Thanksgiving Side Dishes 2025: Easy, Crowd-Pleasing Recipes Everyone Will Rave About

easy, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dishes for 2025

Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones, sharing stories, and indulging in a feast that warms the heart. While the turkey often steals the spotlight, let's be honest, the real stars of the table are the Thanksgiving side dishes. In 2025, surveys like Campbell's State of the Sides report show that over 60% of Americans prefer piling their plates high with sides rather than turkey. Stuffing (or dressing) tops the list in 42 states, with mashed potatoes close behind, and mac and cheese surging in popularity, especially among younger crowds.
This year, we're focusing on easy Thanksgiving side dishes that are simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to earn compliments. These crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving recipes blend timeless classics with a few fresh twists to keep things exciting. Whether you're hosting a big family dinner or contributing to a potluck, these ideas are make-ahead friendly, beginner-proof, and perfect for feeding a group.

I've included 8 standout Thanksgiving side dish recipes that cover all the bases: creamy, crunchy, savory, and a touch of sweet.
Let's dive into these best Thanksgiving sides for 2025, your guests will be asking for seconds (and the recipes!).

1. Classic Herb Stuffing with a Crispy Top

Stuffing remains America's undisputed favorite Thanksgiving side in 2025, and for good reason, it's comforting, versatile, and soaks up all that gravy beautifully.
Ingredients (serves 10-12):

1 loaf day-old bread, cubed (about 12 cups)
1 cup butter
2 onions, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes.
In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté onions, celery, and garlic until soft (about 8 minutes). Stir in herbs.
Mix toasted bread with the veggie mixture in a large bowl. Gradually add broth until moist but not soggy.
Transfer to a greased baking dish, cover with foil, and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 for a golden top.

Pro tip: Add sausage or dried cranberries for a 2025 twist, people are loving bolder flavors this year!

2. Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Mashed potatoes are a close second in popularity polls, and this version is ultra-creamy without much effort.
Ingredients:

4 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream (or milk)
4 garlic cloves, roasted or minced
Salt, pepper, and chives for garnish

Instructions:

Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (15-20 minutes). Drain well.
Mash with butter, cream cheese, garlic, and cream. Season generously.
Keep warm in a slow cooker on low, perfect for stress-free hosting.

These are the kind of easy Thanksgiving side dishes that disappear fast. Make them ahead and reheat with a splash of milk.

3. Upgraded Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is iconic (celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025!), but we're skipping the canned soup for fresher taste.
Ingredients:

2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cups fried onions
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp butter

Instructions:

Blanch green beans in boiling water for 4 minutes, then ice bath.
Sauté mushrooms and onions in butter, sprinkle with flour, then stir in cream and broth for a quick sauce.
Mix with beans, top with fried onions, and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

This crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving recipe feels homemade while staying super simple.

4. Maple-Roasted Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

Sweet potatoes are a staple, and this version balances sweet and crunchy perfectly, no marshmallows needed.
Ingredients:

4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
Topping: 1 cup pecans, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions:

Boil or roast sweet potatoes until soft, then mash with syrup, milk, and eggs.
Spread in a dish. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over.
Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden.

A must for any Thanksgiving side dishes 2025 lineup, kids and adults alike go wild for it.

5. Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is the fastest-rising star this year, topping charts for Gen Z and even some states.
Ingredients:

1 lb elbow macaroni
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter + 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp mustard powder
Breadcrumbs for topping

Instructions:

Cook pasta al dente.
Make a roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk, then melt in cheese and mustard.
Combine with pasta, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Rich, cheesy comfort, pure Thanksgiving magic.

6. Honey-Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Veggies need love too! Brussels sprouts are trending for their caramelized edges.
Ingredients:

2 lbs Brussels sprouts, halved
6 bacon slices, chopped
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Olive oil, salt, pepper

Instructions:

Toss sprouts with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 20 minutes.
Crisp bacon separately, then mix in with honey and balsamic for the last 5 minutes.

Crispy, sweet, savory, everyone raves about these.

7. Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish

Ditch the canned stuff for this bright, zingy side that's ready in minutes.
Ingredients:

12 oz fresh cranberries
1 orange (zest and segments)
1/2 cup sugar
Optional: pinch of cinnamon

Pulse everything in a food processor, no cooking required! Make it days ahead; flavors improve.

8. Fluffy Parker House Dinner Rolls

No Thanksgiving table is complete without warm rolls for sopping up gravy.
Use a simple yeast dough (or frozen if you're short on time), brush with butter, and bake until golden. They're easier than they look and always a hit.

If you're looking to shake up your Thanksgiving menu with some unexpected inspiration this year, check out these fun reads from around the web that might just spark your next holiday experiment. For a wildly creative dessert twist that could double as a show-stopping side (think cranberry spheres or gravy “caviar”), this deep-dive into molecular gastronomy techniques with macarons is pure genius: https://www.quickdeskbites.com/2025/11/molecular-gastronomy-meets-macarons-how.html.

On the practical side, if you're traveling to a potluck or keeping dishes warm for late-arriving guests, these genius Thermos hacks straight from Arctic fishermen will save the day (perfect for transporting that creamy mac and cheese or maple sweet potatoes without losing a degree of heat): https://www.quickdeskbites.com/2025/11/thermos-hacks-from-arctic-fishermen-10.html.

And for the adventurous cooks wanting to sneak extra protein into the feast while staying on-trend, don't miss this eye-opening piece on cricket-flour cookies and the rise of entomophagy—thanksgiving sides could get a sustainable, high-protein upgrade no one saw coming: https://www.quickdeskbites.com/2025/11/cricket-flour-cookies-why-entomophagy.html.

Happy cooking, and may your 2025 Thanksgiving be deliciously unforgettable!

Final Tips for Your 2025 Thanksgiving Feast

To make things even smoother, prep as much as possible the day before, chop veggies, make sauces, or assemble casseroles. Use your slow cooker or sheet pans to free up oven space. These easy, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dishes strike the perfect balance of tradition and excitement, ensuring your holiday meal is memorable without the stress.
From our kitchen to yours, happy Thanksgiving 2025! Which of these best Thanksgiving side dishes are you trying first? Drop a comment below, I'd love to hear!