The holidays are just around the corner, and with them come the enticing aromas of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. But let’s be real—planning the perfect Thanksgiving menu isn’t always easy. With so many tempting dishes to choose from, it’s no wonder it can feel overwhelming.
Trust me, I’ve been there! Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tips that have made juggling the timing of a Thanksgiving feast a lot more manageable. Our list below offers several sides that put your microwave, gas grill, air fryer, or slow-cooker to good use when the oven traffic gets backed up!
Ready to get cooking? Let’s dive into some Thanksgiving recipes for side dishes that everyone will love, from the traditional to something new to try!
1. Green Bean Casserole – Microwave
This Green Bean Casserole is a Thanksgiving tradition for a reason, with crisp fried onions adding crunch to the creamy mushroom sauce and perfectly tender green beans.
If you still have plenty of oven space, go for the Original.
2. Sauteed Mushrooms – Stovetop
A low-carb, delicious side? It’s a Christmas miracle! These sliced sauteed mushrooms are flavorful and cook super fast. Grab a friend to help you wash and slice a couple of packages of baby bellas or white button mushrooms and serve next to the bird.
3. Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Stovetop
Creamy Comfort with a Hint of Spice! This recipe ditches the sugar for a savory twist using garlic, herbs, and a touch of spice. It’s a creamy and comforting side dish with a surprising depth of flavor. The fresh thyme is a must.
4. Mashed Potatoes – Microwave
Ditch the pot! This recipe whips up perfectly smooth mashed potatoes in the microwave, saving you time for the rest of your feast.
5. Simple Mini Peppers – Air Fryer
Easy & Flavorful! Skip the oven! These mini peppers roast to tender, smoky perfection in the air fryer – a colorful and healthy side dish.
6. Jalapeno Cheddar Skillet Cornbread – Oven
A Kickin’ Twist on Classic Comfort, this cornbread packs a spicy punch with jalapeños and melty cheddar cheese. Perfect for those who like their sides with a bit of flash!
7. Crisp Green Beans – Air Fryer
This fast side uses fresh green beans and not much else – just enough seasoning to matter, but you get the crispness of a fry without the starchiness. They’re good, and would make a particularly good side for the kid’s table.
8. Sweet Potato Casserole – Slow Cooker
With Hassle-Free Holiday Sweetness, let your slow cooker do the work! This sweet potato casserole is a creamy and comforting side dish that’s perfect for busy holidays.
9. Cranberry Pear Compote – Stovetop
Tart & Sweet with a Holiday Twist – This compote combines tart cranberries with juicy pears and crushed rosemary sprigs for a festive and flavorful side dish perfect for Thanksgiving.
10. Garlic Cauliflower Mash – Stovetop
When you have a chance to cut the carbs at a holiday dinner, this recipe might be your chance! Creamy Comfort, Lighter on Carbs, this flavorful mash swaps potatoes for cauliflower, creating a light and creamy side dish packed with garlicky goodness.
11. Smashed Red Potatoes – Air Fryer
Crispy on the Outside, Fluffy on the Inside – The air fryer takes red potatoes to a new level! This recipe delivers crispy skin and fluffy insides – a simple yet satisfying side dish.
12. Red Lobster Copycat Biscuits – Oven
Buttery, Flaky Heaven. Heaven, I tell you! Recreate the iconic Red Lobster biscuits at home! These beauties are light, flaky, and bursting with buttery flavor.
13. Roasted Radishes – Air Fryer
While raw radishes are truly an acquired taste, I think you’ll be surprised at how these go from mild to wild in a snap. I wouldn’t make a ton of them, but a small bowl of these to encourage a low-carb taste test at dinner would be just fine.
14. Grilled Fresh Pineapple Rings – Grill
Here’s a grilled option that is a great dessert-before-dinner appetizer or a real eye-popping side dish served warm or at room temp.
15. Microwave Glazed Carrots – Microwave
These glazed carrots come together quickly in the microwave, making them perfect for busy holiday dinners. Sweet, tender, and a fast complement to the meal.
16. Mexican Street Corn – Stovetop
While this starts with easy canned corn, it’s not just butter and go, here: With a few zesty ingredients, you get a nice zing that breaks through all that usual Thanksgiving richness.
17. Easy Grilled Tomatoes – Grill
Sounds like a summer side, right? Well, yes, that too, but this is a rather unique way of getting smoky seasoned vegetables on the table that are unique and free up your kitchen for the other good stuff.
18. Roasted Bell Peppers and Potatoes – Air Fryer
Roasted bell peppers and potatoes cook up beautifully in the air fryer. This colorful side dish combines tender bell peppers and potatoes with a mild, satisfying flavor. It’s easy to prepare and makes a great addition to any meal.
19. Skillet Fried Corn – Stovetop
Skillet fried corn is a simple and comforting side dish that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. Made with sweet corn, butter, and a touch of sugar, it’s quick to prepare and brings warmth and flavor to your holiday table.
20. Loaded Twice-Baked Fingerling Potatoes – Oven
These are a lot of work, I won’t lie, but they are adorable and if you use instant mashed potatoes or use make-ahead kind, it will help with the steps. Make more than you think you’ll need, because bacon.
21. Cinnamon Sugar Butternut Squash – Slow Cooker
If you want to disguise a vegetable as dessert, this is the way. Butternut has the quality of pumpkin and is just so versatile.
22. Turkey Gravy – Slow Cooker
I didn’t grow up with folks using the slow cooker to keep everything warm and to this day I don’t know why. Yes, it cooks, but why not set yourself up for success with that warm setting? This turkey gravy is good and done and keeps on staying good, people.
23. Farro Salad with Air Fryer Roast Veg – Stovetop
I love farro. I don’t know why this grain is still a wallflower in the culinary world, but I think it works great with roasted vegetables and served along side any fish or poultry. (It’s not gluten free, just FYI.)
24. Jiffy Corn Casserole – Oven
I don’t know when this became famous, but the world is better for it. I’ve had it in the crock and in the oven, and I’ve added all kinds of mix-ins, but basic is still the best.
25. Whole Grilled Onions with Butter and Bacon – Grill
The presentation on these is pretty awesome and really yummy (butter and bacon for the win). They take a while to grill but if you love the idea of making sure everyone gets their own, this is a great side dish – cooked outside!
26. Hasselback Potatoes – Air Fryer
These come out really pretty without much work, and with the air fryer, you save oven space. It’s not a family-style side dish; have one large potato per person and add a butter to the table in case anyone wants extra.
27. Sweet & Spicy Maple Brussel Sprouts – Toaster Oven Option
Sweet Heat You’ll Love (if you like Brussel sprouts, I mean)… These Brussels sprouts mix maple sweetness with a touch of spice for a side dish that’s big on flavor.
28. Texas Roadhouse Green Beans – Stovetop
Who would have thunk that using canned green beans would take you most of the way to Texas Roadhouse? Buttery, garlicky, and comforting—just like the restaurant version. Add to a small crock to keep warm if you want.
29. Fresh Broccoli – Microwave
If you’ve got a vegetarian feast going, simple fresh broccoli in the microwave is a fast option and you can make a spice bar for people to punch up the flavor just the way they like it.
30. Mac & Cheese – Slow Cooker
A five-star side dish that is popular in the south, this Mac & Cheese recipe is made even more perfect in the Crock-Pot!
The bottom line
Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or just getting started, these side dish ideas will help you use all of your appliances to get your Thanksgiving feast to the table on time and wow your guests.
Here are some more Thanksgiving vibes: