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Thanks for the recipes! I’ve been cooking more than usual and am in need of new recipes. Yours are just what I’ve been looking for.
Lisa
The Countdown Is On!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I’m already giddy thinking about all the good things to come. Over the years, I’ve cooked more than my fair share of Thanksgiving dinners, and I’ve learned that success comes in the planning. A little bit of prep makes all the difference in keeping the day joyful instead of stressful.
So if you’re organizing your menu, making lists, or just dreaming about your favorite dishes, I’ve gathered my very best Thanksgiving side dish recipes right here — along with helpful tips and planning strategies that’ll make your holiday cooking easier than ever.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Donya’s Thanksgiving Prep Tips
- Make the menu early. I write down which dishes need the oven, what can be assembled ahead, and which recipes need to be finished just before we eat. It makes Thanksgiving morning so much easier.
- Check your kitchen tools. Gather the serving dishes, casserole pans, timers, and instant-read thermometer you’ll need before the big day.
How To Plan Your Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving is one meal where a little planning makes all the difference. I start with the dishes my family looks forward to every year, then add a few vegetables, something fresh, and maybe one new recipe. You don’t need a dozen sides to put together a beautiful table. It’s about choosing the right mix.
| Type of Side | What To Choose | Donya’s Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Southern classic | Dressing, green beans, or candied yams | Start with the family favorites. |
| Potatoes or rice | Scalloped potatoes, potato casserole, or rice | Choose one that works with your oven schedule. |
| Vegetable | Roasted squash, carrots, or creamed corn | Bring color and variety to the table. |
| Fresh salad | Cranberry pecan slaw or Waldorf salad | Add something crisp to balance the richer dishes. |
| Something extra | Pineapple casserole or cheese grits | Pick one recipe that’s a little different. |
Here’s How I Plan the Cooking
Once I’ve chosen the sides, I make a simple cooking plan. It helps me enjoy Thanksgiving instead of spending the whole day wondering what needs to go in the oven next.
- Write out the menu. I list every dish, including the ones someone else is bringing, so I can see the whole meal at a glance.
- Check the oven space. I look at which casseroles and vegetables need baking and plan when each one can go in. Slow cooker and stovetop sides help free up room.
- Mark what can be made ahead. I check each recipe and note what I can assemble, chop, or fully cook in advance, along with any reheating instructions.
- Leave the fresh things for last. I save final salad dressing, crunchy toppings, and anything best served straight from the oven or skillet until closer to mealtime.
One more thing: I set out serving dishes and utensils ahead of time, too. It’s a small job that makes a big difference when everyone starts gathering around the table.
Thanksgiving Sides You Can Prep Ahead
The more I can get done before Thanksgiving morning, the better! Some of these sides can be made or assembled in advance, while others are best when the vegetables are washed, chopped, or measured ahead and cooked closer to serving. Follow each recipe’s directions for safe storage and reheating.
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
My classic Southern Green Beans and Potatoes recipe is all about cozy, down-home goodness. It’s got fresh string beans, tender red potatoes, and just the right touch of savory bacon, all cooked in butter and a rich broth. This comfort food side dish is a can’t-miss favorite at any holiday or Sunday supper table.
Southern Fried Corn Recipe
Buttery, Fried Corn is a classic Southern side dish that's a pure delight. It's simple, made in minutes with fresh corn, and is destined to shoot to the top of the list of your favorite recipes after the first time you make it!
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food with a delightful Southern twist in this easy-to-make baked potato casserole recipe. Packed with all the flavors and textures of loaded baked potatoes, this dish is sure to satisfy even the heartiest appetites.
Southern Candied Yams
Candied yams are a classic holiday side dish that's an outstanding addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but they are also terrific to serve year-round. Sweet potatoes cooked with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices are the star of the show and downright irresistible!
Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Rich, creamy Crock Pot Creamed Corn, with a hint of sweetness, might be the ultimate side dish. It's easy to make since the slow cooker does all the work! Free up your stove top or oven space during the holidays or busy weeknights with the Crock Pot.
One Pot Mushroom Rice
Make one pot mushroom rice for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner that tastes restaurant-quality. Creamy, savory, and ready in 30 minutes.
Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole
Brown Butter Butternut Squash Casserole with caramelized onions and a buttery cracker crust is a fall recipe that's absolutely incredible! It's perfect for Thanksgiving but it's so good you'll want to make it all year long.
Easy Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Broccoli casserole that’s creamy and cheesy in the center with a buttery, crunchy topping is a family favorite and perfect for any covered dish supper.
Homemade Crock Pot Applesauce
Crock Pot Applesauce flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg is so delicious. It's an incredibly easy recipe because the slow cooker does all the work! Once you taste homemade applesauce, you'll never buy the stuff from the store again.
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with a light, fluffy filling topped with toasted pecans are the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish! Made with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and just the right amount of sour cream, these potatoes are special enough for any holiday meal yet easy enough to make for weeknight supper.
Fresh Salads For Thanksgiving
I always make room for something fresh on Thanksgiving. A colorful salad gives everyone a crisp, bright bite alongside the creamy casseroles and buttery potatoes. Many salad ingredients can be prepared ahead; add dressings and crunchy toppings closer to serving when the recipe calls for it.
Easy Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad is a classic recipe that's hard to resist. Make with pineapple, cherries, oranges, coconut, pecans and grapes all wrapped up in fresh whipped cream and marshmallows, is a fruit salad that dreams are made of!
Simple Green Bean Salad
This clean and simple recipe is ideal served as a side dish for a weeknight meal and is always welcome on a holiday buffet.
Classic Waldorf Salad (Crunchy And Fresh)
This Classic Waldorf Salad combines crisp apples, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and toasted walnuts in a smooth, creamy dressing perfect for serving any time of the year. Whether you're making it for lunch, as a side dish, sharing it at a potluck, or during the holidays, this traditional recipe is always a favorite.
Classic Creamy Pea Salad
Sweet peas, bacon, cheese, and onion, tossed in a vibrant creamy dressing, this sweet and savory salad recipe is a fantastic choice for cookouts, potlucks, and holiday buffets.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This crunchy, savory, smokey, sweet Fresh Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is anything but boring! It's a delicious year-round side dish that's simple to make and great to serve as leftovers for lunch.
Southern Potato Salad
With tangy mustard and hard-boiled eggs, this Southern Potato Salad is the perfect easy side dish for family gatherings and a must for holiday celebrations. Loaded with a flavor and a creamy texture, after just one bite, you'll know why this cherished recipe is a crowd favorite!
Carrot Apple Salad Recipe
Carrots and apples take center stage in this fresh salad that's so easy to make! Carrot Apple Salad is a classic, feel-good recipe perfect for serving in the Fall or whenever you need a pop of bright flavor. It's the ideal side dish for busy weeknight meals and is great for family get-togethers.
Broccoli Apple Salad
Fresh broccoli, apples, cheese and a light, bright dressing made into one awesome salad. There’s a reason why this broccoli salad is a favorite at covered dish suppers and holiday celebrations!
Cranberry Pecan Slaw
Take your coleslaw to a whole new level with sweet, tangy cranberries and crunchy pecans. Mix in an apple and some savory, green onions then toss them all in a creamy dressing for a dish that will be a favorite at any gathering!
Southern Grape Salad
Delicious Grape Salad is amazingly fresh, sweet, and creamy with an irresistible crunchy topping! Served as a side dish or a dessert, this easy-to-make recipe is always a favorite at the holidays, potluck suppers, or when you're entertaining.
How Much Should I Make?
For my family of six, plus a few friends, I generally prepare two salads and four other side dishes. There isn’t one perfect number for every table, though. Start with your guest count and family favorites, and remember that folks usually take smaller portions when there are lots of dishes to choose from.
Your Thanksgiving Countdown Starts Here
A wonderful Thanksgiving dinner starts with a little planning! I’ve put together my Thanksgiving Countdown to help you organize your menu, shopping, make-ahead dishes, and oven time. It’s everything you need to stay on track and enjoy more time around the table.
More Southern Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving is the one day each year when the recipes passed down from family really shine — the ones scribbled on index cards and tucked inside old cookbooks. This collection includes both timeless favorites and new ideas, so you can build a table that feels like your family and tells your story.
Southern Pineapple Casserole
Pineapple Casserole is a classic, Southern dish, that's sweet, savory, and has a buttery topping that makes it totally addictive! Served as a side dish for the holidays or as a dessert, this surprising recipe brings together contrasting flavors and textures, making it incredibly delicious.
Best Creamed Spinach Recipe: Fresh and Easy
Creamed Spinach is a quick, comforting, and absolutely delicious homemade side dish. It's easy to make with simple ingredients, whether pulling together a last-minute weeknight meal or hosting unexpected guests. This recipe brings out the classic, rich flavors of creamed spinach in a lighter, fresher way and is perfect for adding a little extra flair to any meal!
Creamy Southern Deviled Eggs
Extra creamy deviled eggs are a classic, crowd pleasing appetizer and a must for any southern holiday celebration. This deviled egg recipe is simple to make with no-frills or fancy extras. They are the perfect finger food for holidays, parties and gatherings anytime of the year.
Honey Glazed Carrots
Beautiful, glazed carrots with honey and butter are easy to make yet special enough to make a statement on any holiday table! They are so hard to resist, you'll make them all year round.
Easy Shells And Cheese
This take on classic Shells and Cheese is easy to make and requires just 6 main ingredients. To really elevate this cheesy dish, top it with my toasted breadcrumbs mixture.
Southern Style Green Beans
Tender, flavorful, and steeped in tradition, Southern Style Green Beans are a down-home delight that's easy to make! Fresh green beans cooked with bacon and just the right amount of seasoning is the perfect side dish for any meal.
Roasted Butternut Squash With Bacon
Butternut Squash roasted with fresh thyme and maple syrup is a sweet and savory side dish that's so easy to prepare! This simple dish is taken to a whole new level with a sprinkle of smokey bacon for an incredible holiday side dish or served at a weeknight meal.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Beautiful, perfectly cooked Scalloped Potatoes are a classic that you'll fall in love with after just one bite! Tender, thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy sauce for a side dish that's excellent to serve alongside any main course and is a must-make for the holidays.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are out of this world delicious! With just four simple ingredients and the magic of the air fryer, this easy to make recipe will be your new favorite way to cook this yummy veggie.
Orange Cranberry Sauce
Easy to make Orange Cranberry Sauce is bursting with bold, bright flavors! Fresh cranberries sweetened with honey and maple syrup make this an outstanding no-sugar recipe to serve with turkey or ham.
Skillet Cinnamon Apples
Simple, easy Skillet Cinnamon Apples makes an amazing side dish, or dessert and is perfect for breakfast. Sauteed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon your favorite fall apples are turned into a decedent creation that's hard to resist!
Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits Casserole
Full of deep, rich flavor, Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits Casserole takes comfort food to a whole new level! This simple recipe is excellent served alongside grilled steak, pork, and fish or anytime you’re craving a luscious, flavor-packed side dish.
Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus
Perfectly roasted asparagus, with crispy tips that are tender on the inside, is what you get with this easy recipe! Prepared with just 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes in the oven, this fantastic side dish is ready to serve.
Easy Squash Casserole Recipe
Squash Casserole is a classic Southern side dish that's pure perfection! Beautiful yellow squash is layered into a cast iron, topped with a crunchy, cheesy crust, and then drizzled with a light butter sauce to create an irresistibly flavorful dish everyone will love.
Ingredients I Keep On Hand For Holiday Cooking
Before the big day arrives, take a quick inventory of what’s already in your pantry and what you’ll need to pick up from the store. Having the basics on hand saves time when the kitchen starts humming.
Here are the ingredients I like to keep ready for Thanksgiving week:
- Chicken or vegetable stock
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- A mix of herbs and seasonings
- Fresh garlic
- Carrots, potatoes, corn, green beans, and sweet potatoes
- Brussels sprouts
- Butter, milk, and half-and-half
- Chocolate chips (for sweet little treats or quick cookies!)
- Pecans
These staples are the foundation for nearly every classic Southern side dish — from casseroles and roasted vegetables to creamy mashed potatoes and decadent desserts.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
A week or two before Thanksgiving, I pull out the pans, serving pieces, and tools I’ll need and make sure everything is ready. Here’s my checklist:
- Stock Pot
- Casserole Dishes
- Baking Sheets
- Wooden Spoons
- Crock Pot
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Air Fryer
- Food Processor
- Measuring Cup and Spoons
- Mixing Bowls
Enjoy The Leftovers!
Leftovers are one of the best things about Thanksgiving! After a full day in the kitchen, I love turning what’s left into easy lunches and suppers. Here are a few favorites to keep the good food going.
Here are a few of my favorites:
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The Thanksgiving Countdown: 7 Days to a Beautiful & Delicious Thanksgiving
GET THIS FREE GUIDE: To help plan out your menu, when to buy your ingredients, and what prep work you can do in advance.
Ms. Donna I Absolutely Love Your Recipes & Follow You Daily- Do You have your Southern Recipes For Collard Greens or Turnip Greens as a Thanksgiving Side( it’s a Family Tradition for Our Family & I have Lost The Passed Down Recipe due to the Passing of my Mother) and What about Your Best Recipe for Southern Mashed Potatoes? Please
Thank you so much for your kind words — that truly means a lot! 💛 And yes, I do have my Collard Greens recipe on the blog! It’s a great fit for Thanksgiving and full of that classic, slow-simmered flavor.
I don’t currently have a mashed potatoes recipe posted, but it’s definitely something I’ve had in mind — so stay tuned! In the meantime, I hope the greens bring a little bit of that cherished family tradition back to your holiday table.
~Donya
Thanks for the recipes! I’ve been cooking more thn usual and am in need of new recipes.Yours are just what I’ve been looking for.