We all know the turkey gets most of the attention on Thanksgiving. It's the centerpiece of the table, the subject of endless cooking questions, and usually the reason someone has been awake since 5 a.m.
But let's be honest. For a lot of us, Thanksgiving is really about the sides.
The creamy mashed potatoes, the bubbling mac and cheese, the cornbread dressing made from a family recipe that's been passed down for generations. And, of course, the green bean casserole that somehow tastes even better the next day.
Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time or you've been in charge of the family feast for years, figuring out what to serve (and how much to make) can feel like a puzzle.
At Redstone Market & Butcher in Athens, Georgia, we believe good food is meant to bring people together. So, we're breaking down our favorite Southern Thanksgiving side dishes, how much to prepare, and a few tips for making holiday hosting a little easier.
What Are the Best Side Dishes for Thanksgiving?
There's no single perfect Thanksgiving menu. Every family has its own traditions, favorites, and dishes that simply aren't up for debate.
But if you're building your menu from scratch, we recommend choosing a combination of comforting classics, vegetables, and a few lighter options to balance everything out.
Here are some of our favorites.
1. Mac and Cheese
Is there anything more comforting than a big dish of creamy, cheesy macaroni?
In the South, mac and cheese isn't just a weeknight dinner. It's a holiday essential.
Whether you prefer yours extra creamy or baked with a golden, crispy top, it's one of those dishes that tends to disappear quickly.
Serving suggestion: Plan for approximately ½ cup per person when serving several sides.
Make-ahead tip: Assemble your mac and cheese the day before, refrigerate it, and bake it on Thanksgiving Day. You may need to add a little extra baking time if it's going into the oven cold.
2. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Some Thanksgiving traditions are classics for a reason.
Fluffy mashed potatoes and rich, savory gravy are the perfect companions to turkey, ham, brisket, or just about anything else on your holiday table.
For especially creamy potatoes, use Yukon Golds or a combination of Yukon Gold and russet potatoes.
Serving suggestion: Plan for approximately ½ cup of mashed potatoes per person.
Make-ahead tip: Prepare your potatoes ahead of time and reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream and a little butter to restore their texture.
3. Southern Cornbread Dressing
If you're celebrating Thanksgiving in Georgia, there's a good chance cornbread dressing has a permanent place on your family's menu.
Made with crumbled cornbread, broth, onions, celery, and seasonings, this Southern favorite is hearty, savory, and full of flavor.
And if your family has a treasured dressing recipe, we certainly aren't here to tell you to change it.
Serving suggestion: Plan for approximately ½–¾ cup per person.
Make-ahead tip: Bake your cornbread a day or two ahead of time. You can also prepare many of the other components in advance, then assemble and bake the dressing on Thanksgiving Day.
4. Green Bean Casserole
Creamy green beans, savory mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions. It's a combination that's earned its place on Thanksgiving tables for decades.
Green bean casserole is also a great option when you need something easy to prepare for a crowd.
Serving suggestion: Plan for approximately ½ cup per person.
Make-ahead tip: Assemble the casserole ahead of time, but wait until just before the final bake to add the crispy onions so they don't become soggy.
5. Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole walks a very fine line between side dish and dessert, and that's exactly why we love it.
Whether your family prefers a crunchy pecan topping or a layer of toasted marshmallows, this dish brings a little sweetness to the table.
Serving suggestion: Plan for approximately ½ cup per person.
Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sweet potato filling in advance and refrigerate it. Add your topping before baking.
6. Collard Greens
Every Thanksgiving table needs a little green, and in the South, collard greens are a natural choice.
Slow-cooked with savory seasonings, they're a flavorful contrast to the richer casseroles and creamy sides.
Serving suggestion: Plan for approximately ½ cup of cooked greens per person.
Make-ahead tip: Collard greens are an excellent dish to prepare a day ahead. Their flavor often develops beautifully after a night in the refrigerator.
7. Dinner Rolls or Cornbread
We couldn't leave bread off the list.
Whether you're serving soft yeast rolls, homemade biscuits, or a skillet of cornbread, something warm and buttery is always welcome.
And let's not forget its most important job: soaking up all that gravy.
Serving suggestion: Plan for 1–2 rolls or pieces of cornbread per person.
Make-ahead tip: Purchase or prepare your bread ahead of time, then warm it just before serving.
How Much Thanksgiving Food Do You Need Per Person?
One of the biggest Thanksgiving planning challenges is figuring out how much food to prepare.
You want everyone to have plenty to eat, but you probably don't need enough leftovers to feed the entire neighborhood.
The good news? A little planning goes a long way.
If you're serving five or six side dishes alongside your main course, plan for approximately ½ cup per person of each popular side, adjusting based on your guests' preferences.
For heavier dishes like mac and cheese or dressing, you can plan for slightly larger portions if they're family favorites.
Remember that these are estimates, not strict rules. Guests generally take smaller portions of each dish when there are lots of options on the table.
How Many Thanksgiving Side Dishes Should You Serve?
The right number depends on how many people you're hosting and how elaborate you want the meal to be.
Here's a simple starting point:
For 4–6 guests: Choose 3–4 side dishes.
For 8–12 guests: Choose 4–5 side dishes.
For 15–20 guests: Choose 5–6 side dishes.
For 25 or more guests: Choose 6–8 side dishes, or offer larger quantities of a smaller selection.
There's no need to make every Thanksgiving recipe you've ever saved.
A few well-prepared dishes that everyone enjoys will always be better than an overwhelming menu that leaves you exhausted before dinner even begins.
How to Build a Balanced Thanksgiving Menu
When planning your sides, think about variety.
If everything on your table is rich, creamy, and covered in cheese (tempting, we know), the meal can start to feel a little heavy.
Try choosing dishes from a few different categories.
Something creamy: Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or sweet potato casserole.
Something savory: Cornbread dressing, roasted mushrooms, or a hearty casserole.
Something green: Collard greens, green beans, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Something fresh: A seasonal salad, cranberry relish, or another bright, tangy dish.
Something to soak up the gravy: Dinner rolls, biscuits, or cornbread.
This approach gives guests plenty of variety without requiring you to prepare a dozen different recipes.
Make Thanksgiving Easier with a Little Planning
The secret to a more relaxed Thanksgiving isn't necessarily doing less. It's knowing what you can do ahead of time.
A few days before the holiday, finalize your menu and make a shopping list.
Prepare dishes that reheat well, like collard greens and certain casseroles, ahead of time.
Wash and chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and make sure you have enough serving dishes and utensils.
And don't forget to think about your oven space.
If your turkey is taking up most of the oven on Thanksgiving morning, you'll be glad you planned a few stovetop dishes or sides that can be reheated later.
You can also make things easier by purchasing some prepared dishes instead of making everything from scratch.
There's no rule that says a memorable Thanksgiving dinner requires one person to cook every single thing.
Let Redstone Help with Your Holiday Table
At Redstone Market & Butcher in Athens, GA, we believe Thanksgiving should be about good food, family, and time spent together.
Whether you're planning a traditional turkey dinner, serving something a little different, or hosting a large holiday gathering, our market, butcher counter, and Smokehouse Kitchen can help you explore options for your menu.
Looking for quality meats for your holiday centerpiece? Want to ask about prepared sides or catering options for a crowd?
Stop by Redstone or contact our team to see what's available for your holiday plans.
Because at the end of the day, Thanksgiving isn't about making the most elaborate meal possible.
It's about gathering around the table with the people you love.
And maybe going back for one more helping of mac and cheese.