49 Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas That Get Passed Around First

Every family has a dish that mysteriously disappears before grace is even finished, and these 49 Thanksgiving sides fit that job perfectly. They’re the kind of people sample and somehow never stop eating. Between the chatter, laughter, and second rounds, these sides bring out everyone’s best excuse for standing near the table.

Cauliflower steaks with pomegranate and pistachios on a plate. — Tender Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hearty Cabbage Casserole

A close-up of a baked casserole dish filled with creamy cabbage gratin, topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, with a serving spoon partially visible. — Hearty Cabbage Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Casseroles are often the first dish to go, and this one’s no exception. Hearty Cabbage Casserole surprises everyone with its savory layers. It’s perfect for pairing with turkey, ham, or just about anything else on the table. Once folks try it, they’re quick to grab seconds.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Cabbage Casserole

Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board

A turkey charcuterie board features a playful face design with sliced meats, cheeses, pretzels, grapes, olives, breadsticks, and two candy eyes on an apple. — Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

It’s hard to resist picking at this creative platter during appetizers. Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board brings a fun flavor mix to the table. It’s loaded with bites that are perfect for munching whenever craving strikes. Plus, it makes sharing food even more festive during Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board

Fresh Beet Salad

A close-up of a salad featuring chopped beets, cucumber, feta cheese, walnuts, and fresh herbs on a white plate. — Fresh Beet Salad. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Crisp, colorful plates are perfect next to all the heavier foods. Fresh Beet Salad pops with its bright flavors and textures. It’s one of those refreshing bites that balances your plate nicely. You’ll see it disappear as people go back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Beet Salad

Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

A bowl of risotto topped with roasted pumpkin pieces, grated cheese, and fresh parsley, with a checkered napkin and herbs nearby. — Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smooth, rich textures make this dish hard to resist at Thanksgiving gatherings. Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto is the type of comfort food folks go for first. Its warm, velvety consistency pairs effortlessly with every other dish on the table. It’s one of those sides that always gets passed around twice.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

Savory French Onion Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust and garnished with fresh herbs. — Savory French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

If there’s one dish everyone reaches for, it’s this one. Savory French Onion Casserole delivers a rich, crowd-pleasing side. It’s always a hit because it pairs well with almost anything on the table. You’ll likely see it empty before some guests even grab their first serving.
Get the Recipe: Savory French Onion Casserole

Fresh Greek Salad

A bowl of Greek salad with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, green bell peppers, olives, and crumbled feta cheese. — Fresh Greek Salad. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Bright salads keep the meal moving but also offer a crisp break. Every bowl of Fresh Greek Salad brings a pop to all the heavy sides. Plates start fresh and finish empty. The crunch sticks with people and keeps them coming back.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Greek Salad

Classic Amish Breakfast Casserole

A close-up of a serving of savory bread pudding with bacon and herbs being lifted from a white baking dish. — Classic Amish Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Brunch meets dinner with one dish that brings everyone together. Slices from Classic Amish Breakfast Casserole travel well from breakfast to dinner table. It disappears before anything else has a chance. Plates clear out and people ask for the recipe again.
Get the Recipe: Classic Amish Breakfast Casserole

Tender Sautéed Kale

A white bowl filled with sautéed kale and sliced garlic, with a fork lifting a portion from the bowl. — Tender Sautéed Kale. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Fresh greens get a big upgrade when they show up at holiday meals. Tender Sautéed Kale bring crunch and color to every plate. Even those who pass on greens sneak an extra bite. Someone always tries to claim extra right before clean-up.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sautéed Kale

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown casserole being served. — Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

You know this one is a hit before it even hits the table. Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole has that comforting texture that’ll make you want seconds. It’s a classic people grab quickly because it works with just about everything. Warm, cheesy goodness never lasts long at any party.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Creamy Macaroni Salad

Cold dishes win big on crowded tables because they go with everything else. Creamy Macaroni Salad stay popular until the last scoop is gone. People pile on second helpings. You’ll wish the batch doubled after watching plates disappear.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad

Rich Mississippi Mud Potatoes

A baked dish with melted cheese, diced pineapples, browned bacon, and chopped green onions on top. — Rich Mississippi Mud Potatoes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cheesy sides combine everything into one solid favorite. Layers in Rich Mississippi Mud Potatoes get everyone talking about extra cheese. Every helping is a big one. Leftovers vanish by the next morning if any make it that far.
Get the Recipe: Rich Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower head cut in half, garnished with chopped parsley, on a white plate. — Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Whole vegetable dishes always add something unique to the spread. Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower stands out with its golden-brown crust and tenderness. It’s great for anyone looking for something a little lighter without skimping on quality. It’s one of those sides that draws curious looks before everyone digs in.
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

A close-up of a spoonful of chicken stuffing, showcasing croutons, shredded chicken, peas, carrots, and sprinkled herbs. — Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Forks hit the plate fast with comfort carbs at family feasts. Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole finish off plates before anything else does. Nobody wants to miss out on their share. The pan always leaves the table empty.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

A white dish with roasted root vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, red onions, and sweet potatoes, garnished with fresh dill and thyme. — Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Color on every plate sets the mood for big gatherings. Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables don’t last more than a few minutes on the table. You’ll find people reaching for the crispiest edge. Every batch is gone before refills show up.
Get the Recipe: Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

A mouthwatering close-up of pumpkin soup garnished with a swirl of cream, crunchy pumpkin seeds, a crispy slice, and aromatic sage leaves. — Creamy Pumpkin Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Spoons go clinking as soon as bowls are set out before the big meal. Sips from Creamy Pumpkin Soup keep people talking and reaching for another pour. Creaminess means it goes with everything. Even the quiet ones go back for more.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Easy Cornbread Casserole

A portion of a cheesy, golden-brown savory cornbread casserole is being lifted from the dish, showing its flaky crust and gooey cheese filling. — Easy Cornbread Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cornbread side dishes always show up first on people’s plates. Easy Cornbread Casserole go down quick and soft. There’s that hint of something sweet with each forkful. Empty pans go right to the dishwasher without a fuss.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cornbread Casserole

Rich Creamed Spinach

A bowl of creamy spinach topped with grated cheese, being stirred with a spoon. — Rich Creamed Spinach. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Foods that melt smooth on the fork never last long at the family table. Every scoop of Rich Creamed Spinach gets scraped up from the edges of the bowl. Creamy always beats out plain greens. Someone always licks the bowl clean when they think no one is watching.
Get the Recipe: Rich Creamed Spinach

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Someone spooning out cranberry sauce from a glass bowl. — Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ditching the can means getting real fruit flavor right at the table. Spoons load up with Homemade Cranberry Sauce next to all the savory sides. Each bite wakes up the rest of the meal. There aren’t many leftovers once folks try it homemade.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Rich French Onion Soup

A savory dish of French Onion Soup, topped with melted cheese and garnished with sprigs of fresh thyme. — Rich French Onion Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Before any big meal, soup with deep flavor keeps people coming back. Bowls of Rich French Onion Soup get empty faster than bread baskets. Cheese and onion together get folks excited about starters. Everyone tries to grab a second helping if it’s still around.
Get the Recipe: Rich French Onion Soup

Fluffy Egg Casserole

A casserole dish containing egg casserole. — Fluffy Egg Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Light and spongy, this breakfast-for-dinner idea covers every favorite. Fluffy Egg Casserole fill plates before you can pass the next dish. Seconds always go first when this is involved. Weeknight or feast, it shows up on tables all year.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Egg Casserole

Easy Honey Glazed Carrots

Close-up of a dish featuring glazed carrots garnished with chopped herbs, served in a white bowl. — Easy Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sweet sides go fast every time the plates come around again. Whole trays of Easy Honey Glazed Carrots never last until the end of the meal. People grab these early and often. There’s always talk about making extra next time.
Get the Recipe: Easy Honey Glazed Carrots

Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Twice-baked potatoes topped with melted cheese and chopped green onions on a baking sheet. — Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Extra toppings layered on spuds almost always earn fans. Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes slide down the table so quick it’s hard to catch one. Crunchy bits on top make it everyone’s favorite. Seconds are never questioned.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Comforting Turkey Soup

A bowl of chicken soup with rice, carrots, celery, herbs, and pepper sprinkled on top. — Comforting Turkey Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sipping a hot bowl keeps the peace when waiting for the rest of dinner. People come back for seconds of Comforting Turkey Soup faster than expected. Leftovers barely hit the fridge. There’s always a pot scraped clean every year.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Turkey Soup

Sweet Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes

A close-up image of honey chipotle seasoned roasted potatoes garnished with parsley, served alongside grilled steak and lettuce. — Sweet Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Meals get more exciting when both sweet and spicy show up together. Sweet Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes sees fast action once everyone spots it on the table. Piles disappear quickly with requests for another round. Even folks who skip spicy sides reach for it.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Honey Chipotle Steak and Potatoes

Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

A jar labeled — Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Applesauce is for way more than just little ones when you make it right. Bowls of Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce get scooped up by guests who want something refreshing. It pairs with just about every other plate. The bowl always empties first.
Get the Recipe: Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Breaded and fried patties garnished with chopped parsley are arranged on a plate next to a bowl of creamy dipping sauce with herbs. — Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bite-sized spuds steal attention from bigger dishes every time. Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes jump from platter to plate in no time. Crunch factor keeps people making extra trips over. The serving dish never needs a second wash.
Get the Recipe: Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Tender Roasted Broccoli

A bowl of roasted broccoli topped with grated cheese and seasoning. — Tender Roasted Broccoli. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Roasted veggies surprise everyone when they become centerpiece sides. Tender Roasted Broccoli get more love than you’d guess. Friends chase after the crispy bits. You never find any leftovers by the end of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Tender Roasted Broccoli

Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Roasted sweet potato wedges sprinkled with herbs on parchment paper. — Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Snacks or sides, these wedges stack up plates every single time. Folks build little towers with Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges right after grabbing one. Cooks scramble to refill the pan. Everyone loves a side you can eat with your hands.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

A plate of roasted Brussels sprouts topped with pine nuts on parchment paper. — Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Bringing extra flavor to veggies is a secret way to win over doubters at dinner. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze hit plates just as fast as the best sides. After the first bite everyone wants more. Nobody skips dessert if these have another round.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Crunchy Celery Salad

A bowl filled with chopped celery, red onion, apples, almonds, and fresh herbs. — Crunchy Celery Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Light crunch mixes it up between all the creamy favorites. Big bowls of Crunchy Celery Salad clear out next to the main stuff. Fresh dressing ties every bite together. The texture always wins points. Seconds are just expected.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

Savory Bread Stuffing

A close-up of a casserole dish filled with stuffing made of bread cubes, cranberries, chopped herbs, and celery. — Savory Bread Stuffing. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Hearts and plates get full when stuffing lands between turkey and greens. Savory Bread Stuffing make the rounds so fast people ask for more by halftime. Some even debate over what corner they want. It’s no surprise when the pan comes back empty.
Get the Recipe: Savory Bread Stuffing

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes on parchment paper, with dollops of sauce and sprigs of dill. — Crispy Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

People talk about crisp and fluffy as soon as these come out hot. Everyone chases the pan for Crispy Smashed Potatoes hoping for the crunchiest mouthful. Even the last bits disappear. Forget leftovers with these around.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole

A golden brown Thanksgiving casserole of baked stuffing garnished with fresh herbs. — Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Combining everything into one brings out the best in group meals. Squares of Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole get traded for favorites. No one walks away with just one serving. There’s always chatter about making it again next time.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole s

Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto

A bowl of risotto with mushrooms and parmesan cheese. — Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Classic restaurant dishes never last once guests spot them at home. Spoons go into bowls of Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto nonstop. Everybody’s back for more before the pot cools. The cook always gets asked to make it again.
Get the Recipe: Restaurant-Style Mushroom Risotto

Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

A slice of cheesy eggplant lasagna with tomato sauce is being lifted from a pan, showing stretchy melted cheese. A bowl is blurred in the background. — Cheesy Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

People flip for eggplant when it’s garlicky cheesy and bubbling hot. Before you know it, Cheesy Eggplant Casserole empties out as folks ignore plain sides. Each layer pulls in new fans. It’s a side you wind up making all year.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

Soft Garlic Knots

Close-up view of freshly baked garlic knots with parsley and seasoning, resting on a parchment-lined baking tray. — Soft Garlic Knots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hands reach for bread first so these rolls always win their spot. Soft Garlic Knots float down the line while plates pile up. The aroma has everyone asking for a few more. By the time soup is served, these have disappeared.
Get the Recipe: Soft Garlic Knots

Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi

A plate of golden-brown gnocchi garnished with rosemary, served with a black fork. — Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Mixing up comfort classics keeps everyone at the table. Each forkful of Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi gets stolen before the tray is all the way around. The pillowy bites don’t hang around. Seconds rarely stand a chance.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Savory Cornbread Stuffing

A metal spatula lifts a serving of baked stuffing topped with chopped parsley from a white casserole dish. — Savory Cornbread Stuffing. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Sweet meets savory in a dish that keeps people talking. Savory Cornbread Stuffing breaks the rules and tops a little of everything. The mix of textures makes each bite stand out. Leftovers? That’s just a rumor. It’s everyone’s secret favorite.
Get the Recipe: Savory Cornbread Stuffing

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries with a dipping sauce. — Crispy Sweet Potato Fries. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fries always bring out the grabby hands even at fancy meals. Trays of Crispy Sweet Potato Fries may just need double batches to keep up. They go with almost anything on the table. No one skips them for the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Baked rice casserole with melted cheese on top, garnished with chopped herbs. — Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Full plates and quiet meals follow when this dish shows up. Scoops of Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole shut down all side dish competition fast. Hearty bites mean not much is left. Seconds pile up before dessert even starts.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Layered Seven Layer Salad

A clear glass bowl layered with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, green peas, corn, diced celery, and topped with chunks of grilled chicken, garnished with a dollop of mayonnaise. — Layered Seven Layer Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

You know a salad is winning when hands reach over hot pans to grab it. Lifting a scoop of Layered Seven Layer Salad shows off every layer. With every refill, more colors disappear. It stays at every gathering every year.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer Salad

Crusty Focaccia Bread

Slices of focaccia bread topped with rosemary and flaky salt, arranged on brown parchment paper. — Crusty Focaccia Bread. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Crisp and chewy bread takes over plain rolls fast. Crusty Focaccia Bread have everyone loading up even before butter. The corner is king when it comes to pulling apart this bread. It’s gone by the time the last main is set out.
Get the Recipe: Crusty Focaccia Bread

Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad

A honey hot chicken salad with succulent fried chicken pieces, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, cucumber slices, and mixed greens, all topped with a creamy dressing. — Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Balancing sweet and heat keeps sides from getting boring. Every forkful of Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad gets snatched before salads are gone. Stories spark up comparing it to last year’s picks. It becomes a must-bring to every meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad

Classic Southern Cornbread

Close-up of two stacked pieces of cornbread with melted butter on top, showcasing a golden-brown crust and moist, crumbly texture. — Classic Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cornbread finds fans all around the table for breakfast or dinner. Classic Southern Cornbread pile up until the batch disappears. No butter is skipped but everyone still grabs some. The crumbs might be gone before plates fill up.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Cornbread

Rich Turkey Gravy

Close-up of a bowl filled with creamy turkey gravy soup, featuring small bubbles and herbs on the surface. The bowl has a reddish-brown rim. — Rich Turkey Gravy. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Every side needs a little pour to get it going at the table. Rich Turkey Gravy has everyone waiting just a little longer because once it hits the bowl, no one skips the line. It goes on everything, keeping every bite moist and full of comfort. You run out before the food does every time, so double it if you can.
Get the Recipe: Rich Turkey Gravy

Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy and garnished with fresh thyme and cracked black pepper. — Buttery Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

When you need comfort and smoothness, get ready for the big bowl. Mounds of Buttery Mashed Potatoes are first to disappear as folks argue about gravy or no gravy. Creamy wins every plate. Seconds are a must without asking.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with crispy breadcrumbs and chopped parsley. — Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

When cheesy pasta hits the table, it’s grab-and-go for everyone nearby. Bowls fill up with Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese until the pot runs dry. The pull of cheese draws the first crowd. Plates get licked clean before anyone clears them.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

A bowl of mixed greens salad with sliced Honeycrisp apples, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese. — Crisp Honeycrisp Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fresh apples with some crunch mean hands reach for salad just as fast. Bowls of Crisp Honeycrisp Salad disappear while guests are still settling in. The sweet snap keeps people coming back for more. There’s never enough to keep up.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

Tender Cauliflower Steaks

Plates get more exciting when dishes like this show up. Tender Cauliflower Steaks offer hearty bites with a texture that keeps people interested. This dish holds its own against all the heavier meat and casserole items on the table. You’ll spot this dish in more than one guest’s plate at the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Tender Cauliflower Steaks