37 Southern Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Impress – 2023

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 with canned cream of mushroom soup and savor the taste of homemade goodness with this easy-to-make side dish. Ideal for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, special occasions, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner.

Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes – Grits and Pinecones

Because you can make them ahead, this mashed potato recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining, special occasions, or whenever you want a truly delicious and indulgent side dish that you can just reheat and serve.

Baked Pineapple Cheese Casserole – Grits and Pinecones

A quintessential holiday side dish in the South, this easy pineapple casserole epitomizes a quick and easy dump-and-bake recipe!

Roasted Root Vegetables (Coconut Milk and Macadamia Nuts – Viktoria’s Table

Roasted root vegetables – cooked in coconut milk and topped with salty, crunchy macadamia nuts, are so sweet, creamy, and delicious that you will get addicted! You may even skip the Thanksgiving pie!

Easy Southern Cornbread Pudding – Grits and Pinecones

Southern Cornbread Pudding is a beloved traditional holiday and potluck 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.

Broccoli Cheese Casserole with Ritz Crackers – Grits and Pinecones

This easy, make-ahead recipe for Broccoli Cheese Casserole is the best ever, with crisp fresh broccoli florets smothered in a smooth and creamy cheese sauce made with simple ingredients such as tangy sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, and sharp cheddar cheese.

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes – Grits and Pinecones

Old-fashioned Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes with crunchy pecans is a dazzling holiday side dish with rich flavors and textures.

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.

The Ultimate Relish Tray Guide – Grits and Pinecones

Welcome to the ultimate guide for making beautiful, family-friendly, and flavorful relish trays that will have everyone raving! And discover creative and modern ideas for quickly putting together this easy side dish, and these unique platters for parties and special occasions

Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing – Grits and Pinecones

There are so many things to love about my holiday classic, Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing, which includes hard-boiled eggs and homemade cornbread.

In addition to the taste, which is divine, you can make this southern-style, old-fashioned Thanksgiving dressing recipe ahead, and it freezes beautifully. It’s a Southern Thanksgiving table classic.

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!

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 it’s full of crunchy dill pickles, yellow mustard, mayonnaise, and must-have hard-boiled eggs!

Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole – Grits and Pinecones

Southern Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole,made with baked sweet potatoes and topped with pecans and brown sugar, is a delightful combination of flavors that is sure to draw rave reviews from everyone.

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 delicious side dish.

Sweet and Sour Green Beans – Grits and Pinecones

A popular holiday 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.

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.

Easy Cornbread Dressing with Sausage – Grits and Pinecones

One bite of my flavorful, make-ahead dressing, and you will be in Thanksgiving food heaven. This easy recipe epitomizes everything good about the holidays, and the aroma wafting through your house while it bakes in the oven is intoxicating.

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.;

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.

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!

Southern Homemade Turkey 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.

Green Beans Almondine – Gypsy Plate

This dish not only makes your humble green beans fancy, but it’s absolutely delicious and elegant in its simplicity. Vibrant French-style green beans tossed with brown butter, toasty almonds, shallots, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon to brighten it.

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!

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.

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, and brightened with a touch of lemon juice and nutmeg. It makes an impressive side dish that is perfect for serving at holiday meals.

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Honeynut Squash – Garden in the Kitchen

Sweet Honeynut squash stuffed with sausage, apple, dried cranberries, crunchy celery, and aromatic herbs would look amazing on your holiday table!

Grown-Up Green Bean Casserole – Pudge Factor

Are you tired of the mandatory cream of mushroom soup, Green Bean Casserole? If so, you should try this Grown-up Green Bean Casserole. It’s easy to make and delicious!

Easy Homemade Coleslaw – Ask Chef Dennis

I love homemade coleslaw; the crunchy texture of the creamy coleslaw makes it my favorite anytime salad, and it’s always on my holiday tables. I promise after tasting this American Classic, this will be your go-to coleslaw recipe.

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.

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds – Marisa Moore

Swap this healthy green bean recipe for a traditional green bean casserole on your Thanksgiving table this year. It’s brimming with healthy fats, fiber, and flavor!

Baked Squash with Apples and Cranberries- Nirvana Cakery

I’ve used blue Hokkaido squash for this recipe, but any squash would easily work. I’ve seen this recipe being often used with Acorn squash cut in half. You could also use two smaller ones instead of one; remember that it does need to sit nicely on the tray to keep the apple and cranberry mix in.

Spicy Cauliflower with Figs – Savory Spin

Cardamom pods, whole cloves, onions, ginger, and garlic go into making this Spicy Cauliflower with Figs, an invitingly aromatic dish to add to your Thanksgiving/Holiday table!

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.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

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!

Easy Scalloped Potatoes – Swirls of Flavor

Easy Scalloped Potatoes bake into a tender, buttery side dish worthy of your holiday table. Creamy Yukon gold potatoes combine with cheese and butter for a mouthwatering potato casserole.

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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.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐If you make any of these side dishes, please leave a comment and give the recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

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