17 Holiday Side Dishes Worth a Test Run Before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner feels less stressful when you have time to try your favorite holiday sides before the big gathering. Creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy gratins, Southern cornbread dressing, roasted Brussels sprouts, fresh autumn salads, cranberry chutney, and fluffy homemade rolls bring plenty of festive flavor to your table.

Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes with Dijon

An oval baking dish filled with mashed potatoes, topped with chopped herbs and black pepper, sits on a white surface near whole potatoes and a blue cloth napkin. — Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes with Dijon. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

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These rich, velvety mashed potatoes get a flavorful upgrade from creamy Boursin cheese and a subtle tang of Dijon mustard. Keeping the skins on makes them wonderfully rustic and saves prep time, making this side a practical choice for busy holiday cooking.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes with Dijon

Golden Creamy Leek and Potato Gratin

A spotlight on Easter recipes: This baked casserole dish boasts a golden, cheesy crust and is garnished with chopped herbs. A serving spatula rests nearby with plates and a small bowl of additional herbs, making it both delicious and gluten-free. — Golden Creamy Leek and Potato Gratin. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Tender potato slices and delicate sautéed leeks create beautiful layers of savory flavor in this comforting gratin. Garlic, thyme, and a bubbling cheese topping make it a delicious addition to Thanksgiving dinner or any special family gathering.
Get the Recipe: Golden Creamy Leek and Potato Gratin

Sweet Potato Crunch with Maple Pecan Topping

Oval dish of sweet potato casserole topped with a crumbly pecan and brown sugar mixture, perfect for Thanksgiving, on a red tablecloth with fruit patterns. This gluten-free delight will be the star of your holiday table. — Sweet Potato Crunch with Maple Pecan Topping. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Smooth mashed sweet potatoes create a comforting base for a crunchy praline topping flavored with maple and pecans. The sweet-and-nutty combination makes this festive side a natural fit for Thanksgiving and other autumn celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Crunch with Maple Pecan Topping

Fresh Arugula Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Pecans

A salad with arugula, sliced red and green apples, pears, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped pecans on a white oval plate. — Fresh Arugula Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Pecans. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Peppery arugula balances the sweetness of juicy pears, while toasted pecans add a satisfying crunch and blue cheese brings a tangy richness. This colorful fall salad offers a refreshing contrast to heavier holiday dishes and roasted meats.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Arugula Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Pecans

Crunchy Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad

A large oval platter of Caesar salad topped with croutons and parmesan cheese shavings, placed on a dark surface with small bowls of toppings nearby. — Crunchy Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Shredded kale and Brussels sprouts create a crisp, hearty twist on the traditional Caesar salad. A creamy anchovy dressing adds familiar savory flavor, making this versatile side ideal for holiday meals, quick lunches, or everyday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad

Sweet-Tart Make-Ahead Cranberry Chutney

Fresh cranberries and crisp apples give this chutney a lively balance of tart fruit, gentle sweetness, and warming ginger. You can prepare it ahead and serve it chilled or warm, making it a convenient companion for holiday turkey, ham, and cheese boards.
Get the Recipe: Sweet-Tart Make-Ahead Cranberry Chutney

Golden Roasted Hasselback Butternut Squash

Sliced roasted butternut squash, garnished with chopped nuts and fresh herbs, makes a perfect gluten-free recipe for your Thanksgiving spread. — Golden Roasted Hasselback Butternut Squash. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Thinly sliced butternut squash roasts into an eye-catching centerpiece with caramelized edges and a tender interior. Its beautiful presentation makes it a standout holiday side, while it stays simple enough to serve with an everyday autumn dinner.
Get the Recipe: Golden Roasted Hasselback Butternut Squash

Sweet and Tangy Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Brussels sprouts develop delicious caramelized edges as maple sweetness and tangy balsamic flavors mingle together. Smoky bacon adds a savory finish, making this easy vegetable side a crowd-pleasing choice for Thanksgiving or any cozy autumn meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Tangy Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Vibrant Roasted Beet and Apple Salad

A close-up of a fresh salad featuring leafy greens, shredded beets, julienned vegetables, and sunflower seeds—this vibrant dish pairs perfectly with savory apple dishes or refreshing apple drinks, with wooden salad tongs partially visible. — Vibrant Roasted Beet and Apple Salad. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Earthy roasted beets meet crisp apples and peppery radishes in this colorful salad full of contrasting textures. A tangy mustard dressing ties it all together, creating a fresh, lively side for autumn dinners and festive gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Vibrant Roasted Beet and Apple Salad

Fluffy Leftover Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls

These soft, airy rolls turn leftover mashed potatoes into a delicious homemade bread that is perfect for sharing. Their tender texture holds up well for sandwiches and sliders, making them especially handy for holiday meals and the days that follow.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Leftover Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls

Dad's Favorite Holiday Side Dish

Skillet with roasted potatoes, crumbled bacon, fresh herbs, and dollops of white cheese on a blue cloth background. — Golden Roasted Turnips with Bacon and Goat Cheese. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Rosemary-roasted turnips develop beautifully browned edges and a tender, flavorful center in this savory vegetable side. Smoky bacon and tangy goat cheese add a delicious finishing touch that makes turnips feel right at home on a holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Golden Roasted Turnips with Bacon and Goat Cheese

Sweet and Savory Bourbon-Glazed Carrots

A glossy bourbon glaze upgrades tender carrots, balancing gentle sweetness with savory depth. This simple skillet side adds elegance to everyday vegetables and pairs beautifully with holiday roasts or weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Savory Bourbon-Glazed Carrots

Cheesy Baked Tennessee Onions

A baked casserole topped with sliced onions and herbs sits on a wooden table, surrounded by cheese, onions, parsley, a spoon, and a patterned napkin. — Cheesy Baked Tennessee Onions. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Sweet onions soften and become rich beneath a generous blanket of sharp cheddar and savory seasonings. With its golden, bubbly cheese topping, this Southern-inspired favorite is a comforting choice for Thanksgiving, potlucks, and Sunday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Baked Tennessee Onions

Festive Wild Rice with Apples and Cranberries

A bowl of wild rice salad with apples, cranberries, nuts, and herbs sits invitingly on a black dish, gluten-free and perfect for Thanksgiving. — Festive Wild Rice with Apples and Cranberries. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Nutty wild rice provides a hearty base for sweet dried cranberries and crisp apple pieces in this seasonal pilaf. Its fruity flavors and satisfying texture make it a lovely alternative to traditional stuffing on the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Festive Wild Rice with Apples and Cranberries

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes

These beautifully sliced potatoes roast with crisp, golden edges while staying soft and tender in the middle. Garlic and Parmesan bring savory richness to every bite, making them an irresistible side for holiday roasts and special family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes

Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Parmesan Cream Sauce

Fresh green beans take center stage in this updated version of a beloved holiday classic. A luscious Parmesan cream sauce and crispy shoestring onions add richness and crunch without relying on the usual canned ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Parmesan Cream Sauce

Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing with Sausage

This comforting Southern dressing combines tender cornbread with savory sausage, aromatic vegetables, and classic herbs. It stays moist without getting mushy, and its make-ahead-friendly prep helps ease the pressure of hosting a big holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing with Sausage