Food Recipes 15 Delicious Thanksgiving Sides to Complete Your Turkey Day Feast Let’s hear it for the sides! By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Traditional Sides Vegetarian Sides Vegan Sides Close Photo: Anna Williams We look forward to Thanksgiving Dinner all year, but let’s be honest, it’s really for the sides. The turkey (or tofurkey) is great and all, but it’s the casseroles and mashed potatoes and creamy green veggies that surround your entree that makes this meal so memorable. And it’s the sides that have everyone going back for seconds. You can never have too many sides at Thanksgiving, so make these traditional, vegetarian, and vegan side dish recipes to complete your feast this Turkey Day. 17 Recipes For Your Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Traditional Thanksgiving Sides Tradition is what makes the annual Thanksgiving feast so special. But if you’ve lost a family recipe, want to spruce up a classic, or add to the spread with a new tradition, these classic Thanksgiving side dish recipes are for you. Sage Apple Stuffing Anna Williams Stuffing on the table is a Thanksgiving classic, but up the ante a notch with this version that adds apple and sage for ultimate savoriness. Swap chicken broth for veggie broth to make this one vegetarian too. GET THE RECIPE Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes Danny Kim The trick to never having leftover mashed potatoes? This brown butter. It just takes a few more minutes to get those toasty notes, and you’ll be known as the Thanksgiving mashed potato expert. GET THE RECIPE Easy, Make-Ahead Shallot Gravy Greg Dupree This gravy is so good, you'll want to put it on everything. Chopped sautéed shallots get mixed into the silky gravy for added texture. If you prefer a completely smooth gravy, strain the shallot bits or blend it till smooth. GET THE RECIPE Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette Gentl & Hyers No one’s ever said no to a little extra bacon at Thanksgiving dinner. This green bean casserole recipe skips the crispy canned onions for a crunchy upgrade. GET THE RECIPE Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta Anna Williams These crisp, caramelized sprouts have some added crunch from the pancetta, and are the perfect accompaniment to any Thanksgiving feast. They're so luscious, in fact, you may forget they’re a vegetable. GET THE RECIPE Vegetarian Thanksgiving Sides It’s 2022, meat is totally optional at Thanksgiving! And while plenty of traditional sides include non-vegetarian ingredients, there are countless 100 percent vegetarian sides that are crave-worthy and don’t require any ingredient swaps. 40+ Summer Vegetarian Recipes to Make on Meatless Monday and Beyond Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes Victor Protasio Add some creaminess and sweetness to your mashed potatoes with this mascarpone recipe. It’s simple to make and oh-so-elegant. GET THE RECIPE Sweet Potato Casserole Chris Court Marshmallows aren’t always vegetarian, so switch it up with this sweet potato casserole. Shredded coconut and pecans add a sweet crunch that makes this side dish almost dessert-worthy. GET THE RECIPE Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese Caitlin Bensel Every great Thanksgiving table has mac and cheese on it. Add some greens to your mac with this recipe, which will entice vegetarians and carnivores alike. Expect an empty casserole dish. GET THE RECIPE Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Bake Victor Protasio Add some sophistication to your Thanksgiving spread with wild rice, which is indigenous to North America. This squash bake can be prepared in advance and will earn you compliments, whether you’re hosting or bringing a side GET THE RECIPE Vegan Thanksgiving Sides A purely plant-based Thanksgiving is totally possible, and there are plenty of vegan sides to make it happen. Whether you’re going with faux-turkey or making a feast of side dishes, these recipes will make your vegan holiday special. 12 Vegan Soup Recipes Using Your Favorite Seasonal Vegetables Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Grapes Gentl & Hyers Pack a little bunch in your Brussels dish with this elegant side that’s as pretty as it is tasty. Add some breadcrumbs or crushed nuts on top for added crunch. GET THE RECIPE Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole Antonis Achilleos Creamed spinach, but veganized, tangy, and nutritious, this casserole is totally plant-based and delicious. Almond milk and cashew butter add to the richness, and plenty of greens make this decadent side healthy. GET THE RECIPE Garlicky Green Beans With Pine Nuts Mikkel Vang This recipe has it all, and it’s super-easy to make! Garlic, nuts, and fresh green beans all come together quickly for the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner. GET THE RECIPE Israeli Couscous With Corn Greg DuPree Forget creamed corn, this couscous dish is where it’s at. It’s a side that will pair with pretty much everything on your table, and is delicious hot, room temperature, or even cold. Can you imagine a more beautiful thing? GET THE RECIPE Loaded Sweet Potatoes With Coconut and Kale Victor Protasio A half-dozen of these sweet potatoes would look delectable on a platter, but the recipe can be scaled for plant-based Thanksgivings of any size. Cut the baked sweet potatoes in quarters for smaller portions to share. GET THE RECIPE Maple Roasted Vegetables Grace Elkus Add some more veg to your table with this 100 percent plant-based side dish recipe using maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Get creative and use whatever late fall veggies you have on hand, like beets! GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit