that too, but once you try this combo, you won't want to roast Brussels sprouts without them. If you need more convincing, this dish requires just one baking sheet, pantry staples, and 35 minutes, start to finish. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 47 Zucchini and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Greg DuPree This year, instead of stuffing a turkey, try stuffing your sweet potatoes! The microwave helps make quick work of this dish, which features a Southwestern-inspired bean mixture of zucchini, onion, and cayenne capped with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 47 Roasted Garlic Potatoes Greg DuPree This roasted potato recipe is simple yet classic. It's a one-sheet side that cooks for 45 minutes at 375 degrees F, so it's likely to get along well with other oven mates. What's better, there's no peeling, no mashing, and no mess! GET THE RECIPE 40 of 47 Everything Dinner Rolls Christopher Testani If making homemade dinner rolls for Thanksgiving is a non-starter, this is the perfect stand-in. Starting with your favorite frozen dinner rolls, brush the tops with honey butter, sprinkle with everything seasoning (store-bought or make your own), and then bake to golden brown. The result is a gorgeous sheen, a touch of sweetness, and a fancy finish worthy of a special occasion. GET THE RECIPE 41 of 47 Carrot and Parsnip Slaw Danny Kim Easy prep, one bowl, and make-ahead are just a few of the many traits that make this side a must-have for Thanksgiving. With its yogurt-and-lime-based dressing, this fresh, vibrant slaw will stand out among a field of rich, heavy options on the table. GET THE RECIPE 42 of 47 Cheesy Potato and Pancetta Bake Victor Protasio This decadent side uses pancetta to elevate an everyday layered potato dish to new heights. Pancetta—a salt-cured pork-belly meat similar to bacon—mingles with sautéed onions in a creamy white wine sauce to blanket sliced potatoes and fontina cheese. You'll certainly want to serve this more than once a year. GET THE RECIPE 43 of 47 Crispy Roasted Sliced Mushrooms Danny Kim Any combo of seasonal mushrooms works well for this super-simple, one-sheet, two-step recipe: 1. Toss, and 2. Roast. Sprigs of thyme roast with the mushrooms to lend a deep, herby flavor, but don't forget to save a few fresh ones for a garnish. GET THE RECIPE 44 of 47 Baked Barley Risotto With Butternut Squash Jonny Valiant Don't let "risotto" put you off this dish. Despite its finicky reputation, you stir this risotto for just 7 minutes, and then it finishes cooking in the oven. As you probably figured, this recipe calls for barley instead of rice, giving it a heartier bite. Add fresh baby spinach, Parmesan, and butter just before serving for a creamy, dreamy, one-skillet side. GET THE RECIPE 45 of 47 Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad Greg DuPree If you have room on your Thanksgiving table for pasta salad, this mayo-free version should be the one. Tender eggplant, briny kalamata olives, salty feta cheese, and fresh tomatoes join pasta in a red wine vinaigrette. Make it ahead to free up your stove and oven for the rest of your meal. GET THE RECIPE 46 of 47 Garlicky Green Beans With Pine Nuts Mikkel Vang This recipe upgrades green beans from plain to polished with the addition of sautéed garlic and toasted pine nuts. This simple staple takes just 15 minutes, start to finish, and is a welcome addition to a traditional Thanksgiving menu. GET THE RECIPE 47 of 47 Rosemary-Roasted Golden Beets and Carrots Con Poulos If you have a guest that isn't a fan of beets, this dish just might turn them. You'll certainly be a fan of this easy, one-sheet side. Just toss the ingredients and roast for 30 minutes or until tender. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit