21 Thanksgiving Side Ideas That Earn Just as Many Compliments as the Turkey

A generous selection of 21 Thanksgiving side ideas brings fresh inspiration to the holiday table, offering options that easily outshine the turkey. Guests always have opinions when a memorable dish shows up, sparking those lighthearted comparisons we all enjoy. That playful spirit adds personality to any meal and makes the gathering feel warm and engaging.

Fresh Beet Salad

Nothing else provides a pop of color that feels quite like the bowl of Fresh Beet Salad placed among traditional choices. Unexpected flavors ripple through the room with each bite. People tend to describe it afterward as a surprise hit. Bowls come back to the kitchen ready for another serving.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Beet Salad

Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

Silence falls as Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto catches light on the serving table. Spoonfuls appear velvety and seem to melt away with ease. Many guests mention the feeling of warmth from that first taste. Seconds rarely last long after the platters make the rounds.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

Crunchy Celery Salad

Appetite grows for familiar comfort when this spread appears featuring Crunchy Celery Salad in the second round of passing. Vivid green color attracts attention instantly. The texture feels unlike anything else in the lineup as each bite brings a crisp bite that makes many people reach for seconds. Conversations usually pause the moment platters arrive at the table.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

Mashed Potato Casserole

Guests sense comfort once the bubbling tray of Mashed Potato Casserole makes an entrance among familiar favorites. Texture looks smooth but hearty so each bite offers more than the usual side. Murmurs of praise always rise around this part of the meal. Requests for the method arrive shortly after.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Rich Creamed Spinach

Moving through the table brings a new surprise when Rich Creamed Spinach appears near the end of the side lineup. Deep green color promises nourishment. Thoughts about the texture run through the room with every scoop. Someone almost always asks for the tip that makes it so special.
Get the Recipe: Rich Creamed Spinach

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Nostalgia for classic sides rises fast whenever Crispy Sweet Potato Fries leave the oven. Crunch deepens with every bite. Plates fill up faster than usual as a scent wafts through the space signaling one of the most-requested recipes has appeared. Memories linger long after the meal ends because plates are often empty first.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Savory Cornbread Stuffing

Joy fills the air when talk turns to Savory Cornbread Stuffing which arrives fragrant beside carved meat. Texture feels rustic yet still so fluffy forkful after forkful. Moments later someone points out how every plate carries a little extra. No one seems able to wait for a second helping.
Get the Recipe: Savory Cornbread Stuffing

Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Expectations are always high for sides that feel both special and easy which is why Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower sparks so much conversation. There’s always a moment where someone wants to know how the texture reaches that golden tenderness. Slices vanish quickly. Most trays return completely clean to the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Indulgence takes the spotlight once Cheesy Funeral Potatoes make an appearance right next to the main dish. Layers feel rich without being heavy while golden edges encourage everyone to return for a second helping. People pause before serving themselves and mention the scent more than once during the meal. The buzz rarely fades before dessert arrives.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

Sweet aromas fill a room fast after Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce appears among hearty main plates. Gentle brown tones add a soft look to the table. Guests quietly smile as texture slides across a spoon much smoother than expected. Requests for a second bowl sound out before it reaches halfway down the line.
Get the Recipe: Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

A blend of flavors makes the table feel more festive after Cheesy Eggplant Casserole delivers a bubbling appearance at the center of the spread. Golden topping stands out. The sight of plates filling quickly signals unanimous approval. Compliments typically start before the dish vanishes from the serving tray.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto

Instantly a sense of comfort fills the space when someone presents a creamy Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto on a wide platter. Each spoonful appears silky and glossy as the aroma makes it impossible to ignore. Impressions of restaurant-quality food draw awe. Eyes widen as the serving dish empties fast.
Get the Recipe: Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto

Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Energy in the room shifts once a sheet pan holding Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges lands near the plates waiting for food. Edges look sharp and crackly so hands immediately reach out. Conversations pause because of the tempting texture filling each bite. Satisfaction shows clearly as all that remains is a bare tray.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Fresh Greek Salad

Conversation changes as soon as platters filled with Fresh Greek Salad hit the surface of the table. Bright colors lift the room. Cool crunch with every forkful turns the dish into a fast favorite with people searching for the recipe soon after. Moments of laughter and joy surround the arrival of this bowl.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Greek Salad

Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Excitement for crunchier sides can only mean a batch of Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes comes out of the oven soon. Piled high on a plate they draw people to the table without delay. Each one breaks open to reveal a fluffy interior. Questions fly about the secret to getting texture just right.
Get the Recipe: Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Shimmering glaze atop everything brings guests to a hush when Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze joins the table. Each sprout looks irresistible. Those who thought otherwise discover a tender center upon tasting. Requests for seconds often arrive sooner than anyone expects.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Comfort increases noticeably when bowls of Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi start traveling around the table. An inviting softness turns every bite into something memorable. The shape feels playful and different from typical sides. Refills find their way to nearly every plate by the last course.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Sourdough Stuffing

A wave of recognition sweeps in once Sourdough Stuffing appears near the main carving board. Crowd gathers quickly as aromas build. The first forkful always yields a unique texture that draws immediate comments. Sides like this rarely see leftovers after the meal.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Stuffing

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Cheer rises across the table when a mound of Mashed Sweet Potatoes fills the center. The smooth finish sets it apart from other options. Warm color sparks conversation that never fades while bowls travel back and forth. Every spoonful feels like getting a favorite comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Tender Roasted Broccoli

Lights of anticipation spark when someone serves Tender Roasted Broccoli behind the rest of the dishes. Color draws eyes before a fork even touches the plate. That first bite reveals a deeper softness. Often the bowl empties before the main event even begins.
Get the Recipe: Tender Roasted Broccoli

Classic Southern Cornbread

Warmth multiplies on every plate by the time Classic Southern Cornbread show up. Each corner brings a soft crumb for people seeking comfort in every bite. The honeyed aroma floats above the rest of the table as everyone reaches for a piece. Stories from previous meals come up every time this platter appears.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Cornbread