Look, I get it. Mashed potatoes are a classic, and I am all for them. But when it comes to potatoes, we can all do a little more than the standard version everyone pairs with turkey. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t imagine a holiday dinner without them, but potato side dishes are one of those things you can easily have more than one of on your table.
If you’re like me and don’t mind stepping a little outside your comfort zone, I’ve put together this creative, tested, and perfected roundup of my best holiday potato recipes I make every year.
These are among my most popular Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes. And, they always disappear first and pair beautifully with any main, whether it’s meat, poultry, or vegetarian.
Creamy and Comforting Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic for a reason. Soft, buttery, and irresistibly creamy, they’re simple to make and always a crowd favorite. Sure, you can make your grandma’s recipe, but why not take it up a notch and try one that prioritizes flavor above all else?
Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
Make-ahead friendly, Vegetarian, Serves 4
These rosemary mashed potatoes are what I serve with my Herb Roasted Turkey every year for Thanksgiving. I just can’t imagine a better pairing.
The secret to making this dish truly special is steeping fresh rosemary and garlic in melted butter for a few minutes before mixing it with the boiled potatoes. It is a simple step that infuses every bite with deep, aromatic flavor.
Make-ahead friendly, Vegetarian, Serves 6
This is the mashed potato recipe that I make when I want something quick, easy and simple. Ready in 35 minutes, it uses simple ingredients like milk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and potatoes, available in most well-stocked pantries.
Yukon gold potatoes naturally offer a creamy texture and rich buttery flavor, so you do not need to add too many other ingredients to make them taste good. However, you can drizzle the final dish with my Beef Gravy Recipe before serving for an extra flair.
Make-ahead friendly, Serves 6
Now, if you really want to wow your guests, make this mashed potato casserole. It combines regular and sweet potatoes, giving you the best of both worlds. It is a holiday season staple in my household.
Adapted from an old Martha Stewart recipe, it’s super creamy, decadent, and easily customizable. Want to jazz it up? Add your favorite toppings like chopped turkey bacon, sautéed leeks, or melted cheese for a delicious finishing touch.
The Best Sweet Potato Recipes for the Holiday Table
I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine a holiday table without sweet potatoes. Whether you serve them roasted and caramelized, mashed or baked until tender, they always bring warmth and color to the meal.
No matter how you prepare them, sweet potatoes are the perfect way to brighten your holiday spread. Below are my foolproof sweet potato side dishes that are guaranteed to impress.
Make-ahead friendly, Vegetarian, Serves 6-8
I made this sweet potato soufflé recipe after watching Trisha Yearwood make it on her Food Network show over 12 years ago. It was also one of the first recipes I shared on the site.
Since then, it has been one of the most popular recipes on Foolproof Living around Thanksgiving. And it’s easy to see why. This recipe takes the classic sweet potato casserole and makes it even better with a generous layer of buttery pecan streusel on top.
Make-ahead friendly, Vegetarian, Serves 4
Most mashed sweet potato recipes call for cooking a few peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a pot of boiling water, which is okay, but my recipe here steams them in a pot with a bit of butter and cream.
In less than 30 minutes, you end up with ultra-creamy mashed sweet potatoes that you can serve sweet with a drizzle of maple syrup or savory with a generous drizzle of my Turkey Gravy.
Make-ahead friendly, Vegetarian, Makes 12 stacks
Need something easy to make but visually impressive? Well, I know these sweet potato stacks look fancy, but this recipe couldn’t be easier to make. Just thinly sliced sweet potatoes layered in a muffin tin with butter, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
Make-ahead friendly, Vegan, Serves 4-6
You might think that a recipe like this wouldn’t be all that popular. After all, it’s just two vegetables roasted together with a bit of oil and seasoning.
But you’d be surprised to know that this is one of the most popular recipes on the blog, especially around Thanksgiving. It’s easy to see why: both vegetables cook at the same time, and you end up with the best of both worlds in under 30 minutes.
While it’s perfect for larger gatherings, it’s just as wonderful for smaller ones too. I especially love pairing it with my Turkey Tenderloin for a simple, satisfying holiday meal.
Mediterranean Sweet Potato Salad
Make-ahead friendly, Vegetarian, Serves 6
Now, I know this might not be your traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas salad, but if you’re looking to try something a little different, make this Mediterranean sweet potato salad.
Made with roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized shallots, and crispy chickpeas on a bed of arugula with feta and maple-candied walnuts, it’s colorful and vibrant.
Crispy, Roasted, and Air-Fried Potato Sides
If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve probably seen the crispy potato revolution. Over the last few years, cripsy roasted potatoes have become everyone’s favorite way to satisfy that craving for crunch, and I am completely on board with it.
The good news is that you have options. Roasting them in the oven is always a great choice, but if your oven is full, the air fryer is another handy tool up your sleeve. No matter which method you choose, the recipes below are my go-to roasted and air-fried potato sides that I know you’ll love.
Vegan, Serves 4-6
I think red potatoes are one of these vegetables that are underutilized, and this air-fried red potato recipe is here to change that.
Slightly creamier and sweeter than golden potatoes, this easy potato side dish is perfectly seasoned, crisp on the outside, and creamy on the inside. Oh, and it is ready in 20 minutes from start to finish.
Vegan, Serves 4-6
I love fingerling potatoes because they come in fun shapes and sizes, and each potato offers a slightly different flavor. Yes, you can cook them in the oven, but cooking them in the air fryer makes them just as crispy with only one tablespoon of olive oil.
Vegetarian, Makes 6 “roses”
If you really want to impress your guests, make these potato roses; they’re guaranteed to be the showstopper on the table.
You might think it looks complicated, but it’s surprisingly simple to make: thinly sliced potatoes wrapped in turkey bacon (or regular bacon), with some shredded cheese, and baked in a muffin tin. The result is a crispy, golden, and decadent side that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Vegetarian, Makes 12 stacks
If you love potatoes, cheese, and creamy comfort food, you have to try these muffin-tin potatoes. Made by layering thinly sliced potatoes with heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and seasonings, and baking them in a muffin pan.
They bake up with irresistibly crispy edges and a rich, tender center, giving you the best of both worlds. While it may look like something straight out of a restaurant, they’re surprisingly easy to make at home.
Make-ahead friendly, Vegan, Serves 4
You can’t scroll through social media these days without seeing smashed potatoes, and for good reason. Fingerling potatoes are perfect for this recipe: boiled, gently smashed, then roasted until crisp on the outside and buttery on the inside.
Serve them straight from the oven with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and, as I like to do, pair them with any of your favorite dipping sauces.
Watch: 3 Easy & Creative Potato Side Dishes For Your Holiday Table
See three of the most popular and impressive dishes from this roundup brought to life! Watch me show you exactly how to make my potato roses, muffin-pan potatoes, and a bonus recipe: crispy smashed potatoes topped with burrata.
FAQs
You sure can. Simply make the recipe as written, bring it to room temperature, place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to a day or two before you are ready to serve it.
You can do a few things. First, roast them at high heat (425°F/218°C) oven, and once roasted, do not cover them (we do not want them to steam). Second, if you are not serving them right away, keep them warm in a low heat (200°F/95°C) oven so they stay warm and crispy.
By far, the biggest mistake people make when roasting potatoes for a crowd is overcrowding the sheet pan. When the pan is packed too tightly, the potatoes steam rather than roast, preventing them from getting that golden, crispy exterior we all love. For the best results, give the potatoes plenty of space so each piece can make direct contact with the hot pan. If you’re cooking for a larger group, use two baking sheets and rotate them halfway through roasting for even browning.
I prefer Yukon gold (also known as golden potatoes) for mashing and roasting as they naturally have a buttery flavor and a creamier consistency.
More Holiday Side Dish Inspiration
If you’re planning your full holiday menu, below are a few other sides from fresh salads to cozy soups that pair beautifully with any of your holiday mains:
- No holiday meal is complete without a colorful salad that will bring everything together. If you agree, don’t miss my roundup of Best Fall Salads all in one place.
- A warm, comforting soup always adds a special touch to a festive meal. Take a look at my Fall Soups collection for cozy, make-ahead options that will complement your holiday spread perfectly.
