23 Southern Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Serve This Year
With social distancing guidelines and travel restrictions in place, Thanksgiving will look a lot different this year. But even if your Thanksgiving table is a bit smaller than usual, you can still enjoy a down-home meal with plenty of delicious recipes.
Whether you're in the South or you're just in the mood for some homestyle cooking, we have you covered. These Southern Thanksgiving recipes are sure to please everyone at your table, even if that's not a huge crowd.
And for more, check out these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
Southern-Style Biscuits
Move over, dinner rolls. Biscuits are the much-tastier Southern alternative, and they deserve a spot in your Thanksgiving spread.
Get our recipe for Southern-Style Biscuits.
Crispy Crumb-Topped Mac and Cheese Cups
Mac and cheese is a classic Southern side, and this recipe makes individual servings perfect for a socially distant holiday gathering.
Get our recipe for Crispy Crumb-Topped Mac and Cheese Cups.
Green Bean Casserole
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a side of green beans! Our recipe uses fresh mushrooms, rather than canned soup.
Get our recipe for Green Bean Casserole.
Coleslaw
Who says coleslaw doesn't belong on a Thanksgiving table? It's a Southern delicacy when done right, and it will be one of the easiest Thanksgiving side dishes you'll prepare.
Get our recipe for Coleslaw.
Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
If you've never tried making deviled eggs with this Southern cheese, why not? They're the perfect appetizer or side dish to complement your Thanksgiving dinner.
Get our recipe for Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are often served alongside barbecue sandwiches, but we think they'd be right at home on a Thanksgiving table, too.
Get our recipe for Baked Beans.
Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Gratin
This cheesy dish is perfect for any family holiday. With two types of potatoes, it's the best of both worlds.
Get our recipe for a Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Gratin.
Spicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
If you're only serving regular mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving, well…why? Sweet potatoes make for just as delicious a Thanksgiving side dish.
Get our recipe for Spicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Potato Salad
You might not think of potato salad as being a Thanksgiving side dish. But if you're bored with mashed potatoes, give it a try this year!
Get our recipe for Potato Salad.
Pickled Jalapeños
There's not much kick to Thanksgiving foods like turkey and stuffing. Add a side of these peppers to your Thanksgiving table for some much-needed spice.
Get our recipe for Pickled Jalapeños.
Butternut Squash Soup
This light appetizer is an easy way to sneak some vegetables into your Thanksgiving meal.
Get our recipe for Butternut Squash Soup.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Feta
We think adding bacon to this classic side dish is a distinctly Southern twist.
Get our recipe for Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Feta.
Cornbread
If you're already adding biscuits to your Thanksgiving table, why not serve cornbread, too. It's a Southern delicacy that's stood the test of time.
Get the recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
Bread Pudding
If you have leftover bread from your other Thanksgiving recipes, put them to good use with this creamy dessert.
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
Corn Soufflé
If cornbread doesn't strike your fancy, what about corn soufflé? Either option is way better than creamed corn.
Get the recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Applesauce
For a really old-fashioned Thanksgiving side dish, try your hand at homemade applesauce. It's worth the extra effort!
Get the recipe from Cookie + Kate.
Collard Greens
You don't know what you're missing if you haven't eaten collard greens. They're packed with nutrition, and they're delicious when cooked with a bit of garlic.
Get the recipe from Cookie + Kate.
Squash Casserole
Squash is an underrated casserole ingredient, and we think it deserves a chance in the spotlight this holiday season. This recipe uses cheese and crushed crackers for a down-home feel.
Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
Pork Sausage Stuffing Cups
Forget scooping out heaps of dry stuffing from a casserole dish. Stuffing cups are easy to make and COVID-friendly. And when pork sausage is involved, you can't go wrong.
Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.
Pineapple Casserole
If you've never heard of pineapple casserole, you'll be blown away by this Southern delicacy. You wouldn't think canned pineapple, cheese, and Ritz crackers would go together, but it works surprisingly well.
Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
Jello Pretzel Salad
It wouldn't be a Southern (or Midwestern) Thanksgiving spread without some kind of Jello salad. This fun recipe adds pretzels for a sweet-salty combo.
Get the recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
The only way to improve a cornbread recipe is by making pumpkin cornbread. That's just a fact!
Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.
Giblet Gravy
Don't throw away those turkey giblets! Save them to make gravy to dress your bird.
Get the recipe from Betty Crocker.
For more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked by how toxic they are.
