It’s the final day of Well Plated Turkey week! If you haven’t yet, Sign up here and I’ll send you my FREE Thanksgiving Survival Guide, complete with a menu and turkey-day countdown!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve already started thinking about all the side dishes you want to make (and more importantly, eat!). This is why I’ve compiled my very extensive list of 40+ Thanksgiving Sides!

Over many years of countless recipe tests and inspiration, my list of healthy side dishes and Thanksgiving recipes has grown.

These recipes taste INCREDIBLE and THEY WORK!

Holiday meals are special, and these recipes live up to the task.

• Every recipe on this list has received numerous stamps of approval from both adults and kids.
• The ingredients are simple and can be found at any grocery store.
• These Thanksgiving sides are EASY. Even beginner cooks can make these!
• You’ll find both classic typical Thanksgiving sides for a traditional meal, as well as unique Thanksgiving sides if you’re looking to mix it up.

To make browsing these healthy Thanksgiving sides as easy as possible, I have organized them into categories for you.

If you would like to jump to a specific section, simply click the appropriate link below. Otherwise, keep scrolling to see them all!

What Should I Cook for Thanksgiving?

Whether you want to follow a what a traditional Thanksgiving menu is or not, the choice is completely up to you, which is part of the fun!

When preparing a typical Thanksgiving Day menu at our house, here’s my game plan:

• Appetizers. I start with a few of my healthy Thanksgiving appetizers, like Pumpkin Goat Cheese Crostini, Pineapple Cheese Ball, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, and Ham and Cheese Pinwheels.
• Main Course. Next, I’ll serve a hearty and delicious main dish with a handful of my healthy Thanksgiving sides from the list below. Make your favorite (we always do roast turkey), then surround it with any of the recipes on this list.
• Side Dishes. Pick a mix from this list, ensuring you have classics (stuffing), starches (potatoes), and a green veggie (green beans or Brussels sprouts).
• Desserts. Because no one is ever too full! I like to serve at least two desserts so my guests have options. Sweet Potato Pie, Pecan Pie Bars, and Gluten Free Apple Crisp are tried-and-true favorites.

What Are the Most Popular Side Dishes for Thanksgiving?

The most popular Thanksgiving side dish can vary based on where you live, but you’ll almost always find some version of these top 5 Thanksgiving side dishes:

• Mashed Potatoes (probably the most popular Thanksgiving side dish)
• Stuffing
• Bread
• Cranberry Sauce
• Green Bean Casserole

The best part? You can try them all!

I have a recipe for all of these options in the list below.

How Many Sides Does Thanksgiving Have?

Your Thanksgiving menu can have as many sides as you want/need to feed your guests and meet any dietary requirements. According to this article:

• For sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing, you should have at least one dish for every five people and at least two dishes for 10 people or more.
• If you’re serving a salad, one should be enough unless you’re serving 20 people or more.
• For vegetable sides, you’ll want to serve at least one for five people or less, a minimum of two for 10 people or less, and three for 20 people or more.

Now, let’s get to those healthy Thanksgiving sides!

Sweet Potato Thanksgiving Sides

A classic, beloved part of our Thanksgiving dinner!

You can go sweet or savory.

Mashed Potato Thanksgiving Sides

The ultimate crowd-pleaser of the Thanksgiving table. Use the slow cooker or Instant Pot to free up space on the stovetop.

Cheesy Potato Thanksgiving Sides

Cheese + potatoes = happy guests!

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes

Forget the soggy, bland stuffing recipes from your past (and ditch the box!). These flavorful and fun stuffings will become a star on your table.

Green Beans

Green bean casserole with mushrooms is tradition for a reason (spoiler: it’s DELISH!). Not a fan of the casserole version? My easy Roasted Green Beans are a simple swap.

Brussels Sprouts Sides

The vegetable that has found redemption in recent years. There’s nothing sad or soggy about the plethora of Brussels sprouts recipes on my site.

Squash Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Fall’s favorite veggies! These butternut squash and acorn squash recipes are perfect for a holiday spread.

Thanksgiving Salads

Salad recipes this flavorful can hold their own at a table full of other tantalizing sides.

From kale salad to classic broccoli salad, each brings beautiful color and freshness.

Cranberry Sauce Recipes for Thanksgiving

From classic cranberry sauce to a refreshing relish, these recipes will add brightness to your spread.

Corn Thanksgiving Sides

I know some people enjoy having cheesy corn casserole at Thanksgiving, but I’m partial to luscious creamed corn or smoky grilled corn instead.

Unique, Easy, and Impressive Thanksgiving Sides

While traditional side dishes are tasty, these unique dishes will shock and delight your guests.

Vegetable Casserole Side Dishes

Vegetables baked in a creamy sauce with a crispy topping? Add some to my plate!

Roasted Vegetables

Simple yet delicious! Roasted veggies are ideal, especially if you’ll be serving any guests with dietary restrictions.

Breads and Rolls

A side that’s sure to please! I’ve even included a gluten-free option below for those who are serving gluten-free guests.

If you try one of these delicious Thanksgiving sides (or another Thanksgiving recipe from my site), I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I always love hearing from you♥