14 Insane Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Need to Make

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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

Photo: Cathy Trochelman

Photo: Cathy Trochelman

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

Photo: Heidi Bjarnason

Photo: Michelle Goth

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

Photo: Laura Davidson

Photo: Laura Davidson

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

Photo: Justine Sulia

Photo: Justine Sulia

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

Photo: Lindsay Ostrom

Photo: Lindsay Ostrom

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

Photo: Megan Kohrs

Photo: Megan Kohrs

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

Photo: Jennifer Sattley

Photo: Jennifer Sattley

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

Photo: Jen Nikolaus

Photo: Jen Nikolaus

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

Photo: Danae Pohlit Halliday

Photo: Danae Pohlit Halliday

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

Photo: Sylvia Fountaine

Photo: Sylvia Fountaine

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

Photo: Melanie Bauer

Photo: Melanie Bauer

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

Photo: Chung-Ah Rhee

Photo: Chung-Ah Rhee

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

Photo: Alyssa Rivers

Photo: Alyssa Rivers

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

Photo: Ashley Fehr

Photo: Ashley Fehr

You only need one pot for this bacon chipotle mac and cheese recipe. I see no good reason not to make it.

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    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 […]

  • Reply
    Jen @ Carlsbad Cravings
    November 23, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    These all look SO delicious! Thank yo so much for featuring my Cranberry Apple Wild Rice Pilaf!

  • Reply
    Paula - bell'alimento
    November 19, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    What a great resource. I love the cauliflower soup!

  • Reply
    Deborah
    November 19, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    These recipes all look great! When I host I’ll have to try these.

  • Reply
    Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
    November 19, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    I could easily enjoy each of these offerings at my own table. Those Brussels looks delightful.

  • Reply
    Maryanne @ the little epicurean
    November 19, 2015 at 10:54 am

    Forget 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!

  • Reply
    Nutmeg Nanny
    November 19, 2015 at 10:38 am

    Ummmmm these all look awesome! I would happily eat each and every single one 🙂

  • Reply
    Sheena @Tea and Biscuits
    November 19, 2015 at 9:09 am

    What a great collection of sides, I’d be thrilled if they were on my Thanksgiving menu!

  • Reply
    Laura | Petite Allergy Treats
    November 19, 2015 at 8:28 am

    What a complete list of must try sides this year! The soups especially are such a great easy idea to feed the masses. 😀

  • Reply
    Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze
    November 18, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    So 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!!

  • Reply
    Allison Jones
    November 18, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    These all sound great, but ESPECIALLY the mashed potatoes! YUM!

    LiveLifeWell,
    Allison

  • Reply
    Chris @ Celebrations At Home
    November 18, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    Yum. I can definitely see my self adding some of these recipes to the repertoire!

  • Reply
    Libby
    November 18, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    These all look delicious! We are hosting this year, so I may just have to steal some of these ideas for our thanksgiving meal!

  • Reply
    Samantha
    November 18, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    This was a great post! Baked mac and cheese is my favorite thing ever, I’m super hungry now!

  • Reply
    Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
    November 18, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    Ooooh yeah, this just got me super pumped about next week! I want all of these dishes at my table!

  • Reply
    Tiara
    November 18, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    So many options! I don’t even know where to start!

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