The Cozy, Crowd-Approved Thanksgiving Side Dishes I Make Every Year
Out of all the side dishes I make for Thanksgiving, these are the ones I can’t skip.
Every single year, no matter how busy life gets or how last-minute the shopping ends up being, I always find myself coming back to the same cozy favorites.
They’ve become a tradition without me even planning it.
I think it’s because these dishes always remind me why I love cooking during the holidays.
They’re easy enough for a packed student schedule, comforting enough to feel special, and honestly, they just never let me down.
I’m extremely grateful for how these recipes save me when the day gets chaotic.
Even when I’m running around, trying to balance work, school, and hosting, these dishes let me keep things simple while still getting that warm, homey Thanksgiving feeling.
It’s funny because even when I spend less time in the kitchen, they still turn out so good that people think I’ve been cooking all day.
It gives me room to enjoy the day instead of stressing, and that shift has made a huge difference in how I experience the holiday.
I’ve become a very big fan of sticking to crowd-approved classics that actually work for my life, not ones that look fancy but take forever.
It makes hosting so much more enjoyable when I know the sides on the table are going to be a hit without me losing my mind trying to perfect them.
So what are these dishes that always end up on my Thanksgiving table?
These are the cozy, comforting favorites that everyone asks for, and the ones I always make because they fit perfectly into my busy routine while still delivering that nostalgic Thanksgiving flavor I look forward to every year.
Crowd-Approved Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Mini Waffles with Fried Chicken
Try these delicious bite-sized mini fried chicken and waffles. Pair mini waffles with fried chicken pieces and drizzle with maple honey butter.
They’re great for game day, brunch, or a fun snack, and kids absolutely love them.
You can use store-bought or homemade waffles, and even turn them into sliders by adding another mini waffle on top.
Zucchini Fritters
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor.
7-Layer Dip Cups
Stuffed Mushrooms
Craving for something savory? Make this super simple stuffed mushroom savory bites. Mix cream cheese, garlic, and herbs, baked to golden perfection.
You can try this mixture that I personally love to add every time when I crave for this bites.
Take some corn, bell pepper, finely chopped broccoli, small chicken pieces, and greek yogurt. Mix them well with some seasoning (oregano, chilli flakes, lemon juice and some fresh coriander).
Whenever I make these, I love serving them on this cute selmica ceramic appetizer tray, it just makes everything look more inviting (and perfect for photos if you’re into that!).
I also swear by this non-stick baking tray; it’s a total game changer for easy cleanup and helps get that perfect golden finish on the mushrooms.
And if you’re like me and love that little extra kick, having a good mix of of these four seasoning flakes on hand really levels up the flavor (I always keep a jar nearby).
Mini Sliders
These super hit bite-sized appetizers is everything you need for your party. Mini sliders are easy to make, taste amazing, and you can change the meat with the vegan option too.
For example, you can go classic with beef and cheese or switch it up with chicken, pulled pork, or even veggie patties.
I once had this grilled halloumi version with some green, pickels, caramelized onion and topped with garlic sauce. That was awesome!
A pro tip is to serve them on soft slider buns for that bun texture. Make sure buy this beautiful on white appetizer platter or on a 3-tier appetizer platter.
Spinach-Artichoke Dip Wonton Cups
These spinach artichoke dip wonton cups are the ultimate party snack!
Crispy wonton shells filled with creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip make the perfect bite-sized treat.
Be ready!
Once you serve them, they’ll disappear in no time!
6. Cheese-Stuffed Jalapeños
Try this perfect cheese stuffed Jalapeño poppers that are perfect to serve a big crowd.
This recipe is super budget-friendly and takes a few minutes to prepare the filling and baking.
