The Best Easy Thanksgiving Sides, According to Grocery Experts

Easy Thanksgiving sides are the best Thanksgiving sides. We’ve said it before, but it’s really worth repeating because it’s one thing we truly believe in. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year or bringing a side dish to someone else’s place, the best Thanksgiving sides are ones that are easy to prepare buy don’t sacrifice flavor. Seriously, no one is going to mind that you didn’t toil over the stuffing when it tastes as good as the best boxed stuffing. Same goes for the best microwave mashed potatoes. Seriously, put down the masher and go watch the parade with your dang family!

These are seven of the best Thanksgiving side dishes that are stupidly simple to prepare so you can worry about the dozen other fires (some literal) you need to put out on the big day.

Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes will always make the list of the best Thanksgiving sides, but that doesn’t mean you have to make them from scratch to really do it right. And boy do you have options: We’ve got premade, instant, or frozen mashed potatoes to choose from for the best Thanksgiving sides to fit your needs. If you’re looking for something as close to the real thing without all the trouble, Sporked managing editor Gwynedd Stuart would argue that Bob Evans premade potatoes are the way to go. They’re rich, creamy, potatoey, and all you have to do is heat them up in the microwave. When it comes to easy Thanksgiving sides, it doesn’t get easier than that. —Vinz Karl

Read the full ranking of the best premade mashed potatoes

Stove Top Traditional Sage Stuffing Mix

Stuffing is a mainstay on many Thanksgiving tables, but it’s surprisingly easy to mess up if you make it yourself. Sorry, grandma, but your recipe surely can’t compare to Stove Top’s Traditional Sage Stuffing Mix. This is one of the best Thanksgiving sides and it can be thrown together in about five minutes as long as you have an empty burner on the stove. Gwynedd found this mix to be fluffy, savory, and packed with herby flavor. A Thanksgiving side dish that’s delicious and easy as hell (just boil some water, mix, and fluff)? Move over, grandma. That’s an easy sell for the best Thanksgiving side dishes. —Vinz Karl

Read the full ranking of the best boxed stuffing or watch Gwynedd & Justine taste test stuffing on YouTube

Patti’s Good Life Mac & Cheese

There are a few things you can rely on at Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll certainly stuff yourself more than the turkey and you’ll definitely endure political discussions that will make you consider becoming estranged from your family, but being served mac and cheese isn’t necessarily a guarantee. That’s why this tray of frozen mac and cheese is of the best best Thanksgiving side dishes to bring to a potluck. Forget Stouffer’s—Patti LaBelle’s mac and cheese is insane. It’s creamy, cheesy, buttery, and so decadent. This stuff will make the politics talk go down a lot easier. —Alex Yakimova 

Read the full ranking of the best frozen mac and cheese

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Turkey Gravy

Thanksgiving isn’t exactly known for being the most gluten-free-friendly holiday—but Trader Joe’s did the celiac-afflicted a solid with this gluten-free turkey gravy. We love powdered gravy mix, but this premade gravy, which is sold near the soups in TJ’s refrigerated section, is fatty and flavorful without being nearly as salty as a mix. This is new to Trader Joe’s for Thanksgiving, but we hope they’ll keep it on shelves all year long. It’ll do a lot for a rotisserie chicken on a weeknight.—Alex Yakimova

Read our ranking of the best store bought gravy

Harry & David Country Cranberry Relish

If you’re looking for something a little different to slather on your plate this Thanksgiving, this cranberry relish is the way to go. It’s more sweet than tart, but the walnuts and spices make this a good alternative to the homogenous canned stuff. It’s Harry & David, so it’s on the pricey side ($8.99 a jar), but when it’s time to make leftovers sandwiches, you’ll be happy you splurged. —Alex Yakimova

Read the full ranking of the best cranberry sauce

Season’s Choice Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

Before you start peeling, roasting, and mashing sweet potatoes, we deeply need to tell you about this Aldi sweet potato casserole. It’s kind of unreal. According to Sporked editor in chief Justine Sterling, it’s sweet and buttery without crossing into the dessert realm—but you could totally pair it with some vanilla ice cream and serve it after dinner. Hey. They best easy Thanksgiving sides are versatile, and this one definitely is. —Alex Yakimova

Trader Joe’s Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit

When it comes to easy Thanksgiving sides, salad kits are the ultimate cheat code. No chopping vegetables. No rinsing and spinning your lettuce. Just cut open the bag, pour on the dressing, give it a good shake, and then dump it into a bowl and lie to everyone about having prepared it yourself from scratch. TJ’s Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish—it’s a crowd pleaser and it’s fancy enough for a special occasion. It comes with a bright, zingy dressing that will break up the monotony of the richer foods on the menu. It also comes with carrots and almonds for crunch, and parm for a nutty, salty punch. —Vinz Karl

Read the full ranking of the best Trader Joe’s salad kits