The Best Thanksgiving Sides (and How Much to Make)
Let's be honest. Half the people at your table are there for the sides.
The good news: you don't need ten of them. Three to five sides is plenty. And the more sides you make, the less of each one you need.
The must haves
These are the sides people notice when they're missing.
- Mashed potatoes. Buttery, creamy, and the gravy delivery system.
- Stuffing. Bake it in a dish, not the bird, for crispy edges.
- Gravy. Make extra. Nobody has ever said "too much gravy."
- Cranberry sauce. Homemade or the can with the ridges. Both have fans.
- Green beans. Casserole style or roasted with garlic. Something green on the plate.
The crowd pleasers
Pick one or two of these to round it out.
- Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or a pecan crumble
- Mac and cheese. Smoke it if your smoker's already running.
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Dinner rolls. Buy good ones. Nobody will judge you.
- Corn casserole or creamed corn
How much of each side per person
| Side | Per person | What to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Mashed potatoes | about 3/4 cup | 1/2 lb raw potatoes per person |
| Stuffing | 1/2 to 3/4 cup | One 14 oz bag makes about 11 servings |
| Gravy | 1/3 to 1/2 cup | 4 to 6 cups for 12 people |
| Cranberry sauce | 1/4 to 1/3 cup | One 12 oz bag of berries makes about 2 1/4 cups |
| Green beans | about 1/4 lb raw | 2 lb serves about 8 |
| Sweet potatoes | about 1/2 lb raw | 1/2 lb per person |
| Dinner rolls | 1 1/2 to 2 rolls | 2 per person if they're small |
| Pie | 1 slice | 1 pie for every 8 people |
Running five or more sides? Use the low end of each range.
Shopping chart for 8, 12 and 20 guests
| Item | 8 guests | 12 guests | 20 guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potatoes (for mashing) | 4 lb | 6 lb | 10 lb |
| Stuffing | 6 cups | 9 cups | 15 cups |
| Gravy | 3 to 4 cups | 4 to 6 cups | 7 to 10 cups |
| Green beans | 2 lb | 3 lb | 5 lb |
| Cranberries (12 oz bags) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Dinner rolls | 16 | 24 | 40 |
| Pies | 1 to 2 | 2 | 3 |
Make ahead sides to save your Thursday
The oven is the bottleneck on Thanksgiving. The turkey hogs it for hours. So cook what you can ahead of time.
- Cranberry sauce: Make it up to a week ahead. It's better cold anyway.
- Mashed potatoes: Make them a day ahead. Reheat in a slow cooker with extra butter.
- Casseroles: Assemble the day before. Bake while the turkey rests.
- Pies: Bake them Wednesday.
- Gravy: Make a base with stock ahead of time. Whisk in the drippings at the end.
Got a smoker? Use it.
If your smoker is running, put it to work. Smoked mac and cheese, smoked sweet potatoes, and smoked green bean casserole free up your oven and taste incredible. See our smoked turkey guide for the bird itself.
Now size the turkey
Once your sides are set, figure out the main event. Plan 1.5 pounds of whole turkey per person, or use the meat calculator to get your exact number.
FAQ
How many sides should I make for Thanksgiving?
Three to five sides is plenty for most Thanksgiving dinners. The more sides you make, the less of each one you need.
How many pounds of potatoes per person for mashed potatoes?
Plan about 1/2 pound of raw potatoes per person. That makes about 3/4 cup of mashed potatoes each.
How much stuffing per person?
Plan 1/2 to 3/4 cup of stuffing per person.
How much gravy per person?
Plan 1/3 to 1/2 cup of gravy per person. Make extra if your crowd puts it on everything.
What Thanksgiving sides can I make ahead?
Cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, casseroles, pies and a gravy base can all be made one or more days ahead.