Thanksgiving is the perfect time to impress your guests with food they won’t forget. These 25 meals will have everyone talking long after the holiday is over. Simple, tasty, and easy to make, these dishes will leave your guests asking for the recipe. If you want to make this year’s dinner one to remember, these meals are a great place to start.
Grilled Baby Bok Choy. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Cinnamon Apples
These cinnamon apples offer a sweet, tangy contrast to heavier Thanksgiving dishes. The warmth of cinnamon combined with the crisp apples makes for a comforting, flavorful side. It’s an easy dish to prepare that adds just the right touch of sweetness to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Dinner Roll Knots
Soft, buttery dinner roll knots are perfect for soaking up gravy or pairing with turkey. Their warm, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes them irresistible, quickly becoming the first thing to disappear from the table. This simple side brings comfort and satisfaction with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Roll Knots
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These creamy, cheesy scalloped potatoes bring a rich, velvety texture to your Thanksgiving table. The combination of cheese and cream perfectly complements other dishes. Easy to make, this side dish will quickly become a favorite that everyone asks for again.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Buttery and smooth mashed potatoes are a comforting classic that pairs perfectly with turkey and gravy. Their creamy texture makes them a rich addition to any Thanksgiving plate. This easy side dish is sure to disappear fast, leaving everyone wanting more.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Grilled baby bok choy offers a smoky, refreshing twist on traditional side dishes. The tender texture and light marinade bring out the natural sweetness, making it a standout. It’s a simple yet flavorful option that adds variety to your Thanksgiving meal with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
This spinach and Parmesan quinoa brings a light yet savory side to your Thanksgiving spread. The fresh spinach pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese, providing a healthy contrast to the heavier dishes. A quick and easy dish, it adds a flavorful balance to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Spinach Orzo Salad
This spinach orzo salad is a light, refreshing side that balances out the rich dishes on your Thanksgiving table. The soft orzo and fresh greens create a flavorful contrast to the other sides. It’s a simple, delicious dish that adds a burst of color and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad
Corn Casserole
Corn casserole offers a creamy base with a crispy bacon topping, creating layers of flavor and texture. It perfectly complements the richness of the other dishes, enhancing the whole meal. This easy-to-make side will steal the show and have everyone asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon add a smoky, savory punch to your Thanksgiving spread. The sweetness of the Brussels sprouts and the crunch of the bacon make this side a memorable one. Easy to prepare, it’s a dish that’ll leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
This ratatouille, packed with zucchini, squash, and herbs, adds savory depth to your Thanksgiving meal. The hearty vegetables balance out the richness of turkey and stuffing, making it a standout side. It’s easy to prepare and adds color and variety to your table.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Marguerite Salad
This Marguerite salad, with its blend of marshmallows, pineapple, and cherries, offers a sweet and light contrast to heavier Thanksgiving dishes. The vibrant colors and nostalgic flavors make it a fun, memorable addition. It’s a crowd favorite that brings smiles and plenty of conversation.
Get the Recipe: Marguerite Salad
Cranberry Orange Sauce
This cranberry orange sauce brings a perfect balance of sweet and tart, making it an ideal complement to turkey. Its bright, zesty flavor enhances the meal without overpowering other dishes. It’s a simple yet refreshing side that helps cut through the richness of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Sauce
Buttery Dinner Rolls
Soft, buttery dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up gravy or pairing with any dish on the table. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture makes them a comforting addition that everyone will love. These rolls are easy to make and add a homemade touch to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Dinner Rolls
Harvest Quinoa Salad
This harvest quinoa salad, with roasted squash, cranberries, and feta, adds a light, colorful contrast to richer Thanksgiving foods. The crisp ingredients bring brightness and texture, making it a flavorful addition to the table. It’s an easy dish that adds freshness without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
This whole roasted cauliflower, buttery on the outside and tender inside, offers a unique and tasty side for Thanksgiving. Its impressive look and satisfying taste bring both flavor and variety to the table. Simple to make, it’s a veggie dish that rounds out the meal.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast
This slow cooker turkey breast is tender, juicy, and easy to prepare, making it the perfect Thanksgiving centerpiece. The slow-cooked method ensures the turkey stays moist and flavorful with minimal effort. It’s a stress-free option that guarantees a delicious, hassle-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole, made with brown sugar, marshmallows, and pecans, offers a sweet and crunchy topping that everyone loves. The crock pot makes preparation easy while freeing up oven space for other dishes. It’s a classic side that’s sure to be a hit with guests.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
This Crock Pot version of green bean casserole combines creamy sauce and crispy topping, making it a convenient way to enjoy a classic dish. It saves oven space while still delivering great flavor. It’s a perfect, no-fuss side that everyone will appreciate.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
These garlicky green beans, topped with crispy fried onions, bring a savory, flavorful side to your Thanksgiving meal. The garlic butter enhances the beans, making them a perfect match for heavier dishes. Easy to prepare, this side adds a delicious twist to the spread.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions
Green Beans with Garlic Butter
These green beans, tossed in garlic butter, are a light yet savory option that balances the richness of other dishes. They’re a simple side that adds a burst of flavor to the table with minimal prep. This dish is quick to make and complements any meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Apples & Cranberries
Baked sweet potatoes, topped with apples and cranberries, offer a sweet and tangy contrast to savory Thanksgiving dishes. This simple side adds both color and flavor to the meal. It’s an easy, delicious twist on the classic side that will leave guests coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potatoes with Apples & Cranberries
Baked Sweet Potato
A perfectly baked sweet potato with crispy skin and tender flesh is both a simple and delicious Thanksgiving side. The natural sweetness of the potato pairs well with almost any dish, offering a satisfying flavor. This easy-to-make side is a crowd-pleasing addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potato
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole, with its creamy sauce and crispy topping, is a favorite side that never disappoints. It pairs beautifully with turkey and other rich sides, offering a comforting, flavorful bite. This classic dish is easy to make and sure to be a hit every time.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
Cornbread Stuffing
Cornbread stuffing, loaded with bacon, onions, and celery, offers a savory twist on a Thanksgiving classic. The crunchy top and soft interior create a perfect balance, making it a crowd-pleasing side. Simple to prepare, it brings bold, comforting flavors to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing
Cheddar Iron Skillet Cornbread
This cheddar cornbread, baked in a cast-iron skillet, offers a hearty, flavorful side for Thanksgiving. The sharp cheese and tender cornbread create a satisfying contrast, making it a standout dish. It’s easy to make and adds flavor and texture to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Iron Skillet Cornbread