So, you’re making turkey for Thanksgiving. That’s an easy decision. But what else? No need to panic! If you’re looking for what else to serve for your holiday meal, this roundup has you covered.
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Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy appetizer to keep your guests happy while you prepare the rest of Thanksgiving dinner, the perfect side dish to go with your turkey, or a show-stopping dessert, you’re sure to find everything you need here!
While the turkey cooks away in the oven, you may want to put out an appetizer to keep everyone from getting hangry until dinner is served. These are some of my absolute favs when it comes to pre-dinner Thanksgiving dishes!
If you really want to go the extra mile, use some fun Thanksgiving themed cookie cutters to cut festive shapes into mozzarella for a fall Caprese salad.
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Savory Pumpkin Dip
This warm Savory Pumpkin Dip is rich, creamy, and downright irresistible. Blended with smoky bacon, fresh sage, and melty cheese, it’s the ultimate fall appetizer to cozy up with. Serve it bubbling hot with crusty baguette slices or crunchy crackers, and watch it disappear in minutes!
Honestly, I love eating this harvest salad as a meal all on its own. But it also works as a great appetizer or first course for a fancy dinner, and it has lots of hearty autumnal ingredients!
Meet your new favorite fall appetizer! These Caramelized Onion and Apple Puff Pastry Tarts are buttery, crisp, and bursting with flavor from sweet onion jam, tart apples, and melty Gruyère. Simple to make, impressive to serve, and absolutely irresistible warm from the oven.
Warm gooey brie cheese, topped with apricot preserves and maple syrup, this air fryer recipe is great for special occasions, a mid-day snack, or date night at home.
This simple and delicious Orange Cranberry Baked Brie appetizer requires only four ingredients and is ready in under 20 minutes. This crowd pleaser is one of the easiest appetizers and is perfect for a girls night, holiday season, or a family get-together.
This Baked Brie With Fig Jam is a heavenly appetizer made to impress. This easy brie recipe is fun to snack on and the perfect addition to any charcuterie board!
Let’s be honest, the sides are the best part of any Thanksgiving dinner! Here are some of my absolute favorites–I can almost guarantee that you won’t have leftovers of these incredible dishes.
This stuffing is a slightly upgraded twist on the classic dish. The cornbread adds a little bit of extra sweetness and rich flavor–definitely a must-try!
I love this dish any time of year, but it’s especially perfect for meals during the holidays. This recipe is creamy, cheesy, and has the perfect golden brown topping!
Creamy Pumpkin Baked Feta Pasta is cozy comfort food with a fall twist! The pumpkin makes the sauce extra creamy and slightly sweet, while the baked feta adds tang and richness. Toss it all with pasta, and you’ve got an easy, flavor-packed dinner that feels both seasonal and special.
For something with a little bit of extra kick, I highly recommend this take on creamed corn. It’s packed with SO much bold flavor, and it can also be served as your veggie if you like.
This slightly lightened-up take on classic green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving must have. No canned ingredients and perfectly tender-crisp green beans every time!
Crispy and flavorful, these easy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and air fried to perfection with garlic and olive oil.
If you don’t have room in your oven, this air fryer recipe is a fantastic option. It’s quick and easy to make, and the addition of cranberries and crumbles of feta or goat cheese create the perfect sweet and savory dish!
Simple and healthy, Green Beans Almondine is a French veggie side dish that features gorgeous green beans and crunchy almonds. Made in just 20 minutes, this easy recipe is the perfect companion to a holiday roasted herb butter turkey or busy weeknight dinner!
Harissa Honey Roasted Carrots are incredibly tender with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Served with a whipped feta spread and garnished with pomegranate arils, chopped pistachios, and fresh parsley, this unique recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Sauteed green beans are easy to make and a great side dish when you're just trying to get something on the table quickly. They're packed with bright flavors that will please any palate.
This Crispy Prosciutto and Pomegranate Salad recipe is a light and crisp salad that can be enjoyed as a main dish topped with chicken or shrimp, or even as a side salad.
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a couple of incredible sauces. Take your meal over the top by adding these amazing sauces to every single thing on your plate!
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Cranberry Sauce with Orange
This is my tried and true cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. The addition or orange gives it an incredible pop of citrus flavor that turns everything it touches to gold!
It can be stressful to have to wait for your turkey to finish cooking to make your gravy. This is a great option to skip all of that fuss, still resulting in a savory and comforting gravy!
Or, if you want a different take on gravy altogether, try this bacon mushroom gravy instead! The earthy mushroom flavor pairs perfectly with smoky bacon and rich red wine.
Even if you’re stuffed after all of that amazing food, there’s always room for dessert, right? Pumpkin pie is great, but I like to switch things up with these autumnal desserts as well.
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Cranberry Apple Pies
Cranberry and apple are the two fruits that most scream fall to me, making these hand pies the perfect Thanksgiving dessert! Cut them into pieces and pass them around, or give everyone their own individual pie.
Pumpkin Pie Dip is the easiest way to bring all the cozy fall vibes to the snack table! Creamy, fluffy, and perfectly spiced, it’s like pumpkin pie in a bowl, no baking required. Grab some graham crackers, apple slices, or even sprinkle gingersnaps on top, and you’ve got the ultimate treat for parties, game day, or just a sweet afternoon snack.
You read that right; these are cornbread muffins with a pumpkin twist. Great as a post-dinner treat, and just as delicious as a special breakfast the next morning!
Similar to the well-known pumpkin option, sweet potato pie has a delicious creamy filling and a flaky buttery crust. Serve it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable end to your Thanksgiving!
Whether you’re going for a traditional, classic Thanksgiving spread or you want something more modern and upscale, this list has something for everyone. Upgrade your yearly holiday side dishes, desserts, and more!
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Jordan Zelesnick
Eating is my hobby, cooking is my passion. Sharing easy to follow recipes from my kitchen.