by Traci · 11/21/2024

26 Easy Thanksgiving Sides for a Stress-Free Feast

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Welcome to my collection of easy Thanksgiving sides to make hosting stress-free and enjoyable for you! Thanksgiving is about good food and great company, and these beginner-friendly recipes are my reader-approved favorites with step-by-step instructions to ensure your holiday meal is both simple and delicious.

baked butternut squash mac and cheese with crispy panko topping in white baking dish with serving spoon

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Table of Contents hide

1) A Variety of Flavors for Everyone

2) Easy to Mix and Match

3) Perfect for Beginners

4) Holiday Dinner Sauces and Condiments

5) Thanksgiving Stuffing

6) Thanksgiving Potatoes

7) Thanksgiving Salads

8) Thanksgiving Sides: Pasta

9) Essential Casseroles

10) Thanksgiving Sides: Soups

11) Let's Break Bread

12) Vegetable Sides

A Variety of Flavors for Everyone

Thanksgiving sides are the heart of the meal, offering something for everyone. This collection has all the classics—like creamy potatoes, savory stuffing, and rich casseroles—along with fresh, vibrant salads and roasted vegetables to round out your spread. Whether you’re hosting for the first time or just looking for reliable recipes, you’ll find plenty to choose from here.

Easy to Mix and Match

The beauty of these recipes is their flexibility. Pair hearty dishes like stuffing or casseroles with lighter options like salads or roasted vegetables. Add a breadbasket for that homemade touch, or kick off your meal with a comforting soup. These mix-and-match options ensure your menu is perfectly tailored to your table.

Perfect for Beginners

Each recipe includes step-by-step guidance, making it approachable even for first-time Thanksgiving cooks. No need to worry about complicated techniques—these tried-and-true favorites are as straightforward as they are delicious. With these recipes, you’ll enjoy stress-free cooking and a table full of happy guests.

Holiday Dinner Sauces and Condiments

Easy Turkey Gravy Recipe

turkey gravy is ladled from white gravy boat

Quick and easy turkey gravy with just five ingredients—use drippings or simple alternatives.

How to Make Gravy without Drippings

gravy is ladled from gray bowl

A silky gravy made in 10 minutes—perfect even without drippings.

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

cranberry orange sauce in bowl with serving spoon

A quick cranberry sauce with a hint of citrus from orange juice—brightens up the classic holiday flavor.

Pomegranate Cranberry Relish

pomegranate cranberry relish in glass jar with spoon

A no-cook, juicy relish with cranberries and pomegranate—perfect as a side or on crostini.

Thanksgiving Stuffing

Apple Sausage Stuffing

baked sausage apple stuffing in white baking dish with serving spoon

A savory stuffing with sausage, apples, cranberries, and a nutty topping—a twist on a classic.

Best Ever Bread Stuffing Recipe

bread stuffing in white baking dish with serving utensil

Moist bread cubes with savory herbs and a crispy, buttery topping—just like classic Thanksgiving stuffing.

Thanksgiving Potatoes

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes Recipe

sour cream mashed potatoes with fresh chives in wood serving bowl

Creamy mashed potatoes made with sour cream for a rich, fluffy texture—make them ahead for convenience.

Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

mashed potatoes in Instant Pot with wood spoon

Easy mashed potatoes made in the Instant Pot—no peeling, boiling, or heavy lifting required.

Baked Smashed Potatoes Recipe

crispy smashed potatoes on baking sheet

Crispy smashed baby potatoes with a soft center—great with customizable toppings.

Thanksgiving Salads

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe

shaved Brussels sprout salad with kale, apples, dried cranberries, and pomegranate in a white bowl

A festive salad loaded with raw winter veggies—healthy, flavorful, and diet-friendly.

Citrus Salad Recipe

citrus salad on white serving platter

Refreshing citrus salad is a bright and festive Thanksgiving side! Made with blood oranges, navel oranges, and white grapefruit over arugula, it’s topped with walnuts and a zesty lemon dressing for a fresh contrast to rich holiday dishes.

Lemon Kale Salad Recipe

kale salad with toppings in glass bowl with salad tongs

A delicious kale salad recipe made with lemon dressing, chickpeas, avocado, Parmesan, and nuts. It's sweet, savory, tender, and crunchy!

Thanksgiving Sides: Pasta

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe

baked butternut squash mac and cheese with crispy panko topping in white baking dish with serving spoon

Creamy, baked mac and cheese with butternut squash—serve as a main or side.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

mac and cheese in Instant Pot with serving utensil

Classic mac and cheese made easy in the Instant Pot—a family favorite side.

One Pot Pumpkin Pasta

Pumpkin pasta in the Instant Pot

Pumpkin pasta is cozy comfort, perfect for holiday dinner! The velvety sauce, made with canned pumpkin, adds rich flavor, festive color, and a boost of nutrients.

Essential Casseroles

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

creamy green bean casserole with crispy French onion topping in white baking dish with serving spoon

A classic casserole with fresh green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy onion topping.

The Best Vegan Green Bean Casserole

wooden spoon scoops creamy vegan green bean casserole from a white baking dish

Fresh green beans with creamy mushroom soup and a crispy topping—loved by vegans and non-vegans alike.

Thanksgiving Sides: Soups

Easy Cream of Mushroom Soup

cream of mushroom soup in white bowl with soup spoon

Rich and creamy homemade mushroom soup—perfect for green bean casserole or as a standalone dish.

Unbelievably Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup

vegan cream of mushroom soup in brown bowl with spoon

My vegan cream of mushroom soup is unbelievably rich, velvety, and packed with savory mushrooms. Perfect as a soup or the creamy base for your vegan green bean casserole!

Let's Break Bread

Vegetable Sides

Air Fryer Asparagus (with Parmesan option)

asparagus with Parmesan and chopped parsley garnish on white serving plate

Here's how to cook asparagus in the air fryer perfectly tender and crispy in minutes with minimal oil, ready for your holiday dinner!

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts, red onion, fennel, pomegranate, and pepitas on white plate on gray background

Maple roasted brussels sprouts are a holiday favorite, combining savory, sweet, and crunchy textures! This elegant side dish is perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday dinner.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air fried Brussels sprouts in white serving bowl

Air fryer Brussels sprouts are perfectly crispy outside and tender inside with minimal oil. This air fried side or snack is ready in minutes!

Garlicky Oven Roasted Mushrooms

garlic roasted mushrooms in white bowl on green surface

Garlicky roasted mushrooms are a quick, flavorful Thanksgiving side. With 5-minute prep, 10-minute bake time, and diet-friendly versatility, they’re a holiday win!

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Three sweet potatoes on a trivet in the instant pot

Instant Pot sweet potatoes are a simple, versatile Thanksgiving side. Serve plain or top with butter and brown sugar for an easy, customizable holiday dish!

Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe

sliced cranberry walnut bread loaf on cutting board next to Christmas decorations

Fluffy, slightly sweet cranberry walnut bread, perfect for turkey sandwiches or with soft cheese. This beginner-friendly yeast bread is a must-try.

Easy French Bread

partially sliced French bread on cutting board next to bread knife

Make the perfect holiday French bread with just 4 ingredients. Fresh from the oven, it's crispy outside, soft and chewy as it cools—a bakery classic.

Easy Homemade Cornbread Recipe

stack of yellow fluffy cornbread squares with melting butter pat on top pieces

Cornbread isn’t just for everyday meals—it’s a fantastic holiday side! Warm, buttery, and tender, it’s easy to make and pairs perfectly with festive dishes.

I hope some of these Thanksgiving sides make their way to your holiday table and become just as cherished as they’ve been in my home. Each recipe is made with love and care, and I hope they help you create the same special moments with your family as I have with mine.

Oh and save room for dessert! My easy pumpkin cheesecake recipe and my pumpkin bars are the perfect ending to your holiday dinner! Leave me a comment below if you have a new, or old, favorite! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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