Easy side dishes for Thanksgiving are the secret to a stress-free holiday feast — and this list of 10 has you completely covered. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just need a few reliable additions to round out your table, every recipe here is simple, delicious, and made with everyday ingredients. From glazed carrots to homemade cranberry sauce, your guests are going to think you spent all day in the kitchen.
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
- Boil the sliced carrots in salted water for 5-7 minutes until just tender.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in the honey and brown sugar.
- Add the cooked carrots to the saucepan, tossing to coat them in the glaze.
- Let the carrots simmer in the glaze for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 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
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, making sure they’re well coated.
- Spread the Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet and sprinkle the chopped bacon over them.
- Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the Brussels sprouts are golden and the bacon is crispy.
- 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
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and golden.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 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
- Cook the wild rice in the vegetable broth according to the package instructions.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion, carrot, and celery until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Once the rice is cooked, toss it with the sautéed veggies and fresh parsley.
- 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
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, then add the milk and mix until a dough forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
- 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
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the canned pumpkin and milk until the dough comes together.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into biscuits using a biscuit cutter.
- 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
- Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Mash the potatoes with butter and heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 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
- Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and water in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- 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
- Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, reducing heat to low, and stir frequently for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and butter, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a skillet, sauté the minced garlic in butter for 1-2 minutes, then add mushrooms and cook until browned and tender.
- 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
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, sliced apple, and dried cranberries.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat.
- Let the coleslaw sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb the flavors before serving.
Q1: What are the easiest side dishes to make for Thanksgiving? Some of the easiest Thanksgiving sides are ones that come together quickly with minimal prep — like glazed carrots, garlic butter mushrooms, and homemade cranberry sauce. All three can be made in 15–30 minutes and require just a handful of pantry staples. They also free up oven space, which is a huge win on Thanksgiving day.
Q2: What side dishes can I make ahead of time for Thanksgiving? Several of these sides are perfect for making a day or two ahead. Cranberry sauce actually tastes better after sitting overnight, and wild rice pilaf and mashed potatoes both reheat beautifully. Getting these done early means you can focus on the turkey and enjoy the day instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
Q3: What are good Thanksgiving side dishes for a crowd? For feeding a big group, creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar biscuits, and glazed carrots are your best bets — they scale up easily and appeal to just about everyone. Brussels sprouts with bacon and creamy polenta with mushrooms are great for guests who want something a little more unexpected. Having a mix of classics and crowd-pleasers keeps everyone happy.
Make-ahead tips: Cranberry sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored covered in the fridge. Mashed potatoes can be made the morning of and kept warm in a slow cooker on low. Wild rice pilaf keeps well for 3 days refrigerated.
Storage: Leftover sides store well in airtight containers in the fridge for 3–4 days. Cheddar and pumpkin biscuits can be frozen for up to 2 months — reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes.
Substitutions: Make the wild rice pilaf and polenta with mushrooms vegetarian-friendly as written. Swap bacon in the Brussels sprouts for pancetta or omit entirely for a vegetarian version. For dairy-free mashed potatoes, use olive oil and unsweetened oat milk in place of butter and cream.
Scaling: All 10 recipes double easily. For a large crowd, plan on making at least 3–4 of these sides alongside your turkey.
If you’re looking for the perfect sweet finish to your Thanksgiving spread, our Easy Shortbread is a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert that comes together with just five pantry staples.
With this lineup of 10 easy side dishes for Thanksgiving, you don’t have to choose between impressive and stress-free — you get both. Each recipe is designed to be approachable for any skill level, made with ingredients you likely already have, and flexible enough to prep ahead so you can actually enjoy the holiday. Mix and match a few favorites to build your perfect Thanksgiving spread. Your guests will be going back for seconds, and you’ll be getting back to the table instead of the stove.