Thanksgiving Sides That Feel Like Home

There are so many things to be grateful for this season - family, friends, a table full of love - but if I’m being honest, I’m also deeply thankful for the sides. Because let’s face it, Thanksgiving dinner is really just a celebration of everyone’s favorite side dishes (and maybe a little turkey if there’s room).

For me, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without the classics that have been passed down for generations, each one with its own story, flavor, and memory baked in.

My grandmother’s sausage stuffing will forever hold the top spot. It’s perfectly savory, with little crispy edges that somehow taste like childhood and comfort all in one bite. Every year, the smell of it roasting in the oven brings me right back to her kitchen.

Then there’s the bread stuffing - a simpler, more traditional version that’s just as essential. My family always has both on the table, because honestly, how could you ever choose just one? It’s soft, buttery, and the kind of thing you keep picking at long after you’ve declared yourself “too full.”

Mashed potatoes are my non-negotiable. Creamy, fluffy, with just the right amount of salt and a little butter melting on top — they’re the cozy sweater of the meal. I’m convinced no plate is complete without them.

At the end of the day, Thanksgiving isn’t really about the menu - it’s about the memories those dishes carry, and the people gathered around the table.