17 Thanksgiving Sides So Good, They’ll Upstage The Turkey This Year
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Let’s be honest, sometimes the side dishes are the real stars of Thanksgiving dinner. From creamy potatoes to golden stuffing and veggie dishes with serious flavor, these recipes bring all the comfort without the stress. They’re easy to make, full of crowd-pleasing goodness, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight from the turkey this year.
Cornbread
Warm, golden cornbread always feels like home, especially when it’s soft in the center with just the right crispy edges. Each bite melts in your mouth and brings that nostalgic comfort that pairs perfectly with a Thanksgiving spread. It’s simple, cozy, and good enough to make you forget about the turkey for a minute.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread
Chili’s Baked Potato Soup
A creamy baked potato soup that tastes just like the one from Chili’s will make your table feel extra comforting this year. It’s loaded with tender potatoes, melted cheese, and crispy bacon that take it from a side dish to a main event. You’ll love how warm and hearty it feels without any of the restaurant fuss.
Get the Recipe: Chili’s Baked Potato Soup
Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey-glazed carrots bring a beautiful burst of color and sweetness to your Thanksgiving plate. The glaze gives each tender slice a glossy finish that tastes as good as it looks. Made with a few simple ingredients, it’s an easy side that makes the whole meal feel brighter and more special.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk
Butternut squash soup with coconut milk feels like a hug in a bowl on a chilly fall evening. The natural sweetness of the squash blends with creamy coconut milk and warm spices for a smooth, comforting flavor. It’s easy to make in the slow cooker, giving you a rich, velvety soup that’s just as good the next day.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Green beans get a glow-up with this parmesan roasted version that’s crispy, garlicky, and full of flavor. The sprinkle of cheese and hint of seasoning turn a simple veggie into something crave-worthy. You’ll love how quickly it comes together and how it steals the spotlight next to the main course.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, creamy, buttery, and rich with just enough garlic to make every bite amazing. They bring that cozy, homemade feel to the table and go with absolutely everything. It’s a dish people go back for seconds and maybe thirds, before touching the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Tomato Basil Soup
Tomato basil soup brings a warm, nostalgic comfort that fits perfectly with a Thanksgiving meal. The roasted tomatoes, onions, and garlic give it a rich depth of flavor, while fresh basil adds that bright finishing touch. It’s hearty enough to serve as a starter and simple enough to whip up without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Soup
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts are the ultimate underdog side that ends up stealing the show. Each sprout turns crispy on the outside and buttery soft inside, with smoky bacon and a drizzle of balsamic glaze tying it all together. They’re simple to prep, easy to clean up, and so flavorful that even the skeptics will want seconds.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Parmesan Potatoes
Crispy parmesan potatoes with golden edges and fluffy centers always get everyone talking. They’re buttery, cheesy, and dangerously addictive, especially fresh out of the oven. A side this flavorful might just have your guests ignoring the turkey for another handful of potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
Bacon and cheddar biscuits come out of the oven golden, fluffy, and filled with layers of buttery, cheesy goodness. The smoky bacon and sharp cheddar blend perfectly, creating a rich, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with any Thanksgiving spread. They’re so irresistible that you might find guests reaching for seconds before they even glance at the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Mashed cauliflower potatoes offer that creamy, buttery comfort without the heaviness. They’re light, flavorful, and perfect for anyone who wants something wholesome on the Thanksgiving table. You’ll barely miss the real thing, and the easy cleanup is just an extra bonus.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Carrot Ginger Soup
Carrot ginger soup brings a bright, earthy sweetness with a hint of vibrant warmth that feels perfect for Thanksgiving. The creamy texture pairs beautifully with roasted mains and adds a pop of color to your plate. It’s wholesome, cozy, and light enough to balance out the heavier dishes on the table.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup
Potato Skins
Loaded potato skins are always a hit with their crispy shells, melty cheese, and smoky bacon topping. They bring that fun, casual vibe to an otherwise formal dinner and disappear faster than you can serve them. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or game day, they’re a crowd favorite that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins
Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
Buttermilk drop biscuits are the answer when you want fresh, homemade bread without the effort. There’s no kneading, no rolling, just a quick mix, scoop, and bake for perfectly golden biscuits that are soft inside with crisp edges. They’re the cozy comfort food that feels right at home on any Thanksgiving table and makes everything taste a little warmer.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
Outback Potato Soup
Outback potato soup brings restaurant-style comfort straight to your kitchen with hardly any effort. The creamy texture, chunks of tender potatoes, crispy bacon bits, and gooey cheese create the perfect spoonful every time. It’s hearty, warming, and exactly what you want to cozy up with after a long day of cooking.
Get the Recipe: Outback Potato Soup
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Cranberry chicken salad adds a bright, festive pop to the table with its mix of sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and tender chicken. It’s creamy, tangy, and just the right balance of textures to stand out among the holiday classics. Perfect for making ahead, it brings a fresh twist to the usual Thanksgiving lineup.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Panera-style broccoli cheddar soup made at home is every bit as creamy and cheesy as you’d hope. The tender broccoli, melted cheddar, and smooth, buttery broth make it the perfect comfort dish for a chilly fall day. It’s easy, comforting, and so rich you might forget it’s a side dish and call it dinner instead.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
