I used to feel so overwhelmed by the Thanksgiving menu. I wanted to create a beautiful, delicious spread for my loved ones, but the long shopping lists and complicated steps left me feeling more stressed than grateful.
I always wondered, “How can I make everything taste amazing without a list of 20 ingredients for every single side dish?” I was tired of “simple” recipes that were anything but.
So I created these truly simple, 5-ingredient side dish recipes! Now you can cook a stunning, stress-free feast that is full of flavor and lets you spend more time with the people you love. Let’s get cooking! 🦃🍂
Our Top 3 Favorite Recipes
- Easiest to Make: Easiest Creamy Corn Casserole
- Most Unique Twist: 5-Ingredient Boursin Mashed Potatoes
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
6 Simple 5-Ingredient Thanksgiving Side Dishes
1. 5-Ingredient Boursin Mashed Potatoes 🦃
This is my secret weapon for potlucks and holiday dinners! Using herby Boursin cheese is the ultimate shortcut to the creamiest, most flavorful potatoes. People always think I spent hours on them, but they’re truly the easiest dish on the table.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~15 mins | Cook: ~25 mins
🎯 Best For: A foolproof classic that tastes like you spent all day on it.
Image-1: A rustic ceramic bowl filled with fluffy mashed potatoes, a swirl of melted butter on top, and a generous sprinkle of bright green chives.
2. Easiest Creamy Corn Casserole 🦃
You literally cannot mess this one up. It’s a true dump-and-bake recipe that my family has loved for years. It has a sweet and savory flavor with a wonderful, moist texture that everyone goes crazy for. It also travels well, making it perfect for a potluck!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~45 mins
🎯 Best For: A super quick, potluck-friendly side dish that’s always the first to disappear.
Image-2: A square casserole dish showing a golden-brown top, with a serving spoon lifting out a creamy portion.
3. Honey & Thyme Glazed Carrots 🦃
This side dish adds such a beautiful pop of color to the Thanksgiving plate. The simple glaze of honey, butter, and fresh thyme makes the carrots sweet, savory, and so elegant. For the best flavor, I always try to use whole carrots and chop them myself instead of using baby carrots.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~20 mins
🎯 Best For: An elegant and colorful vegetable side that comes together in minutes.
Image-3: A close-up shot of glossy, glazed carrots in a white serving platter, garnished with a few fresh thyme sprigs.
4. Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts 🦃
I promise, even people who think they don’t like Brussels sprouts will fall in love with this recipe! Roasting them makes them sweet and tender, and the maple-balsamic glaze is just irresistible. My biggest tip is to not overcrowd the pan so they get those delicious, crispy edges!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~25 mins
🎯 Best For: Converting veggie skeptics with a sweet and tangy flavor explosion.
Image-4: Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan, looking crispy and caramelized with a dark, sticky glaze.
5. Garlic Parmesan Green Beans 🦃
This is my go-to recipe for a last-minute Thanksgiving side dish. It’s so fresh and zesty, and it cooks in less than 10 minutes on the stovetop. This frees up precious oven space, which is always a bonus on a busy cooking day!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~10 mins
🎯 Best For: A quick, last-minute side that doesn’t require any oven space.
Image-5: A vibrant pile of bright green beans on a platter, covered in delicate parmesan shavings with a lemon wedge on the side.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the recipes we’ve covered so far, which one is making you hungriest? Let me know in the comments below!
6. Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds 🦃
I just love how simple and beautiful these roasted sweet potatoes are. Slicing them into uniform rounds not only helps them cook evenly but also makes for a really pretty presentation on the table. The fresh rosemary makes the whole kitchen smell like the holidays!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~30 mins
🎯 Best For: A healthy, savory, and beautiful side that pairs well with everything.
Image-6: A rustic wooden board layered with perfectly round, roasted sweet potato slices, flecked with dark green rosemary.
Quick Tips for 5-Ingredient Success
🍂 My Top Thanksgiving Tips
- Quality Over Quantity: When you’re using only a few ingredients, their quality really shines through. Use good olive oil, fresh herbs, and real butter for the best flavor.
- Don’t Forget the Basics: Our 5-ingredient count is honest, but we assume you have salt, pepper, and cooking oil. Seasoning generously is the key to making simple dishes taste amazing.
- The Power of the Roast: Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts and carrots at a high heat (400-425°F) is the easiest way to create deep, caramelized flavor with minimal effort. Don’t be afraid of a little char!
- Prep Smart, Not Hard: Even for these simple recipes, you can wash and chop your veggies the day before. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge to make Thanksgiving day assembly a breeze.
Where These Sides Fit in Your Timeline
The beauty of these 5-ingredient dishes is their flexibility. The Corn Casserole and Boursin Mashed Potatoes can be fully assembled the day before and just baked or reheated on Thanksgiving. The roasted veggie dishes like the Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, and Sweet Potatoes are best made fresh but come together so quickly they can be popped into the oven while the turkey rests.
This Thanksgiving, let’s fill our tables with delicious food and our hearts with gratitude. These simple recipes are here to help you do just that, giving you more time to enjoy the moments that truly matter. I hope they bring as much joy to your family as they do to mine.
Which of these easy side dishes will you be trying this year? Let me know in the comments below
