17 Thanksgiving Sides So Good, You Might Not Even Miss The Turkey
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Sometimes the real stars of Thanksgiving aren’t the turkey at all, but the sides that steal the show. These recipes bring comfort, flavor, and just enough flair to make your table unforgettable. They’re easy to pull together, guaranteed crowd-pleasers, and the dishes that make hosting less stressful and eating way more fun.
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Cranberry chicken salad brings sweet-tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and juicy chicken together in a creamy dressing that feels fresh yet festive. It’s a side dish that brightens a Thanksgiving spread while also working as a quick lunch the next day. When something this easy tastes this good, no one will be asking where the turkey went.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Parmesan roasted green beans give a bag of frozen veggies a full holiday makeover with garlicky seasoning and a golden parmesan finish. They’re simple and easy to make, but come out looking impressive and taste even better. Guests will clear the platter before anyone thinks about the main event.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic mashed potatoes bring just the right mix of richness and simplicity, combining butter, cream, and roasted garlic into a crowd-pleasing favorite. They’re elegant enough for a holiday but comforting enough to feel like home. One bite and you’ll understand why no one’s asking about the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Parmesan Potatoes
Parmesan potatoes roast up with golden edges, buttery centers, and a cheesy crust that makes them irresistible. They look fancy on the holiday table but are made with simple ingredients and minimal effort. With a bowl of these crispy bites in front of you, it’s hard to imagine missing the main course.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Stuffed Dates
Stuffed dates make the holiday table feel instantly special with hardly any effort. Sweet Medjool dates are filled with creamy goat cheese and topped with crunchy walnuts, creating that irresistible sweet-and-savory bite everyone loves. When finger food looks elegant and disappears this fast, no one notices if turkey takes a backseat.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates
Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
Bacon and cheddar biscuits bake up golden and buttery, with melty cheese and smoky bites of bacon in every layer. They’re simple to make but taste like something you’d get at a fancy brunch. With a basket of these on the table, it’s easy to forget the turkey was ever the star.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
Potato Skins
Potato skins come out crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside, and piled high with cheese, bacon, and green onions. They’re usually the first to disappear and the last thing people stop talking about. On a Thanksgiving table, this snack-turned-side might just be the main attraction.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Slow cooker mashed potatoes take the pressure off Thanksgiving prep, letting you focus on everything else while they quietly do their thing. Creamy, garlicky, and effortlessly fluffy, they come out perfect every time, no stovetop babysitting required. When the side dish is this easy and filling, the turkey might just take a backseat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
Bruschetta al pomodoro layers ripe, juicy tomatoes with fresh basil, garlic, and crusty bread for a side that bursts with color and flavor. It’s light, refreshing, and delivers big taste without weighing down the meal. When the flavors are this vibrant, nobody misses a heavier centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
Bacon Cheddar Dip
Bacon cheddar dip brings all the comfort of cheese, smoky bacon, and ranch seasoning together in one creamy bowl. Served with crackers, chips, or veggie sticks, it’s the side that keeps everyone gathered around long before the main dish shows up. On a spread this good, you could skip the mains entirely and still feel like you’ve had a feast.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Pineapple cheese ball is that retro classic that never stops winning hearts, blending cream cheese with pineapple, peppers, and pecans for a sweet-and-savory mix. Rolled into one festive ball, it looks just as fun as it tastes, ready to be spread on crackers or bread. It’s a shareable appetizer that makes turkey feel almost unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball
Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs
Parmesan garlic corn ribs are a playful twist on corn, cut into strips and roasted until crisp at the edges with plenty of cheesy garlic flavor. They’re finger-friendly, fun to eat, and impossible to resist once they hit the table. With a side this creative, it’s easy to forget about carving a bird.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Garlic Corn Ribs
Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Mashed cauliflower potatoes give you that same creamy, comforting texture as classic mash, but with a lighter, more veggie-forward feel. Blended with garlic and butter, they still deliver that cozy holiday flavor you expect. When something this light tastes this indulgent, the turkey suddenly seems optional.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
Green beans almondine with bacon take a French classic and make it even more indulgent with smoky bacon and crunchy almonds. The combination of fresh, tender beans and nutty, savory toppings makes every bite feel special. When vegetables come dressed like this, turkey suddenly isn’t the main event anymore.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
Baked potato soup, inspired by Chili’s favorite, is thick, creamy, and piled high with bacon, cheddar, and chives. Each spoonful feels cozy and filling, making it a side that can hold its own against anything else on the table. In fact, with a bowl this rich and hearty, you might not even miss the turkey at all.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
Honey Glazed Carrots
Honey glazed carrots bring a natural sweetness and glossy finish that instantly brightens up the plate. Roasted with garlic and butter, they walk the line between simple and standout. On a table full of heavy dishes, these veggies are the unexpected scene-stealer.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Mashed Potato Waffles
Mashed potato waffles turn leftovers into something golden, crispy, and unexpectedly show-stopping. They bring a fun twist to traditional sides while keeping all the cozy, buttery comfort you love. When the leftovers are this exciting, who needs the main event?
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Waffles
