11 Thanksgiving Side Dishes Everyone Will Ask For

I will let you in on a little secret. As a vegetarian, I have long believed the side dishes are the real stars of the Thanksgiving table. Holidays can be hard for those of us who skip the turkey, so I put a lot of love into everything that goes around it.

I gathered eleven of my favorite sides here, and they cover all the bases. You will find roasted vegetables, something bright and crunchy to cut through the richness, a baked dish or two that can hold their own as a meatless main, and a few little extras for the table.

Every recipe below links to the full post with ingredients, step by step photos and all my notes.

1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Walnuts and Cranberries

I spent many long nights at the dinner table as a kid because of Brussels sprouts, and roasting finally won me over. They roast at high heat with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then get tossed with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries and fresh parsley.

If you have a sprout skeptic at your table, this is the bowl to pass them first.

Get the recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Walnuts and Cranberries

2. Caramelized Pearl Onions

These pearl onions roast in red wine, balsamic vinegar, honey, rosemary and thyme until the sauce turns to a sticky glaze. It is such a pretty twist on an ordinary side dish.

Frozen pearl onions come already peeled, so keep a bag in the freezer and save yourself the trouble on a busy cooking day.

Get the recipe: Caramelized Pearl Onions

3. Carrot Slaw

A big holiday plate needs something crisp and zesty, and this no mayo slaw is my answer. Ribbons of raw carrot, dried cranberries, slivered almonds and scallions get a good soak in lemon juice and red wine vinegar.

It only gets more flavorful as it chills, so make it ahead and serve it in lettuce cups for a burst of color.

Get the recipe: Carrot Slaw

4. Cinnamon Applesauce

Homemade applesauce is so quick and tastes so much better than anything from the store. Apples simmer with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg until tender, and then you blend them as chunky or smooth as you like.

It keeps in a mason jar in the fridge for up to two weeks, which makes it one less thing to do on the big day.

Get the recipe: Cinnamon Applesauce

5. Yam Chips

I came up with these when a farm box landed a three pound bag of yams in my kitchen. Thin slices get a generous coat of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, then bake until golden and tasting a lot like sweet potato fries.

They are a fun change from the usual sweet potato dish, and they are good warm or cold.

Get the recipe: Yam Chips

6. Not Your Kid’s Mac & Cheese

This is not the orange powder kind. A creamy sauce of freshly grated gruyere and extra sharp cheddar coats the pasta, and a golden bread crumb and parmesan topping finishes it off.

The mix ins are up to you, whether that means crispy bacon and sauteed leeks or peas, wild mushrooms and scallions to keep it vegetarian.

Get the recipe: Not Your Kid’s Mac & Cheese

7. Stuffed Peppers

I created these with holiday entertaining in mind, because I would rather be at the party than stuck in the kitchen. Peppers are filled with long grain and wild rice, sauteed vegetables, mushrooms, Herbes de Provence and parmesan, then baked with a slice of cheddar on top.

Stuff them ahead of time and they are an elegant side dish that also doubles as a meatless main.

Get the recipe: Stuffed Peppers

8. Mexican Rice Skillet

If your crowd likes a little spice on the table, this one goes either way as a main course or a side dish. Brown rice, black beans, corn, tomatoes and peppers cook together in one deep skillet under a blanket of melted cheese.

Set out avocado, scallions, lime and hot sauce so everyone can top their own serving.

Get the recipe: Mexican Rice Skillet

9. Asparagus Goat Cheese Galette

I wrote this galette for the vegetarian at the holiday table, which is usually me. A blend of goat cheese, mozzarella and parmesan sits under asparagus spears, pine nuts and lemon zest, all folded into a rustic pie crust and baked in a cast iron skillet.

It may be a spring recipe at heart, but it looks stunning on a holiday table and the meat eaters will gobble it up too.

Get the recipe: Asparagus Goat Cheese Galette

10. Mandy’s Mini Mushroom Cups

These little cups are a lovely bite to set out while everyone waits on the main event. Crisp mini phyllo shells are filled with a buttery mixture of mushrooms, shallots and white wine, then topped with melted Gruyere.

They are simple enough that you still get to enjoy your own party.

Get the recipe: Mandy’s Mini Mushroom Cups

11. Caramelized Walnuts

I saved a small but mighty finishing touch for last. Toasted walnuts get coated in amber caramelized sugar, and they cost far less than the ones at the grocery store.

Scatter them over a salad or a bowl of sprouts, or set them out and eat them like candy.

Get the recipe: Caramelized Walnuts

Tips for a stress free Thanksgiving spread

The real trick to a calm holiday is doing what you can ahead. The applesauce can be made well before the big day, the carrot slaw improves after some time in the fridge, and the stuffed peppers can wait until you are ready to bake them.

Next, make a plan for your oven, because it is the most popular spot in the house on Thanksgiving. Many of these recipes roast or bake at around 400 degrees, so group the dishes that share a temperature and save anything that must be served hot for the final stretch.

Most of all, pick the few dishes that sound the most fun to you and let the rest go. A table full of food made with love is what everyone remembers, and I hope one of these ends up on yours this year.