Creative Thanksgiving Side Dishes To Shake Up a Boring Holiday Routine

Heading to a Thanksgiving potluck? Friendsgiving? Family cook-off? If any of your Thanksgiving plans involve making festive side dishes, you might be sick of the same old thing. There's no need for the typical mac and cheese you've made 100 times, and you'd rather not whip up another bowl of mashed potatoes. We get it. That's why we've pulled together some of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes to land you that potluck gold medal.

Related: Depression-Era Thanksgiving Recipes That Are Actually Delicious

Everybody loves a Parker House roll, so why not kick it up a notch? The extra tang from the sour cream and chives will do just that.

Recipe: Bon Appétit

Related: Thanksgiving Recipes for a Small Gathering

Beef meatballs are a thing of the past. We all know lamb makes a heck of a meatball, and alongside this green goddess dip, they're gonna sing.

Recipe: Food & Wine

Related: Ways to Spice Up Thanksgiving Leftovers

One sure-fire way to make a dish more fun? Serve it out of a cone made of pork. No notes.

Recipe: Recipe Tin Eats

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There isn't a lot in this world better than a hot, spicy, crunchy, salty snack. These potato fritters will be a hit, especially as they're dipped into that herbaceous Hari chutney. 

Recipe: Bon Appétit

Salt, fat, acid, heat. This recipe from Old Growth has it all, and the autumnal flavors of the honeynut squash will make this dish an easy winner.

Recipe: Old Growth

Are you going to roll into this Thanksgiving party with a boring, classic mac and cheese? Or are you going to show up with the fermented beauty of kimchi? The choice is yours.

Recipe: Bon Appétit

This vegan pumpkin pie ice cream is a unique double-whammy: Satisfy the vegans, satisfy the sweet-toothed. Satisfy 'em all.

Recipe: Minimalist Baker

Here's a nice step-by-step look at some crunchy stuffed mushrooms. You've got the sleeper hit of the potluck on your hands with this one.

Recipe: Old Growth

Grab a seat near the fireplace and enjoy the deep, roasted flavors of twice-baked acorn squash with maple butter and pecans. Compliments will be flying your way.

Recipe: A Cozy Kitchen

People correctly referring to this dish as dressing: You love to see it (it ain't stuffing unless it's stuffed inside the turkey). This one is full of bountiful wild rice and bright, acidic orange.

Recipe: Bon Appétit

You gotta drink something, right? If the host is still struggling to get appetizers out on time, you'll feel like a hero delivering some sparkling treats to your fellow guests.

Recipe: Food52

The brininess of the sea! The fermentation of Korean cuisine! The heartiness of Thanksgiving! This looks like a stunner.

Recipe: Lady & Pups

The warming beauty of a chain restaurant appetizer can be alive at your T-Day party, and if you can manage to get a giant bread bowl involved ... well done.

Recipe: Bon Appétit

Yeah, yeah, a lot of squash-based recipes here. You're welcome — squash is a perfect fall food. Delicata, named for the fact that the skin is tender enough to eat, is a great vessel for tahini. 

Recipe: Minimalist Baker

Oh, somebody else brought cranberry sauce? How embarrassing for them. You brought the citrus cranberry relish, full of the delicious acidity that your Thanksgiving turkey desperately needs.

Recipe: Bon Appétit