Skip the Turkey—These Thanksgiving Sides Are the Real MVPs!

Turkey might get the spotlight, but we all know the side dishes are the real stars of the feast. From creamy casseroles to perfectly roasted veggies, these dishes will have your guests asking for seconds (and thirds).

Hasselback Squash

Sliced roasted butternut squash, garnished with chopped nuts and fresh herbs, makes a perfect gluten-free recipe for your Thanksgiving spread. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

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This butternut squash recipe emphasizes the natural sweetness of the squash while adding just a touch of heat. Jazz it up with a little sage for that quintessential Fall flavor. Get the Recipe: Hasselback Butternut Squash

Sweet Potato Fluff

A delicious gluten-free baked dish with a golden brown meringue topping, presented in a white square casserole dish; a wooden spoon rests inside. Perfect for your Thanksgiving table. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallow meringue topping, also known as sweet potato fluff, is a delicious twist on a Thanksgiving staple. Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fluff

Harvest Wild Rice

A bowl of wild rice salad with apples, cranberries, nuts, and herbs sits invitingly on a black dish, gluten-free and perfect for Thanksgiving. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

This easy Thanksgiving rice recipe is a side dish made for a holiday feast. This harvest rice is packed full of chewy wild rice, buttery pecans, tart and chewy cranberries, onion, celery, apple, and fresh rosemary! Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Rice

Cornbread Stuffing

A Thanksgiving tradition made gluten-free. This cornbread stuffing recipe is the perfect balance of barely sweet cornbread and savory seasonings, it is a must-try. Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing

Maple Brussels Sprouts

A bowl of salad with Brussels sprouts, sliced apples, almonds, red onions, and dried cranberries makes for one of the most delicious Thanksgiving recipes. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

This warm Brussels sprout salad with maple dressing is crunchy and bursting with flavor from the sliced apples, toasted almonds, and cranberries. Get the Recipe: Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Cranberry Salad

A square dish filled with bright red cranberry sauce, topped with chopped nuts and orange zest, makes for a delightful addition to your Thanksgiving table. This gluten-free treat is sure to impress guests looking for festive recipes. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

A classic cranberry jello salad recipe made with raspberry jello, crunchy walnuts, fresh orange, and tart apple. This cranberry recipe has 5 minutes of hands-on time making it the easiest Thanksgiving side dish recipe ever. Get the Recipe: Cranberry Salad

Homemade Cream Corn

A creamy corn casserole, perfect for Thanksgiving, is topped with chopped chives and served in a dark oval baking dish with a wooden spoon. Gluten-free and delicious, it sits alongside a small bowl of chives, waiting to be the star of your holiday recipes. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

This gluten-free creamed corn recipe is simple to follow and only requires a few ingredients. Eat as a standalone side dish or use in your favorite corn pudding recipe. Get the Recipe: Gluten-free Creamed Corn

Scalloped Potatoes

A baked casserole with a golden, cheesy crust, sprinkled with chopped parsley, sits invitingly in a glass dish on a wooden surface-perfect for gluten-free recipes this Thanksgiving. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

There is nothing quite like a creamy, cheesy potato side dish This easy recipe [e features roasted garlic for a delicious flavor boost. Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Sweet Potato Crunch

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. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

This scrumptious sweet potato crunch casserole recipe is everything great about the Fall season in one dish. Chocked full of the season's best flavors, creamy sweet potatoes, naturally sweetened, and a crunchy pecan topping. Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Crunch

Rosemary Roasted Parnsips

A bowl of roasted parsnips, a perfect gluten-free recipe for Thanksgiving, garnished with rosemary on a wooden table. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

These honey roasted parsnips with rosemary is proof that a simple side dish can still steal the spotlight! Parsnips are tossed in honey and olive oil and roasted to perfection to achieve a caramelized delight that's sweet and savory. Get the Recipe: Honey Roasted Parsnips

Rutabaga with Parmesan

A casserole dish filled with sliced, roasted potatoes topped with chopped parsley makes for a delightful gluten-free addition to your Thanksgiving spread. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

This parmesan baked rutabaga recipe is essentially a hybrid between baked rutabaga stacks and roasted rutabaga gratin. Lightly cheesy, with crispy edges, and very little hands-on time. Get the Recipe: Parmesan Baked Rutabaga

Roasted Cranberries

roasted cranberry sauce with towel and cinnamon sticks — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Extra tart with a splash of bourbon and orange juice. You have never served cranberries like this! Get the Recipe: Roasted Cranberries

Mashed Potato Souffle

Potato souffle in a casserole dish. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Light and fluffy mashed potatoes are combined with egg whites and parmesan cheese or the ultimate potato side dish. Get the Recipe: Potato Souffle

Deconstructed Green Bean Casserole

Roasted green beans topped with sauteed mushrooms in a cream sauce. Get the Recipe: Green Bean Side Dish

Brown Sugar Carrots

A portion of Glazed Carrots served in a bowl. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Oven roasted carrots with brown sugar and thyme. The perfect combo. Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Carrots

Celery Root Puree

Celeriac puree in a brown bowl with a small bowl of green chives. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Like mashed potatoes but with more flavor and pizazz. Get the Recipe: Mashed Celery Root

Bacon and Cheese Turnips

Roasted turnips topped with bacon and cheese in a cast iron skillet. — Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

This side dish is anything but boring. This turnip recipe is seasoned with rosemary and a tangy mustard dressing and topped with crispy bacon and creamy goat cheese. Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Turnips

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