Thanksgiving turkeys get a lot of hype, but really? It’s the side dishes that people look forward to all year. It’s the mashed potatoes, the stuffing, the corn casserole and the cranberry sauce that people look forward to all year. While some people are traditionalists when it comes to the big meal, others like to mix it up and add fresh new Thanksgiving side dishes to the dinner table each year.
If you’re among those who are looking to spice up your menu this holiday season, here are 14 of the most indulgent and creative dishes you can make this year.
1. Poutine Stuffing with Sausage and Cheese Curds
This poutine stuffing is a fun twist on a fall classic. Perfect for Thanksgiving, it’s packed full of pork sausage and cheese curds and topped with a delicious poutine gravy.
2. Caramelized Onion and Bacon Mashed Potatoes
If you’re looking to take your ‘taters to the next level, caramelized onions and bacon will add sweet and salty flavors into these creamy and delicious bacon mashed potatoes.
3. Mushroom Goat Cheese Galette
It takes a few hours to pull this savory mushroom goat cheese galette together, but when you taste the tangy goat cheese and earthy mushrooms, it will be well worth every second of effort. You can prep this ahead when serving it alongside a big meal.
4. Cauliflower and Celery Root Soup with Roasted Garlic
Cauliflower and celery give this creamy cauliflower and celery rout soup with roasted garlic a nutritious boost, while the roasted garlic gives it some extra special flavor.
5. Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad
This bacon and brussels sprouts salad starts with raw, paper-thin shredded brussels sprouts tossed with a light citrus vinaigrette, packed with bacon, almonds, and Parmesan. This salad is reason enough to be thankful.
6. Smoked Gouda and Sweet Potato Casserole
This smoked gouda and sweet potato casserole is topped with spiced pecans. You’ll even gain some nutrition points here — the recipe swaps some of the sweet potatoes with cauliflower and replaces butter with coconut oil for this dreamy fall side dish.
7. Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
This easy and delicious wild rice pilaf is simmered in seasoned chicken broth and apple juice. Full of dried cranberries, apples and roasted pecans it’s the perfect sweet and savory side dish to add to you holiday menu.
8. Creamy Broccoli Salad
When you need a quick, easy side dish, this creamy broccoli salad is full of fresh broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and bacon mixed in a delicious, creamy dressing.
9. Bourbon Orange Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is my favorite thing on the dinner table at Thanksgiving and I love fresh relish versus the canned kind. This bourbon orange cranberry sauce is a sophisticated twist on your basic fresh cranberry relish.
10. Parsnip Gratin with Gruyere and Thyme
Parsnip gratin packed with melted gruyere cheese, garlic, nutmeg and thyme will smell amazing while it bakes and is the perfect hearty side dish for a holiday dinner.
11. Cheddar and Cream Cheese Cornbread
What could be better than a recipe that starts with butter, cheddar cheese and cream cheese? Not much, so this cheddar and cream cheese cornbread should have an easy place on your dinner table.
12. Roasted Butternut Squash Bacon Soup
This roasted butternut squash bacon soup is creamy and smooth, with crispy bacon bits adding just the right amount of texture.
13. 30 Minute Asiago Cheese Dinner Rolls
It might seem easy to reach for the store brand, but who needs to do that when you can make asiago cheese dinner rolls in under an hour?
14. One-Pot Bacon Chipotle Mac and Cheese
You only need one pot for this bacon chipotle mac and cheese recipe. I see no good reason not to make it.
16 Comments
Tips to Know When Hosting Thanksgiving for the First Time
October 31, 2016 at 11:49 pm[…] Read more: 14 Insane Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Need To Make This Year […]
Jen @ Carlsbad Cravings
November 23, 2015 at 1:47 pmThese all look SO delicious! Thank yo so much for featuring my Cranberry Apple Wild Rice Pilaf!
Paula - bell'alimento
November 19, 2015 at 9:27 pmWhat a great resource. I love the cauliflower soup!
Deborah
November 19, 2015 at 2:37 pmThese recipes all look great! When I host I’ll have to try these.
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
November 19, 2015 at 1:46 pmI could easily enjoy each of these offerings at my own table. Those Brussels looks delightful.
Maryanne @ the little epicurean
November 19, 2015 at 10:54 amForget the turkey! I like to fill up on side dishes (and desserts). The hard part is deciding which ones to make. Thanks for the round-up!
Nutmeg Nanny
November 19, 2015 at 10:38 amUmmmmm these all look awesome! I would happily eat each and every single one 🙂
Sheena @Tea and Biscuits
November 19, 2015 at 9:09 amWhat a great collection of sides, I’d be thrilled if they were on my Thanksgiving menu!
Laura | Petite Allergy Treats
November 19, 2015 at 8:28 amWhat a complete list of must try sides this year! The soups especially are such a great easy idea to feed the masses. 😀
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze
November 18, 2015 at 10:30 pmSo many yummy side dishes. I could have them all. I especially love that cranberry sauce and the broccoli salad. I think I need to make those this coming week. Pinned!!
Allison Jones
November 18, 2015 at 10:26 pmThese all sound great, but ESPECIALLY the mashed potatoes! YUM!
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
Chris @ Celebrations At Home
November 18, 2015 at 6:57 pmYum. I can definitely see my self adding some of these recipes to the repertoire!
Libby
November 18, 2015 at 3:23 pmThese all look delicious! We are hosting this year, so I may just have to steal some of these ideas for our thanksgiving meal!
Samantha
November 18, 2015 at 2:18 pmThis was a great post! Baked mac and cheese is my favorite thing ever, I’m super hungry now!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
November 18, 2015 at 1:37 pmOoooh yeah, this just got me super pumped about next week! I want all of these dishes at my table!
Tiara
November 18, 2015 at 1:35 pmSo many options! I don’t even know where to start!