40 Easy Side Dishes for Thanksgiving – That Aren’t Boring
Looking for easy Thanksgiving recipes that will add some new flavors to your Thanksgiving meal? Here is a variety of easy side dish recipes perfect for the holidays.
Thanksgiving is a busy day. With a turkey to cook and all the wonderful sides that go with it, it often feels overwhelming to the cook. That’s why I am a huge fan of easy side dishes. Just because the side is easy, doesn’t mean the flavor is lackluster. In fact, some of my favorite side dishes only have 5 ingredients or less!
Sometimes, we also get stuck in a rut with our holiday menus. Thanksgiving comes only once a year so of course, we have certain requested items that our family wants to eat. (I’m talking about you, cheesy creamed corn!) But sometimes? Sometimes, we as the cooks just want some new and easy dishes.
Enter this list! I’ve compiled a variety of easy side dishes with few and basic ingredients that might be just the thing you are looking for this Thanksgiving.
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Simple (10 Ingredients or Less) Stuffing Recipes
Stuffing (or dressing, as some call it) is considered a staple at Thanksgiving for most families. But if you are looking for an easy to make homemade stuffing option, I’ve got you covered with a variety of stuffing recipes.
Easy Traditional Stuffing Recipe
This simple classic uses just 10 ingredients, including crusty bread, onions, celery, herbs, and broth, for a traditional stuffing that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Get the full stuffing recipe from the Olive Blogger.
Best Stuffing Recipe
According to Love and Lemons, this is the best stuffing! This stuffing recipe features sourdough bread, leeks, celery, and fresh herbs for a fresh take on a Thanksgiving staple.
Get the full stuffing recipe from Love and Lemons.
Easy Classic Stuffing Recipe
This stuffing recipe keeps it under 10 ingredients, combining bread, butter, broth, herbs, and eggs (yes, eggs) for a dependable and delicious stuffing.
Get the full recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Super Simple Stuffing
Made with only 8 ingredients, this recipe is fast and fuss-free, using croutons or bread cubes, broth, butter, and simple herbs.
Get the simple stuffing recipe from Weelicious.
My Mom’s Stuffing Recipe
Another 8 ingredient stuffing recipe, this basic recipe combines bread, broth, onion, celery, butter, and seasoning for a straightforward holiday side.
Get the full recipe from Peanut Butter Fingers.
Turkey Stuffing for a Crowd
This recipe keeps it to 8 ingredients while scaling up easily, making it ideal for feeding a large Thanksgiving gathering without extra hassle.
Get the stuffing for a crowd recipe from Cooking for an Army.
Easy Stuffing Recipe
With exactly 10 ingredients, this version uses bread cubes, onion, celery, herbs, butter, and broth for a straightforward, make-ahead stuffing.
Get the easy recipe from Spend with Pennies.
Traditional Stuffing Recipe
This stuffing version uses 9 ingredients, pairing toasted bread (a twist!) with onion, celery, fresh herbs, and stock for an easy, flavorful side.
Get the full recipe from Went Here 8 This.
Classic Stuffing
This is my personal go-to Thanksgiving recipe. It’s basic, a classic and SO good. It tastes great fresh and as leftovers! I always make a double batch of this stuffing. If the whole extended family is getting together? I make a quadruple recipe. It’s really that good.
Get the classic Betty Crocker stuffing recipe here.
Make-Ahead Side Dish Options
These make-ahead recipes are designed to give you breathing room on Thanksgiving Day. Each one can be partially or fully prepared in advance, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday.
The Truly Best Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes (Family Favorite!)
This simple recipe makes the best and creamiest mashed potatoes you will ever eat. It is the only mashed potatoes recipe I make! Even better, you can prepare up to three days in advance and reheat just before serving. If you want to make it further in advance, you actually can and freeze it until later! Then, I heat the mashed potatoes in a slow cooker to free up my oven for other Thanksgiving recipes.
Get the mashed potato recipe from Joyfully Thriving.
Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole
This version lets you mix the canned beans and creamy sauce in advance, then refrigerate until ready to bake for a stress-free holiday side.
Get the full recipe at Sweet Pea Lifestyle.
Make-Ahead Stuffing with Fresh Herbs
I know we just talked stuffing recipes, but here is a make ahead option! With under 10 ingredients, this stuffing uses bread cubes, broth, and fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme. Prep up to three days ahead for maximum flavor.
Get the full recipe at Plays Well with Butter.
Creamy Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole
I love a good make ahead casserole – especially for the busy holidays! This sweet potato casserole can be assembled early, refrigerated, and baked on the big day for a streusel-topped favorite side.
Get the full recipe at Plays Well with Butter.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Requiring only four ingredients—prosciutto, asparagus, olive oil, and salt—this elegant side can be prepped ahead and roasted just before serving.
Get the full recipe from A Well-Seasoned Kitchen.
Sausage, Butternut Squash & Yam Casserole
This hearty casserole combines sausage, squash, yams, cheddar, onion, and pecans. It can be assembled and frozen ahead, then baked for a crowd-pleasing side.
Get the full recipe at A Well-Seasoned Kitchen.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
All the comfort of twice-baked potatoes in casserole form. Prepare early or freeze, then bake until golden and cheesy on Thanksgiving Day.
Get the full casserole recipe from Mom on Time Out.
Cheesy Potato Casserole (A Family Favorite!)
This cheesy potato casserole is another family favorite of ours. Made with hashbrown potatoes, you can easily prep it ahead of time and bake it on Thanksgiving morning. Don’t skip the crunchy cornflake topping!
Get the full potato casserole recipe from Joyfully Thriving.
Budget-Friendly Veggie Sides
These veggie sides are affordable, simple, and incredible crowd-pleasers – perfect for when you are feeding a crowd on a budget.
Easy Creamed Corn (Easy, Cheesy & So Good!)
This creamy, cheesy creamed corn is another favorite of ours! I love that I can make it in a crock pot which frees up my stove for other things. I make this creamed corn for every holiday meal. It’s really that good, and another family favorite.
Get the full corn recipe from Joyfully Thriving.
Easy Cream Corn
This version makes a creamy-style corn uses with simple ingredients to deliver rich flavor.
Get the full recipe from Small Town Woman.
Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli (Easy Side)
If you are looking for an easy side dish that doesn’t require your oven, try this fool proof method for air fryer broccoli. It results in perfect cooked and slightly crisp broccoli that everyone loves. We eat this year around – but it would be a perfect Thanksgiving dinner option.
Get the full recipe from Pinch of Yum.
3-Ingredient Oven Roasted Broccoli
Only broccoli, olive oil, and salt—this simple roasted broccoli is crisp, caramelized, and a fuss-free way to add green to your feast. This recipe uses the oven instead of an air fryer to roast.
Get the full recipe at Thriving Home.
Simple Sautéed Broccoli
This garlicky, tender side takes just 3 main ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and is on your table in 12 minutes.
Get the full recipe from Wholesome Yum.
Oven Roasted Cauliflower with Olive Oil
A 4-ingredient cauliflower roasted until golden and caramelized for maximum flavor with minimal work. What’s not to love about minimal work on Thanksgiving?
Get the full recipe from Love and Lemons.
Best Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic
Under 10 ingredients, this cauliflower is an flavorful, easy side that will add variety to your table. How many people think of serving roasted cauliflower?
Get the full recipe from Nora Cooks.
Simple Roasted Carrots
Made with just five ingredients, these roasted carrots caramelize beautifully and bring color and flavor to your table. This is a frugal side dish too.
Get the full recipe at Dash of Jazz.
Honey Roasted Carrots
Featuring carrots and apricot jam, these sweet-and-savory carrots are effortless and irresistible. The jam adds a unique and festive flavor to this side.
Get the full recipe at Carlsbad Cravings.
Easy Sautéed Cabbage
This budget-friendly side uses just six ingredients, including apple cider vinegar, to create a sweet, caramelized, and side dish. Cabbage is very cheap and a healthy side!
Get the full recipe from Hungry Healthy Happy.
Cheesy Carrot Casserole
If you like cheese, try making these cheesy carrot casserole for a new veggie twist this Thanksgiving. The crunchy cracker topping is a great addition to this side!
Get the full recipe at Num’s the Word.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese may or may not be a traditional Thanksgiving food for your family, but once you try this one? It might become a new favorite! It’s an easy and delicious side, and once again, the use of a slow cooker frees up your oven!
Get the full recipe from Six Sisters Stuff.
Easy Veggie Tray
A simple veggie tray is an often overlooked Thanksgiving side option. You can cut up all your veggies ahead of time and pair them with a simple ranch or dill dip – homemade or store bought.
Easy Breads & Rolls
No Thanksgiving table is complete without rolls. While store bought rolls are a fine option, there are many easy breads and rolls you can make ahead of time to enjoy on the big day.
Homemade Crescent Rolls
If you have ever wanted to bake your own rolls, but worried it would be too difficult? Try these delicious homemade crescent rolls that you can make ahead of time and freeze until Thanksgiving! My Mom has been baking these ahead of time for years, and they freeze perfectly!
Get the crescent rolls recipe from Joyfully Thriving.
Best Fluffy Cornbread Recipe Ever
This moist and fluffy cornbread uses under 10 ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes—ideal for a quick and delicious side.
Get the full recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.
Simple Sweet Cornbread
With just eight ingredients and a single bowl, this sweet cornbread is equally at home with soups or as a stand-alone treat.
Get the full recipe from Melanie Makes.
Easy Cornbread
Classic southern-style cornbread made with basic ingredients like cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, and eggs makes a simple and satisfying side.
Get the full recipe at The Best Blog Recipes.
5-Ingredient Easy Drop Biscuits
Buttery, fluffy drop biscuits that require just five ingredients and under 30 minutes – no rolling, no fuss.
Get the recipe from Baker Bettie.
Super Easy Drop Biscuit Recipe
These drop biscuits skip butter and use mayonnaise for simplicity. Isn’t that intriguing? They claim to be tender, quick, and ready in under 20 minutes.
Get the recipe from Dizzy Busy and Hungry!
No-Knead Drop Biscuits
Only five ingredients and no kneading required. These biscuits are scoop, bake, and enjoy. Perfect for a busy day!
Get the recipe at The Flour Handprint.
Easiest Homemade Drop Biscuits
A rich, “no-fuss” biscuit made with just flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and heavy whipping cream. Just spoon and bake.
Get the recipe at Heather Likes Food.
Simple Olive Oil Drop Biscuits
Made with pantry ingredients like flour, olive oil, baking powder, and a touch of sugar – light, crispy, and unexpected.
Get the recipe from Taste as You Go.
Bread Machine Parmesan Garlic Rolls
These easy homemade rolls are mixed up in the bread machine and then baked in the oven. Even better? You can bake ahead of time and freeze these tasty rolls, and just reheat them on Thanksgiving day.
Get the bread recipe from Joyfully Thriving.
There you have it! A wide variety of easy side dishes to complement your Thanksgiving meal! Which one are you going to try this year?
