Best Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

🥗Thanksgiving Salads

Even though Thanksgiving is known for hearty casseroles and rich comfort food, a fresh, colorful salad balances the table beautifully. These salads aren't just an afterthought-they add brightness, crunch, and seasonal flavor that pairs perfectly with turkey and dressing.

1. Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad

This Apple Walnut Cranberry Salad includes a Mixed Green Spinach Salad with Green Apples, Dried Cranberries, Walnuts, and Gorgonzola Cheese. This salad explodes with flavor.

Check out this recipe

2. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, with apples, pomegranates, parmesan, and pecans, is drizzled with a sweet and tangy apple cider vinaigrette, is crunchy and delicious.

Check out this recipe

🥕 Vegetable Side Dishes

Vegetable side dishes bring color, nutrition, and comforting flavor to your Thanksgiving spread. These options range from classics like sweet potato casserole to crowd-pleasers like bacon and balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts.

5. Green Bean Casserole

Homemade Green Bean Casserole

This Homemade Green Bean Casserole is a traditional recipe made from scratch with fresh green beans and a homemade mushroom sauce and is perfect Thanksgiving side dish.

Check out this recipe

6. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Honey Pecan Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

Make crispy bacon-wrapped asparagus in the oven with a buttery honey-pecan glaze that caramelizes into pure magic. 🥓💚 It's the perfect blend of salty, sweet, and savory – easy enough for weeknight dinners yet fancy enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Ready in about 30 minutes, this simple side (or appetizer!) brings steakhouse flavor to any meal.

Check out this recipe

7. Gourmet Roasted Carrots

Gourmet Honey Butter Roasted Carrots Recipe

This holiday side dish is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors. Roasted carrots are caramelized in honey butter, then topped with creamy feta and crunchy nuts for a delicious side dish.

Check out this recipe

8. Bacon & Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic

These Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic will turn brussels sprouts haters into brussels sprouts lovers! Why? Because roasting the brussels sprouts with Bacon, onion, and a Balsamic Glaze adds incredible flavor!

Check out this recipe

9. Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows Recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows are mashed sweet potatoes mixed with cinnamon, butter, white and brown sugar, and topped with mini marshmallows for a delish Thanksgiving side dish.

Check out this recipe

10. Yellow Squash Casserole

Southern Squash Casserole

Southern Squash Casserole is a comforting side dish casserole, often served during the holidays, with tender, cooked yellow squash, onions,  sour cream and cheddar cheese topped with crushed buttery crackers.

Check out this recipe

11. Acorn Squash – Instant Pot

Instant Pot Acorn Squash

Instant Pot Acorn Squash, with only 5 ingredients, cooks up in less than 25 minutes and makes a comforting sweetened Fall side dish that is perfect for Thanksgiving.

Check out this recipe

12. Mashed Butternut Squash

Instant Pot Mashed Butternut Squash

Mashed Butternut squash makes a delicious Thanksgiving side dish perfect for celebrating Fall. Instant Pot Mashed Butternut Squash is easy to make and will be on your holiday table in no time!

Check out this recipe

13. Corn Casserole with Sausage

Corn Casserole with Sausage

This Corn Casserole recipe takes the Jiffy Corn Casserole and gives it a Tex-Mex or Mexican twist to create a Mexican Corn Casserole with sausage, jalapenos, diced tomatoes, and green chiles added to the traditional corn casserole.

Check out this recipe

14. Bacon Ranch Hash Brown Casserole

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

This creamy, cheesy hash brown potato casserole that has been served at family gatherings, potlucks, funerals, and church suppers for generations.

Check out this recipe

15. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are very similar to Potatoes Au Gratin because they are drenched in a creamy, cheesy, garlicky cream sauce and then covered in more cheese! They make a perfect comfort food side dish for all your holiday dinners!

Check out this recipe

🍝 Pasta Side Dishes

For some families, no holiday table is complete without mac and cheese or a twist on stuffing. These pasta-based side dishes are rich, creamy, and always among the first to disappear.

16. Fifteen-Minute Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Five-Cheese Fifteen-Minute Stovetop Mac n Cheese

Five-Cheese, Fifteen-Minute Stovetop Mac 'n' Cheese is the quickest, creamiest, and cheesiest homemade macaroni and cheese that is so tasty, it will entice your family to come "Back Around the Table" for this creamy, cheesy comfort food.

Check out this recipe

17. Butternut Squash Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Chipotle Butternut Squash Skillet Mac ‘n Cheese

Chipotle Butternut Squash Skillet Mac ‘n Cheese is a quick and easy, naturally cheesy fall comfort food that can be made on the stove or on the grill!

Check out this recipe

Stuffing Recipes

No Thanksgiving table is complete without stuffing (or dressing, depending on what your family calls it!). Whether you prefer a traditional cornbread dressing passed down for generations or a more creative twist like Hawaiian bread stuffing with cranberries and pecans, these recipes bring warmth, texture, and flavor to every holiday plate.

18. Cranberry Pecan Hawaiian Bread Stuffing

Hawaiian Bread Cranberry Pecan Stuffing

Cranberry pecan stuffing is a delightful twist on the classic holiday side dish, bringing together the flavors of sweet Hawaiian Bread, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and fresh herbs. This recipe is ideal for holiday gatherings, adding a sweet, nutty flavor and beautiful color that compliments roasted meats and other seasonal favorites. Whether you're serving it for Thanksgiving or a cozy winter dinner, cranberry pecan stuffing is sure to impress.

Check out this recipe

19. Cornbread Stuffing

Easy Cornbread Dressing

This Easy Cornbread Dressing recipe, or stuffing if you prefer, is a must for a family’s Thanksgiving holiday table.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving is a time for comfort food, family favorites, and recipes that make memories. These easy side dish recipes have all been tested in my own kitchen and enjoyed by my family here in South Texas.

Whether you're looking for a classic holiday side like cornbread dressing or something new and exciting like honey pecan glazed bacon-wrapped asparagus, this round-up has you covered.

I hope this list helps you plan a stress-free holiday menu filled with delicious dishes your guests will love. If you try any of these recipes, I'd love to hear from you-leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating or comment to let me know your favorites.

Happy Thanksgiving, from my kitchen to yours!