19 Potato Sides You’ll Want to Make Every Thanksgiving

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Published on November 9, 2023

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

Let’s be honest, the best part of Thanksgiving isn’t the turkey—it’s side dishes like potatoes and sweet potatoes that steal the spotlight. Get ready to carve out a special place on your plate for these recipes, from velvety mashed potatoes to crispy roasted ones. Recipes like our Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole have earned four- and five-star reviews, so we know you’ll love the flavors and textures in every bite.

01 of 19

Garlic-Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Garlic-Rosemary Roasted Potatoes — Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

These super-crispy garlic-rosemary roasted potatoes get their crackly outside by precooking the potatoes in water with a little baking soda. The baking soda helps break down the skin, allowing the flavors of garlic and rosemary to set in and crisp up when roasted in a hot oven. Serve these alongside roasted chicken, turkey or steak.

02 of 19

This Garlicky Potato Galette Is Crispy on the Outside, Tender on the Inside

a recipe photo of the Garlicky Potato Galette — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

More than forming a mesmerizing spiral, the potato slices in this potato galette become just slightly crisped and golden on the outside, giving way to buttery, tender shingles of potatoes on the inside. The combo of herbs, onion, garlic, Parmesan and just a hint of bright lemon zest flavor the dish. The skins provide some texture, but you can take the extra step of peeling the potatoes if you prefer. A mandoline is a handy tool to use for this recipe; you need to get the slices consistently thin for the best results.

03 of 19

Sweet Potato Soufflé

This creamy sweet potato soufflé is complemented with a crunchy pecan-oat topping for a truly scrumptious side dish. The filling can be made up to five days ahead, so you just have to top it and bake it when it's time. Whip up this healthy sweet potato soufflé recipe for Thanksgiving or any other special occasion.

04 of 19

Roasted Garlic Butter Potatoes

a recipe photo of the Roasted Garlic-Butter Potatoes — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

We slather roasted baby potatoes with a buttery roasted garlic sauce for a crowd-pleasing side that's easy enough for a weeknight, but special enough for entertaining. We love the rich, full flavor that butter delivers, but you can swap it out and use extra-virgin olive oil in its place. Thyme offers a mild woodsy flavor, but smaller amounts of stronger-scented herbs like fresh rosemary or sage would work well too.

05 of 19

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

What could be more satisfying than mashed potatoes? In this garlic mashed potato recipe, the potatoes are flavored with poached garlic, thinned with chicken stock and enriched with a small amount of sour cream. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you're cooking for a crowd--say for Thanksgiving dinner.

06 of 19

Crispy Smashed Loaded Potatoes

crispy smashed loaded potatoes — Victor Protasio

These crispy smashed loaded potatoes have all the features of your favorite baked potatoes but with an extra-crispy texture. Serve this easy appetizer at your next potluck or game-day gathering.

07 of 19

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

This version of the holiday staple uses a little bourbon to boost the flavor of the sweet potatoes, but you can also use orange juice. Baking the potatoes in their skins allows their natural sugars to caramelize for enhanced sweetness.

08 of 19

Lemon-Rosemary Melting Potatoes

lemon rosemary melting potatoes

These full-flavored potatoes are a great new approach to your typical potato side dish. The potatoes roast, then "melt" with the flavors of lemon, rosemary and garlic. They're good enough for a special occasion, but easy enough for a weeknight.

09 of 19

Melting Potatoes with Garlic, Prosciutto & Sage

a recipe photo of the Melting Potatoes with Garlic, Prosciutto & Sage — Photographer: Carson Downing, Food stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

These potatoes live up to their name and then some! They melt in your mouth, with the edges getting lightly crisp. We leave the skin on the potatoes for texture and a boost of fiber. Sage, marjoram and prosciutto combine for a warm flavor. If you don't have marjoram on hand, use dried oregano or thyme in its place.

10 of 19

Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole

a recipe photo of the Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole — Diana Chistruga

Thanksgiving isn't complete without a homemade sweet potato casserole. We like to sprinkle chopped pecans on top along with the marshmallows for a bit of texture.

11 of 19

Loaded Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon, Cheddar & Chives

Imagine a loaded baked potato topped with bacon, Cheddar and chives combined with the creamy goodness of scalloped potatoes, and you have the ultimate comfort food casserole. This scalloped potato recipe is made healthier than original versions by using low-fat milk in place of heavy cream, but it still tastes just as rich and creamy.

12 of 19

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

a recipe photo of the Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes — Sonia Bozzo

In this healthy side dish recipe, sweet potatoes are tossed with maple syrup, butter and lemon juice and roasted until tender and golden brown. The delicious glaze that forms on these maple-roasted sweet potatoes transforms this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.

13 of 19

Hasselback Potatoes with Cheese

hasselback potatoes with cheese

Hasselback potatoes are the perfect side dish for people who love crispy potato-chip-like slices as well as the tender interior of a baked potato. Simple to prepare, these hasselback potatoes look impressive and decadent with melted Cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of paprika on top.

14 of 19

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts

It's easy to get creative with these roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes. For a quick side dish that complements just about everything, follow the main recipe. If you want to spice things up a little, try one of the variations. Swapping a few spices and adding fresh stir-ins to coat the roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes transforms the flavor of the dish to something new, yet equally delicious.

15 of 19

Melting Sweet Potatoes with Sage Brown Butter

Melting Sweet Potatoes with Sage Brown Butter — Photography / Dera Burreson, Styling / Lauren McAnelly / Holly Rabikis

Once you "melt" sweet potatoes, you won't want to make them any other way. These roasted sweet potatoes soak up broth to turn the interior into a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. A sage-brown butter sauce finishes these potatoes for a truly stunning side dish.

16 of 19

Twice-Baked Potatoes Casserole

Twice-Baked Potatoes Casserole — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

This twice-baked potatoes casserole has all the classic fixings in a creamy, smooth casserole. It can be prepped ahead of time, making it perfect for your next big gathering.

17 of 19

Smashed Sweet Potatoes

Smashed Sweet Potatoes — Jason Donnelly

Southwestern spices coat slices of sweet potato that are baked, smashed and then broiled to create a light, crispy exterior. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt finishes the dish.

18 of 19

Soy-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes glazed in a savory-sweet combination of soy sauce, mirin and sesame oil makes a delectable side dish. If you don't eat them all at the first sitting, reheat in a nonstick skillet--they are even more delicious the second time around. (Adapted from Local Flavors, copyright 2002 by Deborah Madison. Reprinted with permission from Broadway Books.)

19 of 19

Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes with Spinach

Classic scalloped potatoes get a burst of color, heartier texture and a healthy update with the addition of chopped spinach. The greens in this side dish also create a nice contrast to the creamy, velvety potatoes.

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