Easy, Last Minute Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

We know that the unsung heroes of Thanksgiving are the side dishes! Count on these quick and easy recipes to make in a pinch.

By
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice is a food and beverage writer and photographer. Her work can be found in CiderCraft Magazine, King Arthur Flour’s SIFT Magazine, The Coastal Table, and Plate Magazine, as well as at CraftBeer.com.
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Published October 25, 2021
Lori Rice
15 Easy, Last Minute Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Simply Recipes

When it comes to Thanksgiving side dishes, the more the merrier! But finding the time to prepare all the good stuff that supports the show becomes daunting as the holiday draws near.

Don’t get discouraged! With twists on traditional favorites, time saving tips, and recipes that use fewer ingredients, you can fill your table with easy Thanksgiving side dishes that will not disappoint.

We’ve covered all the bases here from sweet potatoes and squash to stuffing and green beans along with a few unexpected favorites to help you serve up something new. There’s a recipe here to please everyone so that you can feast without all the stress.

Think mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted squash, and creamed corn. All quick and easy and can be made last minute (without the last-minute stress).

Let’s dive in!

  • Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    Elise Bauer

    These sweet potatoes are mashed until smooth and blended with a boozy splash of bourbon and a sweet touch of brown sugar. It’s a Thanksgiving side dish that is sure to go over well with the adults at the table!

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  • Butternut Squash with Brown Butter and Thyme

    Butternut Squash with Browned Butter and Thyme
    Elise Bauer

    This is the side dish recipe you need if you fear the oven is going to get overcrowded with everything for your feast. This tender butternut squash is made right on the stovetop!

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  • Candied Yams

    Candied Yams

    Elise Bauer

    Candied yams are a classic and this version could not be easier to make. With just six ingredients, in a little over 30 minutes you’ll be well on your way to satisfying all the old-school holiday recipe lovers at the table with a traditional favorite.

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  • Cranberry Relish

    Cranberry Relish
    Elise Bauer

    No cooking is required for this Thanksgiving day sidekick. Simply pulse all of the ingredients in a food processor and this tart and tangy relish will be ready to serve alongside your turkey and other favorites.

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    Continue to 5 of 15 below.

  • Creamed Corn

    A serving spoon with homemade cream corn inside.
    Sally Vargas

    A short list of ingredients creates this creamy comforting side dish. This recipe is designed for fresh corn, but that doesn't mean you can't use frozen. To mimic the creaminess of fresh corn, purée 1/3 cup kernels to release the natural starches.

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  • Gouda and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

    Cheesy bacon stuffed mushrooms party appetizer recipe
    Nick Evans

    These little buttons of goodness are just what you need to put a twist on the traditional. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms and smokiness of the bacon helps them pair well with your holiday menu giving you the freedom to serve them as an easy side or as an appetizer.

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  • Honey Chipotle Roasted Brussels Sprouts

    Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chipotle
    Nick Evans

    Bring a little creative flair to the holiday table with this recipe. It’s an unexpected flavor combo that reinvents old fashioned Brussels sprouts and it’s sure to wow all the guests on your invite-list.

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  • Jeweled Carrot Salad with Apple and Pomegranate

    jeweled carrot salad with pomegranate
    Elise Bauer

    A simple seasonal salad will save the day when you are short on time! Grab pre-shredded carrots at the store along with packaged pomegranate arils and this autumn-inspired salad will be on the table in a few minutes.

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    Continue to 9 of 15 below.

  • Mashed Potatoes with Brown Butter, Goat Cheese and Sage

    Mashed Potatoes Browned Butter
    Elise Bauer

    It’s the time of year when plain mashed potatoes need something special and this recipe delivers. Follow it as is, or cook your mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot before stirring in the brown butter, goat cheese, and sage.

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  • Roasted Baby Carrots

    Roasted Baby Carrots
    Elise Bauer

    These carrots are simple to make without skimping on all the flavor you expect from a Thanksgiving recipe. Garlic, rosemary, and red onion make this easy side dish stand out.

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  • Roasted Parsnips

    A white serving dish with roast parsnips inside.
    Elise Bauer

    If you aren’t one for all the maple and brown sugar sweetening up side dishes this time of year, you will love these parsnips. They are roasted with the savory flavors of parsley, chives, garlic, and even a little horseradish.

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  • Sriracha Orange Glazed Green Beans

    Sriracha Orange Glazed Green Beans
    Elise Bauer

    Four ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need for this side dish! The sweet heat of the sauce dressing these beans adds something special to your menu. You can easily swap frozen green beans for fresh when they are out of season.

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    Continue to 13 of 15 below.

  • Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

    Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows serve the casserole
    Sally Vargas

    If you are looking to reduce the prep work for your sweet potato casserole, the solution is right here. By halving and roasting the potatoes, the flesh scoops right out and you can skip all that peeling! Stir in a few other ingredients, top with marshmallows, and you are good to go.

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  • Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples

    A baking dish with classic Thanksgiving sage, sausage and apple stuffing.
    Alison Bickel

    It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without stuffing. And this dish is a major time saver. Supermarket bakeries and bread stores often sell bags of pre-toasted bread cubes for stuffing. Those cubes will save you the effort and oven space required to slice and toast the pieces yourself while still providing all the seasonal flavors in this classic side.

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  • Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

    Wild Rice Cranberry Pecan Salad
    Elise Bauer

    This easy stir-and-serve recipe combines so many Thanksgiving favorites from cranberries and orange to pecans. Make the rice ahead to save on time during your last minute rush to get things to the table, or cook the rice in the Instant Pot so it’s ready to go when you need it.

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