It's always the turkey that seems to get all the attention on Thanksgiving. But this year, it's all about the Thanksgiving sides—and we're not just talking about any accompanying side dishes, we're talking about the Thanksgiving vegetable sides! From Brussels sprouts and sweet potato recipes to butternut squash and green beans—there's a vegetable on this list that your family will love. In fact, you'll probably want to pick and choose a few different dishes to add to your Thanksgiving dinner menu this year. Look for fresh recipes like shaved Brussels sprout salad and cozy casseroles, like cauliflower gratin. Or go for something on the sweeter side with candied sweet potatoes covered in a maple bourbon glaze.
When you're planning a menu of Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes, we've got plenty of seasonal fall produce to choose from. You'll feel perfectly autumnal with Ree Drummond's roasted vegetables with pecan crumble, and you'll definitely want to make a trip to the farmers' market for the butternut squash and kale casserole. Of course, we've also got tons of variations on potato recipes, too! Think: creamy mashed potatoes, crash hot potatoes, or scalloped potatoes that are made in a slow cooker. No matter which vegetable recipe you choose, these sides are sure to get a second scoop from guests sitting at your Thanksgiving table.
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Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Will Dickey
Even veggie skeptics will love this side dish for its sweet and smoky flavor. If your family also likes a bit of spice, you can add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.
Each one of these sweet potatoes is twice-baked and topped with a crunchy crumble. They're almost like mini sweet potato casseroles that you don't have to share!
Once you try raw, shaved Brussels sprouts, you'll never look back! They're crisp and refreshing just like a slaw. Plus, they're perfectly seasonal with dried cranberries and toasted almonds.
Looking for an alternative to mashed potatoes? These scalloped potatoes are just as creamy and delicious! And making them in a slow cooker will save you space on the stovetop.
These thick-cut slabs of cauliflower are so impressive, they can practically double as a main course. They'd even be perfect for a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner.
For a fun twist on a classic vegetable side dish, Ree likes to spice things up with this cajun green bean casserole. Not only does the Cajun seasoning add a kick, but it's also made with your favorite hot sauce!
Take Ree's word of advice: A platter of roasted veggies will "make any table prettier!" Here, she uses Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, red onion, and pomegranate seeds for a touch of sweetness.
This casserole recipe makes it easy to add something green to the table. But don't worry, there's still plenty of cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs to make it comforting!
There's a reason why this is one of Ree's most popular side dishes of all time—they’re crispy, cheesy, perfect potatoes! Making them (and smashing them) is just part of the fun.
Looking for ways to get your family to eat their veggies? Make it a gratin! It sounds fancy, but it's basically just cauliflower in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
This traditional dish is practically required at any Thanksgiving table. But families are often divided between the marshmallow vs streusel topping. Bonus: this dish has both!
A simple mixture of salted butter, maple syrup, fresh thyme, and coriander gives these roasted carrots a ton of flavor. You'll want to make them on Thanksgiving and beyond.
This recipe uses a combination of fresh yellow corn kernels and canned cream corn so you know it'll be loaded with sweet corn flavor. We love the addition of jalapeño peppers to give this side a little kick.
This recipe will make you fall in love with potatoes all over again (not that we ever fell out of love!). Just like twice-baked potatoes, the casserole dish is loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
We love Brussels sprouts every which way, but they're especially delicious when paired with cheese and bacon. Here, you'll use Monterey jack cheese and sharp cheddar cheese, plus a panko topping that's extra-crisp.