Let’s face it, everyone loves Thanksgiving turkey, but it’s the side dishes that typically steal the show. From velvety mashed potatoes and bubbling sweet potato casseroles to buttery breads and unexpected veggie winners, Thanksgiving sides bring life, color, and comfort to the holiday spread. The best Thanksgiving sides are the ones you dream about all year: dishes that disappear before the second round of turkey carving and fill the air with warm aromas that are all about family, laughter, and home.
If you’re a home cook plotting your recipe game plan or a Thanksgiving guest hoping to impress, read on! This is your official invitation to go big on flavor and fun with easy Thanksgiving sides that’ll make your holiday unforgettable. And since no side is complete without rich, creamy butter, Minerva Dairy’s slow-churned, pasture-raised butter is here to take your dishes from good to gobble-worthy. Here are 10 of our favorite Turkey Day sides.
Classic Comforts: Tried & True Thanksgiving Sides
When it comes to Thanksgiving, there’s something deeply satisfying about the classics. These timeless sides have a way of bringing everyone to the table, comforting taste buds with familiar flavors and making the holiday feel like home. Let’s dive into some tried-and-true favorites that are guaranteed to please every guest.
1. Stuffing: The Backbone of Thanksgiving
What’s Thanksgiving without stuffing? For easy Thanksgiving sides that everyone will crave, cube crusty sourdough and toss it with sautéed onions, celery, apples, and a handful of fresh herbs. The star: Minerva Dairy Garlic Herb Butter, which infuses every bite with savory richness. Bake until crispy at the edges and delightfully moist in the center.
2. The Creamiest Mash Potatoes Ever
Nothing says comfort quite like a big bowl of mashed potatoes. The secret to pillowy, cloud-like potatoes? Butter, lots of it. Go for Minerva Dairy’s unsalted variety and hand-mash boiled Yukon Golds or Russets until they’re just right, then whip in a generous hunk of butter with enough cream and roasted garlic to tempt even the non-potato lovers. Finish with cracked black pepper and a pat on top for a side that’s pure heaven.
3. Sweet Potato Casserole That Wows
This Thanksgiving side dish brings the sweet and savory together in the happiest marriage. Iron-rich sweet potatoes, whipped with a splash of cream and Minerva Dairy Sea Salted Butter, then topped with a crown of pecan streusel or toasted marshmallows. The butter brings out the caramel undertones and gives this casserole its signature silky texture.
Greens Galore: Veggies
No Thanksgiving feast is complete without a vibrant array of veggie sides that add color, texture, and fresh flavors to the table. These vegetable dishes strike the perfect balance between comforting and bright, giving you delicious options that both veggie lovers and skeptics will enjoy. Let’s explore some tasty, buttery, and crowd-pleasing greens and root veggies that bring healthy goodness and festive flair to your holiday spread.
4. Garlicky Green Beans With a Crunch
Green beans are humble, but drizzled in browned Minerva Dairy Garlic Herb Butter and finished with crispy fried shallots or slivered almonds, they become absolutely unforgettable. Blanch your beans, then give them a quick skillet sauté for vibrant color and flavor. This easy Thanksgiving side brings fresh snap and buttery richness that the entire table will appreciate.
5. Brussels Sprouts With Bacon & Butter
If you grew up avoiding Brussels sprouts, it’s time to reconsider. Sauté halved sprouts with diced bacon in Minerva Dairy Salted Butter until caramelized and golden, then add a drizzle of maple syrup and a pinch of cracked pepper to finish. This combination of creamy butter, smoky bacon, and sweet maple makes these sprouts a holiday masterpiece.
6. Roasted Root Vegetables With Butter & Herbs
Beets, parsnips, carrots, and turnips roasted in a sheet pan come alive when tossed in Minerva Dairy Garlic Herb Butter and chopped fresh parsley. Roasting concentrates the earthy sweetness, and the butter highlights every note. Serve piled high for a colorful, rustic twist on classic Thanksgiving sides.
Bread & Rolls: Flaky Buttery Goodness
No holiday meal feels complete without warm, buttery bread to round out the feast. Whether you prefer flaky buttermilk biscuits or soft pull-apart dinner rolls, these breads bring that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor everyone craves. Perfect for sopping up gravy or simply enjoying with a pat of Minerva Dairy butter, these breads add comfort and some coziness to your Thanksgiving table.
7. Buttermilk Biscuits With a Twist
Biscuits are a must, and this year, why not up the ante? Use Minerva Dairy Unsalted Butter for the flakiest results, folding cold butter into flour with a gentle hand. Add a dash of fresh chives, cheddar, or garlic for excitement, then brush the tops with melted butter right out of the oven. As is always the case, the best Thanksgiving sides aren’t just delicious, they’re crafted with care.
8. Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls
Soft, golden brown, and ready to sop up gravy, these rolls shine with a finishing glaze of salty Minerva Dairy pasture-raised butter. For a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing, easy Thanksgiving side, mix up a batch a day ahead and reheat before the feast.
Unexpected Favorites: Sides That Spark Joy
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to shake things up with sides that surprise and delight. These unexpected favorites bring fresh flavors, fun textures, and a little extra sparkle to your table. Whether it’s a twist on a classic or a completely new flavor combo, these dishes are sure to spark joy and perhaps some conversation at your holiday feast. Let your creativity shine with sides that everyone will remember long after the last bite.
9. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
If you’re searching for the best Thanksgiving sides for kids, look no further. Steam broccoli until just tender, then toss it in a cheesy sauce with plenty of Minerva Dairy Sea Salt Butter. Top with crispy fried onions or crushed buttery crackers for some crunch.
10. Crispy Potato Latkes
And if you love crunch, latkes are the surprise your Thanksgiving menu needs. Grate russet potatoes with onion, form into patties, and fry in Minerva Dairy Garlic Herb Butter. The outside crisps to perfection, the inside stays fluffy, and everyone reaches for one more.
Make Thanksgiving Butter-ific!
With so many ways to serve up delicious Thanksgiving sides, this year’s feast will be the talk of the table! Every dish on your menu, from tried-and-true favorites to fun new creations, gets a serious upgrade with slow-churned, pasture-raised Minerva Dairy butter. Whether you’re pinching, pouring, or melting, butter is the magic ingredient that brings flavor, richness, and joy to every bite.
Ready to impress your guests and create lasting memories? Shop Minerva Dairy’s selection at your local store with our easy online Store Locator, or order butter straight to your door from Instacart or GoldBelly. Start celebrating family, flavor, and tradition with the best Thanksgiving sides, each one made even better with Minerva Dairy Butter.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy cooking!
