20 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Go Beyond The Stuffing And Mashed Potatoes
Certain Thanksgiving side dishes — mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, perhaps a green vegetable or two — can feel required on a Thanksgiving table. But once you check off all those boxes, it can get a little tricky to find sides that are easy to make, crowd-pleasing and just outside-the-box enough to elicit some oohs and aahs. Whether you're hosting Turkey Day or looking for a side dish to bring along, these 20 recipes are sure to give you plenty of inspiration.
Mac and cheese fries
These may look like mozzarella sticks, but they're actually deep-fried sticks of mac and cheese, simply prepared with a little help from Velveeta.
Southern sausage balls
This simple Southern classic only contains three ingredients — sausage, biscuit mix and cheddar cheese — but it's popular enough to deserve a home on every Southern Thanksgiving table.
Buttercup squash and couscous
A comforting pile of couscous is a perfect side dish, especially when kicked up with some cherry tomatoes, scallions and diced squash.
Potato gratin with onions and sage
Fontina cheese, caramelized onions, thyme and sage make this creamy potato gratin an absolute crowd-pleaser.
For the potato gratin with onions and sage recipe, click here.
Quinoa with sweet potatoes and kale
If you want to provide your guests with a healthy side dish that's still autumn-appropriate, this melange of ingredients including kale, button mushrooms, quinoa and sweet potatoes is a perfect option.
For the quinoa with sweet potatoes and kale recipe, click here.
Cheesy hash brown casserole
Even just hearing the phrase "cheesy hash brown casserole" makes us hungry, and this Midwest-inspired favorite, with cheddar, colby jack and a secret ingredient (it's condensed cream of chicken soup), will keep your guests coming back for seconds and thirds.
Bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits
Why just serve plain old dinner rolls when you can serve buttermilk drop biscuits with cheddar, bacon and scallions?
For the bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits recipe, click here.
Pumpkin-sage cheese grits
These rich and creamy grits receive a seasonal twist thanks to the addition of sage and pumpkin puree.
Brussels sprouts with pearl onions, mushrooms and crispy prosciutto
Fried prosciutto is a perfect complement for Brussels sprouts, especially when sauteed with pearl onions, and oyster and maitake mushrooms.
For the Brussels sprouts with pearl onions, mushrooms and crispy prosciutto recipe, click here.
Welsh rarebit
Welsh rarebit is a classic Welsh comfort food made by dousing thick-cut toast with a rich sauce made with beer and cheese. Cut it into slices, pass it around your Thanksgiving table and watch your guests go nuts.
Asparagus in a blanket
Vegetables do belong on a Thanksgiving table, so why not treat asparagus like mini hot dogs and wrap them in puff pastry?
Maple walnut sweet potato casserole
Sweet potatoes and pears are layered and topped with brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup and walnuts for a sweet and tasty side.
For the maple walnut sweet potato casserole recipe, click here.
Caramelized onion tart
This classic side dish is super easy to make; just top puff pastry with caramelized onions and Gruyere and bake.
Avocado sage cornbread
Replacing the oil with avocado in this cornbread doesn't just make it healthier, it also puts a modern twist on a classic recipe. The sage also makes it perfect for Thanksgiving.
Baby beets with orange blossom water, feta and mint
Beets always make for a colorful side dish, and they partner perfectly with feta, mint and orange blossom water, which lends sweet and citrusy notes.
For the baby beets with orange blossom water, feta and mint recipe, click here.
Potatoes Savoyarde
Potatoes Savoyarde is a classic potato preparation. It's also super easy to make. Just layer sliced potatoes, Gruyere and garlic in a casserole dish, top with a little chicken stock and bake.
Pumpkin risotto
You might not think of risotto as a perfect Thanksgiving side dish, but it totally is, especially when loaded with pumpkin and garnished with pumpkin seeds and pecans.
Bacon and shiitake mushroom bake
This savory, creamy spin on bread pudding is loaded with bacon, cheddar and earthy shiitake mushrooms.
For the bacon and shiitake mushroom bake recipe, click here.
Green tomato and cheddar pie
If you love tomatoes, then you'll love them baked in a pie with plenty of cheese.
Muffin mix buffet bread
These buttery loaves of bread use a package of corn muffin mix as a base, which means they're super easy to make, and they're super tasty (and super retro) with a can of condensed cheddar cheese soup. You can tell your guests that this recipe actually won the 1967 Pillsbury Bake-Off, and you can see every Pillsbury Bake-Off winner here.
For the muffin mix buffet bread recipe, click here.
More from The Daily Meal:
When Should You Buy Your Turkey? And Other Thanksgiving Questions, Answered
10 Thanksgiving Dishes You Should Just Buy at the Store
How to Choose and Cook the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey
15 Vintage Thanksgiving Dishes You Should Cook This Year
10 Things Midwesterners Always Have on Their Thanksgiving Table