14 Insane Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Need to Make

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.