Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes – Looking for a fun and easy way to spice up your Thanksgiving meal this year? Easy Thanksgiving side dishes are the way to go! They bring a tasty variety that pairs perfectly with your main dish. In this post, I’ve put together 17 delicious and super-simple side dish ideas that will make your holiday prep a breeze!
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Makyla’s Thanksgiving Hosting Tips
1. Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time
Chop veggies, measure spices, and prepare sauces a day or two before Thanksgiving. This cuts down cooking time on the big day, making it easier to throw dishes together quickly.
2. Choose Make-Ahead Recipes
Select side dishes like casseroles, mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies that can be made the day before. Simply reheat them on Thanksgiving Day to keep the kitchen stress-free.
3. Simplify with One-Pan and Slow Cooker Sides
Use sheet pans for roasted vegetables or stuffing and a slow cooker for mashed potatoes or green beans. These methods free up oven space and make clean-up easier.
4. Opt for Versatile Ingredients
Choose ingredients that work across multiple dishes, like fresh herbs, butter, and garlic. For example, you can use rosemary in roasted potatoes and stuffing.
5. Add Finishing Touches Just Before Serving
A sprinkle of fresh herbs, a dash of sea salt, or a drizzle of olive oil can elevate your Thanksgiving side dishes.
17 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Bake
Only 3 ingredients make this Brussels sprouts and bacon bake an easy, hands-off side dish for Thanksgiving.
Simply prep the Brussels sprouts and bacon, then toss them with oil in a baking pan.
This Thanksgiving side dish pairs well with turkey, chicken or lamb.
Old Fashioned Baked Mac And Cheese
Who doesn’t love creamy pasta? This easy-baked mac and cheese is simple to make from scratch and tastes much better than a boxed version.
Made with pantry staples, you first make an easy roux, then mix in cheese for the classic cheesy sauce.
Add the cooked macaroni and mix together. Then, top with breadcrumbs and more cheese before baking in the oven for a bubbly, delicious Thanksgiving side dish.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Free up your oven space by using your air fryer for this simple but delicious vegetable side dish.
These aren’t your Brussels sprouts! They are packed with flavour and pair perfectly with turkey, chicken or ham.
Add parmesan cheese or leave it off for a simplified version.
Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
Dinner rolls are always a hit!
These super simple dinner rolls are made in a bread machine, which frees up your time while you prepare other Thanksgiving dinner dishes.
If you don’t have a bread machine, you can knead the dough in a stand mixer or by hand.
Make these the night before so you can have more time to focus on dishes that need cooking on the day.
Air Fryer Parsnips
Parsnip cooked in the air fryer is another super quick and easy vegetable side to make.
Seasoned to perfection, this simple side dish does not lack flavour!
Plus, it frees up your precious oven space that you’ll need for other dishes.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Who doesn’t love a gooey oozing cheesy garlic bread?
This quick and easy recipe makes the most mouth-watering garlic bread – I guarantee your guests will be asking you for the recipe.
Prepare this the night before so you can quickly throw it in the oven before dinner.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Looking for a new way to serve sweet potatoes?
These simple, quick and yummy air fryer sweet potato fries are perfect.
This is a simple, budget-friendly recipe that frees up your oven space.
Serve as a side dish or an appetiser.
Homemade Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Sweet cornbread makes a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving feast.
This soft, golden-brown bread is made from cornmeal and sugar.
Its tender texture goes well with savoury dishes, making it a great choice to serve warm with turkey, stuffing, and rich gravies.
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Cranberry sauce is a tangy, sweet condiment made from fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and water.
This vibrant sauce is quickly prepared in 15 minutes and simmered until the cranberries burst, creating a thick, glossy texture.
Perfect for balancing the flavours of roasted meats, it adds a bright splash of colour and flavour to your Thanksgiving table.
Serve it chilled or at room temperature alongside turkey, stuffing, and other festive dishes.
Crispy Bacon Brussels Sprout Salad
Brussels sprouts salad is a fresh, healthy side dish perfect for Thanksgiving.
Thinly sliced Brussels sprouts are tossed with bacon, blue cheese, toasted pecans, and a honey vinaigrette.
This salad offers a delightful balance of crunchy texture and tart sweetness, making it a vibrant addition to your holiday table.
Hasselback Potato Gratin
Hasselback potato gratin is a stunning and indulgent side dish perfect for Thanksgiving.
This recipe features thinly sliced potatoes layered with rich cream, cheese, bacon and aromatic herbs.
Baked until golden and bubbly, the dish boasts a crispy top with tender, flavorful layers beneath.
It’s a comforting addition to your holiday feast.
Classic Brioche Stuffing Recipe
Classic brioche stuffing is a rich and flavourful side dish perfect for Thanksgiving.
Made with buttery brioche cubes, sautéed onions, celery, and garlic, this stuffing is infused with fresh herbs for added depth.
Bound with broth and eggs, it bakes into a golden, crispy topping while remaining soft and moist inside.
Creamed Corn
Ditch the canned creamed corn this year and make your own! It’s so easy and tastes SO much better!
Made with sweet corn kernels and sautéed onions simmered in butter, cream, and milk.
Seasoned with salt and pepper, this dish is cooked until thick and bubbly and finished with fresh herbs for brightness.
It is a simple but delicious side dish that’s worth making!
Baked Candied Yams
These baked candied yams are coated in a rich sauce made with butter and brown sugar, giving each yam a comforting flavour with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
This recipe is not just a tasty side dish; it’s a cherished Southern tradition that many folks enjoy during Thanksgiving gatherings.
Honey Roasted Vegetables
These delightful honey-roasted vegetables are quick to prepare and incredibly easy to make using just a sheet pan.
A colourful medley of hearty vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, comes together for a flavourful dish that caramelises beautifully in the oven.
This versatile side dish pairs exceptionally well with various types of meat, such as roasted chicken or grilled steak.
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
Jazz up traditionally roasted pumpkin with some warming cinnamon.
This side dish can be prepared 2-3 days before Thanksgiving and then baked in the oven.
It pairs perfectly with turkey or chicken.
Creamed Spinach
This creamed spinach recipe is budget-friendly since it’s made from frozen spinach and cream cheese.
There is no need for multiple types of expensive cheese or bags of fresh spinach!
This side dish pairs well with turkey, chicken, ham and lamb.
I hope you enjoyed these 17 delicious and super-simple Thanksgiving side dish ideas to make your holiday prep a breeze!
