Thanksgiving is all about indulging in sides so good, you’ll wish you had more room to enjoy them all. From creamy potatoes to crunchy vegetables and everything in between, these 15 side dishes are guaranteed to compete with the turkey for a spot on your plate.
These recipes bring the kind of flavor and comfort that’ll have your family asking for seconds—and maybe even thirds. With these sides on the menu, you might just find yourself wishing you had two stomachs to fit it all in!
Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
Moroccan pearl couscous salad adds a vibrant and unique touch to the Thanksgiving lineup. Ready in 30 minutes, it features couscous, feta, and roasted pumpkin dressed with tangy tahini lemon sauce, offering a refreshing balance to the richer dishes. Expect this dish to be a standout at the table, with everyone talking before they even finish their plate.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad
Tabbouleh Salad with Feta
Light and refreshing, this tabbouleh salad with feta will cut through the richness of Thanksgiving sides and add a pop of brightness to the table. Ready in 20 minutes, this salad’s combination of bulgur wheat, feta, and fresh herbs makes it a surprising contender for favorite dish. It’s the refreshing bite everyone will reach for after the heavier sides, and it may just steal the show by the end of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Tabbouleh Salad with Feta
Fried Halloumi Salad
Fried halloumi salad will bring a fresh and crispy addition to the Thanksgiving table, offering a delightful contrast to the heavier dishes. Ready in just 20 minutes, this simple combination of halloumi and fresh greens will have everyone reaching for seconds. It might just be the dish that sneaks in as a surprise favorite.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad
Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli, and Peppers
These roasted lemon potatoes, broccoli, and peppers could make your turkey take a back seat with their bold flavors. Ready in 40 minutes, the tangy lemon and turmeric bring a refreshing contrast to traditional Thanksgiving sides. It’s a standout dish that could easily be the most talked about on the table. By the end of the meal, this may be the one everyone remembers.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli, and Peppers
Middle Eastern Spiced Butternut Squash Pickles
These Middle Eastern spiced butternut squash pickles will have everyone talking long after dinner. Ready in under an hour, they add sweet and savory flavors to your spread, and the warm spices perfectly complement your turkey. With this unexpected side, cranberry sauce may have some competition as the new holiday favorite. Guests will be eager to try this twist, and it might just become a regular Thanksgiving request.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Spiced Butternut Squash Pickles
Cranberry Apple Stuffing
Cranberry apple stuffing brings a sweet and tart twist that could make your turkey jealous. This bold side dish, ready in 45 minutes, will bring new flavors to your Thanksgiving spread, transforming traditional stuffing into something unforgettable. It works both inside the bird or on the side, and once served, plain stuffing won’t stand a chance. Expect everyone to pile this on their plate.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Stuffing
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf
This butternut squash wild rice pilaf will have your turkey competing for attention. Ready in 45 minutes, the nutty wild rice and tender butternut squash are the perfect complement to a Thanksgiving spread. It stands out while balancing the meal, giving your guests a side dish they’ll be asking seconds for before the turkey even cools. Your guests may leave talking about the sides instead of the main course.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf
Baked Butternut Squash Chips
These baked butternut squash chips are light, crunchy, and perfect for casual Thanksgiving gatherings. They offer a seasonal flair while keeping things simple and are an easy side that can impress your guests without adding heaviness to the menu. These chips are a great go-to when you want something quick and flavorful, with just enough flair for the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Baked Butternut Squash Chips
Easy Scalloped Potatoes
These easy scalloped potatoes could overshadow the turkey with their creamy, cheesy layers. A simple dish to prepare, these potatoes bring comforting flavor to the table and are sure to become a new family favorite. Rich and hearty, this side will have guests talking long after the turkey’s been served. After one bite, they might forget about the turkey altogether.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Fried Cheese Balls
Fried cheese balls might just steal the show as the perfect appetizer or side to any Thanksgiving spread. Crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, they’re an irresistible bite-sized treat that could easily overshadow the main event. Quick to make, these cheese balls will be the dish everyone talks about once the meal is over. Expect guests to rave about this snack all night.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cheese Balls
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Air fryer butternut squash will make your turkey jealous with its perfectly roasted cubes and rich flavor. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a time-saver that still brings bold flavors to the table, making it a standout side. Don’t be surprised when this easy side dish has everyone asking for the recipe before the meal ends.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Cheesy loaded twice-baked potatoes could outshine your turkey this Thanksgiving. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, this dish adds a level of comfort everyone expects during the holidays. After one bite, you may find your guests asking for more potatoes and leaving the turkey for later. These potatoes are sure to be a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Best Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)
This Moroccan Zaalouk dip delivers bold roasted flavors that bring a lighter, yet impactful side to your Thanksgiving table. Ready in advance, it seamlessly fits into a busy Thanksgiving prep, adding a touch of international flair to your meal. It proves that bold doesn’t need to be heavy, offering a flavorful break from heavier sides.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Dip Recipe (Zaalouk)
My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms
These tofu-stuffed mushrooms are a hearty and elegant side dish, perfect for serving at Thanksgiving gatherings. Easy to prepare and bake, these meaty mushrooms will disappear from the table as soon as you set them down, leaving everyone wondering how you managed to make something vegan taste so filling. Guests won’t even miss the meat.
Get the Recipe: My Favorite Vegan Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms
Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
These air fryer sweet potatoes will likely leave your turkey feeling overlooked. Quick to prepare and irresistibly fluffy, they’ll become a new favorite on your Thanksgiving table. The rich, caramelized flavors of these sweet potatoes will be a hit, earning their place as a new Thanksgiving classic. Expect requests for this dish next year too.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer
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