Thanksgiving Sides: Quick Planner + Reheat Chart

We update this post every year to help you plan a wonderful Thanksgiving menu or help out the host with a potluck dish.

Build your traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving side dishes menu fast: make-ahead classics, ≤30-minute options, veg sides that could be mains, salads, and condiments – plus an at-a-glance serving quantity and reheat chart.

Legend: 🌟 = Our Top Picks

We celebrate both Canadian and American Thanksgiving, and after 30+ years of hosting we still lean into the classics – turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and fresh cranberry – sometimes with a few twists.

This year I’m making a zero-stress, ultra-juicy sous vide turkey breast with all the sides; stuffing is still our #1. Cooking for a smaller group? Try our bone-in turkey breast with pear chutney.

Below you’ll find our best Thanksgiving side dishes – make-ahead, ≤30-minute, veggie-packed, and more. Judge for yourself. Happy Thanksgiving!

Classics/Make Ahead

🌟Homemade Bread Stuffing (65 min)

Classic, make-ahead stuffing – golden on top, tender inside. 65 Min, Make Ahead, Veg or sausage add-ins.

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Mashed Potatoes (No Peel) – 25 minutes

Fluffy and creamy, light or rich. Keep warm and reheat with a splash of milk. 25 min, Make ahead, veg,

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Green Beans With Lemon-Panko Crunch (17 Min)

green beans topped with panko breadcrumb mixture on plate

Bright crunch, no casserole, 5 ingredients. Serve hot or room temp. 17 Min, Make ahead, Veg

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Turkey Gravy From Scratch (Make-Ahead) – 2 1/4 hours

Homemade gravy without drippings. Deep, rich flavor. Crowning glory. Make-ahead.

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Quick/30 Minutes

🌟 Stovetop Creamed Spinach (15 Minutes)

Silky, savory and easy; Make it light or rich – up to you. 15 min · Veg · gluten-free

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🌟Better Than Bouillon Gravy (5 Min)

better than bouillon gravy pouring on roasted chicken on a plate.

Beyond-easy, smooth, savory day-of lifesaver. No drippings needed. 5 Min, Make Ahead.

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Homemade Stovetop Stuffing – 22 Min

Fast vegetarian stuffing loaded with veggies. No oven space needed. Way better than the package version! 22 Min, Make ahead, Veg.

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Easy Roasted Zucchini (20 Min)

roasted zucchini spears on plate with microgreens

Transformed with caramelized edges – this simple zucchini is a lighter pairing with rich dishes. 20 min. veg.

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Cheddar Bay Biscuits With Bisquick (20 Min)

Warm, cheesy, garlicky biscuits – an easy alternative to dinner rolls. 20 Min, Veg, Make ahead.

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Vegetable Quinoa Stuffing (30 Min)

Bread-free but classic flavors, packed with veggies. Reheats beautifully. 30 Min, Make ahead, Gluten-free.

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Maple Glazed Carrots With Thyme and Orange Zest (30 Min)

maple glazed carrots on round white plate.

Sweet-herby glaze with a citrus lift; 30 Min, Veg, Make Ahead,

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Veg Sides That Could Be A Main

🌟 Vegetable Strudel In Puff Pastry (50 Min)

Savory vegetable and goat cheese in flaky pastry. Main or side. 50 Min, Make-ahead, Veg.

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🌟 Pumpkin Risotto, Instant Pot (40 Min)

pumpkin risotto in bowl with pumpkin behind it.

Creamy, pretty Fall comfort. Main or side. Swap with butternut squash if needed. 40 Min, Veg, Make-ahead.

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Veggie Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (36 Min)

grilled stuffed mushroom cap on cutting board.

Hearty caps stuffed with veggies, herbs,, Panko and cheese, Grill or bake. 36 Min, Make ahead, Veg.

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Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Spinach (40 Min)

spinach mac and cheese in casserole dish

Creamy bake with a healthy boost. Popular crowd favorite. 40 Min, Veg, Make ahead.

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Potatoes & Roots

Oven Roasted Vegetables (45 Min)

Colorful medley of root veggies and apples. Hands-off and buffet-friendly. 45 Min, Veg, Make-ahead.

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Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy scalloped potatoes with thinly sliced potatoes in a creamy cheese sauce – all the classic comfort, simplified. Ready in about an hour with no layering required and beautifully browned on top. 1 hour, Make Ahead, Veg

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Candied Sweet Potatoes With Pecans (30 Min)

Maple-lime glaze + toasted pecans. A sweet-crunchy holiday staple. 30 Min, Veg, Make-ahead.

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Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots (24 Min)

bowl of cooked potatoes and carrots with herbs on black table

Buttery, garlicky, oniony potatoes and carrots with fresh herbs. Hands-off, frees oven space. 24 Min, Veg, Make-ahead.

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Green Beans and Potatoes With Bacon (35 Minutes)

green beans, potatoes and bacon medley on white plate.

Crispy bacon, tender vibrant veggies. A hearty no-casserole twist. 35 Min, Make Ahead.

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🌟 Root Vegetable Mash (28 Min)

Creamy, colorful mash; same comfort as potatoes with extra nutrients. 28 Min, Make-ahead, Veg

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Roasted Parsnips With Honey (38 Min)

Sweet, nutty, golden edges – the underrated star of the table. Few ingredients. 38 Min, Make ahead, Veg.

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Side salads

🌟 Roasted Pumpkin (or Sweet Potato) Salad With Couscous – 40 Min

Wonderful textures, pecan crunch, orange vinaigrette and festive platter. Swap in sweet potatoes if needed. 40 Min, Make ahead, Veg.

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🌟 Tomato Onion Salad (15 Min Prep)

marinated tomato and green onion salad in bowl.

Sweet, tangy, colorful salad with homemade Catalina dressing. No extra salad plates needed. 15 Min prep, Make-ahead

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Citrus Salad With Greens (15 Min)

Juicy oranges and tangy grapefruit. Quick, easy, refreshing and beautiful. 15 Min, Veg, Make-ahead.

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Chopped Salad (4 Holiday Themes) 15-45 Min

Crunchy, color-packed bases, each with seasonal add-ins and dressings. 15-45 Minutes, Veg, Make-ahead.

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Pretty Orange and Beet Salad (12 Minutes)

beetroot salad with citrus fruit and goat cheese on white plate

Beets, goat cheese, nuts, oranges and a light dressing – beautiful and fast. 12 Min, Veg, Make-ahead, Gluten-free.

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Fig Salad with Pomegranate & Balsamic (20 Min)

fig salad in bowl with pomegranates and avocado and goat cheese on top.

Sweet-tart jewels with creamy elements – an instant showpiece. 20 Min, Veg, Make-Ahead.

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Recipe for Winter Salad (Festive, 15 Min)

Festive salad with addictive textures and a citrusy dressing. Scale up for a crowd. 15 Min, Make ahead, Veg.

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Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cinnamon Dressing (35 Min)

butternut squash salad with caramelized onions over greens on plate.

Caramelized squash/onions, toasted pecans with a warm cinnamon dressing. Company-worthy. 35 Min, Make ahead, Veg, Gluten-free.

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Condiments

🌟 Cranberry Orange Relish (5 Min)

bowl with cranberry relish beside slide turkey with the relish on it.

3-ingredient, bright, fresh and tangy. A total can-breaker! No cooking needed. 5 Min, Gluten free, Veg, Make-ahead.

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Chunky Applesauce – No Peeling (25 Min)

Sweet or tart, 3 ingredients, peels on or off. Make an easy big-batch for the table. 25 Min, Gluten-free, Make ahead.

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Peach Chutney (30 minutes)

Sweet-tangy, warmly spiced – and great with turkey, pork and ham. 30 Min, Make ahead, Veg.

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Quantities & reheat at a glance

Side	Per person	Make-ahead & Reheat
Mashed potatoes	½ lb potatoes (~¾–1 cup mashed)	Cover; 325–350°F for 25–40 min. Add splash of milk. Or use warmer ring on stovetop or microwave.
Stuffing / dressing	~¾ cup	Moisten with broth; Warm 350°F 10-15 min covered.
Glazed/roasted carrots	½–¾ cup	350°F 15–20 min covered; or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Creamed spinach	½–¾ cup	300–350°F 15–20 min or gentle microwave; don’t boil.
Green veg / roasted veg	½–¾ cup	350°F 10–15 min; uncovered.
Gravy	¼–½ cup	Reheat gently on stovetop; thin with stock; whisk
Green salad	~1 cup (side)	Prep ahead; dress just before serving.

America’s most & least favorite side dishes

According to an online Instacart survey by The Harris Poll, which surveyed over 2000 adult Americans:

Most-loved nationwide: mashed potatoes (#1), stuffing/dressing, rolls, gravy, sweet potato casserole, gravy, green beans, Brussels sprouts, mac & cheese, corn, glazed carrots.
Least-loved in polls: canned cranberry sauce (try our fresh cranberry-orange relish instead!), green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole.

Thanksgiving FAQs

How do you keep food warm for a Thanksgiving dinner?

If you are hosting this year, here are a few handy tips for keeping foods warm. In a nutshell: Use low oven (200–250°F / 95–120°C), covered dishes, foil, slow cooker on “warm,” Instant Pot “on keep warm,” insulated cooler (as a hot box), and warming trays. Add a splash of broth/milk to moist sides before holding.

How many side dishes should I make?

For 6 guests: Make 1–2 starches, 2 vegetable dishes and 1 salad/condiment. Add ~1 more side for an additional 4–6 guests.

What easy sides can I make when my oven is full?

See recipes above: stovetop mashed potatoes (or root vegetable mash), 5-minute gravy, no-cook cranberry relish, creamed spinach (stovetop), Instant Pot potatoes/carrots, tomato, fig, winter, or citrus salad.

Can I make turkey soup from leftovers?

Definitely. A perfect use of carcass, meat, and veggies. Simmer bones 1 hour for stock, then add veg/pasta/rice. Here is a recipe for leftover turkey soup with stuffing croutons.