Thanksgiving side dish ideas that you may take from our table to yours

Thanksgiving side dish ideas that you may take from our table to yours

Because it brings people together in front of an abundance of delectable food, Thanksgiving is frequently one of the most celebrated meals of the year for many families. There may be a few stray friends on the invite list, the kids are off from school and/or home from college, and in-laws and other relatives have come to town for a visit. Extended family gatherings are often chaotic and emotionally intense, but with so many favourite dishes on the table (and wine, definitely some wine!), it's usually a fairly excellent party.

Typically, there are too many cooks in the kitchen yelling instructions or just moving around. Additionally, a lot of our favourite holiday delicacies may be too big to fit on the table, requiring card tables, and there may be a lengthy wait for them to arrive, leading to a mad dash to the end. The holiday's signature golden-brown roasted turkey is the show-stopper for some. A fight over who gets the drumsticks or the carver batting away the hands of guests eager to grab a bit of the crispy skin are frequently the precursors. Let's face it, though: the numerous side dishes that contribute to Thanksgiving dinner's popularity are what most of us look forward to the most.

56% of guests would prefer to fill their plates with side dishes rather than the turkey itself, and 38% would be more than content to eat only sides, according to Campbell's 2024 State of the Sides survey. Additionally, we have a tendency to seek familiar, traditional foods, with stuffing being the most popular, followed by mashed and sweet potatoes. You probably already have plans for this year's turkey, whether it's roasting whole or, for a more daring option, deep-frying, grilling, or smoking it in your garden.

If you haven't decided yet, the PG food family is providing the recipes for their favourite family side dishes. They also provide the backstories to help you understand why these dishes are essential to every holiday table. The cuisine features well-known characters, such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and cranberries, but it also offers some surprising twists. For example, culinary writer Sono Motoyama adds a French touch to baked sweet potatoes by using creme fraiche instead of marshmallows to top them, while food editor Gretchen McKay fills homemade ravioli with Libby's canned pumpkin rather of pie. Happiest Thanksgiving wishes from our table to yours.

Mostly observed in the US and Canada, Thanksgiving is a day to express gratitude for the harvest and other blessings of the previous year. It began when Indigenous peoples and settlers gathered to eat together in the early days of colonisation. 

United States: The fourth Thursday in November is the date. History: The first Thanksgiving is frequently dated to 1621, when the Wampanoag tribe and the Pilgrims at Plymouth celebrated a bountiful harvest. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863 to promote thankfulness and solidarity. Traditions: Over a feast that usually consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, families get together. Activities include football games and parades, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Canada The second Monday in October is the date. History: Martin Frobisher, an English adventurer, celebrated safe passage in Newfoundland in 1578, which is when Canadian Thanksgiving first emerged. In 1879, it was recognised as a national holiday. Traditions: Although the harvest themes are more prominent, Canadians celebrate dinners, get together with family, and show thankfulness, just like Americans do. Thanksgiving is celebrated in both ways, with an emphasis on thankfulness, community, and blessing reflection.