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Home » Lovely Ideas » 10 Elegant Thanksgiving Side Dishes

10 Elegant Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Published: Nov 5, 2020 · Modified: Mar 1, 2021 by Genevieve Morrison · This post may contain affiliate links

An image of mashed potatoes in a bowl with a title that says "10 Elegant Thanksgiving Side Dishes.”

These 10 elegant Thanksgiving side dishes are rich, bright, colorful, and easy to create! With vegetarian options, as well as vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and low-carb, you’ll have an easy time finding a perfect side dish for every guest!

An image of mashed potatoes in a bowl with a title that says "10 Elegant Thanksgiving Side Dishes.”

These recipes make traditional favorites a little more special, a little more refined, and perfectly elegant. Tailor-made sauces and simple decorative touches spruce up these Thanksgiving standards just so, without adding a lot of time to your preparation!

Help yourself to my favorite, elegant Thanksgiving sides!

1. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Smoked Paprika Candied Pecans

A bowl of Brussels sprouts, bacon, cranberries and candied pecans on a table with scattered leaves.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Cranberries and Pecans
These Brussels sprouts with bacon, cranberries and smoked, candied pecans are the ultimate Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish! They’re baked in bacon fat till crispy, then mixed with cranberries and candied pecans, spiced with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper! 
See the Recipe
A bowl of Brussels sprouts, bacon, cranberries and pecans.

2. Thanksgiving Salad with Beet, Pear & Apple Cider Vinaigrette

A salad with colorful vegetables, pears, berries and nuts on a lace table cloth with plates and forks in the background.
Thanksgiving Salad with Beet, Pear and Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This roasted beet and pear salad is a perfectly seasonal and colorful salad recipe for Thanksgiving! 
See the Recipe
A beet and pear salad on a plate, on a lace table cloth.

3. Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto with Caramelized Onions

2 bowls of pumpkin risotto, garnished with sage leaves, on a lace table cloth with 3 small pumpkins in the background.
Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto with Caramelized Onions
This pumpkin risotto with balsamic caramelized onions is a creamy, delicately autumn-spiced masterpiece! The easiest, and tastiest autumn side dish for Thanksgiving or any decadent autumn dinner party!
See the Recipe
A bowl of pumpkin risotto, garnished with 2 sage leaves, on a lace table cloth beside another bowl and small pumpkin.

4. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro and Mushrooms

4 acorn squash on a wooden plate in front of dry flowers on a table.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro and Mushrooms
This stuffed acorn squash with farro, mushrooms, kale and red onion is an exquisite fall side dish that looks beautiful and tastes so exciting!
See the Recipe
4 stuffed acorn squash garnished with a flower and thyme on a wooden plate.

5. Baked Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Herbed Goat Cheese

A bowl of baked mashed potatoes on a table with a lace tablecloth.
Baked Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Herbed Goat Cheese
These roasted garlic mashed potatoes are baked to perfection! Heavenly soft and fluffy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside – this extra special potato side-dish will deliciously complete a cozy dinner party spread, or be one of the tastiest stars of your Thanksgiving or Christmas menus! 
See the Recipe
A bowl of baked mashed potatoes on a table with a lace tablecloth.

6. Massaged Kale Salad with Apple

The top of an apple salad, sprinkled with cheese, beside 2 apples and flowers.
Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Cheddar & Parmesan
Roasted cauliflower with crispy, sharp white cheddar and freshly grated parmesan is one of my favorite side dishes for cozy, Autumn dinner parties and Thanksgiving!
See the Recipe
The top of an apple salad beside 2 apples on a table.

7. Pesto Zucchini Rosettes

6 pesto zucchini rosettes on a wooden board.
Pesto Zucchini Rosettes
These baked pesto zucchini appetizers are made with puff pastry, Boursin cheese and 2 pretty colors of zucchini. They take less than an hour to make, you can make them a whole day ahead of time and they can easily be made vegan!
See the Recipe
1 zucchini rosette on a wooden board.

8. Pumpkin Rice with Fall Vegetables

A centered bowl of pumpkin rice with fall vegetables on a table with dry flowers.
Pumpkin Rice with Fall Vegetables
This creamy pumpkin rice recipe includes roasted cauliflower, sautéed zucchini and red onion. Made with wild rice, canned pumpkin puree and a little parmesan to make it creamy, this exquisite Fall side dish will impress every guest at Thanksgiving or the Halloween dinner party! 
See the Recipe
A centered bowl of pumpkin rice with fall vegetables on a table with dry flowers.

9. Homemade Bread Stuffing with Anjou Pear and Mushroom

A plate of stuffing with a victorian-style fork on a black table with a lave table cloth and a few sprinkles of thyme.
Homemade Thanksgiving Stuffing with Anjou Pear and Mushroom
This traditional homemade bread stuffing recipe is moist and crunchy, flavorful and packed with earthy herbs and spices. The very best stuffing for turkey, duck, chicken or Cornish game hen!
See the Recipe
A plate of stuffing with a victorian-style fork on a black table with a lave table cloth and a few sprinkles of thyme.

10. French Green Beans with Shallots and Sesame Ginger Sauce

A bowl of blistered French green beens and shallots.
French Green Beans with Shallots and Sesame Ginger Sauce
These blistered French green beans with shallots and sesame ginger sauce make a perfectly elevated Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish! 
See the Recipe
A bowl of french green beans with cooked shallots.

For more inspiration, subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Instagram, on Pinterest, tiktok, and Facebook! And if you ever make any of my tasty drinks or treats, take a picture and tag me. I want to see!

A book cover with a title that says “Elegant Appetizers,” beside a title that says “Don’t forget your free ebook! Subscribe.”

« Thanksgiving Salad with Beet, Pear & Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Homemade Painted Acorn Christmas Ornaments »
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Comments

  1. Wendy

    November 16, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    Where is the recipe that was on the bottom right? It looked like pastry with zucchini ribbons swirled inside. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      November 16, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      It’s funny, I updated this post only last night and removed it by mistake. I’ve put it back. It’s #7 🙂

      Reply

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My name is Genevieve, and I'm just trying to be a little fancier today than I was yesterday. Sharing recipes for the creative host or hostess that are simple, elegant and colorful too!

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