Five recipes for great Thanksgiving sides — from an easy stuffing to air fryer Brussels sprouts
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Turkey gets plenty of attention ahead of Thanksgiving, and even in the days after as you try to chip away at a mountain of leftovers. But the side dishes are what really steal the show. It’s seemingly the only time of year that sweet potato casserole and stuffing are welcome to the dinner table, and they always outshine the turkey.
This list doesn’t mess with the classics (I’ve heard too many times that homemade cranberry sauce is never worth the effort), so we took the opportunity to elevate them just a touch or switch up their preparation a little bit to make navigating the kitchen a bit easier. For some, like our stuffing or Brussels sprouts recipes, we took them out of the oven and moved them into countertop appliances. That way, you don’t have to keep opening the oven and moving things around.
Tackle your Thanksgiving dinner with these easy-to-make, delicious side dishes.
Harvest-inspired Thanksgiving Salad
If there’s one thing your Thanksgiving spread needs, it’s some fresh veggies and crunch. Thanksgiving food is a treat, but it’s a lot of the same soft texture and herbs used across everything.
Excite your palate for the big feast with a bowl of this salad, filled with kale, butternut squash and quinoa, along with a maple-apple cider vinaigrette.
Sweet Potato Casserole with coconuts and pecans
Thanksgiving seems like the only time sweet potato casserole gets the spotlight, which is such a shame. This rich, sweet side with a hint of orange zest really makes this dish seem a little more grown-up by replacing the classic marshmallow topping with shaved coconut and pecans.
The best part about this recipe is how easily leftovers can be used as dessert. Warm some up and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’re all set. Bake it in a 2-quart casserole dish for up to 5 people, and spread the casserole a little further in a 9x13 inch baking dish for larger groups.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Is something missing from your Thanksgiving dinner? It’s probably these Brussels sprouts, which are so easy to prepare and won’t use up valuable oven or stovetop space.
Brussels sprouts crisp up beautifully in an air fryer, and this recipe will have them done in a fraction of the time it would take to roast in the oven.
The Easiest Cornbread Stuffing
Need to free up even more oven space? Move your stuffing into a slow cooker and tuck it in an open corner of your kitchen to give your bird more room to roast.
This recipe is a variation of cornbread stuffing, a southern staple. Using boxed cornbread mixes, it strikes a balance between sweet and savory that other stuffings may not.
Read the full recipe.
A beloved Mac and Cheese recipe
If you’re arguing about whether or not mac and cheese belongs on your holiday plate, you’re wasting your breath. Nothing will bring your family together quicker than melty, cheesy pasta that’s got a nice crust from finishing under the broiler.
This is a reader-favorite recipe that’s been brought back for years, and for good reason. This is a great southern-style mac and cheese made in a 9x13 inch baking dish that doesn’t call for time-consuming techniques and uses ingredients you can readily find at the grocery store.
