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The Side Dishes That Made Thanksgiving Famous

Green bean casserole and mac and cheese weren't old traditions; 20th-century food manufacturers and advertising made casseroles standards, built on potatoes from South America.

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Sides

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Ask ten Americans which Thanksgiving side dish is indispensable, and you may receive ten different answers.

For some, it's mashed potatoes. For others, sweet potato casserole is nonnegotiable. Another family might insist that Thanksgiving simply isn't Thanksgiving without green bean casserole or macaroni and cheese.

That's part of what makes the holiday special.

America's Thanksgiving Sideboard

Many familiar Thanksgiving sides reflect foods that became abundant or culturally important in America.

Potatoes originated in South America and eventually became an American kitchen staple. Sweet potatoes have an especially long history in Southern cooking. Green beans, corn, squash, and other vegetables likewise found their way onto regional holiday tables.

By the 20th century, changing food manufacturing and advertising also influenced Thanksgiving. Casseroles became enormously popular, creating many of the holiday standards families still serve.

The challenge today isn't finding enough side dishes. It's knowing when to stop adding them.

A balanced Thanksgiving plate might include one potato dish, stuffing, one sweet vegetable, and one green vegetable.

Recipe 1 of 4

Creamy Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

5 ingredients

Tick items off as you cook.

Method

7 steps

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  1. Peel potatoes if desired and cut into evenly sized pieces.

  2. Place in a large pot and cover with cold salted water.

  3. Bring to a boil, reduce to a steady simmer, and cook until completely tender.

  4. Drain thoroughly.

  5. Return potatoes to the warm pot for a minute to allow excess moisture to evaporate.

  6. Mash with butter, then gradually add warm milk until the desired consistency is reached.

  7. Season with salt and pepper.

AMAC Kitchen · amac.us/recipes/the-side-dishes-that-made-thanksgiving-famous

Recipe 2 of 4

Brown Sugar-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

Bake
30 min
Brown Sugar-Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

12 ingredients

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Topping

Method

5 steps

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  1. Cook peeled sweet potatoes until tender. Drain and mash.

  2. Mix with ¼ cup butter, brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

  3. Spread into a greased baking dish.

  4. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over potatoes.

  5. Bake at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes, until heated through and lightly browned.

AMAC Kitchen · amac.us/recipes/the-side-dishes-that-made-thanksgiving-famous

Recipe 3 of 4

Creamy Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes (AMAC Active Healthy Recipe)

Creamy Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

8 ingredients

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Method

7 steps

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  1. Peel potatoes if desired and cut into evenly sized pieces.

  2. Place in a large pot, cover with cold salted water, and bring to a boil.

  3. Reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender, approximately 15–20 minutes.

  4. Drain thoroughly and return the potatoes to the warm pot for one minute to remove excess moisture.

  5. Mash with butter, gradually adding warmed milk until smooth and creamy.

  6. Fold in sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh chives, garlic (if using), salt, and pepper.

  7. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with additional fresh chives.

AMAC Kitchen · amac.us/recipes/the-side-dishes-that-made-thanksgiving-famous

Why this version is healthier: We've reduced the butter from ½ cup to just 3 tablespoons and replaced whole milk or half-and-half with low-fat milk. Light sour cream provides the familiar tangy flavor, while plain Greek yogurt offers an option with more protein.

Melanie Griffin's preference: I would use light sour cream for the most traditional flavor, but Greek yogurt is an excellent alternative.

Recipe 4 of 4

Pecan-Crusted Sweet Potato Casserole (AMAC Active Healthy Recipe)

Sweet potatoes already have a wonderful natural sweetness. Rather than loading them with butter and brown sugar, we can bring out that flavor with cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of maple syrup.

Bake
30–35 min
Pecan-Crusted Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

14 ingredients

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Pecan Topping

Method

8 steps

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  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Peel sweet potatoes, cut into chunks, and boil until tender. Alternatively, roast them until soft to enhance their natural sweetness.

  3. Drain well and mash until smooth.

  4. Stir in melted butter, maple syrup, milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

  5. Spread mixture evenly into a lightly greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

  6. In a separate bowl, combine pecans, oats, maple syrup, melted butter, and cinnamon.

  7. Sprinkle topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture.

  8. Bake uncovered for approximately 30–35 minutes, until heated through, the center is set, and the pecan topping is lightly golden.

AMAC Kitchen · amac.us/recipes/the-side-dishes-that-made-thanksgiving-famous

Why this version is healthier: The original recipe contained ¾ cup of brown sugar plus ½ cup of butter. This version uses just ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and 3 tablespoons of butter total.

Maple syrup is still added sugar, but we're using substantially less sweetener overall. The pecans contribute heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and the oats add a little fiber and texture.

Thanksgiving Tip of the Week

Don't try to make every side dish at the last minute. Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and many vegetable dishes can be partially or completely prepared ahead, leaving you more time—and valuable stovetop space—on Thanksgiving Day.

Written by Jenna Picascio

Jenna Picascio is a Long Island native who graduated with a degree in English literature from St. Joseph’s University. She is also a writer for AMAC’s Blog.

More from Jenna

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