20 Easy Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes
Here’s the thing about Thanksgiving dinners. We all know what we want as the centerpiece, whether a golden roasted bird or a mouthwatering ham. Still, when it comes to the vegetable sides, it’s hard to choose.
So I’ve put together a list of vegetable side dishes that have had great success pleasing friends and family through the years. From colorful carrots to creamy mashed potatoes, these Thanksgiving sides will make your special dinner even more memorable! Indeed, I’m sure you’ll find inspiration for your menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Well, it depends. For some, Brussels sprouts are a must; for others, it’s all about Green Bean Casserole and Mashed Potatoes. Broccoli and sweet potato are popular as well!
For me, soul food comes from the heart, but we often use the term for more Southern-style meals, from Spiced Roast Turkey and fried chicken to mac and cheese with Collard Greens.
The most affordable and convenient substitute for turkey is chicken, of course. But if you’re looking for alternative main courses, go with Pineapple Honey Baked Ham or a traditional Tourtiere Meat Pie. Yum!
Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes
1. Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
Roasted potatoes are one of everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving vegetables. So starchy and filling, these oven-roasted red potatoes are a real treat for the most memorable meal of the year.
Creole seasoning and fresh parsley make these potatoes unique. But oven-roasted and fork-tender potatoes are a lovely complement to any hearty meal.
2. Scalloped Potatoes And Ham
Scalloped potatoes are tender potato slices smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce. And this vegetable side dish steals the spotlight at Thanksgiving because it’s delicious and super easy to put together!
Butter, heavy cream, and milk come together to form a thick, creamy sauce for your tender and delicious scalloped potatoes. Parmesan cheese and a pinch of nutmeg, though, really make this dish something memorable! Additionally, you can customize it with crispy bits of ham.
3. Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side, and it’s because they’re easy to make and feed a crowd. Mashed potatoes can be more than comfort food, though; they also can be exciting! And that’s just what these garlic mashed red potatoes are.
So to give this deliciousness a creamy texture, you’ll add sour cream, milk, and butter to our red potatoes. Oh, and a thyme sprig and large garlic head are also ramp up the flavor factor.
4. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Fingerling potatoes are an heirloom classic that offers variety to your vegetable side dishes. These roast quickly but are super tasty for one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides.
Toss the potatoes with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and Italian seasonings before popping them in the oven. Also, a fistful of fresh parsley is a beautiful garnish.
5. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
If you think the best mashed potatoes are creamy, then these are for you. The name cream cheese mashed potatoes is self-explanatory. The cream cheese adds a rich mouthfeel to the traditional side of mashed potatoes.
The secret behind these mashed potatoes is not just the cream cheese but also roasted garlic that brings the whole thing together. These potatoes aren’t only creamy, but they’re delicious, too!
6. Candied Sweet Potato or Yams
Candied yams (orange sweet potatoes) are a must-have vegetable side on the Thanksgiving table. The well-balanced sweetness is not only perfect for a side, but also a dessert. What better way to complement the roasted turkey and other Thanksgiving sides (👈see the complete list)?
Sweet potatoes caramelize nicely, and they’re especially good when flavored with holiday spices. Butter, brown sugar, holiday spices, and chopped nuts shine when tossed with glazed yams or sweet potatoes. Even better, this Southern specialty is ready in about an hour.
7. Roast Potatoes and Carrots
Potatoes and carrots are so meant for each other, and they both make gorgeous vegetable side dishes. All you have to do is toss them in a bowl with butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and Italian seasonings. Drooling! Putting these guys together also gives you a colorful side dish with an attractive, buttery dish with exciting herbal scents.
Thanksgiving Corn Side Dishes
8. Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob not only adds color to the table, but it’s also deliciously sweet and juicy. How do you cook corn on the cob? First, roast it brushed with garlic butter. Oh my! Then just a touch of Creole seasoning does the job.
These beautiful ears of corn are one of the easiest vegetable side dishes I know of, and one of the most popular. Make at least a couple for each guest. Trust me!
9. Scalloped Corn
This bubbly corn casserole ticks all the right boxes because it’s beautiful, colorful, and delicious. Oh, and it’s ready in less than an hour. It is simply perfect for a less-common side dish that will have everyone talking. So to make this beauty, all you need are corn, cheddar, butter, and a whole bunch of Ritz crackers! Oh yes! This one is as fun as it sounds.
10. Southern Fried Corn
Soul food at its best, this crispy and attractively sweet side dish is a Southern classic. It goes so well with turkey (👈see my turkey roundup), ham, and even seafood dinners.
Corn, bacon, butter, onion, and garlic are the base ingredients here, and Creole seasonings with pepper flakes also make this fried corn super fun! You only need nine ingredients to make this flashy side dish.
Thanksgiving Carrot Dishes
11. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Aren’t these carrots one of the prettiest vegetables for Thanksgiving side dishes you’ve ever seen? And they’re as tender and sweet as they look. Buttery and sweetened with just a hint of honey, this is the only way you’ll want to make carrots this year.
These beauties are all about roasting them at high temperatures, then smothered in a seasoned butter glaze for a colorful vegetable side dish.
12. Pineapple Ginger Glazed Carrots
Now, for a sweeter side dish, this tropical twist on a Thanksgiving classic is something else. But I love making these all year round, not just for the holidays. However, they are perfect for Thanksgiving and other holiday dinner parties.
Have you ever made candied nuts? Oh yeah! It’s so perfect for garnishing these pineapple-infused carrots. And the refreshing taste of ginger also gives this side dish an exotic vibe.
Other Thanksgiving Vegetable Sides
13. Easy Coleslaw
Here’s another Thanksgiving classic that goes great with roasted turkey, glazed ham, and, of course, Soul Food. Coleslaw is fresh and light, the perfect side dish to balance any hearty meal.
Besides, making coleslaw is super easy. Just use your food processor to shred green and purple cabbage, then throw in a few grated carrots. It’s the dressing, though, that makes it out of this world. Use both mayo and sour cream for the best results.
14. Broccoli Salad
Thanksgiving is the one time of year when everyone shows love to the tiny green trees. There’s something about broccoli that just tastes better during the holidays. And this easy salad recipe is the perfect complement to the heartiest Thanksgiving meals.
Indeed, bacon, broccoli, a few grapes, cranberries, onion, and sunflower seeds add color, texture, and flavor to this pretty vegetable side dish. Use your favorite dressing, but I like mine sweet and creamy.
15. Green Bean Casserole
Making a mean green bean casserole from scratch is so easy with this easy Thanksgiving side dish recipe. Green beans never tasted so good, and it’s thanks to a few fabulicious ingredients, including mushrooms, cheddar cheese, and fried onions. This over-the-top version of everyone’s favorite green bean casserole has it all because it’s creamy and savory, and rewards your senses with every forkful.
16. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
Green beans are fantastic as a Thanksgiving classic side. However, when they’re wrapped in bacon, they become more than a side dish; they’re the stars of the show. They may be fancy, but they’re super easy to make. You just need green beans, thick bacon, and a few spices to give these already tasty bundles some personality.
17. Sauteed Brussel Sprouts
Now, for the Thanksgiving vegetable side dish that you have been waiting for. Loved by all (well, almost all), Brussels sprouts are synonymous with Thanksgiving. Done right, these sprouts are utterly delicious and not sulphury at all. Toss these babies with butter and garlic, then season them with Creole spices. A splash of red wine vinegar adds the final touch, and that’s it! So easy, right?
18. Pea Salad
Some vegetable Thanksgiving side dishes just taste like home and are incredibly comforting. For me, that’s pea salad. Creamy and tangy, this salad also adds freshness to your holiday menu. Peas, bacon, cheddar, and red onion. That’s it.
These four ingredients make the perfect pea salad, at least for me. A creamy sour cream-and-mayo-based dressing gives body and richness to the composition.
19. Parmesan Crusted Asparagus
Asparagus is also a holiday staple, and they’re crowd-pleasers. Toss them in olive oil, then you’re good to go. Of course, when crusted with Parmesan, asparagus become something else; an umami-rich finger food that is hard to beat.
Get yourself high-quality Parmesan for this one and shred it yourself if possible. Also, panko breadcrumbs are better than regular breadcrumbs; they’re crispier! Oh, double-yum!
20. Sauteed Mushrooms
Let’s end this tasty list of Thanksgiving vegetable dishes with an earthy side of sauteed mushrooms. Meaty and juicy mushrooms have much more flavor than you think, especially when tossed with a few special seasonings. Here’s my recipe! Use white mushrooms (or baby Bellas) and season them with Creole spices, onion, thyme, Worcestershire, and chopped parsley leaves. Out of this world delicious.😍
Conclusion
That’s a wrap on the most popular Thanksgiving veggies! What are your fave veggies to serve during the holidays? Please comment below because we can use all the ideas we can get. 🥰
i learned alot!! thanks!
Thank you, . Stay tuned for more amazing recipes
Thank you, Stay tuned for more amazing recipes