Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving are the ideal times to try out some fun, new recipes. While there are tons of traditional Thanksgiving classics that are never to be messed with, such as baked mac and cheese, turkey, or stuffing (and yes even Mom's pumpkin pie), we also love the idea of pushing tradition aside and trying something unexpected, that will hopefully bring in new traditions — especially at a Friendsgiving celebration, when the "rules" are a little more loosey-goosey anyway. Unique Thanksgiving sides are an especially great way to experiment — not because mashed potatoes are boring, but because if something really flops, it won't spoil the dinner the way a bad main dish could.
Not that you have to worry about flops here: from exciting salads to creamy soups and so much more, these Thanksgiving dishes recipes will be so good, they might make you forget about the turkey altogether. So whether you're in the mood to try something new or you just can't stomach your aunt's hefty green bean casserole another year, these unconventional recipes are sure to reinvigorate your Thanksgiving spread and appetite. From a refreshing take on cornbread to vegan friendly dishes like sourdough stuffing, there's something for everybody.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Naomi Parris
Scalloped potatoes are a classic, and this recipe incorporates pumpkins, which makes it that much better. With every bite, you'll get notes of sweet pumpkin puree, creamy cheddar cheese, and warm potatoes.
You've heard of twice-baked potatoes, but have you heard of twice-baked acorn squash? These cute little cups are filled with all the best flavors of the season along with creamy maple butter and crunchy pecans. Yum!
Take stuffing to a place it has never been before with this red-hot recipe. Featuring oysters and kimchi, it's exactly what your meal needs if you're ready to break out of the traditional stuffing norm.
You can never have enough corn (especially on the Thanksgiving table!), and this recipe will prove why. With sweet corn, sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar, and more, it's effortlessly rich, hearty, and wonderous.
If you have a slow cooker, this will be your new favorite recipe in no time. Blue cheese lends a sharp, pungent tang to the naturally sweet potatoes, and the thyme gives a fresh, earthy flavor to this tasty recipe.
6Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Ina Garten's Make-Ahead Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes
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If we didn't have you at "goat cheese" and "mashed potatoes," get this: these rich and velvety spuds are made with just a few staple ingredients and can be prepped up to three days ahead of time. Also, it's an Ina Garten recipe. So, enough said.
Give the classic casserole a makeover with this buttery and bourbon-y recipe. Rich bacon pecans are layered on top of hearty potatoes, meaning your taste buds will get the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Butternut squash is no stranger to playing its role in a pasta sauce, and you're sure to be addicted to the sauce in this lasagna. With rich ingredients like mushrooms, Swiss chard, and yummy cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan, this is the perfect spin on the holiday staple.
Cream, fresh herbs, garlic, and crème fraîche work together to make these the best mashed potatoes of all time. Feel free to add as much gravy as you please.
11Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Brussels Sprout, Beluga Lentil, and Cranberry Holiday Salad
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Fresh, light, and bright, this holiday salad will be a gift to your taste buds. Kale, brussels sprouts, and glossy black beluga lentils provide its wholesome base, while dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and clusters of clementine wedges are a festive nod to the season.
These crispy baked asparagus fries are such a great and fun way to incorporate greens into the Thanksgiving spread, especially for the kiddies. All you need are some breadcrumbs, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and other unique seasonings to give the healthy green a nice kick. Feel free to freestyle on the lemon-dijon dipping sauce to accompany the yummy snack.
13Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Curried Pumpkin Soup
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Rich in flavor yet light on the butter and cream, curried pumpkin soup is an easy seasonal starter or side dish that can be stored in the fridge and reheated when you need it. This particular pumpkin soup has an Indian twist with the addition of ginger, curry powder, and coconut milk; however, it is not overwhelmingly spicy or palate burning.
14Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Wild Rice Stuffing With Mushrooms
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Wild rice might not be quite as popular a stuffing base as cubes of a crusty boule or tender cornbread, but don't discount it quite yet. Made with wild rice, brown rice, mushrooms, and just enough butter and olive oil to make it crave-worthy, it's a worthy contender for your holiday table this year.
This dish looks like something you'd see at a restaurant, but it will be the easiest thing you make all month. Carrots are left whole, drizzled with a fragrant and simple mixture of butter and cinnamon, and baked until perfectly tender. They're sure to disappear — even at the kids' table.
Want a gussied-up version of green bean casserole with zero extra work? Try this creamy and crunchy version, which adds indulgent texture and flavor with bacon, half and half, cheddar cheese, and fried onions. It's one-pan recipes like these that will save your Thanksgiving.
17Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Pumpkin Cornbread Drop Biscuits
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These wholesome, cinnamony cornbread biscuits satisfy a savory craving for pumpkin before dessert even makes it to the table. They're also perfect for mini Thanksgiving sandwiches the next day (on the off chance that there are any leftovers!).
While corn on the cob may be a primarily summer treat, this holiday is all about experimenting, so why not put a cheesy twist to make a tasty treat? The buttery taste combined with the Parmesan cheese and hint of basil makes for the perfect side dish. We suggest moving your main course over for these.
Normal mashed potatoes are always good, but change things up with these smashed 'taters. They are crispy and smooth at the same time, which is why they will be everyone's favorite dish after just one bite.
A few hours in the slow cooker brings out unbelievable depth of flavor from rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, and, of course, juicy sausage in this make-ahead stuffing. While it hangs out in the slow cooker and makes your kitchen smell dreamy, you can prepare the rest of your feast in bliss.
You've seen — and may love — sweet potato casseroles with marshmallow topping. But give this deliciously easy, irresistibly crumbly, buttery and brown sugary pecan topping a chance, and your Thanksgiving just might change for the better. After all, it's basically a primer for the pie course.
Everyone loves garlic bread, and it's even better when it's festive and easy to eat! This pull-apart wreath is prefect for sharing and for avoiding a crumbly mess.
With fresh mint, parsley, dried cranberries, and feta, this butternut tabbouleh pairs flavors that have never been paired before. Open your tastebuds up to a whole new world thanks to this side dish.
Full of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream, this Pimento Cheese Creamed Spinach couldn't get any richer. The flavors will balance any meaty entrée perfectly.
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28Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Creamy Cheesy Cornbread
With nutty Gruyère cheese and sweet caramelized onions, these cheesy potatoes will change the way you see potatoes forever. Top it off with some fancy herbs and watch as this side dish steals the show.
What better way to disguise greens than with cheese? This broccoli with cheddar sauce is sure to be a hit. Get the recipe: broccoli with cheddar sauce.
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33Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Loaded Corn Casserole
Swap out the potatoes for some healthy healthy cauliflower in this mouthwatering recipe. It will perfectly complement any meal thanks to its rich, cheesy flavor.
Savory, comforting, and craveably carb-heavy, stuffing (or dressing, if you'd prefer) is divine in its many permutations, but none are as flat-out adorable as these stuffing muffins. Not sold on the cute factor? No matter; stuffing muffins are also preportioned, are easier to serve, have more of those delectable crispy edges, and if — and that's a big if — you have leftovers, they're easy to pop in the freezer to keep fresh for days down the line.
This salad's sweet and tangy apple cider dressing balances out the contrasting flavors of sweet apples, pears, and candied pecans with savory bacon and feta cheese. Just a few minutes of easy chopping yields a healthy side that anyone will love.
53Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish: Blistered Green Beans With Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
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Caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, a splash of sherry vinegar, and a toasted almond topping give unexpected flavor and texture to these simple blistered green beans. Make these for an easy, dairy-free green you can feel good about eating.
