21+ Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is almost here, and while the turkey might take center stage on your Thanksgiving table, let’s be honest – the sides are where the action really is! Whether you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu for the first time or you’re packing up to have your meal at someone else’s house, these 21 Easy Thanksgiving side dishes will be a hit with your family and friends!

The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

From creamy mashed potatoes to classic green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole to fresh salad options, I’m sharing some common family favorites along with some other dishes you may not expect to serve alongside your Thanksgiving Turkey. 

Many of these recipes can be made ahead, giving you more time to enjoy the holiday table with your loved ones instead of spending every last minute in a hot oven. 

P.S. We don’t eat homemade cranberry sauce with my family… we are diehard canned cranberry sauce fans. But that’s okay – we serve it up in this amazing dish!!

Potatoes: The Ultimate Comfort Side Dishes

🥔 The Best Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/the-best-mashed-potatoes-with-cream-cheese/

Rich, creamy, and perfectly smooth, these mashed potatoes are made extra fluffy with cream cheese! The combination of sour cream, heavy cream, and cream cheese creates the ultimate creamy mashed potatoes that pair beautifully with any main course. This recipe is a delicious way to elevate traditional mashed potatoes and will quickly become a new family favorite at your family’s Thanksgiving dinner.

🧀 Crockpot Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/crockpot-funeral-potatoes-cheesy-potato-casserole/

Cheesy and cruncy, these slow-cooker “funeral potatoes” are the ultimate crowd favorite for holidays or potlucks. This hearty side dish combines frozen potatoes with rich flavor from multiple cheeses and sour cream, to make for a potato dish everyone will love. And the slow cooker method means one less dish competing for space in your hot oven on a busy day of cooking.

⚡Easy Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/easy-instant-pot-au-gratin-potatoes/

Tender, cheesy potatoes layered with heavy cream and cooked to perfection! These potatoes are ready in a fraction of the time thanks to the Instant Pot! This great way to prepare au gratin potatoes features layers of parmesan cheese and creates those crisp edges everyone loves without tying up your oven. The extra flavor comes from a simple seasoning of herbs and the rich flavor of multiple cheese varieties.

🥔 Instant Pot Potato Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-potato-salad/

Creamy, classic potato salad made quick and easy with the Instant Pot. This version features sour cream for tanginess and can be brought to room temperature before serving. It’s one of those easy vegetable Thanksgiving side dishes that works beautifully with any holiday feast.

🥔 No Onion (Best Baked Potato Salad)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/no-onion-best-baked-potato-salad/

This “baked potato” style potato salad skips the onions and relish but keeps all the flavor! Perfect for guests who prefer milder flavors, this potato dish combines all the good stuff for potato salad but also sits well with your picky eaters! 

Green Thanksgiving Recipes

🥦 Broccoli Cheese Cornbread

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/broccoli-cheese-cornbread/

Cheesy and loaded with broccoli, this southern-style cornbread pairs perfectly with soups, chili, or holiday dinners. The addition of cheddar cheese adds extra flavor, while the broccoli adds some color and texture. Bake this in a cast iron skillet for extra crispy edges. This is one of our favorite sides.

🥬 Easy Crockpot Collard Greens

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/easy-crockpot-collard-greens/

Smoky, tender, and seasoned to perfection – these southern-style collard greens cook low and slow in your crockpot. This is a delicious way to prepare greens for your Thanksgiving menu, and the slow cooking method means you can prep them the night before the big day. The rich flavor develops over hours of cooking, creating one of those classic recipes that tastes even better the next day and is always part of our Thanksgiving spread.

🧀 Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (Keto)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/cheesy-green-bean-casserole-keto/

This low-carb twist on the classic green bean casserole is creamy, cheesy, and totally crave-worthy – no canned soup required! For those watching their carbs, this keto-friendly version delivers all the comfort of the classic recipes without the guilt.

🥓 Old-Fashioned Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/old-fashioned-green-beans-bacon-brown-sugar/

Sweet, salty, and full of flavor — these southern-style green beans are simmered with crispy bacon and brown sugar for the ultimate comfort side. This delicious thanksgiving dish combines the smokiness of bacon with the caramelized sweetness of brown sugar, creating a hearty side dish that appeals to all ages.

🥬 Instant Pot Southern Green Beans Recipe

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-southern-green-beans-recipe/

Tender green beans infused with bacon flavor – this Instant Pot version gives you that slow-cooked southern taste in record time. When your oven is full and you need to get multiple dishes on the table, this Instant Pot method is a great way to prepare classic green bean casserole flavors with simple seasoning and minimal fuss.

Bring on the Carbs: Corn and Rice Creations

🌽 Cream Cheese Corn (Easy Casserole Recipe)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/cream-cheese-corn-easy-casserole-recipe/

Sweet corn meets tangy cream cheese in this quick, crowd-pleasing corn casserole that’s ideal for holidays, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. This easy recipe transforms simple ingredients into a rich, creamy side that pairs perfectly with roast turkey. The cream cheese creates a luscious texture that makes this one of the best Thanksgiving sides at any holiday feast.

🍚 Instant Pot Zatarain’s Dirty Rice

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-zatarains-dirty-rice/

Spicy, flavorful, and oh-so-easy – this classic Cajun side comes together in minutes with Zatarain’s mix and the Instant Pot. I realize this is probably more of a southern/Cajun tradition but if you want to mix things up – add this to the menu! This hearty side dish adds extra flavor and a bit of heat to your Thanksgiving table, offering something different from traditional holiday fare while still being incredibly easy to prepare.

🌽 Instant Pot Corn on the Cob (Fresh or Frozen)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-corn-on-the-cob-fresh-or-frozen/

Crisp, juicy corn on the cob made effortlessly in your Instant Pot. It’s perfect every single time, fresh or frozen! Brush with olive oil and butter for extra richness, or try drizzling with maple syrup for a sweet twist. This simple preparation lets the natural sweetness of the corn shine through.

🌽 Corn & Macaroni Casserole

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/corn-mac-casserole/

The ultimate comfort casserole – creamy mac and cheese meets sweet corn for a side dish that everyone will love. This new recipe combines two beloved comfort foods into one irresistible dish that’s perfect for a Thanksgiving potluck or a family’s Thanksgiving dinner.

Fresh and Light: Salad Options

Not every dish on your Thanksgiving table needs to be heavy and rich. These fresh salad options provide a delicious way to balance the heavier elements of your holiday feast while adding bright colors and tangy dressing to the dinner spread.

🥓 Bacon Tomato Ranch Pasta Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/bacon-tomato-ranch-pasta-salad/

Loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and creamy ranch dressing, this easy pasta salad is summer perfection in every bite! While it might seem unconventional for a holiday table, this crowd-pleaser brings fresh, bright flavors to balance the richer dishes.

🥬 5-Ingredient BLT Salad (Breadless)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/5-ingredient-blt-salad-breadless/

All the flavor of a BLT without the white bread! Crisp lettuce, smoky bacon, and juicy tomatoes tossed in a quick, creamy dressing create a fresh salad that takes just minutes to prepare. This is perfect when you need a last-minute addition to your holiday table.

🥒 German Cucumber Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/german-cucumber-salad/

Light, tangy, and refreshing, this traditional German salad with vinegar and dill is the perfect lighter side dish. The tangy dressing with lemon zest provides a bright counterpoint to heavier dishes, making it a great way to add variety to your Thanksgiving menu.

🥦 Crunchy Oriental Broccoli Salad with Homemade Sweet & Sour Dressing

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/crunchy-oriental-broccoli-salad-with-homemade-sweet-sour-dressing/

Crispy broccoli, toasted ramen, and a tangy homemade dressing make this salad a crunchy, flavorful crowd-pleaser. The homemade sweet & sour dressing brings extra flavor without being too heavy. This is one of those healthy Thanksgiving side dishes that still feels indulgent.

🍇 Creamy Grape Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/creamy-grape-salad/

Sweet, creamy, and topped with brown sugar and pecans – this southern grape salad is simple, delicious, and always a hit. The combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and brown sugar creates a dessert-like side that’s perfect for those who love sweet flavors on their holiday table.

🍓Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/spinach-strawberry-artichoke-salad-a-perfect-summer-salad/

Bright, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, this Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing adds a refreshing touch to your Thanksgiving table. Fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, tangy feta, and sweet candied pecans come together in minutes for a side that perfectly balances all those rich holiday dishes. It’s light, colorful, and guaranteed to impress your guests!

Southern Staples and Crowd Favorites

🫛 Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-black-eyed-peas/

A hearty southern favorite made fast! These black-eyed peas are perfectly seasoned and ready in under an hour with no soaking. Season them with olive oil, crispy bacon, and simple seasoning for a traditional southern side that brings good luck when served on New Year’s but works beautifully at Thanksgiving too.

🥚 Classic Deviled Eggs (Best Recipe)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/classic-deviled-eggs-best-recipe/

A timeless favorite — these creamy, perfectly seasoned deviled eggs are a must-make for holidays, picnics, and potlucks. Bring the eggs to room temperature before preparing them, and use sour cream in the filling for extra creaminess. This classic recipe is always the first to disappear from the holiday table.