Let's be honest, the sides are the real stars of Thanksgiving dinner.
The turkey gets all the attention, but it's the side dishes that people go back for seconds (and thirds) on. These 12 easy Thanksgiving side dishes are the ones I make year after year: crispy hot honey Brussels sprouts, creamy mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, cornbread dressing and more.
Every one is simple to make, full of flavor and made with ingredients you can feel good about. A few even cook in the air fryer or on the stovetop, so your oven stays free for the turkey. Mix and match your favorites to build a holiday table that feels special without spending all day in the kitchen.
Why you'll love these Thanksgiving sides
- Easy, no-fuss recipes: most are ready in 30 minutes or less, with simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
- Something for everyone: roasted veggies, cozy classics, a bright cranberry sauce and a few fun twists like hot honey and harissa.
- Oven-friendly planning: several cook on the stovetop or in the air fryer, so you're not juggling oven space on the big day.
- Make-ahead options: cranberry sauce and cornbread can be made a day or two before, so Thanksgiving morning is calmer.
- Big on flavor: these aren't boring, afterthought sides. They're the dishes people ask you to bring back next year.
The 12 side dishes
Crispy Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts
These Brussels sprouts roast on one pan until the edges are golden and crispy, then get tossed in sweet, spicy hot honey. They're ready in 30 minutes and always disappear first, even with the sprout skeptics at the table.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
No Thanksgiving is complete without a big bowl of mashed potatoes. These are rich, fluffy, and topped with melted ghee and fresh chives, and they come together on the stovetop in about 30 minutes.
Cornbread Dressing
This is the side people ask me to bring back every year. Golden cornbread gets mixed with savory breakfast sausage and fresh sage, then baked until the top is crisp and the middle stays soft.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Honey
Just 4 ingredients, one saucepan, and 12 minutes. Fresh cranberries simmer with orange and honey into a bright, tangy sauce that's so much better than canned. Make it a few days ahead and let it chill.
Fluffy Skillet Cornbread
Tender inside with golden, crispy edges and just a touch of honey. It's made in one bowl in 30 minutes, and you can bake it a day early to use in the cornbread dressing too.
Creamed Spinach
Rich, garlicky, and comforting, just like the steakhouse classic. It's ready in 20 minutes on the stovetop and is one of the most popular recipes on my blog.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
A colorful sheet pan side with caramelized sweet potatoes, tender-crisp green beans, garlic and thyme. It's a great option for anyone who wants sweet potatoes without the casserole.
Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots and Asparagus
These look so elegant on a holiday platter but take almost no effort. The veggies roast with garlic, then get tossed in honey and roasted again until glossy and tender.
Hot Honey Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower
A sweet and spicy twist on plain roasted veggies. Everything roasts on one sheet pan until golden, then gets a drizzle of hot honey to wake up your Thanksgiving table.
Savory Air Fryer Acorn Squash
Seasoned with thyme, rosemary, garlic and a pinch of nutmeg, this acorn squash tastes like fall in every bite. Since it's made in the air fryer, your oven stays free for the turkey.
Crispy Harissa Roasted Cauliflower
Want something a little different? This cauliflower roasts until crispy and gets a bold, smoky kick from harissa. It takes just 5 ingredients and 30 minutes.
Easy Sweet Potato Succotash
Sweet potatoes, corn, bell peppers and onion come together in one skillet in 25 minutes. It's cozy, colorful and (good news for my husband) has no lima beans!
Tips for planning your sides
- Pick a mix: aim for one or two roasted veggies, one creamy side, one starchy side and something bright like cranberry sauce.
- Plan around your oven: use the stovetop for mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and succotash, and the air fryer for the acorn squash, so the oven stays free for the turkey.
- Make what you can ahead: cranberry sauce can be made a few days early, and cornbread can be baked the day before.
- Use one sheet pan per roasted side: crowding the pan steams the veggies instead of crisping them.
- Add a finishing touch: fresh herbs, a drizzle of hot honey or a sprinkle of flaky salt right before serving makes every side look extra special.
FAQs
For most gatherings, 4 to 6 sides is plenty. A good rule is one or two veggies, one potato dish, one stuffing or bread, and cranberry sauce.
Cranberry sauce can be made up to a few days ahead and kept in the fridge. Cornbread can be baked the day before, which also makes the cornbread dressing easier on Thanksgiving Day.
Keep stovetop sides like mashed potatoes covered on low heat, and hold roasted veggies in a warm oven (around 200°F) for up to 30 minutes. Add any fresh herbs or hot honey right before serving.
Mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, cranberry sauce and sweet potato succotash all cook on the stovetop, and the acorn squash is made in the air fryer.
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