I Photograph Food for a Living, and These 19 Thanksgiving Sides Are the Ones I Actually Make

When you photograph food for a living, you see many dishes that look beautiful on camera. But a pretty plate and a recipe I want to make again are not necessarily the same thing.

When I cook Thanksgiving dinner for my own table, I care more about whether a side gets eaten, whether someone asks for seconds, and whether I’d happily make it again next year.

After photographing and cooking countless recipes, these 19 Thanksgiving sides have earned that spot in my real-life rotation, not just my camera roll.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Staring through my camera lens at bland white potatoes taught me that real depth comes from melting a full block of cream cheese directly into the pot. The cream cheese creates a silky texture with a soft tang, giving you a gorgeous, rich side dish that reheats smoothly on Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

If you want something lighter next to those rich potatoes, setting out this colorful pearl couscous bowl brings a fresh touch to the spread. Chewy Israeli couscous gets tossed with roasted pumpkin, red peppers, and salty feta, bringing a bright pop of color and fresh flavor to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Creamed Corn

Golden corn kernels simmering in real butter and heavy cream make a side dish that catches the light beautifully in photos and tastes twice as good in real life. Natural corn starches thicken the cream sauce into a rich glaze without needing flour, delivering easy comfort food for a busy Thanksgiving morning.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn

Scalloped Potatoes

Thinly sliced russet potatoes baked in garlic cream were one of the first classic casseroles I framed up under studio lights. Crisp, bubbly golden edges wrap around a tender center that melts in your mouth, filling your kitchen with a rich garlic aroma before guests even sit down.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Gluten Free Stuffing with Mushrooms for Turkey

Sautéed wild mushrooms simmering with herbs on my stove convinced my family that skipping traditional bread was a huge upgrade for Thanksgiving. Mushrooms absorb savory vegetable broth and garlic as they bake with gluten-free bread cubes, delivering classic stuffing flavor without weighing anyone down.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Stuffing with Mushrooms for Turkey

Creamed Spinach

Dark green spinach leaves folded into a velvety garlic cream sauce became my go-to trick for making holiday vegetables look striking on camera. Because this greens dish comes together quickly right on the stovetop, it frees up precious oven space for your bigger bakes.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

Capturing mini marshmallows turning golden brown under a broiler is pure joy, but eating them over spiced sweet potatoes is even better. You mash baked sweet potatoes with butter and warm spices before topping the dish with crunchy pecans and marshmallows for a sweet Thanksgiving favorite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows and Pecans

Green Bean Casserole

Golden fried onions scattered over warm green beans and mushroom sauce make a classic holiday image that always gets people hungry. The creamy sauce bubbles around tender beans in the oven in just five minutes of prep, giving your guests that familiar comfort flavor they expect.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Apple Pie Baked Beans

Standard beans looked a bit plain in my food photos, so I started baking mine with fresh orchard apples to give them a festive spin. Smoky bacon, dark molasses, and cider vinegar simmer with navy beans and apple chunks, creating a sweet and savory Thanksgiving side dish.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Baked Beans

Homemade Corn Casserole

A sweet friend brought this spoonable corn dish over when I hosted my very first November feast, and it became an instant favorite. Sweet canned corn, creamed corn, and corn muffin mix stir together with sour cream and butter before baking into a tender, golden casserole with five minutes of effort.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole

Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

If you love the idea of baked sweet potatoes but want a grain-free option, this nut-and-cranberry casserole is an incredible alternative. You bake cubed sweet potatoes with tart dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and orange zest until golden, delivering cozy autumn flavor in a light, grain-free pan.
Get the Recipe: Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Feta, Pomegranate And Balsamic

My grandmother used to boil sprouts until they looked dull, but turning them shatteringly crisp in an air fryer changed her mind completely. Tossed with balsamic glaze, salty feta, and ruby pomegranate seeds, these sprouts get dark and caramelized on the edges in under fifteen minutes.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Feta, Pomegranate And Balsamic

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Whole carrots tossed in wildflower honey and fresh thyme were one of the very first holiday side dishes I mastered on my own. These roast quickly in twenty-five minutes while your main turkey rests on the counter, making your dinner timing completely stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Caramelized Pear and Radicchio Salad

Balancing heavy holiday food requires a fresh, crisp salad, and this combination of bitter radicchio and warm pears is the one I make most. Slicing sweet caramelized pears over dark leafy greens creates a striking presentation that turns salad skeptics into enthusiastic fans in just thirty-five minutes.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Pear and Radicchio Salad

Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

Toasted hazelnuts scattered over mashed sweet potatoes became my favorite move when I wanted a side dish that felt a little more elegant for photos. You mash roasted sweet potatoes with brown sugar and butter before topping the pan with chopped nuts, creating a crunchy, golden alternative to marshmallows.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts

Classic Southern Deviled Eggs

Smooth yellow filling piped neatly into hard-boiled egg whites with a light dusting of paprika makes the most tempting starter tray on Thanksgiving. A simple mix of mayo, mustard, and sweet relish creates a timeless appetizer that vanishes from the table long before dinner is served.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Deviled Eggs

Brioche Dinner Rolls Recipe

Freshly baked yeast rolls fill the house with an irresistible bakery aroma that draws everyone straight to the kitchen. Placing a warm basket of these rolls next to the deviled eggs gives your guests the ultimate tool for soaking up extra gravy at the table.
Get the Recipe: Brioche Dinner Rolls Recipe

Strawberry Fluff

Pink strawberry fluff can look terribly messy if it runs, but this vintage recipe sets up thick and holds its shape beautifully on camera. Creamy whip, sweet berries, and mini marshmallows fold together in twenty minutes, delivering a sweet nostalgia dish that comes home empty from every potluck.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Fluff

Duchess Potatoes

Piping seasoned mashed potatoes through a star tip creates delicate swirls that look like art on a Thanksgiving serving platter. The raised edges get crisp and golden in the oven while the center stays light and smooth, adding a fancy touch to your table with minimal extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Duchess Potatoes

A beautiful Thanksgiving table is lovely, but the dishes everyone actually goes back for are the ones I want to keep making.