The Top Tastiest Thanksgiving Side Dishes For A Fabulous Feast

The perfectly roasted and juicy turkey may be the star of the show for a Thanksgiving feast, but the side dishes play a pretty important role, too! Here, we are diving into the tastiest Thanksgiving side dishes to wow your friends and family. So, let’s get to it!  

Pecan And Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes  

This seasonal side is great for your Thanksgiving feast or any fall-inspired meal! Sweet and delicious, it pairs perfectly with a juicy slice of turkey.  

Begin by peeing and dicing sweet potatoes into bite-sized chunks. In a small dish, combine pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup), salt, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, and melted butter and mix to combine.   

Next, mix the sweet concoction with the sweet potatoes and bake until about halfway done. Add in roughly chopped pecans and allow to cook all together the rest of the way through.  

Roasted Butternut Squash With Candied Pecans 

Sweet and savory, this butternut squash and candied pecan dish is perfect for blending with the rest of your Thanksgiving feast. 

Take two large butternut squash and peel them using a potato peeler. Slice them lengthwise and remove the seeds in the center. Dice the squash into bite-sized pieces. Set to the side.  

Melt butter in a large skillet. Add pecans, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and a pinch of vanilla. Once the pecans are coated in the gooey mixture and caramelized, turn off the heat and allow them to set.  

Toss the squash with olive oil, brown sugar, salt, pepper, nutmeg, garlic powder, and thyme. Place on a sheet pan and cook until almost tender. Add the squash to a casserole dish, mix in the candied pecans, and continue baking until done.    

Roasted Garlic And Rosemary Mashed Potatoes  

One up those run-of-the-mill potatoes by adding in some freshly roasted garlic and rosemary!  

Cut a head of garlic, skin and all, in half horizontally. Cover with a touch of olive oil, wrap in tin foil, and bake until the garlic cloves are tender. While the garlic is roasting, peel and dice red potatoes and add them to a large pot of salted boiling water. Once the potatoes are soft, drain and add them back to the pot. 

Add butter, milk, salt, white pepper, chopped rosemary, and the beautifully roasted garlic. Mash with a masher or use a hand mixer for creamy, smooth potatoes.   

Classic Homemade Green Bean Casserole 

This classic holiday dish is even better when you skip the canned soups and jump into a homemade version!  

Start by blanching one pound of french green beans. This will allow them to keep their green color and give them a start at becoming nice and tender. Once blanched, set to the side. Next, start on the mushroom soup. Firstly, dice up a small onion and roughly chop a carton of fresh mushrooms.  

Add to a skillet with a bit of olive oil. Add in two crushed garlic cloves and cook until fragrant. Next, in the same skillet, add a knob of butter and a few tablespoons of flour to create a roux. Once the flour has cooked for about 5 minutes, add milk and season with salt and pepper to taste.   

Add the green beans to a large casserole dish and top with the homemade mushroom soup. Top it with crispy onions and bake until bubbly. 

Wrapping Up The Tastiest Side Dishes For Thanksgiving   

We all know the turkey is the star on Thanksgiving day, but the side dish plays an important role, too! Here are the best classic sides that will wow your guests and leave you with little leftovers! Time to enjoy your feast!