21 Thanksgiving Sides Guaranteed to Spark Second Helpings

Turkey may get the applause, but the sides are the reason plates come back empty. You’ll find cozy classics and bright new favorites here, all easy to prep and make ahead so you can actually enjoy the day. Expect spoon-scraped pans, happy chatter around the table, and plenty of “save me a scoop” moments.

1

Surprise Potatoes

Want a cozy switch-up for Thanksgiving? Surprise Potatoes are the creamy, cheesy casserole that tastes like Grandma made it. They stir together in minutes, bake up bubbly, and vanish from the table. Every time I serve them, people ask for the recipe. Make a double pan and tuck one aside. You’ll be grateful when everyone comes back for seconds.

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2

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Deviled egg fans, meet your new go-to Thanksgiving pasta salad. It’s packed with chopped eggs, relish, mustard, and a pinch of paprika for that little kick. Creamy, tangy, and seriously delicious. It vanishes from the Thanksgiving spread, so I make a double batch.

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3

Orange Glazed Carrots

On Thanksgiving, I never skip Orange Glazed Carrots. Sweet, buttery, and bright with citrus, they bring big flavor with hardly any effort. Toss the tender carrots in the glossy glaze and you’re set. They put plain steamed carrots to shame, and guests always ask for seconds. Honestly, I could polish off the bowl before it even hits the table.

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4

Carrot Raisin Salad

Carrot Raisin Salad brings big flavor with zero fuss, and it’s more addictive than it has any right to be. Shredded carrots and cabbage team up with sweet raisins in a creamy, lemony dressing that just works. Sweet, crunchy, and gone in minutes on Thanksgiving. I keep promising a double batch for the holiday spread… and somehow still forget.

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5

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Meet your new Thanksgiving crowd-pleaser: ultra-creamy mac and cheese with sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyere, finished with a buttery panko Parmesan crunch. It’s cozy, outrageously cheesy, and vanishes fast, so don’t be shocked when people beg for a repeat. Bake it for the big day, bring it to Friendsgiving, or whip up a pan anytime that craving hits.

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6

Layered Salad

Bring this to Thanksgiving and watch it disappear. Layers of crisp lettuce, fresh veggies, salty bacon, and a creamy dressing everyone loves. It’s ridiculously easy and always the first bowl to empty.

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7

Orange Recipe

If big flavor is your thing, this orange rice is a Thanksgiving must. It’s zesty, super tender, and plays nicely with turkey, ham, and all the sides. Everyone asks for the recipe, so consider this your heads up. I’m making a double batch next time because it’s crazy easy. Honestly, it might just steal the show.

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8

Cabbage Apple Salad

Treat yourself and whip up this Cabbage Apple Salad. Bright, crunchy, and sweet-tangy, it always disappears first. Make a big bowl for Thanksgiving because it pairs with everything from turkey to ham. Go ahead and make extra because you’ll want seconds.

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9

Green Beans Almondine with Bacon

Planning your Thanksgiving menu? This no-fuss Green Beans Almondine tastes fancy and comes together in minutes with tender-crisp beans, crisp bacon, and buttery toasted almonds. Expect recipe requests.

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10

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Grandma’s Mexican Macaroni Salad is creamy, zesty, and ready in minutes. Set it on the Thanksgiving table and watch it steal the show. Make extra, because the bowl disappears fast and everyone will ask for the recipe.

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11

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Creamy, extra-cheesy, and almost too easy, these loaded stuffed baked potatoes are pure comfort. Serve them at Thanksgiving and watch the platter disappear. One bite and everyone asks for the recipe, so plan on a double batch.

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12

Grape Salad

Keep it easy with this creamy grape salad that comes together in minutes. Bring it to Thanksgiving and watch the bowl disappear. Try it once and it’ll be your go-to, so make a double because everyone will ask for the recipe.

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13

Sweet Potato Puffs

Sweet Potato Puffs are a must for my Thanksgiving spread. Crispy on the outside, fluffy and sweet in the middle, and dangerously easy to keep snagging. Serve them as a side or pass them like a snack; they disappear fast. I double the batch and still wish I’d made more. Quick, tasty, and worth every single bite.

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14

Banana Split Fluff Salad

Banana Split Fluff Salad is a creamy, fruit-packed bowl of nostalgia with pineapple, cherries, bananas, mini marshmallows, and a cool banana-pudding swirl. Make it as a fun Thanksgiving side dish and watch the bowl vanish before the turkey hits the table. Sweet, fluffy, and a little bit chocolatey, it doubles as dessert and always gets recipe requests.

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15

Strawberry Shortcake Fluff Salad

Creamy, pillowy, and freckled with juicy berries, this Strawberry Shortcake Fluff is pure spoonable bliss. Soft angel food cake and mini marshmallows soak up silky vanilla pudding, finished with a sweet graham cracker crunch. Make it ahead as a Thanksgiving side dish and watch it disappear faster than the pie.

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16

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad nails that sweet, salty, creamy combo with a buttery pretzel crust, fluffy cream cheese filling, and a bright strawberry Jell-O top. Make it as a Thanksgiving side dish for a cool, colorful slice that plays perfectly with all the cozy classics. Fair warning: it disappears fast, so you may want to double the pan.

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17

Photo credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Quick to toss together and bursting with bright berry flavor, this slow cooker cranberry sauce is a keeper. Make it for Thanksgiving and watch everyone go back for seconds. It quietly simmers while you handle the rest of dinner and tastes even better the next day.

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18

Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

These creamy, flavorful Instant Pot mashed potatoes are bound to be your new go-to side. They turn out perfectly fluffy in about 8 minutes. Stir in butter and a splash of cream right in the pot, then keep them warm until serving. Make a big batch for Thanksgiving and watch the bowl disappear.

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19

Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Southern Corn Pudding

My best Southern corn pudding brings farm-to-table comfort and belongs right beside the Thanksgiving turkey. It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and buttery with tender corn in every bite. Make it ahead, warm it before dinner, and watch it disappear fast.

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20

Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate

Air fryer Brussels sprouts turn out crisp on the outside and tender in the middle, finished with a tangy balsamic drizzle, salty feta, and juicy pomegranate. Make them for Thanksgiving and watch the bowl disappear. They cook in minutes and free up the oven for the turkey.

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21

Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Sage and Bacon Stuffing

Sage and bacon stuffing is a Thanksgiving staple. It’s the cozy, traditional bread stuffing you love, studded with salty bacon and plenty of fresh, earthy sage. The bacon drippings soak into the bread for rich flavor and crisp, golden edges. Bake a big pan because it disappears fast.

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That’s a wrap on the Thanksgiving sides; now it’s your turn. Pick a few, mix and match, and save some for Christmas or Hanukkah. If one steals the show, tell me which one and how you served it. I love hearing how you make it your own.