17 Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas That Have Everyone Asking for More

ByMandy

Thanksgiving tables never have enough room for all the good stuff, but that’s a happy problem. These 17 side dish ideas are the reason everyone suddenly finds extra space on their plates. From old favorites that always steal attention to new ones that make people curious, there’s no shortage of hits.

Roasted cauliflower head cut in half, garnished with chopped parsley, on a white plate.
Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fresh Beet Salad

A close-up of a salad featuring chopped beets, cucumber, feta cheese, walnuts, and fresh herbs on a white plate.
Fresh Beet Salad. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Color stands out on dinner tables packed with side dishes. Fresh Beet Salad means crisp crunch with every bite and a pop of brightness among heavier plates. It’s easy to grab and keeps plates from feeling crowded. This one goes quickly whenever the bowl gets passed.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Beet Salad

Classic Southern Cornbread

Close-up of two stacked pieces of cornbread with melted butter on top, showcasing a golden-brown crust and moist, crumbly texture.
Classic Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Warm bread always draws hands during big meals. Classic Southern Cornbread gives each person a soft piece that fits right with any main course. No mess just easy bites that pair up with everything on the plate. There’s always someone asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Cornbread

Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Close-up of a creamy, golden-brown macaroni and cheese dish with a crunchy breadcrumb topping reminiscent of comforting funeral potatoes. A spoon is partially submerged in the cheese sauce.
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Cheesy comfort makes plates fill up with requests for seconds. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes get quick nods from folks who love rich sides. Creamy and simple to serve, this one quietly steals the spotlight. Extra pans get finished before stories end.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Tender Roasted Broccoli

A bowl of roasted broccoli topped with grated cheese and seasoning.
Tender Roasted Broccoli. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Crunchy greens help mix up a lineup full of carbs. Tender Roasted Broccoli makes it easy to add color and lightness to heavy plates. Roasted tips mean a little crisp with every bite. There’s never leftover broccoli in the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Tender Roasted Broccoli

Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Breaded and fried patties garnished with chopped parsley are arranged on a plate next to a bowl of creamy dipping sauce with herbs.
Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bite-sized sides keep folks chatting between bites. Loading a tray with Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes adds a crunchy snack with soft centers that everyone keeps reaching for. Quick to handle not messy to eat. No one leaves the last one behind.
Get the Recipe: Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

A bowl of risotto topped with roasted pumpkin pieces, grated cheese, and fresh parsley, with a checkered napkin and herbs nearby.
Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A smooth side fits well between meats and breads. Spoonfuls of Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto land everyone a cozy bite full of warmth and comfort. It’s thick enough to stay where it’s put. Second helpings always creep onto plates.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

Crunchy Celery Salad

A bowl filled with chopped celery, red onion, apples, almonds, and fresh herbs.
Crunchy Celery Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fresh veggies reset the meal for one more round of eating. Spreading out Crunchy Celery Salad brings crisp bites that clear the palate before piling on more food. It disappears fast right after it’s set out. Everyone wants a scoop for a quick refresh.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries with a dipping sauce.
Crispy Sweet Potato Fries. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fries knock out hunger across any dinner table. Crispy Sweet Potato Fries means grabbing one after another for a little salty crunch and sweet bite. Easy for dipping or eating plain. Plates sit empty after just a few minutes.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

A slice of cheesy eggplant lasagna with tomato sauce is being lifted from a pan, showing stretchy melted cheese. A bowl is blurred in the background.
Cheesy Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hot casseroles always win extra fans during group meals. Scooping into Cheesy Eggplant Casserole reveals layers of softness with a savory crust. Simple to serve and easy to share. The pan never lasts past the main course.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto

A bowl of risotto with mushrooms and parmesan cheese.
Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy grains make a nice stop between more filling dishes. Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto bring people together for soft bites with earthiness mixed in. Smooth texture slides across the plate. Hungry guests come back for more.
Get the Recipe: Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto

Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi

A plate of golden-brown gnocchi garnished with rosemary, served with a black fork.
Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Soft pasta shapes add a cozy feel to special meals. Rolling out bowls of Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi brings a gentle bite that’s not too heavy or light. They pair well with all sorts of other dishes. No gnocchi makes it past cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Rich Creamed Spinach

A bowl of creamy spinach topped with grated cheese, being stirred with a spoon.
Rich Creamed Spinach. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Creamy greens fit in anywhere among main courses. Rich Creamed Spinach lets people add a soft scoop beside mashed potatoes or stuffing. Thick texture keeps its shape and never gets watery. Crowds ask for refills whenever it’s out.
Get the Recipe: Rich Creamed Spinach

Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

A jar labeled
Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sweet sides break up savory plates with a hint of spice. Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce gives out quick bites that clean the palate for round two of eating. Soft and easy to mix with other dishes. Jars empty out before dessert even hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Roasted sweet potato wedges sprinkled with herbs on parchment paper.
Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Wedges stack up well when people reach for something crunchy. Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges gets hands moving for strips that go well with meats and other sides. Simple to eat while talking or passing dishes. There’s no leftovers to pack up.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

A plate of roasted Brussels sprouts topped with pine nuts on parchment paper.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Brussels sprouts get a boost on busy tables packed with favorites. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze wakes up plates with a sweet sharp twist. Each bite comes with a tender crunch and some glaze. These finish faster than expected.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Fresh Greek Salad

A bowl of Greek salad with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, green bell peppers, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
Fresh Greek Salad. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Tangy sides clean up plates while adding extra crunch. Scoops of Fresh Greek Salad scatter color across every spot and pair up with rich foods. Crisp bites with every forkful clear the way for another round of eating. Salad bowls come back empty after one fill.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Greek Salad

Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower head cut in half, garnished with chopped parsley, on a white plate.
Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Big portions make sides stand out on crowded tables. Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower lets people take chunky bites that balance out heavy meals. Golden edges grab extra attention with some crispy bits in every piece. It’s usually the first bowl to go.
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

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