Explore more than 30 eclectic and essential Thanksgiving sides and appetizers that will make your holiday meal the stuff of dreams.
Thanksgiving means turkey, yes. But we’re thankful that this food-centric holiday doesn’t stop there, with a broad range of eclectic and essential Thanksgiving sides (and appetizers!) making the meal into a veritable feast.
Who’s ready to be put in a food coma?
Sure, there’s tryptophan in turkey. But if there’s no stuffing, dressing, mac & cheese, Brussels sprouts, some sort of squash, and MASHED POTATOES, then please don’t invite me to your Thanksgiving!
Yes, every family celebrates the holiday differently. Nothing against that! But if you don’t have any sides or appetizers, I’m a little worried for you. Gravy is delicious but it is not a food group. Can we at least get some salad?!
Here are more than 30 of our favorite essential Thanksgiving sides, plus some more experimental ones, some apps, and breads — which are sort of in an ambiguous category of their own, I guess.
Part of the point, as far as I’m concerned, is to cook far too much food and gorge on the leftovers for the next three days. To send guests home with a plate. To invite a neighbor, coworker, or friend to partake.
Sharing the bounty and being thankful for each other is what this day is all about. So even if you’ve already got your own meal fully planned, why not make a loaf of apple pumpkin bread or a pan of baked mac & cheese to drop off with an elderly relative or homebound neighbor?
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give back, pay it forward, and share the wealth. And food is one of the best ways we can show each other a little more love and light. So pick out a couple things on here that most appeal to you, and let’s get this holiday started!
1
Lisa Grant
Soul Food Mac and Cheese Recipe
A classic soul food mac and cheese recipe, originally shared by John Legend when he visited Martha Stewart. Creamy and delicious, this recipe is a winner.
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2
Nora Rusev
Cranberry Pecan Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Make the most of seasonal produce this year and try these Cranberry Pecan Roasted Brussels Sprouts! They turn out crispy and tender and are full of flavor – the perfect side dish!
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3
Katie Jasiewicz
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes just became the best way to cook your potatoes for a crowd. And it frees up the stove!
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4
bhofack2 via iStock Photo
Stove Top Stuffing Recipe
Save time without compromising taste with our stove top stuffing recipe this holiday season.
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5
Brie Norris
Streusel Topped Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Sweet and creamy, these Streusel Topped Sweet Potatoes are loaded with an irresistible crispy oat topping. The perfect toaster oven side dish for your holiday table!
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6
Stephie Swope
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Homemade Cranberry Sauce is way easier than you imagine. If you love the tin can version, this recipe is for you!
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7
Stacey Mebs
Cranberry Bread Recipe With Fresh Cranberries
Make this cranberry bread recipe with fresh cranberries any time of year – it’s bursting with fresh, delicious flavor that everyone loves.
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8
Cyd Converse
The Famous Green Bean Casserole Durkee Recipe
If you love green bean casserole you need to try this version of the original green bean casserole recipe. It’s a crowd favorite.
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9
Nora Rusev
Fall Panzanella Salad Recipe
Fall Panzanella Salad tastes like a golden autumn day. Full of seasonal produce you’ll enjoy again and again!
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10
Sarah Cook
Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash Bake Recipe
Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash Bake brings comfort to winter. Healthy and satisfying.
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11
Gina Matsoukas
Vanilla Pumpkin Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Vanilla Pumpkin Skillet Cornbread has a beautiful crunch and delicious flavor. A must have for your Thanksgiving table.
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12
Meghan Bassett
Harvest Acorn Squash Quinoa Salad Recipe
Harvest Acorn Squash Quinoa Salad is a rich and hearty salad to serve up at any gathering you have this fall season. With a variety of textures and ingredients, this intensely flavorful side dish pairs well with almost everything, from steak to turkey to pork. You won’t find a better celebration of harvest flavors anywhere!
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13
Amanda Livesay
Paleo Butternut Squash and Bacon Soup Recipe
Paleo Butternut Squash and Bacon Soup that anyone can enjoy! What’s not to love? Butternut squash, sweet potato, carrots and apples are combined with bacon to make one magical, easy soup.
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14
Courtesy of Harvest, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
All-the-Crispy-Bits Mac and Cheese
This baked mac and cheese from the cookbook "Hot Sheet" by Olga Massov and Sanaë Lemoine gives you a balance of crispy and creamy, with three kinds of cheese.
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15
Allison Ruth
3-Ingredient Pumpkin Soup Recipe
3 Ingredient Pumpkin Soup brings together the flavors of Fall. In one delicious soup.
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16
Jennifer W.
Winter Farro Salad Recipe
Winter Farro Salad brings healthy vegetables and grains to the cold months.
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17
Taylor Kiser
Maple Tahini Grilled Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Maple Tahini Grilled Sweet Potatoes are seasoned with a little maple syrup and cumin. Wrap in foil, place on the grill, and enjoy!
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18
Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski
Blue Cheese Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipes
This savory blue cheese cranberry cheese ball is bursting with flavors and textures like crunchy pecans and celery, sweet peppers and onion. Makes a great addition to any party!
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19
Stacey Mebs
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Recipe
These whole wheat pumpkin dinner rolls are soft and fluffy and so easy to make. Plus, they are amazing piled with turkey or ham for lunch!
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20
Katie Jasiewicz
Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
Instant Pot Applesauce is an easy recipe to make in under 20 minutes time. It will leave your home smelling like it’s simmered on the stovetop for hours!
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21
Kim Beaulieu
Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Parmesan Smashed Potatoes leave ordinary mashed potatoes in the dust. Everyone will rave.
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22
Urvashee Patel
Fall Arugula and Apple Salad Recipe
This simple fall arugula and apple salad is the perfect addition to your fall menu planning. Nutty manchego and sweet cherries paired with spicy arugula come together to create a salad that will leave you craving for more.
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23
Katie Jasiewicz
Instant Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe
The most delicious and easy-to-make Instant Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes side dish recipe. Sweet, starchy sweet potatoes mixed with a homemade caramel sauce and chopped pecans make for a must-make Thanksgiving accompaniment!
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24
Nora Rusev
Cranberry Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
This sweet Cranberry Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash is the perfect harvest inspired side dish. The pecans make for a nice crunchy topping!
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25
Michele Feuerborn
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sriracha Sauce Recipe
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sriracha Sauce couldn’t be more awesome. Thanksgiving leftovers, a bit of spice, and a whole lot of…
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26
Jennie Phaneuf
Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad Recipe
Roasted butternut squash quinoa salad is the quintessential fall salad, and also makes a perfect Thanksgiving side dish!
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27
Stacey Mebs
Apple Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Apple Pumpkin Bread will probably be the best pumpkin bread you’ve ever tasted. Soft and tender with a crunchy cinnamon topping.
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28
Katie Jasiewicz
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipes is delicious and very easy to make thanks to the convenience of the Instant Pot. Hot creamy potatoes that please a large crowd!
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29
Aimee Shugarman
Hanky Panky Recipe
This hanky panky recipe combines sausage and cheese on top of pumpernickel bread in a classic appetizer recipe that’s sure to be a hit. In under 30 minutes, you’ve got a crowd-pleasing snack!
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30
Rebekah Garcia Kalinowski
Green Jello Salad Recipe
Green jello salad with pineapple and cream cheese tastes like your childhood memories! This classic side dish is a beautiful addition to a special meal and only takes minutes to prepare!
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31
Katie Jasiewicz
Instant Pot Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Instant Pot Green Bean Casserole is the perfect comforting side dish for any holiday party or even a Sunday dinner! It cooks up quickly so you can have that classic taste any time.
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32
Urvashee Patel
Roasted Beet and Carrot Quinoa Salad Recipe
This festive colorful Roasted Beet and Carrot Quinoa Salad is perfect for fall and winter. Quinoa, roasted beets and carrots, spinach and goat cheese are topped with a delicious cranberry dressing.
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33
Lisa Grant
Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberry Sauce has a sweet cranberry sauce drizzled right on top. Add roasted sunflower seeds for a little…
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34
Kristy Still
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew Recipe
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew is the comforting and hearty meal you need for the cold weather. A bowl of this and a warm fire…
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