If you aren’t in charge of the turkey this Thanksgiving and are bringing a side dish instead, don’t settle for something bland. Below I’ve gathered my favorite Thanksgiving sides — tried-and-true recipes from Fit Foodie Finds that families have loved at holiday tables for years. Each recommendation includes a clear description, a photo, and a link to the full recipe so you can plan ahead and cook with confidence.
Scroll through for inspiration, or use the table of contents to jump to the category you need. 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
All the Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a holiday staple, but there are many ways to give them a fresh, festive twist. Below are favorite variations—from light and whipped to rich au gratin and oven-roasted options—perfect for rounding out your Thanksgiving plate.
Maple Cranberry Sweet Potatoes
Maple and cranberries make sweet potatoes sing. This dish balances sweetness with bright tartness and a pinch of warming cinnamon — a cozy, flavorful side for any autumn meal.
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Whipped Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Whipping cottage cheese until smooth and folding it into classic mashed potatoes creates an ultra-creamy, tangy mash with extra protein. It’s a simple trick for an epic holiday side.
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Smashed Red Potatoes
Crispy on the edges and tender inside, these smashed red potatoes are finished with Parmesan and a favorite spice blend. They’re easy to make and always get rave reviews.
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Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Make creamy, buttery mashed potatoes in the crockpot to free up oven and stovetop space. This version uses just a few ingredients and is perfect for busy holiday cooking.
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Sweet Potato Au Gratin
Cheesy, rich, and beautifully layered, this sweet potato au gratin is a delicious twist on the classic au gratin potato. It’s decadent and makes a great centerpiece side for the table.
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Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Roasted then mashed sweet potatoes become silky smooth when mixed with Greek yogurt for tang and creaminess. A lighter but still indulgent side to balance the meal.
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Yummy Salads to Serve a Crowd
These aren’t boring salads — they’re bright, seasonal, and many components can be made ahead so you’re not scrambling on Thanksgiving Day. They travel well to a potluck and pair beautifully with richer main dishes.
Autumn Couscous Salad
This hearty salad mixes Israeli couscous with roasted fall vegetables, chickpeas, cranberries, and a bright dressing. It’s wholesome, flavorful, and great for gatherings.
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Roasted Gnocchi Kale Salad with Garlic Parmesan Dressing
Crispy roasted gnocchi, massaged kale, crunchy seeds, and a garlicky Parmesan dressing make this salad satisfying enough to serve alongside or in place of a main dish.
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Butter Bean Lemon Kale Salad
Butter beans and kale get a bright lemon dressing, crunchy candied almonds, and a touch of sweetness. It’s a balanced, flavorful side that’s easy to make ahead.
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Apple Burrata Salad
Sweet crisp apples paired with creamy burrata and a simple dressing make this salad elegant and easy. It’s a light, refreshing counterpoint to heavier dishes.
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Farro Salad with Kale and Butternut Squash
Nutty farro, roasted butternut squash, pepitas, goat cheese, and massaged kale combine for a hearty, seasonal salad that’s perfect for Thanksgiving sides or potlucks.
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Favorite Thanksgiving Salad
A refreshing mix of seasonal flavors—greens, apples, crunchy nuts, and a bright dressing—this salad is built for holiday tables and pairs well with any Thanksgiving menu.
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Roasted Butternut Squash and Blackberry Harvest Salad
Massaged kale, roasted squash, blackberries, candied pecans, and goat cheese create a show-stopping salad loaded with fall flavors and beautiful color.
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Veggies That Aren’t Boring
Forget canned vegetables—these sides are flavorful, inventive, and packed with texture. From Parmesan-crusted Brussels sprouts and green bean classics to roasted delicata and glazed carrots, these dishes will delight anyone at the table.
Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Crunchy, cheesy, and full of garlic and Parmesan flavor — a simple six-ingredient recipe that turns Brussels sprouts into the star of the plate.
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Garlic Glazed Carrots
Roasted carrots in a garlic butter glaze—tender, flavorful, and ideal for a healthy holiday side.
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Healthy Green Bean Casserole
A made-from-scratch green bean casserole with fresh beans, a mushroom gravy, and crunchy onions—lighter than the classic but still incredibly comforting.
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Roasted Delicata Squash (with Crème Fraîche)
No peeling required—delicata is roasted until tender and served with a crème fraîche drizzle for a rich, seasonal side.
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Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
Sweet, salty, and irresistible — bacon makes Brussels sprouts into the perfect appetizer or side for holiday gatherings.
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Green Bean Sauté
A quick, flavorful green bean side inspired by family recipes — ready in about 15 minutes and perfect when you need oven space.
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Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Sweet and savory come together in these roasted carrots with honey and balsamic—an elegant and delicious holiday vegetable side.
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Green Beans Almondine
Quick to make and full of buttery, nutty flavor, Green Beans Almondine is a classic that requires no oven space and pairs with any Thanksgiving roast.
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Stuffing and Dressing
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, these savory bread-based sides are essential. I have three favorite stuffing recipes that each bring a distinct flavor and texture to the table.
Sausage Stuffing
Savory sausage, aromatic herbs, and bread cubes come together in this hearty, classic stuffing. A family favorite that’s easy to assemble and bakes to golden perfection.
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Homemade Cornbread Stuffing
This cornbread dressing is rich with savory vegetables and wild rice. Use homemade cornbread or a store-bought loaf—either way it’s comfort food at its finest.
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Quinoa Stuffing with Butternut Squash
A lighter alternative to bread-based stuffing: wholesome quinoa, roasted squash, cranberries, and nuts combine for a flavorful, gluten-free dressing option.
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Bread, Rolls and Biscuits
From savory high-protein dinner rolls made in the air fryer to sweet cranberry orange loaves and skillet cornbread, these bread options add comfort and variety to your Thanksgiving table. Many of these free oven space or can be made ahead.
Garlic Parmesan High Protein Rolls
These soft, savory rolls are boosted with cottage cheese for extra protein. They’re quick to make and great when you want a substantial bread without long rise times.
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Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
Made in the air fryer to save oven space, these dinner rolls are fast to bake and deliver soft, fluffy texture. A practical, delicious option for busy holiday prep.
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Healthy Skillet Cornbread
A flavorful skillet cornbread made with whole grain flour and a touch of honey—moist, rustic, and perfect for serving with butter or alongside stuffing.
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Cottage Cheese Breakfast Biscuits
Protein-packed biscuits made with cottage cheese — tender, flavorful, and versatile enough for breakfast sandwiches or a savory side at dinner.
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Cranberry Orange Bread
Moist, citrusy, and studded with fresh cranberries, this quick bread brings bright fall flavor and a sweet glaze that’s irresistible with coffee or on a dessert table.
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Pies, Bars and Other Sweet Treats
Don’t skip dessert—thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge. Below are a variety of desserts, from lighter high-protein takes to classic, crowd-pleasing bars and pies. There’s something for everyone.
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Cheesecake
A protein-rich twist on pumpkin cheesecake using cottage cheese for creaminess without sacrificing classic pumpkin flavor. Great for those wanting a lighter dessert option.
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Pecan Pie Bars
All the flavors of pecan pie in a handy bar form. These use a short almond crust and a naturally sweet date caramel for a delicious, shareable treat.
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Coconut Cream Pie Bars
Creamy coconut filling over a buttery crust — these bars combine tropical flavors with a dessert format that’s easy to slice and serve to a crowd.
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Brown Butter Apple Galette
Rustic and elegant: thinly sliced apples, brown butter, walnuts, and flaky crust make a beautiful galette that’s simpler than a pie but every bit as delicious.
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Best Healthy Cheesecake
A lighter cheesecake made with Greek yogurt for a creamy texture and a homemade raspberry swirl — classic cheesecake flavor with a healthier profile.
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Pumpkin Sheet Cake
An easy, crowd-pleasing sheet cake topped with cream cheese frosting — simple to make yet full of pumpkin spice flavor for dessert tables or offices.
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Carmelita Bars
Classic oven bars with oats, chocolate, and caramel — a nostalgic, easy-to-slice dessert that travels well and disappears fast.
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Need a place to start? Choose one dish from each section to create a balanced menu: a potato, a vegetable, a salad, a stuffing, a bread, and a dessert. Many of these recipes can be prepped ahead, freeing you up to enjoy the day. If you want help building a specific menu based on your guest list, dietary needs, or oven space, I’m happy to help you plan.