35 Nearly Forgotten Thanksgiving Side Dishes (2024)

Home Recipes Meal Types Side Dishes

Updated: Nov. 21, 2023

Bring some old-fashioned flavor to your dinner table this November with these vintage Thanksgiving side dishes.

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Cranberry Fluff

This fluffy fruit salad gets its sweet-tart flavor from cranberries and whipped cream. We like this Thanksgiving side dish it because it’s not as sweet as many other “fluffs.” I’m often asked for the secret to this luscious Thanksgiving salad. —Lavonne Hartel, Williston, North Dakota

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2/35

Granny’s Apple Scalloped Potatoes

This scalloped potatoes with apples dish is delicious with baked breaded pork chops, which you could cook at the same time in another cast-iron pan. We are retired, so it’s just the two of us, but you could easily double the recipe to serve a crowd. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida

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Cornbread Dressing with Oysters

My father’s dressing bakes separately from the turkey and is simply delicious. The secret is to prepare the cornbread first (you can use a boxed cornbread mix in a pinch), let it cool and then crumble it to form the base for the rest of the ingredients. My father always added oysters to give the dressing a special flavor. —Nell Bass, Macon, Georgia

Find more vintage Thanksgiving recipes to try today.

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Brussels Sprouts in Rosemary Cream Sauce

Brussels sprouts in a rosemary-infused cream sauce have the power to bring friends together – but watch out for fights over who gets the last of the sauce. —Liz Koschoreck, Berea, Kentucky

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Classic Wilted Lettuce Salad

When we were kids, my sister and I would prepare the freshly picked lettuce for this wilted lettuce salad recipe, rinsing it several times and carefully drying it. As we did so, we quibbled about the portions we’d each have. Somehow, it seems she always managed to get more! We still can’t get enough of this salad. —Doris Natvig, Jesup, Iowa

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Carrots Lyonnaise

This recipe from a junior high home economics class was brought home by my sister Laurie. My family liked it so much that it became a part of our Christmas dinner tradition. — Elizabeth Plants, Kirkwood, Missouri

8/35

Cauliflower Dill Kugel

I enjoy cauliflower and kugel, so it made sense to combine the two into one special dish. The ricotta cheese adds a distinctive creaminess and lightness. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

9/35

Rosemary Beets

For a simple side dish, I use a slow cooker and let the beets mellow with rosemary and thyme. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

10/35

Herbed Accordion Dinner Rolls

To dress up everyday dinner rolls, brush herbed butter over the dough, then form accordion rolls. The aroma from the oven is incredible! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

11/35

Pineapple Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Pineapple, sugar and marshmallows lend a super sweetness to sweet potatoes. I’ve been making the casserole for years, both for special occasions and casual dinners. —Ruth Leach, Shreveport, Louisiana

12/35

Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash becomes pleasantly sweet. This is comfort food—easy to prepare and a tasty pairing with a pork entree. —Nancy Mueller, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

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Seasoned Brown Rice Pilaf

For those of us who are white rice lovers at heart, this recipe makes brown rice taste great! Everyone takes seconds; it is that good. It is so easy to prepare. To convert for vegetarians, just substitute veggie broth for the beef broth. Any leftovers are delicious the next day. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine

14/35

Quick Cranberry Gelatin Salad

Since this tangy salad keeps well, I make it a day ahead for my Christmas menu. It’s also a great choice to take to a holiday potluck – even people who aren’t fond of cranberries think it’s yummy. I got the recipe from a friend at church who likes to cook and bake as much as I do.
-Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania

15/35

Green Bean and Cauliflower Casserole

I like to make my own savory cream sauce for the timeless green bean casserole. This time I added another vegetable for a delicious twist that sets my casserole apart from the rest! You can omit the vermouth if you’d like by substituting another half-cup of chicken broth. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

16/35

Olive-Stuffed Celery

My grandmother taught both me and my mom this appetizer recipe for stuffed celery. We always serve it at Christmas and Thanksgiving. The stuffing is so yummy that even if you don't normally care for the ingredients on their own, you'll love the end result. —Stacy Powell, Santa Fe, Texas

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Cranberry Waldorf Salad

Cranberries grow in the coastal area about 50 miles from our home. When they become available, I always make this creamy salad. It also makes a great side on Thanksgiving Day. —Faye Huff, Longview, Washington

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Sweet Candied Carrots

These tender, vibrant candied carrots have a buttery glaze and a mild sweetness. It’s one of the easier Thanksgiving side dishes, but one that still feels special. —P. Lauren Fay-Neri, Syracuse, New York

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Creamed Pearl Onions

When our children were small, we always celebrated Christmas at our house. This was one of many recipes I relied on that could be prepared a day in advance, which gave me more time to spend with guests. Everyone expected to see this vegetable dish on the table every year. —Barbara Caserman, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

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Herbed Pecan Stuffing

I updated a basic stuffing recipe by using wholesome multigrain bread in place of customary white bread. It adds a hearty, crunchy taste to this Thanksgiving side. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

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Grandma's Cranberry Stuff

What could taste better than turkey and cranberry on Thanksgiving Day? My grandmother's classic recipe makes the best cranberry stuff to share with your family and friends this holiday. —Catherine Cassidy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Holiday Creamed Spinach

My mother made a variety of spinach dishes when I was growing up. This rich, delicious creamed version is the only one that stayed with me through the years.—Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

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Marmalade Candied Carrots

My favorite way to make baby carrots is to steam them, then drizzle with an orangey glaze that makes them candy-sweet. —Heather Clemmons, Supply, North Carolina

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Country Turnip Greens

If you’ve never tried making turnip greens, my recipe is an easy, tasty way to start. Pork and onions give the fresh greens wonderful flavor .—Sandra Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee

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Cran-Raspberry Gelatin Salad

Just like Grandma’s, this pretty gelatin salad has full berry flavor without being too tart. It’s one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. —Rosemary Burch, Phoenix, Arizona

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Bacon Cabbage Stir-Fry

For a flavorful side dish, try this fried cabbage and bacon. It’s not only delicious, but fast to fix when you need to get dinner on the table quickly. —Lori Thompson, New London, Texas

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Ambrosia Salad

Because it’s so simple to make, this tropical fruit medley is great as a last-minute menu addition. Plus, this ambrosia salad requires just five ingredients. —Judi Bringegar, Liberty, North Carolina

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Cran-Apple Kraut

A gussied up fresh sauerkraut for a healthy side dish! Make sure you look for a refrigerated variety that has probiotics for the healthiest take on this flavorful recipe. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

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Cranberry-Apple Red Cabbage

When I was looking for something new, I started playing with flavors and came up with this very tasty dish. My German grandmother would be impressed, I think! The colorful side dish is just right with pork. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

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Favorite Marinated Mushrooms

This is a nice way to serve mushrooms as an appetizer, and it also makes a great side dish for any type of meat. Sometimes I add these marinated mushrooms to salads for extra flavor, too. —Brenda Snyder, Hesston, Pennsylvania

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Flaky Butterhorn Rolls

The recipe for these dinner rolls, slightly sweet and so very flaky, was my mother’s. They are simple to prepare because kneading skills are not required and the dough is easy to handle. My grandchildren have renamed them "Grandma’s croissants"! —Bernice Smith, Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota

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Sweet Potato Stuffing

Mom likes to make sure there will be enough stuffing to satisfy our large family. For our holiday gatherings, she slow-cooks this tasty sweet potato dressing in addition to the traditional stuffing cooked inside the turkey. —Kelly Pollock, London, Ontario

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Scalloped Cranberries

This warm cranberry casserole is a nice substitute for traditional cranberry relish. It’s been one of my staple Thanksgiving side dishes ever since my aunt gave me the recipe many years ago. —Ellan Streett, Clear Spring, Maryland

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Caraway Rye Dinner Rolls

Caraway seeds give these rye dinner rolls a delicate nutty flavor. Denser than most, these onion-infused buns are ideal for dipping in hearty holiday stews. —Deborah Maki, Kamloops, British Columbia

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Grandma's Southern Collard Greens

My grandmother made the best southern collard greens recipe in the world. Eating them with a slice of buttermilk cornbread is pure bliss. —Sherri Williams, Crestview, Florida

Originally Published: November 21, 2022