The Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Side Dishes: 20 Must-Have Crowd-Pleasers for Your Holiday Table

As the holiday season quickly approaches, it’s time to prepare for all the festivities. I’m always committed to making Thanksgiving dinner special every year and this year is no different. Spending time with loved ones and enjoying a great meal is the ultimate goal, so planning my menu early is very important. 

Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving for me and my family without the wide variety of Thanksgiving side dishes. I love having an array of side dishes to enhance the flavor of the turkey. Today I will share with you 20 side dishes, some that are traditional soul food and some that are classic holiday staples. If you haven’t tried soul food then you will be pleasantly surprised. Soul food is made with love and full of flavor. Whether you’re serving up mac and cheese, cornbread dressing, or collard greens, soul food side dishes are a great compliment to any Thanksgiving table.

Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes:

1. Baked Mac & Cheese

Mac & Cheese: Baked Mac & cheese has become my signature side dish during the holidays. Over the years I truly feel my guest come just to get a scoop of the mac and cheese. It’s made with six different cheeses that give it a flavorful and unique taste.

2. Roasted Potatoes

Golden, crispy, and full of herb-infused flavor, roasted potatoes are a simple yet satisfying side dish for any holiday table. Perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these herb-roasted potatoes are the savory, crunchy treat that’s nearly impossible to resist.

3. Cornbread Dressing -Thanksgiving Side Dish

Cornbread dressing is another classic dish that is perfect for Thanksgiving. It can be prepared in several different way. My cornbread dressing recipe has evolved into one that I am happy to share and prepare. It’s made with homemade cornbread, two kinds of Italian sausage, and herbs and spices. It is baked until it is golden brown and crispy on top.

4. Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a traditional Thanksgiving side dish that is both delicious and healthy. My cranberry sauce is made with fresh cranberries, sugar, lemon juice and orange marmalade. It’s simmered until the cranberries burst, soften and the sauce has thickened.

5. Collard Greens-Thanksgiving Side Dish

Collard greens can be made delicious in a variety of ways. They’re can be cooked with bacon, ham hock or smoked turkey until they are tender and flavorful. Here are two recipes to try one made with bacon and the other with turkey. Both are equally as delicious and pairs great with cornbread. Collard greens are often served with a side of cornbread to soak up all the delicious juices.

6. Lobster Mac and Cheese

Lobster mac and cheese adds a hint of luxury, elevating the classic comfort dish to new, indulgent heights. Adding tender bites of lobster to mac and cheese turns it into a luxurious side that feels like a decadent treat on a holiday table.

7. Mixed Greens

Mixed greens are a healthy and refreshing side dish that is perfect for Thanksgiving. Soul food mixed greens can be a combination of collards, kale, turnip and mustard greens. They are rich with flavor and equally as tasty as collards alone.

8. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs can serve as an appetizer or side dish and they can be made in a variety of ways. I love the classic deviled egg recipe but adding seafood can elevate them to a gourmet treat.

9. Green Beans & Potatoes -Thanksgiving Side Dish

Green beans and potatoes are a comfort dish that serves great as a holiday side dish. This dish is extremely versatile. You can make it with smoked sausage or bacon to give it rich flavor or you can eliminate the protein and serve it for your vegetarian guest.

10.Mashed Potatoes -Thanksgiving Side Dish

Mashed potatoes are a classic Thanksgiving side dish that you will find on every holiday table. They can be prepared in a variety of ways depending on your taste buds. Garlic is the secret ingredient to my perfect mashed potatoes.

11. Fried Cabbage

Fried cabbage is a delicious and easy-to-make soul food side dish. It pairs well with cornbread or as a Thanksgiving side, with cornbread dressing.

12. Seafood Mac and Cheese

Seafood mac and cheese is a seafood lovers delight. Made with crab, lobster and shrimp it complement the traditional flavors of the holiday. This seafood twist on the traditional dish is for anyone looking to add a little surf to their Thanksgiving turf, packed with cheesy goodness and bursts of flavor.

13. Cornbread

Cornbread is perfect for Thanksgiving not just as an ingredient in your cornbread dressing. This is a recipe for skillet cornbread. It is easy to make and delicious.

14. Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a classic soul food dish but in my home, it is always on my Thanksgiving menu. Having a large guest list, I love to make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy.

15. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts bring a nutty warmth that pairs beautifully with holiday flavors. This dish often comes with a bad rep, but when cooked to perfection, Brussels sprouts transform into bite-sized, nutty treats that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist.

16. Candied Yams -Thanksgiving Side Dish

Candied yams are a sweet addition to your holiday plate. They are the Thanksgiving side dish that is both delicious and easy to make.

17. Roasted Asparagus

Light, savory, and always elegant, Roasted Asparagus adds a splash of green and a touch of sophistication to your Thanksgiving meal. Roasted asparagus, with a light drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt, is the classy cousin to green beans that brings a bit of elegance to the table while still tasting delicious.

18. Honey Glazed Ham

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving with the delicious taste of Honey Glazed Ham. The perfect side dish.

19. Potato Stacks

Crispy, buttery, and beautifully layered, potato stacks are a fun and fancy way to serve potatoes with a little extra flair. With crispy edges and creamy layers, these stacks add a stylish look and unique texture to your Thanksgiving spread.

20. Smothered Potatoes

Smothered potatoes are a holiday indulgence that packs rich flavors in every bite. If you like your potatoes drenched in flavor, these smothered potatoes are the ultimate comfort food that will have everyone scooping for more.

How to Serve Your Thanksgiving Side DishesThanksgiving side dishes are typically served on a buffet table so that guests can choose their own favorites. They can be served hot or cold, and they are often paired with a variety of meats, such as turkey, ham, and fried chicken.

Tips for Making Soul Food Thanksgiving Side Dishes

• Use high-quality ingredients. This will make the biggest difference in the flavor of your dishes.
• Don’t be afraid to use bold flavors. Soul food is known for its bold and hearty flavors.
• Don’t overcook. Soul food is typically meant to be cooked until it is tender and flavorful, but not overcooked.
• Serve your dishes with love. Soul food is more than just a cuisine. It’s a way of life.

Thanksgiving is a holiday I really look forward to. It’s the time of year where I get to sit and partake in great conversations and most importantly….delicious food. Deciding what to put on your Thanksgiving table, aside from your turkey, can be a little challenging. After all, the turkey is the center of attention but what make for a great holiday dinner are all the wonderful side dishes that accompany that delicious turkey. I hope you find a side dish or two to enjoy this holiday season.