28 Thanksgiving Appetizers and Side Dishes
While the main course often takes center stage, don’t overlook the importance of a delectable array of Thanksgiving appetizers and side dishes that elevate your holiday spread. We’ve curated an extensive selection of 28 Thanksgiving appetizers and side dishes that go beyond the traditional turkey, offering a diverse menu to cater to every palate. These dishes, made from a variety of meats, promise to add depth and diversity to your Thanksgiving table.
Experience Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers Like Never Before
When we think of Thanksgiving, our minds often go to the delicious dinner full of turkey, pie, and goat cheese.
However, what makes each Thanksgiving dinner truly unique (apart from Great-Aunt Myrtle (every family’s got one!) is the side dishes that are a part of each family’s traditions. Thanksgiving appetizers and side dishes make a perfect pairing with any of these 25 Thanksgiving turkey recipes!
We love family traditions in our home, and Thanksgiving is no exception. And not all are food-related traditions, either! We love reading these Thanksgiving kids’ books as a family, too.
Honestly, Thanksgiving is really so much fun, no matter what you eat – as long as it tastes good!
We love family traditions in our home, and Thanksgiving is no exception. And not all are food-related traditions, either! We love reading these Thanksgiving kids’ books as a family, too.
We’ve rounded up a bunch of our favorite side dishes and delicious Thanksgiving appetizers for you so that you can make this year’s Thanksgiving feast truly spectacular! To get even more, we have another post with over 150 appetizers and side dishes for Thanksgiving here.
Thanksgiving Appetizers and Side Dishes
Homemade Fresh Cranberry Salad Recipe from Grandma
This delicious Thanksgiving appetizer recipe for homemade cranberry salad is made with fresh cranberries! It makes a delicious side dish at any Thanksgiving dinner or holiday party.
Easy Cheesy Potatoes (Secret Ingredient)
Cheesy potatoes are an easy side dish that can be made for potlucks, funerals, and almost any occasion. This recipe for easy cheesy potatoes puts a new twist on a traditional side dish with two secret ingredients that make it even more delicious than traditional!
Roasted Parmesan Green Beans Recipe
This delicious recipe for Roasted Parmesan Green Beans makes for a perfect, healthy, and easy appetizer or side dish to serve at any Easter Thanksgiving, or holiday gathering anywhere. It’s also simple enough to have any time, not just on a special occasion!
Easy Homemade Biscuit Recipe
This easy homemade biscuits that look like stuffed mushrooms are very quick to prepare! In half an hour you’ll have some delicious, warm, soft homemade biscuits right on your table for Thanksgiving.
Green Bean Artichoke Casserole Recipe
This Green Bean Artichoke Casserole Recipe is perfect for any meal. The combination of crunchy fried onions, creamy soup, and savory seasonings create a flavorful dish.
Smoked Gouda Scalloped Potatoes
Love cheesy scalloped potatoes? Love easy scalloped potatoes? Then you’re going to love these Smoked Gouda Scalloped Potatoes with bell peppers, so rich, sweet, and savory appetizer and creamy!
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes {Gluten-free, Dairy-free}
Free up oven and stovetop space and make gluten-free, dairy-free mashed potatoes in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. It’s a great Thanksgiving healthy appetizer or side dish!
Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe {Gluten-free}
A holiday meal wouldn’t be the same at my house without these cheesy, creamy, flavorful baked sweet potatoes that are naturally gluten-free.
Salad with Goat Cheese, Pears, Candied Pecans and Maple-Balsamic Dressing
An incredibly delicious, yet really easy salad recipe! We call it “Thanksgiving Salad,” since it’s absolutely perfect for Thanksgiving and the holidays and is perfect with stuffed mushrooms.
Superfoods Brussels Sprout Salad
Brussels Sprout Salad recipes are trending right now. But how do you make a great salad recipe even greater? Add lots more nutritious superfoods, plus irresistible mix-ins like crunchy pistachios and sweet-tart dried cranberries … and then toss it all with a delicious Maple-Balsamic Dressing or olive oil! Oh yes! Ready in about 5 to 10 minutes flat, it’s perfect as a unique Thanksgiving side dish!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Butternut Squash • Happy Kitchen
The best balsamic-maple roasted Brussels sprouts with butternut squash, pecans, cranberries, and avocado-roasted garlic dressing. Ultimate healthy vegan Thanksgiving side dish ready in just 40 minutes!
Easy Cranberry Baked Brie with Thyme • Happy Kitchen
Easy Cranberry Baked Brie Recipe: Fancy and delicious 15-minute holiday side and easy appetizer, recipes that your guests would love. Creamy, gooey, crispy, runny-centered baked brie topped with cranberry sauce, roasted pecans blue cheese, bacon, and thyme.
Cornbread Stuffing | Sausage and Apples
Traditional Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples is an easy-to-make recipe with simple ingredients. Perfect for Thanksgiving, this is a great make-ahead recipe for cornbread dressing.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble
Easy, make-ahead Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish. Made with a delicious and crunchy pecan crumble, and creamy brown sugar sweet potato mash.
Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere
Everyone loves cheesy scalloped potatoes and when you make them with Gruyère and goat cheese, they are even better!
Cranberry Sauce That Everyone Will Love
The debate over the cranberry sauce – canned or homemade? Seriously? This cranberry sauce recipe is one that everyone will love. It’s naturally made with sweet cranberry sauce and is gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo, with one little switch to also make it Whole30 and keto. Nothing to argue about here!
Healthy Sweet Potatoes – No Marshmallows Needed
If you need a healthy sweet potato recipe full of antioxidant goodness (and without marshmallows), that is also Paleo and Whole30 compliant. Read on for a dish you will want to make not just for the big dinner on Thanksgiving, but all year round.
Rutabaga and Apple Mash with Crumb Topping
Rutabaga and Apple Mash with Crumb Topping is a holiday season classic. A classic recipe passed down to each new generation. A sweet crumbly topping covers tart mashed rutabaga mellowed out by apples, sugar, and cinnamon. It’s a grown-up dish that will please the most discerning palette.
Twice Baked Potatoes On The Grill
This twist on Loaded Baked Potatoes is the perfect way to free up oven space! Fire up the grill to make this tasty side dish!
Incredible Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
In the American South, Brussels sprouts are a staple at most dining tables during Thanksgiving weekend. While the vegetable has found new followers and is riding a wave of popularity in recent years, for Southerners, it never really went out of vogue. This is the best Brussels sprouts recipe and includes bacon, a balsamic vinaigrette, and Parmesan cheddar cheese throughout. It’s incredible with olive oil too!
Blistered Shishito Peppers — Low Carb, Keto, Vegan
These Shishito Peppers are amazing, easy, delicious, easy toasted bread made, delicious and nutritious appetizer, perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pecans
These amazingly delicious Roasted Brussels sprouts With Pecans are a healthy and delicious low-carb Thanksgiving side dish.
Low Carb Cauliflower Fritters
These amazing low-carb cauliflower fritters are a perfect side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner!
Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
If you’ve never made your own cranberry sauce, then you are truly missing out! Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce puts the canned stuff to shame. Simple ingredients come together in 10 minutes, to make a gorgeous, sweet, and tangy side dish everyone will love.
Sweet Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
A melt-in-your-mouth, savory stuffed mushroom recipe that features goat cheese,, Hatfield Recipe Essentials Sweet Italian Ground Sausage, and this perfect bite-size blend of spices and fresh herbs.
Turkey Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
A colorful and unique update to the classic blue and cheddar cheese ball pinwheel appetizer recipe, these turkey cream cheese pinwheels are bursting with flavor. The next time you are looking for an easy-to-make finger food or delicious appetizer, too, give the recipe calls of these creamy delights a try!
Easy Air Fryer Green Beans (GF, LC, V, K, W30)
These Air Fryer Green Beans are the perfect mix of easy, quick, and oh-so-tasty vegetable treats. The beans are cooked in very little low-calorie cooking oil, making them a healthier treat.
Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potato Recipe {Gluten-Free}
Dreaming of creamy, fluffy, and easy-to-make mashed potatoes? Try this Instant Pot Mashed Potato recipe.
Easy Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
These Easy Scalloped Potatoes (Dauphinoise Potatoes) are the perfect (make them ahead of time) decadent side dish or even main dish. The potatoes are cooked to tender, crispy perfection in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a golden crunchy top.
Best Deviled Eggs For Thanksgiving
Deviled eggs are a staple for many holidays, and this is the best-deviled egg recipe for Thanksgiving! Adorable turkeys that you can eat!
Best Homemade Pumpkin Bread Recipe
This classic pumpkin bread recipe has been handed down for generations. It will complement any Thanksgiving spread. Enjoy it plain or topped with sour cream or cheese for a delicious pumpkin treat.
Easy Fall Pumpkin Dip Served in a Pumpkin
This light and fluffy pumpkin traditional spinach dip is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu! Serve spinach dip with green apple slices, ginger snap cookies, and Nilla Wafer cookies and the perfect sweet and savory fall appetizer, pumpkin-flavored holiday appetizer, or dessert.
Cauliflower Mac And Cheese (Keto, Low Carb)
Cauliflower “mac” and goat cheese) with bacon in a rich and creamy sauce. A healthy, no pasta version that’s low-carb and keto friendly.
Conclusion
This Thanksgiving, let your taste buds explore a wide range of flavors and cuisines. By incorporating these appetizers and side dishes into your feast, you can turn a traditional meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure. Your family and friends will be left speechless by the sheer variety and quality of the dishes.
So, as the holiday season approaches, make this Thanksgiving an unforgettable one by embracing these delightful appetizers and side dishes. Your holiday spread will not only satisfy but also leave a lasting impression.
More Thanksgiving guide
To help your holiday be great, you may also want to check out our other Thanksgiving posts:
- 35 Thanksgiving Main Dishes
- 60 Recipes for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
- 15 Thanksgiving DIY Crafts and Printables for Kids
- 150 Thanksgiving Appetizers & Side Dishes
- 47 Thanksgiving Pie Recipes
- 90 Thanksgiving Desserts (That are NOT Pie!)
- 27 Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas
- Thanksgiving Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
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