Move over, turkey, the real stars of a Southern Thanksgiving are the side dishes. From creamy casseroles and buttery breads to sweet potato perfection, this collection of easy Southern Thanksgiving side dishes has everything you need for a table full of comfort and flavor.
Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or a potluck crowd, these recipes guarantee smiles, second helpings, and happy hearts.
If you’re like me and love simple Southern comfort food with a modern twist, you'll find everything from gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegetarian, and vegan options right here. No matter what your guests need, there's something on this list to make everyone happy!
Top 5 Southern Thanksgiving Side Dishes Everyone Loves
These beloved Grits and Pinecones classics are guaranteed to steal the spotlight and a few hearts this holiday season.
- Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes – Buttery, caramelized, and kissed with pecans - a decadent, old-fashioned favorite.
- Southern Cornbread Dressing – Moist, savory, and steeped in tradition, the South's answer to stuffing.
- Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers - Rich, creamy, and topped with buttery crackers, this broccoli bake is comfort food at its best.
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese – Golden, cheesy comfort baked to perfection, a non-negotiable at every Southern table.
- Southern Cornbread Pudding – Creamy, custardy, and pure Southern comfort, this crowd-pleaser disappears fast!
Jump to:
Casseroles and Dressing or Stuffings
The backbone of every Southern holiday table – creamy, crunchy, and downright irresistible.
Baked Pineapple Cheese Casserole – Grits and Pinecones
Sweet, tangy pineapple mingles with cheddar – an unexpected hit that pairs beautifully with ham or turkey.
Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers – Grits and Pinecones
I always serve this easy, make-ahead Broccoli Cheese Casserole as one of my Thanksgiving side dishes. It features crisp, fresh broccoli florets smothered in a smooth and creamy cheese sauce topped with crushed Ritz crackers
Southern Green Bean Casserole without Mushroom Soup – Grits and Pinecones
Elevate your holiday spread with a fresh take on the beloved Southern Green Bean Casserole! Ditch the classic recipe, which uses canned cream of mushroom soup, and savor the taste of homemade goodness with this easy-to-make side dish. It’s ideal for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, special occasions, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner.
Easy Southern Cornbread Pudding – Grits and Pinecones
Southern Cornbread Pudding is a beloved traditional Thanksgiving side dish in the South! You would be hard-pressed to find a Thanksgiving dinner table without some version of this decadent and creamy corn pudding front and center.
Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing – Grits and Pinecones
There are many things to love about my classic, make-ahead Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing, and I can’t imagine Thanksgiving without it.
Southern Sweet Onion Casserole – Grits and Pinecones
Easy Southern Sweet Onion Casserole features caramelized Vidalia onions paired with sour cream and two types of cheese. Topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, this decadent, creamy onion casserole melts in your mouth and is a must-have savory Thanksgiving side dish.
Easy Cornbread Dressing with Sausage – Grits and Pinecones
One bite of my flavorful, make-ahead dressing, and you will be in Thanksgiving side dish food heaven. This easy recipe epitomizes everything good about the holidays; the aroma wafting through your house while it bakes in the oven is intoxicating.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe – Grits and Pinecones
Southern Mac and Cheese is synonymous with entertaining in the South and is the ultimate comfort food. You would be hard-pressed to find any holiday or celebration involving food without a homemade, baked, mac n cheese casserole full of creamy melted cheese front and center on the table.
Make-Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole- Pudge Factor
Wondering what amazing side dish you can make for your holiday feast that takes little time to put together and can be made ahead of time? This creamy and cheesy Make-Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole is the perfect solution! It is sure to become your most requested casserole.
Favorite Southern Potato and Sweet Potato Recipes
From creamy mashed potatoes to sweet potato classics, these hearty Thanksgiving potato recipes are comfort food at its finest.
Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes – Grits and Pinecones
Because you can make them ahead, this mashed potato recipe makes the perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving side dish, or whenever you want a truly delicious and indulgent side dish, you can just reheat and serve.
Southern Potato Salad – Grits and Pinecones
A classic Southern Potato Salad, just like Grandma used to make, this easy, old-fashioned side dish is a creamy, tangy, delicious side dish and the perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving side dish.
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes – Grits and Pinecones
Old-fashioned Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes with crunchy pecans is a dazzling Thanksgiving side dish with rich flavors and textures.
Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole – Grits and Pinecones
This classic Southern Thanksgiving side dish, Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole, is made with baked sweet potatoes and topped with pecans and brown sugar. Its delightful combination of flavors is sure to draw rave reviews from everyone.
Terry’s Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole – Grits and Pinecones
Terry's Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping is the stuff legends are made of. It's indescribably delicious and decadent beyond measure. It will have your family or guests clamoring for more. And it's the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
Old-Fashioned Creamed Potatoes – Grits and Pinecones
This quick and easy recipe for Old Fashioned Creamed Potatoes features cubed potatoes cooked to perfection, blanketed in a silky bechamel sauce made with heavy cream. It makes an impressive side dish that is perfect for serving at holiday meals.
Easy Scalloped Potatoes – Grits and Pinecones
Southern Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes are melt-in-your-mouth tender potatoes baked in an ultra-decadent and cheesy bechamel sauce. These easy-to-make creamy scalloped potatoes make an incredible side dish for holidays and special occasions; even your pickiest eaters will love them.
Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes – Practical Southern Cooking
These rich, creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are so easy that they practically make themselves. Simply peel, chop, and toss everything into your slow cooker, and enjoy fluffy, garlicky goodness with just the right amount of tang from cream cheese.
Greens and Vegetable Favorites
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a little green; smothered, sautéed, or baked with cheese, of course.
Broccoli Cauliflower Cranberry Salad with Bacon – Grits and Pinecones
This easy, make-ahead Broccoli Cauliflower Cranberry Salad with Bacon is the perfect low-carb holiday side dish! Packed with healthy veggies, smoky bacon, and tangy-sweet cranberries, it's a tasty, quick-to-prepare crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Stuffed Acorn Squash – Linger
Welcome a festive harvest dish for your Holiday table this year: Stuffed Acorn Squash. This seasonal masterpiece pairs the earthy sweetness of roasted acorn squash with a delightful medley of sautéed apples, dried fruits, glazed pecans, and pumpkin seeds.
Sriracha Sweet Chili Brussels Sprouts – From A Chef’s Kitchen
Add some spark to your table with these flavor-packed Brussels sprouts! Sriracha Sweet Chili Brussels Sprouts are a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet and a whole lot wonderful!
Sweet and Sour Green Beans – Grits and Pinecones
A popular Thanksgiving side dish in the South, Sweet and Sour Green Beans, combines canned green beans with smokey, crumbled bacon, crunchy water chestnuts, sweet onions, and a tantalizing sweet and sour sauce made with granulated sugar and vinegar.
Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots – XOXO Bella
Sheet pan parmesan roasted carrots with garlic makes, a delicious side dish for all kinds of entrees. The natural sweetness of carrots is showcased by the creamy, salty parmesan cheese and buttery, as well as hints of garlic, rosemary and fresh parsley.
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole – My Kitchen Serenity
This easy cheesy cabbage casserole with Ritz Crackers is an excellent vegetable side dish. Chopped cabbage is baked in a simple, creamy cheese sauce and topped with crushed Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese. Perfect for a large crowd. Ideal for a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal!
Baked Cauliflower with Gruyere Cheese – Grits and Pinecones
Baked Cauliflower with Gruyere Cheese is a rich, creamy, company-worthy vegetable side dish perfect for Sunday dinner or a holiday meal. This cheesy baked cauliflower casserole is a low-carb wonder, and it's ideal for treating your family or guests to something special!
American Coleslaw – Grits and Pinecones
One taste of my creamy Old-Fashioned American Coleslaw will remind you of holiday dinners, country picnics, potlucks, dinner on the grounds, and Sunday dinner at Grandma's house. It also makes a perfect dish to take to a Thanksgiving poltuck.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes – She’s Not Cooking
This Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes dish? It’s the kind of side that’s great for any occasion, from your laid-back weeknight dinners to those fancy holiday spreads where you want to impress your guests.
Maple Pecan Carrot Casserole – Smarty Pants Kitchen
You’ll absolutely love this Maple Pecan Carrot Casserole! Fresh carrots are pureed in a sweet mixture of warm spices, sugar, and maple syrup, then topped with a crunchy pecan topping! This is a perfect Thanksgiving or Easter side dish, and it’s a great “orange” alternative to sweet potatoes!
Bacon & Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Life Love Liz
This Bacon and Pomegranate Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe is tangy, sweet, salty, and delicious. It's a perfect Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish!
Garlic Parmesan Green Beans – Grits and Pinecones
Cranberry Sauces, Relish Trays, and Gravy
Every great Southern Thanksgiving plate needs something sweet, tangy, or saucy to tie it all together.
Easy Cranberry Sauce with Fruit and Nuts – Grits and Pinecones
This is an elegant version of the Thanksgiving and Christmas classic cranberry sauce we all know and love, dressed up for the holidays. With only fifteen minutes and a handful of ingredients, you can transform a bag of cranberries into a unique and easy Thanksgiving side dish.
The Ultimate Relish Tray Guide – Grits and Pinecones
Check out my ultimate guide for making an old-fashioned, easy Thanksgiving side dish that is beautiful, family-friendly, and flavorful!
Southern Homemade Turkey Neck Gravy – Grits and Pinecones
It's all about the gravy on Thanksgiving, and this easy and delicious Southern Homemade Turkey Gravy recipe is foolproof. This make-ahead gravy recipe is also a perfect base for giblet gravy, and you can substitute chicken stock for turkey stock to make chicken gravy.
Jellied Cranberry Sauce – Beyond the Chicken Coop
Tart and delicious and shaped just like the jellied cranberry sauce you’d get from a can, but made with only two ingredients! A must-have to serve alongside your turkey for holiday dinners! Make this cranberry sauce ahead of time for less stress when preparing for your holiday meal.
Thanksgiving recipes FAQs
Classic Southern sides like cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and candied yams always top the list - hearty, comforting, and full of flavor.
Casseroles like Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes, and Cornbread Dressing can all be prepped a day or two ahead, then baked right before serving.
Fresh green beans, collards, cabbage, and sweet potatoes are all Southern staples - each with plenty of delicious variations.
Look for dishes that travel well and reheat easily, like Cornbread Pudding, Mac and Cheese, and Sweet Potato Casserole.
For More Southern Holiday Inspiration
Still in the holiday spirit? Keep the celebrations rolling with these reader-favorite Southern Christmas recipes and make-ahead holiday ideas
Planning Ahead? Don't miss my favorite Christmas sides and holiday dinner ideas below.
And, if you are searching for the perfect hostess gift or gift for the foodies in your life, please take a look at my collection of Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts.
Join the conversation
⭐ If you make any of these Southern Thanksgiving side dishes, please leave a comment and a star rating on the recipe post!
I love hearing which ones make it to your holiday table, and if your family has a favorite twist, share it below so we can all try it!
G&P Wisdom
"In the South, side dishes aren't just an afterthought - they're the stories, the memories, and the reason everyone comes back for seconds."
Thank you for visiting Grits and Pinecones!
Wishing you a warm, laughter-filled Thanksgiving surrounded by good food and good company.
Linger
Oh My Goodness!! This is a fantastic repertoire of recipes. Where do you start? They all look so good! Thanks for posting just in time for Thanksgiving.