29 Thanksgiving Sides Everyone Secretly Hopes You Make

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The truth is, the main dish might get the attention, but it’s the sides that really shine. These Thanksgiving sides everyone secretly hopes you make are full of flavor, easy to prepare, and guaranteed to be the ones guests are quietly hoping will appear on the table this year.

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

 

Layers of tender potatoes meet a rich, creamy sauce in this classic side that never disappoints. Perfect for Thanksgiving, it adds a comforting touch everyone will reach for.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Set it and forget it: these creamy mashed potatoes are perfectly smooth and ready without any fuss. They make an effortless yet show-stopping addition to your Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Stuffing

This classic stuffing blends sage, onions, and day-old bread into a comforting side everyone loves. It’s the kind of dish that makes Thanksgiving feel like home.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe

Sausage Stuffing

Pork sausage, seasoned bread, and aromatics come together in this flavorful stuffing. Guests will keep asking for seconds and the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffing Recipe

Funeral Potatoes

Cheesy, creamy, and topped with golden crunch, this casserole is a Thanksgiving favorite for a reason. It’s the kind of side guests secretly hope makes it to the table.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes

Fondant Potatoes

Crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside, these golden fondant potatoes bring a touch of elegance to any Thanksgiving spread. Guests will keep coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Fondant Potatoes

Turkey Gravy

Rich, silky, and full of flavor, this turkey gravy turns any side into a highlight of your Thanksgiving meal. It’s a must-have that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Gravy

Pan Fried Potatoes (Crispy & Golden)

Crispy edges, tender centers, and endless seasoning options make these pan-fried potatoes a table favorite. They’re simple yet irresistible on a Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Pan Fried Potatoes

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

These sweet potatoes get a festive upgrade with a walnut streusel topping. Slightly sweet and crunchy, they’re a side everyone will remember.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Acorn Squash

Cinnamon and chili powder bring out the natural sweetness of this roasted acorn squash. It’s a seasonal side that adds color and flavor to your Thanksgiving plate.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash

Cranberry Sauce

Bright, tangy, and easy to make, this cranberry sauce brings a fresh kick to your Thanksgiving plate. It’s a simple side that elevates everything it touches.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce

Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

Crispy bacon and creamy green beans make this casserole stand out on any table. It’s a side that quietly steals the spotlight at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

Macaroni And Cheese

Loaded with three cheeses and a crispy topping, this macaroni and cheese is creamy and comforting. It’s the side that disappears first on any Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Tender and lightly seasoned, these roasted Brussels sprouts balance flavor and simplicity. They’re a side that even veggie skeptics will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Corn Casserole

Sweet corn and buttery goodness make this corn casserole an easy crowd-pleaser. It’s a cozy, one-dish side that feels like Thanksgiving in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole Recipe

Roasted Root Vegetables

Caramelized edges, earthy sweetness, and a mix of hearty roots make this the tray everyone reaches for first. It brings color and warmth to the table, and it fits right in with any Thanksgiving spread people secretly hope you repeat every year.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Root Vegetables

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Soft, ultra-creamy, and just the right amount of rich, these mashed potatoes always disappear fast. They’re the kind of side that quietly steals the show and becomes the dish everyone hopes makes a comeback every Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato Casserole

Soft sweet potatoes topped with a buttery pecan crumble make this a holiday classic that feels part dessert, part side. It brings that nostalgic flavor people wait all year for—and happily claim seconds of.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Stovetop Candied Yams

Warm, buttery, and gently sweet, these stovetop yams come together quickly and still taste like a slow-cooked holiday favorite. They bring that comforting flavor people always hope shows up on the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Candied Yams With Canned Sweet Potatoes

Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans

Tender green beans slow-cooked with bacon bring a cozy Southern flavor that fits right in with the holiday table. It’s the kind of no-fuss side everyone secretly hopes you bring again next year.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Creamy, buttery, and naturally sweet, these mashed sweet potatoes bring comfort in every scoop. They’re simple, smooth, and exactly the kind of side people quietly hope appears year after year.
Get the Recipe Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Honey Roasted Carrots And Parsnips

Lightly sweet, colorful, and beautifully roasted, this easy veggie side brings brightness to the table. It’s a simple addition that feels special—and one guests are always happy to see return on Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Honey Roasted Carrots And Parsnips

Cheesy Loaded Potato Casserole With Bacon

Cheesy, creamy, and packed with smoky bacon, this potato casserole is the definition of comfort food. It’s rich, satisfying, and easily the dish people hope you’re bringing again next year.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Potato Casserole Recipe With Bacon

Sourdough Stuffing

Toasty sourdough, herbs, onions, and celery come together in a stuffing that’s both classic and flavorful. It’s the kind of side that feels familiar yet special—one guests quietly hope shows up again.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Stuffing

Twice Baked Potatoes

Loaded with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives, these potatoes are rich, savory, and always a crowd favorite. They bring that “special occasion” feeling everyone hopes makes its way back to the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes

Artichoke And Leek Stuffing

With artichokes, leeks, apples, and fresh herbs, this stuffing brings a flavorful twist that still feels right at home on Thanksgiving. It’s a standout side guests love and hope to see every year.
Get the Recipe: Artichoke And Leek Stuffing

Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Lemon

Crispy edges, garlic, and a bright hint of lemon make these roasted potatoes incredibly satisfying. They’re simple yet memorable—the kind of side guests hope becomes a yearly tradition.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Lemon

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes With Gruyere

Rich layers of tender potatoes and silky Gruyere make this dish one of those comforting sides people always talk about. It’s elegant, warm, and definitely one guests hope you bring again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Scalloped Potatoes With Gruyere

Hasselback Potatoes

Thin, crisp edges and buttery centers make these potatoes look impressive while staying incredibly easy. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that guests love seeing on the Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potato Recipe