Sensational Sides for a Spectacular Thanksgiving Feast

By Chris Scheuer | Updated on November 13, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Thanksgiving is almost here! These are our favorite tried and true, make-ahead side dishes perfect for your holiday table.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it's time to finalize your holiday menu! Does your family switch things up from year to year or do you stick to the classics?

These recipes are our family favorites and we make them every year. They can even be made ahead of time, allowing everyone to enjoy the day. Yes, even gravy and mashed potatoes can be made ahead! Whether you're looking for some ways to simplify your holiday or add a new side dish to your table, this post has everything you need. Enjoy!

A collection of our favorite Holiday recipes!

Easy Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce

This Easy Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce, with ginger, lemongrass and pomegranates has super fresh, vibrant flavor. And it takes less than 15 minutes to make!

Healthy Sweet Potato Butternut Casserole

Healthy Butternut Sweet Potato Casserole

Combining sweet potatoes, butternut squash and maple syrup, this healthy, make-ahead sweet potato casserole wows everyone!

The BEST Stuffing Recipe - Crispy, Buttery Herb Stuffing

This truly is the BEST stuffing recipe for so many reasons. It's crisp on top, light and moist inside, studded with fresh pears and sweet dried cranberries and BURSTING with delicious buttery, herb flavor. A big bonus is you can make it in advance and bake just before serving.

Vertical photo of a Caramelized Pear Arugula Salad on a wood table.

Caramelized Pear Arugula Salad

This Caramelized Pear Arugula Salad is a show-stopper with fresh greens, pan-roasted pears, ruby red pomegranates, thin slivers of sweet white onion and butter-roasted pecans. The delicious honey cider dressing ties it all together.

Overhead picture of Honey Maple Roasted Carrots in an oval cast iron skillet

Honey Maple Roasted Carrots

Transform the everyday humble carrot into a spectacular side with this easy, make-ahead Honey Maple Roasted Carrots recipe!

Vertical picture of make-ahead gravy in a white bowl with a ladle

Delicious Make-Ahead Gravy (the real deal!)

Stressed over upcoming holiday meals? This Make-Ahead Gravy is the real deal! Made with roasted chicken wings, carrots, onions, fresh herbs and broth, it's not only super delicious, it makes entertaining so much easier!

Vertical picture of slow cooker mashed potatoes in a white dish

Slow Cooker Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

The easiest mashed potatoes ever, with no last minute fussing! These Slow Cooker Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes are super delicious and can be made a few days in advance.

Bacon wrapped green bean bundles on a white rectangular platter.

Make-Ahead Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

These Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are extraordinarily delicious and, even better, they can be prepped a day in advance for easy entertaining!

Nanny's Wonderful Cranberry Salad

Nanny's Wonderful Cranberry Salad

This delicious cranberry salad is filled with fresh cranberries, red grapes, shredded coconut, toasted walnuts and freshly whipped cream. It makes a beautiful presentation on the holiday table!

Vertical picture of Caramelized Sweet Potatoes in a silver dish

20-Minute Caramelized Sweet Potatoes

Super quick and easy, these delicious Caramelized Sweet Potatoes are a healthy alternative to traditional, sticky, marshmallow recipes. Besides being a fabulous side, they can also be used on salads and in soups.

Vertical photo of a Harvest Apple Arugula Salad in a wood bowl on a wooden table

Harvest Apple Arugula Salad

I'm calling this a Harvest Apple Arugula Salad, but it could just as easily be called Fall in a Bowl. It's loaded with delicious autumn-inspired ingredients and finished with a fabulous Pomegranate Ginger Salad Dressing. SO GOOD!

Honey Ginger Charred Carrots - The Thanksgiving side that will steal the show!

!These Honey Ginger Charred Carrots are lightly charred, sweetly glazed with honey, a hint of ginger and soy and a splash of chili garlic sauce - addictively delicious!

Vertical closeup photo of a batch of Ridiculously Easy Artisan Rolls.

Ridiculously Easy Artisan Rolls

These Easy Artisan Rolls truly are ridiculously easy. Stir up the dough then go to bed. In the morning, shape and bake. Unbelievably delicious too!

Thought for the  day:


Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11

What we're listening to for inspiration:

Holy Forever

Square text box for subscribing to The Café Sucre Farine food blog posts.

If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It's so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations, and ideas for variations.

Shop Our Café Loves

We’ve gathered our favorite kitchen tools, tableware, and entertaining treasures in one place, the Café Loves store. It’s a wonderful spot to find something special for yourself or the cooks and hosts you love!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

3 Comments