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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Thanksgiving Sides That Are Better Than Turkey

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on November 21, 2024, updated November 25, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones and enjoying a feast, but the sides can often steal the show. From creamy mashed potatoes to vibrant roasted vegetables, these 25 side dishes bring flavor and variety to the table, making them just as memorable as the turkey. Whether you're looking for classic recipes or new twists, these sides will make your holiday meal truly special.

    Saffron Mashed Potatoes

    Saffron Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This year, serve up some incredibly fluffy and rich mashed potatoes with a twist. These saffron mashed potatoes will be a standout side dish at your Thanksgiving table.

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    Instant Pot Stuffing

    Stuffing Recipe in the Instant Pot
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    Stuffing is a classic dish that everyone loves during the holidays, and you can easily prepare it in your Instant Pot. This version combines sweet and savory flavors using a pot-in-pot method, making it a dish you'll want to enjoy again and again.

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    Creamy Rice

    Creamy rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Creamy rice is a simple dish that stands out with its rich flavor. Made with butter and chicken stock, this is the best rice you'll ever enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

    Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    Brown sugar-glazed carrots are a fantastic side dish that everyone loves. They're buttery, sweet, and packed with flavor, making them a perfect addition to any meal.

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    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These mashed potatoes are simple and rich, made with just butter for a super creamy texture. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re a great side dish that you might find hard to share.

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    Garlic Roasted Broccoli

    Garlic roasted brococli.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This broccoli is a simple side that you'll want to enjoy with every meal. It's a great addition to your Thanksgiving table, bringing a fresh and tasty touch.

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    Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

    Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: the foreign fork.

    A Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is a staple on my Thanksgiving table. This Instant Pot version simplifies the cooking process, leaving the oven free for the turkey.

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    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    These mashed potatoes are incredibly smooth and creamy, topped with a crispy layer of parmesan. You can prepare them up to three days in advance, which helps save time and clean-up on the big day.

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    Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic

    Brussel sprouts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Frozen brussels sprouts can be transformed into a delicious side dish with just a little effort and only 16 minutes in the air fryer. Coated in honey balsamic vinaigrette and a hint of cayenne pepper, they come out perfectly roasted and caramelized.

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    Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes

    Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes are crispy and buttery, ready in under 30 minutes with easy preparation. This is a great side dish for any dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Green Beans With Bacon

    Slow Cooker Green Beans.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    This dish combines buttery and smoky flavors for a delicious side. It's easy to make with common pantry ingredients and doesn't take much time to prepare.

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    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Baby potatoes in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These crispy potatoes are a great side dish for hearty meals. Seasoned well with salt, they remind you of the Canarian potatoes known as "Papas Arrugadas."

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    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad combines sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that go well with any main dish. It's especially great alongside heavier dishes - like turkey with all the fixings!

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    Classic Slow Cooker Stuffing

    Classic Slow Cooker Stuffing
    Photo Credit: peas and crayons.

    This Slow Cooker Stuffing is a great way to free up oven space during Thanksgiving. It turns out soft and fluffy inside while having a nice crispy top.

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    Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    These thick and creamy garlic mashed potatoes are incredibly satisfying and delicious. They come together in just 30 minutes, making them a great side for a quick weeknight meal.

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    Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

    Sweet potato wedges.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer sweet potatoes are ready in just 15 minutes and come out perfectly baked. With a sprinkle of cinnamon and salt, they make a great side for fish and chicken, or you can enjoy them as a tasty snack on their own.

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    Smashed Potatoes

    Smashed potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Smashed Potatoes with garlic are a great side dish for any gathering. Simple to prepare with just a handful of ingredients, they come out crispy, cheesy, and really tasty.

    Smashed Potatoes

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Black Beans, Kale and Quinoa

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Black Beans, Kale and Quinoa
    Photo Credit: Happy Kitchen.

    This vegan sweet potato casserole is packed with black beans, kale, quinoa, and roasted garlic sauce. It's simple to put together and great for preparing in advance.

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    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy mashed potatoes come together in just 35 minutes, delivering a creamy and rich side dish. With two kinds of cheese mixed in, this will quickly become a go-to for family dinners and whenever you want something hearty.

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    Roasted Beet & Fennel Salad

    Beet & fennel salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This beetroot and feta salad is quick to prepare, taking only 15 minutes of your time. It's a warm dish filled with beets, feta cheese, fennel, and roasted pine nuts, making it a great choice for any time of the year, even for those who aren't usually fans of salad.

    Get the recipe

    Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

    Sour cream mashed potatoes.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Sour cream mashed potatoes are a tasty twist on the classic dish. They’re quick to make and add a nice balance to heavier meals, perfect for Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham, or even a simple weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

    Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: hey nutrition lady.

    This is a simple and healthy addition to your Thanksgiving meal. Topped with a crunchy pecan crumble and sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar, this dish is perfect for the holiday season.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

    Air fryer hasselback potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are a quick and easy take on the classic Swedish side dish, ready in just 30 minutes. Topped with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, this dish is a favorite that you'll want to make again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

    Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
    Photo Credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This creamy green bean casserole is super simple to prepare and perfect for any gathering. Made in the slow cooker, it’s a classic dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed potato casserole.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This mashed potato casserole is creamy and cheesy, perfect for your Thanksgiving table. You can prepare it in advance, making it a great side dish for busy holiday gatherings.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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