Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and, of course, great food!

If you’re looking to simplify your holiday meal prep, these easy side dishes will save you time and impress your guests. Let’s make this year’s feast stress-free and delicious!

1. Glazed Carrots

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These Glazed Carrots are a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving—sweet, buttery, and tender. They bring a pop of color and a hint of sweetness to your holiday table, making them a simple yet elegant addition to any festive spread.

Ingredients

• 1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Boil the sliced carrots in salted water for 5-7 minutes until just tender.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in the honey and brown sugar.
3. Add the cooked carrots to the saucepan, tossing to coat them in the glaze.
4. Let the carrots simmer in the glaze for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then serve warm.

2. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is a delicious way to elevate this humble veggie into a showstopper side dish. The crispy, smoky bacon adds richness, while roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the Brussels sprouts—perfect for any Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, making sure they’re well coated.
3. Spread the Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet and sprinkle the chopped bacon over them.
4. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the Brussels sprouts are golden and the bacon is crispy.
5. Serve hot and enjoy the perfect balance of savory and sweet.

3. Garlic Butter Mushrooms

These Garlic Butter Mushrooms are rich, earthy, and full of flavor. Perfect as a side for Thanksgiving, they’re easy to make yet impressive enough for special occasions. The garlic butter sauce adds a decadent touch to this simple dish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb mushrooms, cleaned
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and golden.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

4. Wild Rice Pilaf

This Wild Rice Pilaf is a flavorful and gluten-free side dish, perfect for adding variety to your Thanksgiving table. With sautéed veggies and fresh herbs, it’s a light yet hearty option that complements heavier dishes beautifully.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook the wild rice in the vegetable broth according to the package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion, carrot, and celery until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Once the rice is cooked, toss it with the sautéed veggies and fresh parsley.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve warm.

5. Cheddar Biscuits

These Cheddar Biscuits are buttery, flaky, and packed with cheesy goodness. Perfect for soaking up gravy or adding to any Thanksgiving spread, they’re an easy, crowd-pleasing bread option that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, then add the milk and mix until a dough forms.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown. Serve warm.

6. Pumpkin Biscuits

These Pumpkin Biscuits are soft, fluffy, and infused with just the right amount of warm, seasonal flavor. With a hint of cinnamon and pumpkin, they’re a festive addition to your Thanksgiving table and pair beautifully with savory dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
• ½ cup canned pumpkin
• ¼ cup milk

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in the canned pumpkin and milk until the dough comes together.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into biscuits using a biscuit cutter.
6. Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

7. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Mashed Potatoes are a must-have on any Thanksgiving table. This recipe is simple, buttery, and incredibly smooth—just the way mashed potatoes should be. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish that pairs perfectly with your holiday main courses.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh chives (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
2. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
3. Mash the potatoes with butter and heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired, and serve warm.

8. Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This Homemade Cranberry Sauce is a simple, vibrant addition to your Thanksgiving table. Tart and sweet, it’s the perfect complement to turkey, and it’s so much better than anything from a can. Plus, it’s ready in just 15 minutes!

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup water

Instructions

1. Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and water in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
4. Remove from heat and let cool before serving.

9. Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms

This Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms is a rich, satisfying side dish that feels both rustic and elegant. The creamy polenta pairs perfectly with savory, sautéed mushrooms, making it a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving spread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cornmeal (polenta)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, reducing heat to low, and stir frequently for 20 minutes until thickened.
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese and butter, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
4. In a skillet, sauté the minced garlic in butter for 1-2 minutes, then add mushrooms and cook until browned and tender.
5. Serve the creamy polenta topped with the sautéed mushrooms.

10. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

This Apple Cranberry Coleslaw is light, crisp, and a refreshing contrast to heavier Thanksgiving dishes. The combination of crunchy cabbage, sweet apples, and tart cranberries adds a burst of flavor and color to your holiday table.

Ingredients

• ½ head green cabbage, shredded
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, sliced apple, and dried cranberries.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat.
4. Let the coleslaw sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb the flavors before serving.

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