If there's one holiday I'm counting down to all year, it's Thanksgiving. And no, it's not because of the turkey (although I do have a weakness for a nicely stuffed bird). For me, though, it's the Thanksgiving sides that really make the holiday shine, the creamy, the crunchy, the spiced, the unexpected. Thanksgiving is when my kitchen becomes both a test kitchen and a haven, a space where tradition and experimentation collides.
As a doctor and a Baltimore-based food blogger, I lead a busy dual life. My weekdays are usually filled up with charting, consulting, dashing from patient to patient and then, evenings or weekends, I become the other self: recipe developer, photographer, food-styling enthusiast. I began this blog as a means of balancing the two aspects of my life that I most enjoy: health and food. Along the way, it became an artistic outlet, a personal recipe repository, and (best of all) a means of connecting with other home cooks who are as food-passionate as I am.
And although I enjoy posting recipes throughout the year, Thanksgiving is very near and dear to me. Perhaps it's because I host annually — a tradition I began when I originally relocated to Baltimore. At that time, it was only some friends from residency who couldn't make it home for the holidays. I prepared a plain meal in my tiny apartment kitchen, and we sat around a rickety dining table with ill-matched chairs and took turns sharing what we were thankful for.
Fast-forward to now: the group has grown, the recipes have evolved, and I’ve learned a thing or two about how to pull off a memorable Thanksgiving feast — even when time is not on my side.
Let's be real: not everyone has the luxury of prepping days ahead, and I say that as someone who knows a thing or two about packed schedules. That's why this blog post is all about last-minute Thanksgiving side dishes, the ones I rely on when I'm pressed for time but still want to put something on the table that tastes thoughtful and a little surprising. Also read: Make Ahead Thanksgiving Sides
What I've compiled here is a list of my absolute favorite Thanksgiving sides I've ever prepared, all with a hint of twist. These aren't your run-of-the-mill mashed potatoes (though those are loved too). These are the types of dishes that cause people to stop mid-chew and utter, "Wait, what's this? It's incredible." And the best part? They don't ask you to spend all day in the kitchen or scour obscure ingredients.
Each of these recipes was created in response to a challenge: a missing ingredient, a surprise guest, or a desire for something just slightly different from the traditional. Others were thoughtful twists on old standbys. Roasted carrots with Sriracha honey glaze, for example, cornbread dressing with mushrooms and miso, or a Brussels sprouts recipe that incorporates tahini, toasted nuts, and a hint of citrus. They all have a story, and they all deserve a place at my Thanksgiving table.
And since I'm such a complete softie when it comes to Thanksgiving desserts (hi, maple pecan pie bars and pumpkin tres leches), I tend to keep things a bit lighter or more tart on the side to cut the richness of the meal as a whole. It’s all about contrast, creamy next to crispy, savory next to slightly sweet, traditional next to new. I’ve learned that unique doesn’t have to mean complicated. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of switching out one ingredient or trying a new technique.
Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving in a home packed with family, doing a Friendsgiving with your top friends, or whipping something up at the last minute in a tiny kitchen like I did to be — I've got you covered. These sides are the ultimate combination of speedy, creative, and yummy.
So grab your shopping list, bookmark a couple of these, and let's make this Thanksgiving one to remember — even when you're pressed for time. Because the best memories aren't about perfection. They're about taste, connection, and that little bite of something you weren't anticipating — but now can't imagine the holiday without.
Last Minute Thanksgiving Sides
Southern Green Beans and Potatoes - Country Ranch Green Beans
Forget the canned soup casserole, this is the real, deeply savory deal. Making it is essentially a simple, hands-off simmer; you let the green beans and potatoes cook down slowly with bacon or smoked turkey, soaking up all that smoky, comforting flavor. It’s a supremely easy, soulful side that provides a hearty, savory counterpoint to all the holiday sweetness, and it smells like pure tradition.
Roasted Carrots
These are perfect for Thanksgiving, you can use baby carrots as well. Just toss them with salt and pepper and roast them in the oven. You can season with honey mustard or maple mustard for a perfect fall feel and top with chopped nuts and ranch for a cosy touch.
Roasted Autumn Veggies with glaze
This is arguably the easiest and most hands-off side you can make. Simply chop your favorite root vegetables, toss them with olive oil and a simple maple/honey glaze, and roast at a high temperature. They deliver an amazing, caramelized sweetness and a pleasingly crisp-tender texture that everyone loves, and they're easy to scale up for any size gathering.
Hassleback Butternut Squash
This squash is all about presentation with very little effort. The "hassleback" technique, slicing thin cuts without going all the way through, takes only a few minutes, after which the oven does 90% of the work. It's a gorgeous, impressive-looking side that’s also inherently easy and allows a sweet or savory glaze to truly permeate every slice, bringing rich, autumnal flavor.
Baked Scallop Sweet Potatoes
A beautiful twist on the classic sweet potato dish, this involves layering thin slices of sweet potato with a creamy, savory sauce, much like a regular potato gratin. It’s straightforward to assemble—a mandoline makes quick work of the slicing—and is a fantastic Thanksgiving side because it elevates the sweet potato into a sophisticated, creamy, and indulgent dish that will satisfy both the sweet and savory cravings at the table.
Apple Pie
Its time to make the regular classic Apple Pie a little more delicious and elegant. To make this all you need to do is just place the sliced apples on the custard in this ribbon like fashion and brush some cinnamon sugar on top.
Cheesy Potato Gratin
This dish looks fancy, but it's fundamentally just slicing and layering. Thinly sliced potatoes are doused in a creamy, garlicky, and cheesy sauce, then baked until bubbly. While the bake time is long, the prep is quick and easy to do a day ahead. The Gratin is a perfect Thanksgiving side because it provides that decadent, creamy, and cheesy richness that every feast needs, contrasting beautifully with the drier turkey.
Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Feta and Figs
Apple Galette
Cranberry Meatballs
These are the ultimate easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be prepared in a slow cooker. With a sauce usually made from just cranberry sauce and chili sauce (or BBQ sauce), they are three-ingredient simple. They offer a fun, sweet-and-sour punch of cranberry flavor that serves as a perfect savory bite while guests wait for the main event.
Roasted Bacon and Prosciutto
Cranberry Pomegranate and camembert Crescent Roll Wreath
For a show-stopping appetizer that's secretly incredibly easy, this wreath is your winner. It relies on pre-made crescent roll dough laid out in a circle, filled with creamy Camembert (or Brie), tart cranberry, and fruit. It bakes up in minutes into a golden, pull-apart appetizer that is both impressive and foolproof.
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Stuffed Sweet Potato with burrata and sage pesto
For a modern, beautiful, and flavor-packed dish, this option is surprisingly low-effort with high impact. You simply bake the sweet potatoes until tender, then split them open to stuff with creamy burrata cheese and a bright, herbaceous sage pesto. It’s an easy, customizable individual serving side that provides a fresh, luxurious counterpoint to the heavy main courses.
Candied Sweet Potato Rounds
Candied Yams
Honey Garlic Ribs
Sage and Thyme Garlic Butternut Squash
Sweet Potato Rounds with Feta and Cranberries
Looking for an eye-catching side or appetizer that offers a vibrant contrast of flavors? These sweet potato rounds are a guaranteed hit! The process is refreshingly simple and quick: just slice the potatoes, roast them until tender, and top them off with crumbled feta, dried cranberries, and a drizzle of honey or olive oil. This side is incredibly easy to make and assemble, and it’s a Thanksgiving gem because it brings a perfect bite of savory (feta), sweet (potato/honey), and tart (cranberry) flavor in a perfectly portioned, festive package
Cornish Hens stuffed with Cornbread dressing
Southern Louisiana Collard Greens
Cranberry Pecan Stuffing in Crock Pot
Grandma's Sausage Herb Stuffing
Roasted Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
Pumpkin Deviled Eggs
A fun, festive spin on a classic appetizer! The preparation is as easy as standard deviled eggs, just by blending a little pumpkin puree and festive spices into the yolk mixture for color and flavor. They are a simple, savory bite that adds a surprising fall twist and an attractive orange pop of color to your appetizer spread.
So these were some of my favourite Thanksgiving sides ive made over the years. Hope you try them out and love them!
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