60+ EASY Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Make This Year

Easy Side Dishes are the key to a perfect Thanksgiving feast. Cook up the turkey and make sure you add these easy Thanksgiving side dish recipes to the table!

Table of Contents

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is almost here! As soon as November starts, my brain switches to Thanksgiving mode. Of course you’re going to make the turkey, but we all know the true star of the day is the side dishes!

From the classic Thanksgiving side dish recipes to the more creative and fun sides, I’ve put together a list of recipes that will complete the feast. The last thing we need is complicated dishes to add chaos to the day, so stick to easy Thanksgiving side dishes that won’t cause any stress!

Make room for the mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, veggies, and everything else you need to pile onto your plate next to the turkey!

Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Turkey Stuffing — Turkey Stuffing

Essential Kitchen Tools

Make sure your kitchen is ready for the big holiday feast by getting all the right tools and equipment you’ll need beforehand.

Ingredients List

Before you start cooking the Thanksgiving sides, make sure you stock up on all the necessary ingredients. This is not a full list, but these are some of the things most of you will be using on the big day.

Turkey
Potatoes
Olive Oil
Typical spices and seasonings
Sweet Potatoes
Green Beans
Brussels Sprouts
Cheese
Bacon
Flour
Milk
Heavy Cream
Butter
Mushrooms
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Broccoli
Carrots
French Fried Onions
Garlic

Easy Thanksgiving Recipes: Instant Pot Turkey

Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

Before we get to the easy Thanksgiving side dishes, I want to share my favorite ways to make the turkey. It’s the center of the feast so we want it to be GOOD but we also want it to be EASY.

I shared the step by step recipe and ALL of my best tips for roasting a turkey. So you can make the PERFECT roast turkey for Thanksgiving this year.

If the traditional turkey isn’t for you, here are some other easy recipes you can try:

Easy Thanksgiving Sides: Green Bean Casserole in a blue dish — Classic Green Bean Casserole

What are the most common side dishes for Thanksgiving?

There are a few classic Thanksgiving side dishes that most people expect to see on the table. Of course you don’t have to stick to the traditional recipes, but adding a few classics to the menu will keep everyone happy!

What side dishes can I make ahead of time?

I LOVE make ahead recipes for Thanksgiving! With all of the side dishes on the menu, the kitchen is absolute chaos before the feast. Anything you can make ahead of time will make the whole holiday cooking process much smoother.

Some of the recipes that usually save the day by saving time are my Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes, Make Ahead Yeast Rolls, and my Make Ahead Turkey Gravy Recipe!

How many Thanksgiving sides should I make?

When it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes, more is better! We’ve got tons and tons of people to feed here, and the last thing anyone wants is to run out of food.

There’s no math or science involved in this answer, but I’m just gonna make a suggestion: 5 side dishes is a good minimum, but I wouldn’t be opposed to having up to 10 options.

The larger your guest list is, the more sides you’ll need. I mean, we’re all expecting to live off of leftovers for a week after, right? No skimping!

cheesy scalloped potatoes in a white casserole dish — Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

What are some easy Thanksgiving side ideas with cheese?

Give me ALL the cheese. If you want cheesy side dishes for Thanksgiving, then I’ve definitely got you covered. I think you can add cheese to anything, but these are my favorites.

What are some sides for vegetarians?

If you’re a vegetarian, Thanksgiving is a great opportunity for you to fill up on delicious side dishes! There are so many on the table, you definitely won’t go hungry. A lot of the recipes on this list are vegetarian-friendly, but here are some favorites.

Can I make Thanksgiving sides in a slow cooker?

My favorite easy side dishes are the ones that you can make in a crock pot. It’s basically hands off cooking, which I’m a total fan of.

Healthy Thanksgiving recipes: grilled asparagus on a white dish — Lemon Butter Asparagus

What are some healthy Thanksgiving side dishes?

If you want to keep things on the healthier side this holiday season, you still have plenty of amazing options. You might have to skip the cheese-filled dishes, but there are so many veggie-heavy recipes to make! You can even add in some salads and simple roasted vegetables.

Here are a few ideas:

a basket of homemade crescent rolls — Homemade Crescent Rolls

What kind of bread should I make on Thanksgiving?

You’ve got the turkey, you’ve got the side dishes, and you’ve prepared the desserts for later. But Thanksgiving needs bread too! Try some of these recipes: