Thanksgiving Side Dishes Worth Fighting Over

Make-Ahead Sides for Every Holiday Table

Ask anyone what they’re most excited about at Thanksgiving, and it’s rarely the turkey. It’s the dressing. The cheesy potatoes. Whatever’s in the casserole dish that disappears first.

This month’s lineup leans into exactly that: a classic Southern dressing, two showstopping potato dishes, a soufflé that tastes like French onion soup, and Gruyère creamed spinach, plus bright salads to balance it all out and the dinner rolls that vanish before the gravy gets passed. Most of it can be prepped ahead, which is everything in November. Here’s exactly what I’m making.

↓ The one dish that’s been on our Thanksgiving table every single year. It wouldn’t be the holiday without it.

1

5 from 2 reviews

Classic Southern-Style Cornbread & Sausage Stuffing

This Southern cornbread dressing is everything you want on a holiday table. Rich with sausage, tender cornbread, and classic herbs, it’s warm, flavorful, and endlessly comforting. Serve it alongside turkey, at a Sunday roast, or enjoy it on its own—it’s that good. One bite of this with a little gravy, and you'll see why it’s a family favorite!

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↓ Crispy, lacy, cheese-browned edges. This is the side everyone hovers over.

2

Comté Potato Gratin with Yukon Gold Potatoes

Golden edges. Bubbling cheese. Layers so silky they practically melt. This Comté potato gratin is the holiday side everyone hovers over, and the one you'll be asked to bring every single year. Bonus: it's even better made ahead. Gluten-free.

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↓ Shatteringly crisp outside, fluffy and creamy inside. Every potato should aspire to this.

3

4.9 from 18 reviews

Ultra Crispy Roasted Duck Fat Potatoes

I've been making crispy Duck Fat Potatoes for years — the ultimate potato side dish! For best results, I recommend Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. When cooked with duck fat, the potatoes take on a rich flavor. Parboiling the potatoes first with a touch of baking soda helps ensure a creamy center and super crispy exterior. You will serve these with everything! Gluten-free, dairy-free.

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↓ French onion soup, baked into a golden, puffy casserole. No whipped egg whites required.

4

Cheesy Caramelized Onion Soufflé (Simple & Elegant)

Meet your new favorite holiday side dish: a caramelized onion soufflé with a crackly Parmesan crust and a custardy, softly set center. It tastes like French onion soup—nutty, jammy, deeply savory—baked into a golden “pouff” you slice at the table, but in a casserole dish. 😉 No whipped egg whites, just slow-cooked onions and a simple whisked batter. Make the onions ahead, bake right before guests arrive, and watch it disappear.

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↓ A steakhouse classic that belongs on every holiday table. I can never stop at one spoonful.

5

5 from 7 reviews

The Ultimate Creamed Spinach with Gruyère Béchamel

This creamed spinach with gruyère is rich, creamy, and utterly irresistible. Fresh spinach is folded into a silky béchamel, finished with nutty Gruyère and Parmesan, then broiled until golden and bubbling. A steakhouse-worthy side dish that pairs beautifully with steak, chicken, pork, or holiday dinners. Don't be surprised when it steals the spotlight!

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↓ The vegetable side that’s somehow gone before the main course hits the table.

6

5 from 5 reviews

Parmesan-Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans

Looking for a veggie side dish with a little pizzazz? That may seem like a strange way to describe roasted butternut squash, but I kid you not this is a totally simple, yet elevated — and better yet exciting! — way to eat winter squash. Roasted until tender, then finished with a cheesy, herby, nutty crunchy topping. An instant favorite!

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↓ The most stress-free side you’ll ever serve: no oven, no reheating, and better the next day.

7

Braised Leeks with Dijon Vinaigrette, Eggs, & Hazelnuts

Silky, meltingly tender braised leeks soaked in a sharp Dijon vinaigrette, then showered with snowy grated egg, toasted hazelnuts, and chives. It's a French bistro classic that's easy enough for a weeknight and elegant enough for your holiday table, and it's even better the next day.

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↓ The bright, crunchy salad that cuts through all that richness.

8

5 from 8 reviews

Crunchy Kale Salad with Apple and Pecans

Our crunchy Kale Salad with Apples and Pecans is a delicious and satisfying salad that is perfect for any meal. It's absolutely packed with flavor, from the toasted panko breadcrumbs and pecans, to shaved Parmesan cheese. Dressed with a homemade lemon tahini dressing that is subtly sweet and nutty, this salad recipe will leave you feeling full and happy.

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↓ My favorite quick way to make the whole table feel a little fancier.

9

Crisp Endive Salad with Pear & Gorgonzola

Crisp, elegant, and bursting with flavor, this Endive, Pear, and Gorgonzola Salad is the ultimate combination of sweet, savory, and tangy. Bitter endive and tender little gem lettuce are tossed with juicy pears, creamy gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and a zesty anchovy vinaigrette for a sophisticated salad that's perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or an elevated weeknight side.

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↓ Because no holiday table is complete without a basket of warm, buttery rolls.

10

5 from 2 reviews

Buttery Soft Parmesan Pull-Apart Rolls

Fluffy, buttery, and topped with nutty Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh parsley, these Parmesan pull apart rolls are the perfect addition to any meal. The dough comes together in a stand mixer and is really easy to work with. You can make 16 larger rolls or 24 smaller rolls. These have a tendency to disappear quickly! Freezer-friendly.

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November’s sides are proof that the supporting cast ogten steals the show.

If you’re craving more holiday menu inspiration, be sure to explore the full recipe index. You can filter by main ingredient, time of year, and dietary restrictions to find exactly what fits your table. And if you’d like a shortcut to the recipes I personally return to again and again, those favorites are bookmarked here too.

Still deciding on the main event? My November holiday mains roundup has you covered, from a crispy spatchcock turkey to a make-ahead porchetta-style roulade. And for something sweet at the end, my ultra-moist pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese frosting is my no-fuss answer to holiday dessert.

Here’s to full plates, second helpings, and a table that never feels finished without one more side.

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