18 Potato and Sweet Potato Recipes for Thanksgiving

Complete your holiday menu with these hearty potato recipes.

A roasted potato dish baked in a circular pattern in a white dish garnished with herbs served with a metal spoon on the side — Credit:
Jacob Fox

With the holiday season in full swing, it's time to start planning potato and sweet potato recipes for Thanksgiving. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from, from classic mashed potatoes (both simple or kicked up with herbs) and sweet potato casseroles to smashed, roasted, and scalloped iterations.

Potatoes have a lot more going for them: they pair well with turkey and can be creamy or crisp, depending on how you cook them. Nearly everyone loves them—even picky eaters. And best of all, they so wonderfully soak up that delicious gravy. Here, we've rounded up our favorite potato and sweet potato recipes to round out your Thanksgiving menu.

01 of 18

Potato Pavé

Potato Pave — Brie Goldman

Cream-soaked potatoes are layered with butter and then baked to golden perfection in this elegant potato pavé. It's also an excellent make-ahead dish, as it needs to be refrigerated before baking.

02 of 18

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes — Bryan Gardner

When the stovetop is full of pans of turkey stock for the gravy and various other sides, the Instant Pot is a winning way to make the Thanksgiving essential that is creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. It will also hold them, keeping the potatoes warm until it's time to transfer them to a serving bowl.

03 of 18

Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes Anna

pie — Ngoc Minh Ngo

Pommes Anna is a traditional French dish that's similar to potato gratin in technique—it's layered and baked—but there's no cream or cheese, just potatoes and butter. In this delicious take, we mix layers of paper-thin slices of potato with layers of paper-thin slices of sweet potato. It's baked in a skillet like an upside-down cake. The resulting dish is crisp and golden on the outside and earthy and tender on the inside.

04 of 18

Smashed Potatoes

Smashed Potatoes

Here's an irresistible side dish that can also work for appetizers. This recipe is for smashed, not mashed, potatoes. Multicolored potatoes are flattened, seasoned, and roasted until crisp. Top with sour cream and chives when serving.

05 of 18

Sour-Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes

Sour-Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes — Mikkel Vang

Looking for a simple way to upgrade your typical Thanksgiving mashed potatoes? Just add sour cream and fresh chopped herbs!

06 of 18

Sweet-Potato-and-Cauliflower Mash

sweet potato cauliflower mash — Louise Hagger

Combine two favorite vegetables in one dreamy mash. This recipe might well become a staple on your Thanksgiving table.

07 of 18

Simple Scalloped Potatoes

thanksgiving scalloped potatoes

The genius of this Yukon potato concoction? It can be cooked right alongside your turkey during its last hour and a half in the oven.

08 of 18

Sweet Potato Fries With Brown-Butter Marshmallow Sauce

To add a decadent touch to sweet potato fries, we suggest pairing them with a marshmallow sauce. (It can be made up to one day in advance.)

09 of 18

Muffin-Pan Potato Gratins

Stack russet potato slices in buttered muffin tins and top with cream to create individual servings of golden-brown gratin. The recipe serves six but is easy to double.

10 of 18

Maple-Whipped Sweet Potatoes

No need to peel and dice to prepare this dish: Simply roast the sweet potatoes and scoop out the flesh. Blend in the food processor with maple syrup and butter and—voila—you have a delicious sweet potato recipe for Thanksgiving.

11 of 18

Scalloped Potatoes With Leeks

Sautéed leeks add savory flavor to layers of cream-kissed scalloped potatoes and the shredded Gruyère topping becomes browned and bubbly in the oven.

12 of 18

Sweet Potato Casserole

sweet potato casserole — John Kernick

This traditional Thanksgiving casserole of creamy, nutmeg-seasoned sweet potatoes topped with toasty melted marshmallows is a classic crowd-pleaser. The dish travels well; simply reheat in the oven before serving.

13 of 18

Luxurious Mashed Potatoes

Hearty quantities of butter and cream make these mashed potatoes well-suited to a special occasion like Thanksgiving. Mix in sautéed garlic or chopped fresh parsley to take them up another notch.

14 of 18

Sweet Potato and Sage-Butter Casserole

Yukon gold potatoes are mashed along with sweet potatoes in this fan-favorite casserole, adding structure and cutting the sweetness a bit. Fresh sage and a crunchy breadcrumb topping add texture and savory notes.

15 of 18

Big Martha's Mashed Potatoes

mashed potatoes with cream cheese — Johnny Miller

The combination of cream cheese, milk, and heavy cream in this recipe from Martha's mom, Mrs. Kostyra, produces one of the richest and most velvety versions of mashed potatoes we've ever had.

16 of 18

Crispy Potato Roast

A roasted potato dish baked in a circular pattern in a white dish garnished with herbs served with a metal spoon on the side — Jacob Fox

Thinly sliced russet potatoes and shallots are arranged decoratively and baked until golden brown and tender. Bake this Thanksgiving side dish in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to make the potatoes extra brown and crisp.

17 of 18

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Roasted garlic brings its rich, slightly sweet flavor to these mashed potatoes. This dish can be made up to four hours in advance of the Thanksgiving dinner: simply cover the mashed potatoes with a thin layer of milk and store them in the refrigerator. To serve, heat over simmering water, stirring to combine.

18 of 18

Roasted Red Potatoes

roasted red potatoes — Emily Laurae

Red-skinned potatoes, tossed in olive oil, fresh rosemary, and pepper, are roasted for an easy Thanksgiving side dish. If you prefer, substitute thyme for the rosemary.

Read More:

Related Articles

Maple-Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes

Twice-Cooked Potato-and-Leek Casserole

twice-baked potato and raclette casserole

Twice-Baked Potato-and-Raclette Casserole

Sweet Potato and Sage-Butter Casserole

pie

Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes Anna

Baked Sweet Potatoes

mashed sweet potatoes

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar

Sweet Potato Fries with Brown-Butter Marshmallow Sauce

Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

Alexis's Sweet Potato Pie

sweet potato cauliflower mash

Sweet-Potato-and-Cauliflower Mash

sweet potato puree

Sweet Potato Puree

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Sweet-Potato Biscuits

Amanda Hesser's Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping in a dish with a serving missing

Sweet Potato Casserole