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Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Steal the Show

If you’re not roasting the turkey this Thanksgiving, chances are you’re bringing a side. Don’t settle for boring—here are my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, curated from tried-and-true Fit Foodie recipes that have been shared around holiday tables for years.

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with two pats of butter, chopped herbs, and ground pepper sits amid autumn-themed decorations—one of the best Thanksgiving sides for your holiday table.

Scroll for recipe ideas, or use the table of contents to jump to a section. Happy cooking! ❤️

Table of contents

  • All the Potatoes
  • Yummy Salads to Serve a Crowd
  • Veggies That Aren’t Boring
  • Stuffing and Dressing
  • Bread, Rolls and Biscuits
  • Pies, Bars and Other Sweet Treats
A collage of the best Thanksgiving sides, featuring mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cornbread, salad, green beans, dinner rolls, pie, and sweet potatoes. Text reads "Thanksgiving Side Dishes.

All the Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic, but sometimes you want a twist. From whipped cottage cheese mashed potatoes to sweet potato au gratin, these recipes will elevate your Thanksgiving spread.

Sliced sweet potatoes topped with cranberries and garnished with a sprig of rosemary, served in a white dish.

Maple Cranberry Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Grandpa Dick’s maple cranberry sweet potatoes pair sweet and tart flavors with a hint of cinnamon for a warm, comforting side.

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A bowl of mashed potatoes with cheese and herbs.

Whipped Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Blend a container of cottage cheese until smooth and fold it into classic mashed potatoes for an ultra-creamy, protein-packed side.

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Smashed red potatoes on a plate.

Smashed Red Potatoes

Crispy smashed red potatoes finished with your favorite spice blend and Parmesan make a simple, irresistible side.

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potatoes in crock pot

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes made in the crockpot—an easy way to free up oven and stovetop on a busy holiday.

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A baking dish filled with roasted potatoes and a wooden spoon.

Sweet Potato Au Gratin

Cheesy, creamy au gratin sweet potatoes are a decadent twist on a classic gratin—perfect for holiday tables.

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mashed sweet potatoes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Roasted until tender and mashed with Greek yogurt, these silky sweet potatoes are a lighter, flavorful option.

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Yummy Salads to Serve a Crowd

Forget dull salads—these crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving salads are bright, flavorful, and many components can be prepared ahead so you aren’t scrambling on the big day.

A vibrant couscous salad with roasted squash and cranberries.

Autumn Couscous Salad

Wholesome and colorful, this autumn couscous salad mixes roasted squash, Brussels, chickpeas, dried cranberries, and greens for a hearty side.

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Gnocchi salad with kale, cranberries and pumpkin seeds.

Roasted Gnocchi Kale Salad with Garlic Parmesan Dressing

Crispy roasted gnocchi, kale, Parmesan, and a garlicky dressing make this salad hearty enough for a main or a standout side.

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Butter bean and kale salad with almonds and onions.

Butter Bean Lemon Kale Salad

Savory butter beans, massaged kale, candied almonds, and a bright lemon dressing create a satisfying salad side.

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Apple burrata salad.

Apple Burrata Salad

Crisp apples, creamy burrata, and a simple dressing make this salad light and elegant.

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Farro salad with butternut squash and kale.

Farro Salad with Kale and Butternut Squash

Toasted farro, roasted squash, pepitas, goat cheese and massaged kale combine for a flavorful fall salad.

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Kale salad with apples and walnuts.

Favorite Thanksgiving Salad

A refreshing mix of seasonal flavors that’s perfect alongside your Thanksgiving dinner.

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Butternut squash salad with blackberries.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Blackberry Harvest Salad

Massaged kale, roasted squash, blackberries, candied pecans and goat cheese create a show-stopping salad.

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Veggies That Aren’t Boring

Skip the canned vegetables. These sides are full of bold flavor and texture—everything from Parmesan-crusted Brussels to a fresh green bean casserole that thousands of readers make every holiday.

Parmesan crusted Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan.

Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts

Crispy, cheesy Brussels sprouts made with just a few ingredients—simple and addictive.

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Garlic glazed carrots.

Garlic Glazed Carrots

Roasted carrots in a garlic butter glaze—tender, flavorful, and an easy healthy side.

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Green bean casserole.

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Fresh green beans, homemade mushroom gravy and crunchy onions for a lighter take on the classic.

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Roasted delicata squash with creme fraiche.

Roasted Delicata Squash (with Creme Fraiche)

No peeling required—roasted delicata served with a crème fraîche drizzle is elegant and easy.

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Bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts.

Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

Bacon and Brussels make a perfect pair—great as an appetizer or flavorful side.

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Green beans with shaved almonds.

Green Bean Sauté

A quick, flavorful green bean sauté inspired by grandma—ready in 15 minutes.

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Honey balsamic roasted carrots on a tray.

Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots

Sweet and savory honey-balsamic roasted carrots are a delightful seasonal side.

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Green beans almondine with slivered almonds.

Green Beans Almondine

A buttery green bean side topped with toasted almonds and fresh lemon zest—simple and elegant.

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Stuffing and Dressing

You don’t need to cook the turkey to make stuffing. These three go-to stuffing recipes each bring unique flavors—try the cornbread dressing for a savory crowd-pleaser.

Sausage stuffing in a white baking dish with a wood spoon.

Sausage Stuffing

Hearty sausage stuffing made with store-bought cubes for an easy, classic side.

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Cornbread dressing in a bowl.

Homemade Cornbread Stuffing

Savory cornbread dressing with veggies and wild rice—use homemade or store-bought cornbread.

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Quinoa with cranberries and nuts in a white bowl.

Quinoa Stuffing with Butternut Squash

A lighter Dutch oven stuffing featuring quinoa and roasted butternut squash for hearty fall flavors.

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Bread, Rolls and Biscuits

From savory dinner rolls made in the air fryer to cranberry orange quick bread, these breads cover both sweet and savory preferences and save oven space when needed.

Savory pastry rolls topped with cheese and herbs.

Garlic Parmesan High Protein Rolls

Soft, flavorful rolls packed with protein using blended cottage cheese—no long rise required.

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Freshly baked dinner rolls.

Air Fryer Dinner Rolls

High-protein rolls made in the air fryer in about 15 minutes—perfect when oven space is limited.

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Skillet cornbread.

Healthy Skillet Cornbread

A flavorful skillet cornbread made with whole grain and healthier sweeteners—great served warm with butter.

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Cheesy breakfast biscuits.

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Biscuits

Protein-packed biscuits that are fluffy and versatile—slice and add eggs for a hearty breakfast or serve warm as a side.

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Cranberry orange bread with icing.

Cranberry Orange Bread

Moist, flavorful quick bread bursting with cranberries and orange zest, finished with a cream cheese glaze.

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Pies, Bars and Other Sweet Treats

Dessert is required on Thanksgiving. Here are a variety of options—cheesecakes, bars, galettes and cakes—so you can choose a classic or something a little different.

A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate with a fork.

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Cheesecake

A pumpkin cheesecake made with cottage cheese for added protein—classic flavors with a lighter profile.

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Pecan bars.

Pecan Pie Bars

A wholesome twist on pecan pie: date caramel and an almond shortbread crust make these bars a family favorite.

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A piece of cake on a white plate.

Coconut Cream Pie Bars

Velvety coconut cream in bar form—an indulgent dessert that brings tropical flair to the table.

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Slice of apple galette.

Brown Butter Apple Galette

A rustic galette with brown butter, thinly sliced apples, walnuts and cinnamon—simple and elegant.

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Healthy cheesecake with raspberry swirl.

Best Healthy Cheesecake

Greek yogurt and a graham crust combine for a creamy cheesecake with a lighter feel and a raspberry swirl.

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Pumpkin sheet cake slice.

Pumpkin Sheet Cake

An easy, crowd-friendly pumpkin cake topped with cream cheese frosting—perfect for large gatherings.

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Chocolate chip oatmeal bars.

Carmelita Bars

A nostalgic bar with oats, chocolate and caramel—simple ingredients, big flavor.

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