Your Thanksgiving menu isn’t complete without some delicious sides! They make the meal feel extra special, from creamy mashed potatoes and cozy casseroles to roasted vegetables and hearty stuffing. If you’re struggling to pick dishes that won’t leave you scrambling at the last minute, here are some of the best make ahead Thanksgiving sides to add to your menu. Many of them can be prepped hours or even a day ahead!
1. Maple Carrots Made for the Thanksgiving Table
These roasted carrots bring a pop of color to the Thanksgiving table. The carrots are halved, coated in a maple-harissa mixture, and spread on a sheet pan before roasting until tender and caramelized. Cranberries are added toward the end, giving them time to soften and turn jammy. Toast the sliced almonds separately, so they stay crunchy. If you’re looking for make ahead Thanksgiving sides, this one works well because the carrots and cranberries can be roasted ahead and gently reheated, while the almonds can be kept crisp until serving.
2. The Buttery Herb Stuffing You’ll Be Glad You Made Ahead
Buttery, herb-packed stuffing is a Thanksgiving classic that’s easy to prepare ahead. Stale or toasted bread cubes are tossed with sautéed onion, celery, garlic, sage, parsley, and rosemary, then moistened with stock and eggs before going into a baking dish. You can assemble and bake it a day ahead, then refrigerate and reheat it before serving. Let the chilled casserole sit out for about an hour first, then warm it covered if the top starts browning too quickly. Finish with fresh herbs for a little color.
3. Rich, Fluffy Mashed Potatoes with a Cream Cheese Upgrade
Cream cheese gives these mashed potatoes an extra-rich, fluffy texture, making them a particularly handy side for a busy Thanksgiving. Russet potatoes are boiled until tender, mashed with butter and softened cream cheese, then loosened with warm half-and-half before going into a baking dish. The potatoes can be prepared ahead, covered, refrigerated, and baked when you’re ready to serve. Add the remaining butter over the top before reheating, then leave the dish uncovered toward the end for a lightly golden finish.
4. A Colorful Roasted Vegetable Salad for Thanksgiving
This colorful winter salad brings roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts together with sweet dried cranberries, earthy beets, and crunchy pecans. The vegetables are roasted separately on parchment-lined baking sheets, while the beets are cooked and peeled ahead to keep their color from bleeding into the salad. You can also toast the pecans and prepare the maple-lime dressing or balsamic glaze in advance. For the best presentation, assemble the salad shortly before serving and add the beets last. If using balsamic glaze, drizzle it over the top just before it hits the table.
5. A Fancy-Looking Green Bean Side You Can Prep Ahead
These green bean bundles turn a simple vegetable into a festive Thanksgiving side. The beans are quickly blanched, cooled in an ice bath, and tossed with seasoned butter before being wrapped in thin slices of prosciutto. They’re especially useful for anyone looking for make-ahead Thanksgiving sides because the assembled bundles can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. Arrange them on a parchment-lined sheet pan when you’re ready to cook, then bake until the prosciutto is crisp and the beans are tender. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan while they’re still hot for a salty, cheesy touch.
6. The Ultimate Comfort-Food Side for Thanksgiving
Mac and cheese is a family-friendly favorite worth adding to the Thanksgiving menu as a side dish. For this recipe, pasta is coated in a rich cheese sauce made with heavy cream, cream cheese, butter, garlic, shallot, cheddar, white cheddar, and Gruyère, then transferred to a baking dish and baked until hot, bubbly, and golden on top. If you’re making it ahead, assemble it in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. This creamy, cheesy side pairs well with roasted turkey, glazed ham, and other classic Thanksgiving dishes.
7. A Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Side with Streusel on Top
A pecan-studded streusel gives this sweet potato casserole a delicious contrast of creamy filling and crunchy topping. The sweet potatoes are baked until tender, then mashed with sugar, butter, milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt before being spread in a greased casserole dish. The pecan topping is mixed separately and sprinkled over the sweet potato mixture before baking. For a make-ahead Thanksgiving side, assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Let it sit at room temperature for a bit before baking, then loosely cover it with foil if the streusel starts browning too quickly.
Related: 15+ Easy Cranberry Appetizers for Thanksgiving
8. Wild Rice Pilaf Packed with Thanksgiving Flavors
This hearty wild rice pilaf combines savory herbs with tender sweet potato, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans. The wild rice blend is cooked in seasoned broth, while the sweet potato and onion are sautéed separately before being mixed with the rice, cranberries, and pecans. For make ahead Thanksgiving sides, this is a convenient option because the rice and vegetable mixture can be prepared ahead and gently reheated when you’re ready to serve. Add the pecans at the last minute so they retain their crunch.
9. Roasted Acorn Squash with a Creamy White Bean Twist
Roasted acorn squash is served over a creamy white bean mash in this beautiful Thanksgiving side, with maple-balsamic glaze, crispy sage, and pecans adding extra flavor and texture. The squash is roasted until caramelized, while cannellini beans, lemon, sage, miso, and roasted garlic are blended in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Most of the components can be prepared ahead, then gently reheated before assembling everything on a platter. Keep the fried sage and maple-glazed pecans separate until serving so they stay crisp.
10. Glossy Balsamic Onions that Make Any Plate Better
These balsamic-glazed pearl onions bring plenty of sweet-tangy flavor to an otherwise simple vegetable side. The onions gently simmer in a skillet with dry white wine, butter, water, salt, and pepper until tender, then balsamic vinegar goes in to create a thick glaze that coats every onion. They’re a practical make-ahead option since you can cook them in advance and gently reheat them just before serving, adding a splash of water if the glaze thickens too much.
11. Creamy Green Beans with that Classic Crispy Topping
This homemade green bean casserole has the creamy, crunchy combination everyone loves, but uses fresh green beans and mushrooms instead of relying entirely on canned ingredients. The beans are blanched first, then combined with a savory mushroom sauce before going into a casserole dish. For one of the best make ahead Thanksgiving sides, assemble the casserole up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate it without the breadcrumbs or crispy fried onions. Add those toppings just before baking, so they stay crunchy and golden.
12. A Homemade Cranberry Sauce with a Citrus Twist
Homemade cranberry sauce is one of the easiest Thanksgiving sides to get out of the way early. Fresh cranberries simmer in a saucepan with brown and white sugar, maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, and a touch of cinnamon until the berries pop and the mixture thickens. Once cooled, transfer the sauce to a covered bowl and refrigerate it until Thanksgiving dinner. The extra chilling time gives the flavors a chance to meld and allows the sauce to set. Serve it straight from the refrigerator or let it sit out briefly before serving.
13. Soft and Buttery Cornbread Casserole for Thanksgiving
Soft, moist, and loaded with sweet corn, this cornbread casserole makes a cozy addition to the Thanksgiving spread. The batter comes together in one large bowl with softened butter, cream-style corn, whole corn kernels, sour cream, eggs, and corn muffin mix before it’s baked. Since the finished casserole keeps well in the refrigerator, it’s a useful option for getting some baking done ahead. Reheat individual squares in an air fryer for crisp edges, or warm the whole casserole gently in the oven before serving.
14. A Cozy Stuffed Squash Side with Crispy Bacon
These roasted butternut squash halves make a hearty Thanksgiving side, filled with creamy spinach, Parmesan, and bacon. The squash is roasted on a sheet pan until tender, then scooped out slightly to make room for the filling. Once the spinach, bacon, and cheese mixture is ready, spoon it into the squash halves and top with more bacon before returning them to the oven until hot and the cheese is melted. For easier prep, roast the squash and prepare the filling ahead of time, then assemble and refrigerate the stuffed halves until you’re ready to bake. Finish with fresh thyme and a little black pepper for a simple savory garnish.
Related: 20 Light Thanksgiving Appetizers So You Still Have Room for Pie
15. Apple, Cranberry, and Almond Coleslaw for a Crowd
A crisp apple coleslaw brings something fresh and crunchy to a Thanksgiving menu full of warm, rich dishes. Thinly slice the cabbage and apples with a mandoline slicer, then toss them with celery, green onions, sliced almonds, and dried cranberries. Everything gets coated in a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. The dressing can be made ahead and the vegetables prepped separately, but wait to combine everything until closer to serving. This keeps the apples fresher and the cabbage crisp, while the almonds retain more of their crunch.
16. Apple Butter Bourbon Baked Beans with Cozy Fall Flavor
I love a Thanksgiving side that tastes like you spent all afternoon on it when most of the work was actually done ahead. These apple butter bourbon baked beans fit that bill, with tender beans, smoky bacon, a sweet apple butter glaze, and a splash of bourbon for extra depth. Jalapeño slices add a little heat without taking over the dish. Cook the beans in a Dutch oven, then make them ahead, refrigerate, and warm them slowly before dinner. Serve them alongside biscuits or crusty bread so guests have something to soak up that rich sauce.
17. Savory Leek Bread Pudding with Golden, Crispy Edges
This savory bread pudding turns chunks of crusty bread into a rich, golden side with tender leeks, herbs, and plenty of browned, cheesy edges. The rustic presentation makes it especially nice for Thanksgiving because it feels a little more special than ordinary bread stuffing. Assemble the pudding in a buttered baking dish ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Let it take the chill off before baking so the center heats evenly, then give it a few extra minutes in the oven if needed.
18. A Colorful Broccoli Salad to Balance the Thanksgiving Feast
A fresh broccoli salad gives the Thanksgiving table a welcome crunchy break from all the creamy casseroles. Crisp broccoli is paired with sweet dried cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy nuts for a mix of textures in every bite. The ingredients are sturdy enough to prep ahead, so you can chop the broccoli, portion the cranberries and nuts, and prepare the dressing earlier in the day. For the best texture, toss everything together shortly before serving and add the goat cheese and crunchy toppings at the end.
19. A Loaded Potato Side Worth Making for Thanksgiving
These twice-baked potatoes take everything people love about a loaded baked potato and turn it into a make-ahead-friendly side. Russet potatoes are baked until fluffy, then scooped and mixed with creamy, cheesy fillings before being piled back into their crisp skins. A baking sheet makes it easy to arrange all the stuffed halves at once. Assemble them ahead and refrigerate until Thanksgiving, then bake until the filling is hot and the tops are golden. You can even freeze assembled potatoes for longer-term prep if you want to get well ahead.
20. This Parmesan-Topped Spinach Side Dish Steals the Show
Creamed spinach gets a rich, savory upgrade with butter, onion, garlic, cream, nutmeg, and Parmesan. The spinach is cooked down before being folded into the creamy sauce, then the mixture goes into a baking dish and gets a golden, lightly browned top under the broiler. This is especially appealing as a Thanksgiving side because you get that bubbling finish without much fuss at the table. Prepare the creamed spinach ahead and refrigerate it in its baking dish, then reheat until hot and finish under the broiler just before serving.
21. Thanksgiving Succotash Packed with Corn, Beans, and Bacon
This colorful Thanksgiving succotash is packed with sweet corn, lima beans, bell pepper, green chiles, tomatoes, and plenty of crisp bacon. Shallots, onion, and jalapeño give the vegetable mixture a savory base, while Creole seasoning adds a subtle kick. The vegetables are cooked in a skillet until tender, then finished with fresh tomato, scallions, parsley, and the reserved bacon. It’s a good make-ahead side because the vegetable mixture can be prepared in advance and warmed through before serving, with the fresh ingredients added toward the end.
Related: 15 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers That Are Anything But Boring
22. A Creamy, Cheesy Way to Serve Thanksgiving Vegetables
Thinly sliced sweet potatoes, parsnips, and beets make this root vegetable gratin especially striking on a Thanksgiving table. The slices are coated separately with cream, Parmesan, and thyme before being arranged in neat rows in the baking dish. Garlic-infused cream adds richness underneath, while Gruyère creates a golden, bubbling layer across the top. A mandoline makes it much easier to get the vegetables thin and even, and the assembled gratin can be covered and refrigerated before its final bake.
23. A Festive Salad with Candied Nuts and Honey Vinaigrette
Roasted golden beets and colorful carrots give this salad plenty of natural sweetness, while peppery arugula keeps it fresh and lively. Spread the vegetables on a sheet pan and roast until tender and caramelized, then toss with a lemony honey-Dijon vinaigrette and top with homemade candied almonds and walnuts. For Thanksgiving prep, roast the beets and carrots, make the vinaigrette, and candy the nuts ahead of time, then keep everything separate in the refrigerator. Toss the vegetables and arugula with the dressing just before serving, then scatter the nuts over the top so they stay crisp.
24. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Herb Sauce
This whole roasted cauliflower makes a beautiful Thanksgiving side without requiring a complicated preparation. The cauliflower is briefly boiled before being coated with olive oil and salt, then roasted until tender in the center and lightly charred around the edges. For a make-ahead approach, roast it a few hours before dinner, stopping just short of full tenderness, then reheat it in the oven before serving. The sauces can be prepared a day ahead, too. For the prettiest presentation, set the cauliflower over a swoosh of yogurt-tahini sauce, drizzle with bright green chermoula, and scatter pomegranate seeds over the top.
25. A Hearty Thanksgiving Side Dish with Pumpkin and Lentils
This is a particularly useful Thanksgiving salad because most of the components can be prepared ahead. The pumpkin is pan-roasted with cinnamon, allspice, and olive oil until golden, while lentils, arugula, red onion, and thyme form the base. You can also make the honey-cinnamon walnuts and shake up the red wine vinegar dressing in advance. Store the prepared components separately in airtight containers, then combine the salad shortly before serving and finish it with the candied walnuts.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving is much easier to manage when you have a few dishes ready ahead of time. That’s why these make ahead Thanksgiving sides are so useful when you want a delicious spread without juggling every dish at once. With these recipes, you don’t have to make everything from scratch at the last minute, leaving you more time to enjoy the meal you worked so hard to prepare.
