The 18 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes Under $10

Thanksgiving dinner is a gargantuan and costly undertaking—it’s no wonder that many Thanksgiving meals have shifted to potluck style so that everyone can contribute what they can. After all, it can take a village to feed a village. As inflation continues to increase the cost of groceries, contributing a delicious side dish is a budget-friendly way to add to the Thanksgiving spread, whether you're bringing it to a potluck or need to save money on your own Thanksgiving menu.

Show off your cooking prowess with dishes that will taste and feel rich and satisfying without breaking the bank. Thanksgiving is a feast where the sides are often the stars anyway, so you may find yourself a bigger MVP than any player on the Turkey Day football field.

Here’s a roundup of surefire and delicious side dishes you can make for Thanksgiving for under $10 each.

1. Mashed Rutabaga with Sour Cream and Dill

Founder Elise Bauer says, "Although rutabagas are often mistaken for purple turnips, they are different root vegetables. Rutabagas are sweeter, and when cooked, they have a creamier consistency than their turnip cousins."

2. Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Contributor Rachel Knecht says, "The hardest part of the recipe is cutting the sweet potatoes into cubes, which is not especially difficult. You want them to be bite-sized: not too large or too small. I find that 1/2-inch cubes work the best."

3. Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is as expected as mashed potatoes at my Thanksgiving table. Use frozen corn and purée some to give it a creamier texture. This side dish comes together for less than $10 and serves four.

4. Chipotle Pumpkin Soup

Tired of the same-old, same-old pumpkin spices? Give them an upgrade with a little spice—chipotle peppers and cumin!—to warm up a large pot of pumpkin soup, arguably the best Thanksgiving starter. Instead of crema or crème fraîche, swirl in less expensive, more accessible sour cream.

5. Candied Yams

Sweet, tender, and lightly spiced with a little ginger and cinnamon, candied yams are a must for Thanksgiving. This is a simply side dish that calls for affordable ingredients you may already have around.

6. Melting Onions

Contributor Alexandra Shytsman says, "The only potentially challenging step of this recipe is keeping the onions intact while flipping. The best tool for this job is a small offset spatula: gently slide it under the onions with one hand while supporting the onion with a butter knife on the other side."

7. Baked Acorn Squash with Butter and Brown Sugar

Has there ever been a combination of words that sound more autumnal? Channel harvest season vibes with this fantastic medley of flavors—sweet butternut, salty bacon, and nutty brown butter. Save money by using a whole butternut squash instead of store-prepped cubes.

8. Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Alexandra says, "Look for Brussels sprouts that have tight bulbs, don’t feel slimy, and have no yellowing leaves. If you have access to a farmers market, look for sprouts that are sold on the stalk."

9. Carrot Soufflé

A short and simple ingredient list of cheese, eggs, saltines, and copious amounts of carrots makes for a bright and delightful surprise that only takes about 10 minutes to prep.

10. Cider Vinaigrette Roasted Root Vegetables

Embrace the literal “roots” of the holiday with a festive medley of colorful, wallet-friendly cool-weather veggies. Buy what’s available, in season, and on sale. Mix up the colors of your selection to channel fall’s jewel tones.

11. Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Contributor Devan Grimsrud says, "Skip the hassle of shredding the Brussel sprouts! Here’s another delicious take: roast whole or halved Brussels sprouts until crisp with just olive oil and salt. Cool to room temperature, toss with the dressing, and top with the breadcrumbs."

12. Rustic Onion Tart

Affordable onions are the stars in this savory looker—its rustic charm leaves room for imperfections and the short ingredient list leaves money in your wallet. Use store-bought pie crust to save you from buying flour, butter, and sour cream. Plus, most come in a two-pack, so double the recipe to serve eight.

13. Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy mashed potatoes are a must at any Thanksgiving celebration. Make it in a slow cooker, which helps keep it warm too. Plus, look out for the hack that keeps this low-cost, high-yield dish from turning beige.

14. Colcannon Cakes

There’s no such thing as too many potato dishes at Thanksgiving, especially if you can hide some leafy greens in them! This traditional Irish dish does exactly that. Plus, cabbage keeps things thrifty.

15. Turnip Gratin

If potatoes feel too predictable to you, turn it up with turnips! This peppery tuber is another affordable and satisfying starchy root. Double the recipe for a larger group, and add parsnips for extra sweetness.

16. Cheesy Baked Cauliflower

Two types of cheese make for a cheese sauce with an irresistible melt. Choose one sharp and one mild cheese that melts well for the best taste.

17. Popovers

Contributor Sally Vargas says, "Many popover recipes require you to heat the pan in the oven before filling the cups with batter—I did not find this necessary. (I tested both ways with similar results.)"

18. Cranberry Sauce

Elise says, "For the best consistency, make sure the cranberry sauce is thoroughly chilled before serving so it has time to set up. Making it the day before Thanksgiving gives it plenty of time to chill and saves you a task on the day itself."