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Forget the turkey, we all know the Thanksgiving sides are the star of the show! Plan your Thanksgiving menu with this collection of the very best side dishes.
I think I’m not alone when I say I love the side dishes way more than the turkey. If the turkey wasn’t on the Thanksgiving table I truly would still be so happy! I’m not sure I’d even notice it was missing.
Let me help you plan your big day! Below you’ll find plenty of options from green bean recipes to my homemade mac and cheese to an incredibly easy goat cheese appetizer. These are tried and true recipes you can rely on for your big meal.
1
Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
Tender and garlicky! This green bean recipe is one of my family's favorite side dishes and the one I make the most often. Free up some oven space by whipping this up on the stovetop.
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2
Cinnamon Pecan Sweet Potato Rounds
Cinnamon pecan sweet potato rounds capture the rich flavor of a sweet potato casserole but they're healthier and refined sugar free. Topped with an easy cinnamon pecan crumble!
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3
Roasted Parsley Carrots
These carrots are roasted until perfectly tender, naturally sweet, and so easy to throw together. Even kids love them! If you haven't been serving carrots this way you'll soon consider these a new family favorite!
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4
Smashed Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
These brussels sprouts are made extra special because they're smashed and roasted with parmesan, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Each bite is a delicious flavor bomb! This is truly one of the best Thanksgiving side dishes you can make.
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5
Easy Orange Cranberry Sauce
Thanksgiving Day isn't complete without homemade cranberry sauce. This classic holiday side dish is lightly sweetened with honey, requires only 5 ingredients, and is so easy to make! You'll love this bright addition to your Thanksgiving meal!
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6
Roasted Balsamic Asparagus
Roasting fresh asparagus with a little balsamic vinegar gives it a tangy flavor. The balsamic really takes these stalks to the next level!
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7
Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
My family is known for serving the best homemade mac and cheese at events. Now you can be too! This is my grandma's recipe. It's creamy, super cheesy, and very satisfying.
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8
Arugula Pear Salad with Candied Pecans
This delicious salad includes peppery arugula, sweet pears, creamy crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheese, and candied pecans. Toss it all in my simple homemade dressing.
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9
Lemon Thyme Roasted Carrots
Lemon thyme roasted carrots marry the natural sweetness of carrots with the bright flavor of lemon.
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10
Air Fryer Vegetables
You only need fresh vegetables, a little oil, and a few seasonings to make these air fryer veggies. This is the simplest way to create tender but perfectly charred vegetables!
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11
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These creamy mashed sweet potatoes are made special with cinnamon and maple syrup. This side dish is easy to make but always impresses. You'll really love this new way to enjoy sweet potatoes for the holidays!
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12
Easy Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
Make tender and perfectly crispy green beans in your air fryer using frozen green beans. You only need green beans, oil, and seasonings for this healthy side dish!
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13
Roasted Rosemary Root Vegetables
These roasted root veggies are so colorful and full of flavor with minimal effort!
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14
Roasted Green Beans with Almonds
These roasted green beans with toasted almonds will be your new favorite side dish. This is an easy recipe with the simple flavors of lemon and garlic. It's a perfect side dish for weeknight dinners or on your holiday table.
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15
Air Fryer Sliced Mushrooms
These are the best mushrooms with lots of juicy flavor! You only need sliced mushrooms, a little oil or an oil spray, and a few simple seasonings to make them.
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16
Maple Roasted Veggies
These veggies are lightly sweetened with maple syrup and diced apples. They're perfectly tender too! While this side is easy enough to throw together on a busy weeknight, it tastes extra special and worthy of a holiday meal.
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17
Roasted Red Cabbage
Red cabbage (often called purple cabbage) is a beautiful side dish. I'm teaching you how easy it is to roast it so that it's tender with crispy edges!
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18
Easy Apricot Goat Cheese Spread
This four ingredient goat cheese spread is so easy to make and always impresses! Serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices for a quick appetizer.
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19
Air Fryer Asparagus
It's so easy to cook asparagus in the air fryer. Ready in just 10 minutes or less!
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20
Cinnamon Raisin Diced Sweet Potatoes
These cinnamon raisin diced sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and a delicious side dish to any meal! Plus they're sugar free and ready in 20 minutes!
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21
Dairy Free Cashew Queso
This cashew queso is vegan, dairy free, and so easy to make. You'll love it as a super creamy dip or add it to tacos, veggies, or sandwiches!
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22
Maple Sweetened Sautéed Apples
These sautéed apples are tender and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. So simple! Enjoy as a dessert, snack, or sweet addition to your breakfast.
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23
Easy Roasted Broccoli
This easy roasted broccoli is perfectly crunchy, salty, and fast enough to make any night of the week. They're so simple but always manage to take center stage!
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24
Blueberry Citrus Spinach Salad
Fresh blueberries, mandarin oranges, goat cheese, and pistachios make this simple salad extra special. Top with my homemade honey citrus dressing and enjoy as an entree or side dish!
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25
Roasted Lemon Asparagus
This asparagus quickly roasts in under 10 minutes with olive oil, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest. It's a light and delicious side dish!
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26
Light and Creamy Mashed Potatoes
This creamy mashed potatoes recipe is a must for the holiday season. Instead of milk we're using chicken stock for maximum flavor and the perfect texture!
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27
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
This spinach salad is loaded with strawberries, mandarin oranges, goat cheese, candied pecans, and a homemade creamy strawberry dressing. It's an incredible summery side salad or entree!
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28
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble
This sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble is creamy with some crunch. The classic casserole includes marshmallows and lots of brown sugar. This version tasted indulgent but is actually dairy free, gluten free, and refined sugar free!
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29
Air Fryer Zucchini
Need a healthy side? Zucchini cooks quickly in your air fryer! You just need zucchini, olive oil, and a few simple seasonings!
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30
Quick Homemade Bruschetta
Homemade bruschetta is the perfect appetizer thanks to simple ingredients like toasted bread, fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic. It's a delicious way to add some fresh flavor to an otherwise heavy holiday meal.
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31
Herb Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli
These vegetables are roasted with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, seasoning, and plenty of herbs for a simple side dish you'll love.
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32
Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
A beautiful fruit salad is made even more spectacular when you toss it in lemon poppy seed dressing. So colorful and sweet but with no sugar! A big hit with adults and children alike!
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33
Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad
This warm salad of tender roasted potatoes, fresh arugula, and creamy feta is a deliciously simple side. It's a comforting addition to any meal.
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34
Easy Deviled Eggs with Paprika
These classic deviled eggs are made with hard boiled eggs, mayo, mustard, salt, pepper, and a little bit of paprika. It's an easy appetizer that is perfect for the holidays, Easter, brunch, or a potluck.
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35
Sticky Candied Pecans
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these sticky candied pecans. Only 4 ingredients. No sugar or weird sugar substitutes. Your whole family will be addicted (in a very good way).
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36
Vickey’s Party Mix
This savory party mix comes from my beloved mother in-law and you're going to love it. We make it all December long and keep it on the counter for quick snacking!
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37
Sugar Free Sautéed Apples
These tender apples are naturally sweet and prepared simply with coconut oil, cinnamon, and raisins. They're a hit with children and adults alike.
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38
Easy Homemade Italian Dressing
This Easy Homemade Italian Dressing is so tasty and simple! Plus it's Whole30, gluten free, sugar free, and dairy free. Perfect on salads or as a marinade!
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39
Easy Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing (without Anchovies)
This healthy Caesar salad dressing recipe is easy to make at home. It's tangy, creamy, and thick so it clings to the leaves of your salad beautifully.
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40
Roasted Ranch Veggies
Roasted ranch veggies have all the crispy bits you love in roasted vegetables (my favorite part) plus lots of seasonings and herbs to deliver that big ranch flavor!
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41
Air Fryer Asparagus
It's so easy to cook asparagus in the air fryer. Ready in just 10 minutes or less!
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42
Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
This Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing is sweet & tart. Perfect over salad or fruit! Plus it's sugar free and dairy free!
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