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The turkey gets the attention, but the Thanksgiving side dishes are what people go back for. These are the sides I keep coming back to: creamy potatoes, a few cheesy casseroles, simple roasted vegetables and a couple of fresh salads to cut through all the richness.

Most use everyday ingredients, several are low-carb, and many can be prepped ahead—which matters when the oven is full.

Collage of Thanksgiving side dishes, including scalloped potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes with feta, garlic parmesan potatoes, cabbage casserole, cauliflower casserole, grape salad, garlic butter mushrooms and parmesan green beans.

My rule for a full table: two potato or starch sides, one casserole, one green vegetable and one salad. Pick from each group below and you’re set.

Thanksgiving Potato Sides

1
Scalloped potatoes with cheddar in a baking dish with a wooden spoon
Scalloped Potatoes With Cheddar
Thin-sliced potatoes baked in a creamy cheddar sauce until golden and bubbling.
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2
Creamy feta mashed potatoes served in a bowl
Feta Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes with crumbled feta for a salty, tangy twist.
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3
Golden cubed garlic parmesan potatoes on a wooden spoon
Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
Garlic and parmesan potatoes, crisped in the air fryer or oven.
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4
Roasted sweet potato cubes topped with crumbled feta and pumpkin seeds
Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Feta
Caramelized roasted sweet potatoes finished with creamy feta.
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Thanksgiving Casseroles

5
Creamy green bean casserole with crispy onion topping in a white baking dish
Easy Green Bean Casserole (No Mushroom Soup)
Green beans in a homemade creamy sauce with crispy onions and parmesan.
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6
Low-carb creamy green bean casserole served on a white plate
Low-Carb Green Bean Casserole
A creamy, cheesy, gluten-free take on the holiday classic.
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7
Fork lifting cheesy cauliflower casserole with bacon and green onions
Low-Carb Cauliflower Casserole
Cauliflower baked with bacon and cheddar in a rich, creamy sauce.
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8
Golden baked cabbage casserole in a white ceramic dish
Cabbage Casserole
Tender cabbage baked in an egg-and-cheese custard until golden.
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9
Creamy shaved Brussels sprouts gratin with Gruyere in a white dish
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Gratin With Gruyere
Shaved Brussels sprouts baked with nutty Gruyere until bubbling.
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Vegetable Sides

10
Garlic butter mushrooms with parsley in a skillet
Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Golden stovetop mushrooms sautéed with garlic, butter and herbs.
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11
Oven-baked green beans sprinkled with Parmesan cheese
Oven Baked Green Beans With Parmesan
Simple roasted green beans with parmesan, tender and lightly crisp.
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Salads and Grains

12
Shaved Brussels sprouts salad with pomegranate and almonds in a wooden bowl
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
A crisp, fresh salad with shaved Brussels sprouts and pomegranate.
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13
Roasted broccoli and chickpea salad with bacon and shallots
Broccoli Chickpea Salad
Roasted broccoli and chickpeas with bacon, shallots and lemon tahini dressing.
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14
Fresh salad with grapes, cheese, greens and walnuts in a bowl
Salad With Grapes And Cheese
Fresh greens, grapes and cheese with sweet-savory contrast.
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15
Quinoa with butternut squash, spinach and dried cranberries
Quinoa With Butternut Squash, Spinach And Dried Cranberries
A colorful vegetarian grain side, delicious warm or at room temperature.
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How to Plan Your Thanksgiving Sides

Prep ahead. Assemble casseroles the day before when the individual recipe allows, refrigerate, and bake until heated through. A chilled casserole may need extra time.

Split the cooking. Use the stovetop for mushrooms and the air fryer for potatoes to free oven space.

Dress salads last. Prep vegetables ahead, but add dressing shortly before serving.

Cover low-carb guests. Try the low-carb green bean casserole, cauliflower casserole, or garlic butter mushrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many side dishes for Thanksgiving?

For 8–10 people, four to six sides is usually plenty: one or two potato dishes, a casserole, a green vegetable and a salad.

Which Thanksgiving sides can I make ahead?

Many casseroles can be assembled a day early, depending on their recipe instructions. You can also prep salad components ahead and dress them just before serving.

What are good low-carb Thanksgiving sides?

Try the low-carb green bean casserole, low-carb cauliflower casserole, garlic butter mushrooms and oven baked green beans with parmesan.

What are some budget-friendly Thanksgiving side dishes?

Cabbage casserole, scalloped potatoes and roasted green beans use familiar ingredients and serve a crowd.

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Hi! I'm Mira.

I share simple, mostly low-carb and Keto recipes, that don't take a lot of time to make and use mostly seasonal, easy to find ingredients. I'm a supporter of healthy eating, but you'll also find some indulgent treats too.

More about me

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