31 thanksgiving side dishes everyone talks about afterward

When the sides are good, the whole meal feels better. Bold flavors and familiar textures keep people coming back for more. These 31 dishes always get mentioned once the plates are cleared. Nothing else leaves the same impression!

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with chopped chives, with a wooden spoon and a cloth napkin on a wooden surface. — Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Guests always know when something hits just right. The creamy richness in Cheesy Mashed Potatoes keeps people circling back for more. It’s the one side that somehow disappears before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Garlic and Herb Stuffing

Plate with sliced turkey, peas, and stuffing next to a bowl of stuffing. Striped cloth, parsley, and gravy on the side. — Garlic and Herb Stuffing. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Bring everyone back to the table with something that feels familiar but never boring. Garlic and Herb Stuffing lands just right with balanced flavor that holds up next to anything. Guests usually mention it before they finish their first plate.
Get the Recipe: Garlic and Herb Stuffing

Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

A bowl of kale salad on a wooden table. — Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

When everything else is rich, this one cuts through clean. Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing feels like a reset in the middle of the meal. People notice how well it balances the table.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad With Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Honey-Dijon Roasted Golden Beets

A bowl of roasted sweet potato chunks with seasoning and a wooden spoon. — Honey-Dijon Roasted Golden Beets. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

There’s always one dish that surprises people in the best way. Honey-Dijon Roasted Golden Beets bring a bold mix that adds color and flavor to the table. Someone usually asks what made them taste so good.
Get the Recipe: Honey-Dijon Roasted Golden Beets

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Smashed Greek yogurt potatoes in a white bowl. — Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Smooth texture and rich flavor don’t have to shout to be noticed. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes bring just enough depth to keep people coming back. Most don’t wait to refill their plate.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Pomegranate Pancetta Feta Brussels Sprouts

A casserole dish containing roasted Brussels sprouts, walnuts, feta cheese cubes, and pomegranate seeds, with a wooden spoon resting inside. — Pomegranate Pancetta Feta Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Sweet, salty, and sharp all land in one bite here. Pomegranate Pancetta Feta Brussels Sprouts grab attention even before the first forkful. It’s one of those sides people bring up long after the meal is done.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Pancetta Feta Brussels Sprouts

Maple Chili Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Close-up of roasted Brussels sprouts garnished with chopped nuts on a white plate, with a metal spoon visible in the background. — Maple Chili Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Strong flavors have a way of sticking with people. That’s exactly why Maple Chili Roasted Brussels Sprouts end up being part of the post-dinner conversation. Most guests don’t expect to love them—but they do.
Get the Recipe: Maple Chili Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Bowl of mashed potatoes topped with butter and herbs on a wooden surface, surrounded by garlic bulbs and fresh parsley. — Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxobella.

A good version of this dish always earns its spot. Garlic Mashed Potatoes bring depth without overpowering the rest of the plate. Everyone seems to want just a little more.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

An overhead image of Vegan Caesar Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts in wooden bowl. — Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Crisp and bold always find a place among heavier dishes. The mix of greens and bite in Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad makes it feel fresh without feeling out of place. Even people who skip salad usually go back for more.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

A close-up of a fruit salad with pears, red grapes, pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and a creamy dressing, served in a bowl with a spoon. — Thanksgiving Fruit Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Something bright and fresh always earns its spot. Thanksgiving Fruit Salad offers a simple break from heavier sides without fading into the background. It usually gets more attention than expected.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Close up of beet salad on a white platter with two forks on the right side. — Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This one adds just the right contrast to a crowded plate. Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese stands out for its color and tang without taking over. It tends to start more conversations than expected.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Loaded Smashed Potatoes

A good side dish always gets more attention when it’s packed with extras. That’s where Loaded Smashed Potatoes earn their spot, rich without feeling overdone. Someone always asks how they’re made.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Spinach and Arugula Salad

A plate of salad with mixed greens, shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, red onions, sunflower seeds, and crumbled feta cheese. — Spinach and Arugula Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Even the green stuff can get people talking when it’s done right. Spinach and Arugula Salad brings a clean bite that balances the rest of the meal. It’s the one salad that doesn’t feel like filler.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Arugula Salad

Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw with Lemon Apple Cider Vinaigrette

A black bowl filled with a shredded cabbage salad topped with nuts and herbs, placed on a light surface beside a napkin and utensils. — Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw with Lemon Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Crisp and fresh can still turn heads on a heavy holiday table. Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw with Lemon Apple Cider Vinaigrette adds balance without feeling out of place. Guests tend to talk about it more than expected.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw with Lemon Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

Crispy Baked Zucchini served on a white plate. — Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Crunchy and light can still hold its own next to rich mains. That balance is exactly what Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven brings to the table. It gets picked clean while everyone’s focused on the rest.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Zucchini in Oven

Crispy Hot Sauce Smashed Potato Bites

A plate of smashed potatoes topped with crumbled feta and chopped chives. — Crispy Hot Sauce Smashed Potato Bites. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

A little crunch and heat always spark some conversation. Crispy Hot Sauce Smashed Potato Bites walk that line between side dish and snack in the best way. They tend to vanish before dinner even starts.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Hot Sauce Smashed Potato Bites

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries

There’s something about this combo that gets people’s attention right away. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries hit that perfect mix of sweet, crunchy, and rich. It’s always one of the first dishes to empty out.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries

Creamy Beet Risotto With Goat Cheese

A black bowl filled with beetroot risotto, topped with pine nuts, goat cheese, and a small sprig of thyme, placed on a light-colored surface. — Creamy Beet Risotto With Goat Cheese. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Bold flavors tend to stand out fast on crowded plates. The rich depth in Creamy Beet Risotto With Goat Cheese keeps people going back for more. Even those who weren’t sure about it start asking questions.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Beet Risotto With Goat Cheese

Vegan White Cashew Gravy

Not every twist on a classic gets a warm welcome, but this one does. Vegan White Cashew Gravy brings a creamy finish that wins over just about everyone. Even the skeptics end up asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Vegan White Cashew Gravy

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Big comfort in one dish is hard to ignore. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole gives familiar flavor a serious upgrade. There’s no chance it gets passed over.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower

Baked Riced Cauliflower in a bowl with a spoon. — Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Lighter sides still have a way of leaving an impression. Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower makes space on the plate without being forgotten. It’s usually mentioned by the people who didn’t think they’d like it.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Riced Cauliflower

Everything-Seasoned Sautéed Beet Greens

Sometimes the most overlooked ingredients turn into the most talked-about dish. Everything-Seasoned Sautéed Beet Greens pack more flavor than anyone expects. Guests are usually surprised by how fast they go.
Get the Recipe: Everything-Seasoned Sautéed Beet Greens

Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts

A bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts and broccoli. — Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

Roasted veggies like these always seem to win people over. The mix in Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts brings just enough crunch and depth to feel complete. More than one guest usually goes back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts

Rutabaga Fries

Crisp edges and a slightly sweet bite make this one a surprise favorite. There’s something about Rutabaga Fries that makes people pause mid-bite. They’re usually the first to run out.
Get the Recipe: Rutabaga Fries

Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Some sides get picked off the tray before they hit the plate. Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices are just sweet and crisp enough to keep hands reaching. There’s rarely any left by the time dinner starts.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Beatrice's Icelandic Pickled Beets

Beets with pomegranate seeds on a plate. — Beatrice's Icelandic Pickled Beets. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

A sharp, tangy bite like this breaks up the meal in the best way. Beatrice’s Icelandic Pickled Beets surprise even longtime beet fans. Guests tend to ask where the recipe came from.
Get the Recipe: Beatrice's Icelandic Pickled Beets

Goat Cheese & Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed sweet potatoes with spinach and goat cheese in a white bowl. — Goat Cheese & Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one walks the line between earthy and creamy without overdoing either. Goat Cheese & Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes hold up next to anything on the table. The flavor sticks with people.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese & Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Best Sautéed Mushrooms

Bold flavor in a small bite can leave the biggest impression. Best Sautéed Mushrooms round out the table without needing much attention. Once they’re gone, people always ask who brought them.
Get the Recipe: Best Sautéed Mushrooms

Beetroot Daikon Radish Pickled

A bowl filled with cubed beetroot pickled daikon radishes. — Beetroot Daikon Radish Pickled. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Tart and bright flavors bring everything else into focus. That’s why Beetroot Daikon Radish Pickled gets picked clean faster than expected. It’s the kind of side people keep talking about after they leave.
Get the Recipe: Beetroot Daikon Radish Pickled

Easy Beet and Walnut Vegetarian Roast Recipe

Even among the classics, this one finds its way into the spotlight. Easy Beet and Walnut Vegetarian Roast Recipe brings color, crunch, and something different to the table. It’s usually what people ask about first.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beet and Walnut Vegetarian Roast Recipe

Southern Mash

Mashed potatoes on a white plate. — Southern Mash. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bold, buttery, and easy to love, this one quietly anchors the plate. Southern Mash doesn’t try to stand out but still ends up a favorite. There’s never much left in the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash