Easy Thanksgiving Sides – 15 Delicious Recipes to Complete Your Feast

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, togetherness, and of course, indulgent feasting. While the turkey often takes center stage, the side dishes can make or break your Thanksgiving meal. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, we’ve got you covered with these 15 easy Thanksgiving sides that will impress your guests and elevate your feast to a new level of deliciousness.

Easy Thanksgiving Sides

Enjoy preparing these delicious Thanksgiving side dishes to complete your holiday feast!

1. Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds of russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup of whole milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (e.g., thyme, rosemary, or parsley) for garnish

Instructions:

1. Peel and dice the potatoes into evenly sized-chunks.
2. Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
4. Mash the potatoes and add minced garlic, butter, and milk.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Mix in your choice of fresh herbs.
7. Serve hot.

2. Classic Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of green beans, trimmed and blanched
• 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 1/2 cups of crispy fried onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and milk.
3. Stir in the green beans and season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish.
5. Top with crispy fried onions.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

3. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of melted butter
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 cups of mini marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
3. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
4. Top with mini marshmallows.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until marshmallows are golden brown.

4. Cornbread Stuffing

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of cornbread, crumbled
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onions and celery until soft.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, sautéed veggies, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Gradually add the broth while stirring until the stuffing is moist but not soggy.
5. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.

5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Balsamic glaze for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and caramelized.
5. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

6. Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• Zest one orange
• Juice of one orange

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and orange juice.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
4. Allow to cool before serving.

7. Honey-Glazed Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, melt the butter and honey.
2. Add the carrots and sauté until they’re tender and glazed, about 10-15 minutes.
3. Season with ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper before serving.

8. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of baby potatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread them on a baking sheet.
4. Roast for 30-35 minutes or until golden and crispy.
5. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.

9. Creamed Spinach

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of fresh spinach, washed and stemmed
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter and sauté the garlic.
2. Add the spinach and cook until wilted.
3. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
4. Cook until the mixture thickens.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

10. Buttered Corn on the Cob

Ingredients:

• Ears of fresh corn on the cob
• Unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil or grill the corn on the cob until cooked to your liking.
2. Spread a generous amount of butter over the hot corn.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

11. Honey-Glazed Ham

Ingredients:

• Precooked ham
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard
• Cloves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham in a diamond pattern and stud it with cloves if desired.
3. In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard.
4. Heat the glaze over low heat until it’s well mixed.
5. Brush the ham with the glaze.
6. Bake for about 15-20 minutes per pound, brushing with glaze every 30 minutes, until it’s heated through and caramelized.

12. Herb-Roasted Root Vegetables

Ingredients:

• Assorted root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, potatoes, etc.)
• Olive oil
• Fresh herbs (e.g., rosemary, thyme, sage)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Peel and chop the root vegetables into uniform pieces.
3. Toss them with olive oil, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for about 30-40 minutes until tender and golden.

13. Creamy Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of elbow macaroni
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups of milk
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, then drain.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
3. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
4. Stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Mix the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni.

14. Baked Acorn Squash

Ingredients:

• Acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
• Maple syrup
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the squash halves on a baking sheet.
3. Brush with melted butter and maple syrup.
4. Sprinkle with brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the squash is tender and caramelized.

15. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan

Ingredients:

• Fresh asparagus spears
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
5. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
6. Enjoy preparing these delicious Thanksgiving side dishes to complete your holiday feast!

Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers (Make-Ahead)

Before your guests dive into the Thanksgiving feast, consider offering a few easy appetizers that can be made ahead of time. Some delicious options include deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, or a festive cheese and charcuterie board. These appetizers will keep your guests satisfied while you put the finishing touches on the main meal. Check out our full post on easy thanksgiving appetizers here!

Easy Thanksgiving Cocktails

No Thanksgiving celebration is complete without some festive cocktails to toast to the occasion. Consider serving classics like cranberry mimosas or apple cider sangria. You can also prepare a non-alcoholic version for guests who prefer a refreshing, booze-free option. These cocktails will add a touch of sophistication and warmth to your Thanksgiving gathering.

Conclusion

With these 15 easy Thanksgiving sides, your holiday feast will be unforgettable. From classic mashed potatoes to sweet potato casserole and everything in between, there’s something for every palate. And don’t forget to start the meal with some delightful make-ahead appetizers and a selection of Thanksgiving-themed cocktails. Your guests will leave with full hearts and satisfied taste buds, making this Thanksgiving one to remember.