25 Sides That Got More Praise Than the Turkey

Some side dishes don’t just complement the meal—they take it over. These 25 sides got more praise than the turkey because they showed up strong and finished first. Whether it’s crunch, creaminess, or bold flavor, these recipes know how to grab attention fast. They weren’t extras on the plate—they were the reason people kept talking after dinner.

Air fryer glazed carrots in a bowl with parsley. — Air Fryer Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted cabbage steaks are the kind of side that steals focus from the main with their golden edges and deep flavor. A high-heat roast gives the cabbage texture, while garlic dressing adds just enough punch to be remembered. This is a vegetable side that earns praise without being flashy. It’s the kind of side dish that makes people talk before they even cut into the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy mashed potatoes with cream cheese show exactly why some sides don’t need an introduction. Smooth and rich, they anchor the plate with more presence than the protein. They’re ready in under 30 minutes, making them as practical as they are praised. These mashed potatoes don’t just sit next to the turkey—they outshine it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy oven asparagus roasts fast and finishes crisp, bringing a fresh contrast that sides rarely get credit for. With just oil and seasoning, it earns compliments without the effort. It’s one of those side dishes that brings brightness without needing attention. This asparagus has a way of landing compliments before anyone touches the carving knife.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

A black bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts sits on a gray surface next to a wooden spoon, a navy napkin, and a plate of sliced roasted carrots. — Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garam masala Brussels sprouts are a side dish that walks in with bold flavor and a quiet mission to stand out. The spice mix flips the usual expectations and turns a basic vegetable into a highlight. Done in about 30 minutes, they leave a lasting impression without holding up dinner. These are the sprouts that get mentioned long after the turkey’s forgotten.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven roasted root vegetables balance out rich dinners with their sweet bite and crisp edges. Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes roast together into a colorful, one-pan side. They’re quick to prep, easy to batch, and taste like more work than they are. This is the kind of side that holds its ground even on a turkey-filled table.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet potato fritters make dinner feel less expected with their crisp bite and bold sauce. The sweet and spicy contrast brings interest without overcomplicating prep. Quick to cook and easy to serve, they disappear fast. These fritters are why guests go back for seconds before they even try the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown sugar baked sweet potato slices bring spice and softness to the table in one easy move. Cinnamon and ginger meet caramelized edges that hold up beside any main. They bake fast and pair easily with a wide range of dinners. These are the sweet potatoes that get whispered about over dessert.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with almonds and feta deliver contrast in every bite—crisp, nutty, and creamy all at once. They look simple but feel planned, like someone thought this through. Fast in the oven, they land with more impact than expected. These sprouts have a way of getting all the credit while the turkey gets ignored.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted honey glazed carrots turn bright, everyday produce into a side that stands tall. The glaze sticks just enough to make it feel like something special without effort. Easy prep and a short roast make this a weeknight win or holiday go-to. These carrots walk into the room looking like backup but leave like the headliner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots prove that even the simplest sides can end up as the star. The caramelized glaze adds polish and a punch of flavor in under 30 minutes. Quick to prep and easy to scale, they show up strong at any table. These carrots are the reason forks get used before grace is even said.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts bring sharp contrast and a glossy finish that catch eyes as soon as they hit the table. The sweet-tangy glaze cuts through heavy mains and wakes up every bite. They cook quickly and always taste more deliberate than their prep suggests. These are the sprouts that earn nods before the turkey even gets carved.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown butter garlic mashed potatoes don’t just accompany a meal—they command it. The nutty butter and roasted garlic take an easy side and turn it into the reason people ask for seconds. Quick to pull together but rich in flavor, they work with just about anything. These mashed potatoes talk louder than the turkey ever could.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire green beans come with a bite that stands out on any plate. The sauce clings just enough to remind everyone these aren’t your average green beans. Ready in minutes, they add strong flavor without slowing down dinner. These are the beans that break through the noise and win over skeptics.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky green beans with fried onions bring crunch and depth that won’t go unnoticed. The garlic cooks into the beans while the topping adds texture that keeps people coming back. They’re fast to prep and reliable on any holiday or weeknight. This is the vegetable side that gets passed around twice before the turkey finishes its first lap.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Mashed cauliflower in a white bowl. — Loaded Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded cauliflower mash takes the idea of a veggie side and gives it real weight with bacon, cheese, and green onion. It’s creamy, hearty, and fast enough to make when time’s tight. It plates like comfort food but eats like the star. This mash might be made of cauliflower, but it walks away with the applause.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Au Gratin Potato Stacks

Au gratin potato stacks are crisped on the edges and soft in the center, built to get attention. Made in muffin tins, they’re easy to serve and look like they took more time than they did. These potatoes reheat well and always show up sharp. They’re the kind of sides people remember—and ask for by name.
Get the Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Stacks

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

A baked dish with a golden-brown crumb topping is in a rectangular baking dish, which has a white and blue checkered cloth nearby. A serving is on a round plate to the right. The surface is a light marble texture. — Cheesy Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cheesy zucchini casserole turns a humble squash into a baked side that holds its own at any table. The cheese melts through while the texture stays soft and scoopable. It’s quick to prep and doesn’t compete with the main—it outpaces it. This is the zucchini dish that makes people rethink what counts as comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Honey Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts

A white serving dish filled with roasted brussels sprouts and fresh rosemary. — Honey Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Honey miso roasted Brussels sprouts come out glazed, crisped, and balanced with just the right bite. The umami flavor is bold but not overwhelming, and it sticks to every leaf. With under 30 minutes from prep to plate, they bring more than looks to the table. These are the Brussels that turn silence into praise.
Get the Recipe: Honey Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli casserole combines creamy sauce and crunchy topping to transform a basic veggie into something worth showing up for. It reheats well and holds together, making it a smart pick for both casual dinners and gatherings. There’s richness without heaviness, and flavor without flash. This side is how broccoli won its place at the adult table.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Parmesan crusted potatoes come out crisp, golden, and impossible to ignore once they’re on the plate. They’re fast to prep and hard to keep around once people start eating. Their sharp, salty edge works with any kind of protein. These are the bites that never make it to the leftover container.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Easy Squash Casserole

A glass baking dish filled with baked squash casserole. — Easy Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Easy squash casserole brings together soft squash and a crunchy top layer that feel just right on a dinner plate. It’s simple to make and doesn’t require much more than pantry staples. The familiar flavors hit home without trying too hard. This dish proves that some sides have earned their place for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Easy Squash Casserole

Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes come layered with creamy sauce and a golden crust that always brings comfort. They slice clean and portion easily for big meals or casual nights. The richness plays well with lighter mains, adding balance without effort. These potatoes walk in quietly and leave with all the compliments.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy Garlic Spaghetti Squash

Cheesy stuffed squash filled with garlic and herbs. — Cheesy Garlic Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Cheesy garlic spaghetti squash roasts into strands that hold bold flavor and creamy texture without getting lost on the plate. It’s quick to assemble and feels like more than a basic veggie side. The cheese pulls it all together into something filling and full of flavor. This squash shows that sides can win the whole meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Spaghetti Squash

Dauphinoise Potatoes

Dauphinoise potatoes come out bubbling with garlic cream and paper-thin slices that melt together just right. The crisp top and soft layers bring structure and depth that push this side to the front. It’s rich without being heavy, and balanced without needing explanation. This is the dish that makes people forget they were waiting for turkey.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Air Fryer Glazed Carrots

Air fryer glazed carrots cook up with caramelized edges and a soft center in less than 20 minutes. The quick glaze adds just enough shine and flavor to make them memorable. With barely any prep, they step up as a fast side that earns praise. These are the carrots that end up with the compliments meant for the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Glazed Carrots