Thanksgiving Sidekick: 30 Southern Sides to Save Your Holiday

Description

A Southern hostess’s secret weapon for a stress-free, flavor-filled Thanksgiving feast.

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the kitchen asking, “How many sides is too many?”, you’re in good company. In the South, Thanksgiving might revolve around the turkey, but let’s be honest… it’s the sides that everyone really comes for. The creamy casseroles that warm the heart, the buttery rolls that melt in your mouth, the nostalgic “salads” that somehow involve more mayo than lettuce, these are the dishes that make the table feel generous, comforting, and special.

The Thanksgiving Sidekick is your ultimate companion for pulling it all together with confidence and joy. Created by Barbara Curry, the self-taught cook and voice behind the beloved blog Butter & Baggage, this beautifully organized guide includes 30 tried-and-true Southern side dishes that are guaranteed to steal the show. These are the same recipes Barbara makes year after year for her own family, the kind that never fail, travel well, and make your guests beg for seconds.

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🥘 What’s Inside

This eBook is divided into six thoughtful sections designed to help you plan your menu, prep ahead, and serve a meal that feels both effortless and abundant:

1. Southern Comfort Food Staples

Creamy, cheesy, and absolutely essential, these recipes are the foundation of every great Southern Thanksgiving. Think Baked Macaroni Pie, One-Pot Mac & Cheese, Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère, Old-Fashioned Cornbread Dressing, and Pineapple Cheddar Casserole with Ritz Crackers. You’ll find detailed notes and instructions so everything turns out perfectly, even if you’re juggling oven space.

2. Vegetable Sides That Don’t Get Ignored

Finally, vegetables worth fighting over! From Broccoli Casserole with Homemade Cheese Sauce and Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers to vibrant sides like Green Bean & New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette and Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Prosciutto and Pomegranate, these recipes prove that veggies can hold their own against any mac and cheese.

3. Sweet Potatoes, Four Ways

Whether you love them creamy, crunchy, or crowned with marshmallows, this section has your sweet potato cravings covered. Choose from Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Meringue, Layered Sweet Potato & Apple Casserole, Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon, Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, and Classic Stovetop Candied Yams.

4. Salads That Actually Belong at Thanksgiving

Because even the richest meal needs a little balance. These chilled, make-ahead salads bring brightness and texture to your holiday spread. Try Old-Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad, Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Honey Yogurt Dressing, Southern 7-Layer Salad with Peas and Mayo, or Creamy Macaroni Salad with Cheese.

5. Rolls & Breads to Round Out the Plate

What’s Thanksgiving without soft, buttery rolls? In this section, you’ll find five can’t-miss recipes: Buttery Yeast Rolls, Lighter-Than-Air Angel Biscuits, Fluffy Brioche Rolls, Sour Cream Knots with Cheddar and Pepper, and Soft Parker House Rolls. Whether you’re a beginner or a confident baker, Barbara’s step-by-step directions make every batch foolproof.

6. Fruit & Dessert-Inspired Sides

End on a sweet-tart note with nostalgic, fruit-filled dishes that blur the line between side and dessert. Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Marshmallows brings retro charm to the table, while Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Walnuts and Grand Marnier delivers the perfect tangy contrast to all that richness. Both can be made days ahead, giving you one less thing to think about on Thanksgiving Day.

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🧡 Why You’ll Love It

The Thanksgiving Sidekick isn’t just a collection of recipes,  it’s a holiday survival guide written with warmth, humor, and hard-earned kitchen wisdom. Inside, you’ll find:

• ✅ Make-ahead and reheating tips for every single dish

• ✅ Oven, stovetop, and travel guides for when space is tight or you’re taking a dish on the road

• ✅ Pairing suggestions to help you build a balanced, crowd-pleasing menu

• ✅ A printable planning chart to map out your cooking schedule by time, oven temp, and prep level

• ✅ Tried-and-true recipes that actually get eaten,  no sad, forgotten side dishes here

We have have done all the trial and error for you, so you can focus on what really matters: gathering with people you love, serving food that feels like home, and enjoying a holiday meal that’s equal parts delicious and doable.