22 Potato and Sweet Potato Recipes for Thanksgiving (2025)

The Difference Between Starchy, Waxy, and All-Purpose Potatoes—and How to Choose the Right Type for Your Recipe

Potato Pavé

Cream-soaked potatoes are layered with butter, 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.

Sweet-Potato-and-Sage Tian

To switch up your usual sweet potato recipes for Thanksgiving, try making this attractive tian. Thinly-sliced sweet potatoes are coated in an earthy sage cream, then topped with finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

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.

Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes Anna

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.

Smashed Salt-and-Vinegar Sweet Potatoes

Here's an irresistible side dish that's also vegan. The sweet potatoes are steamed before roasting for extra fluffy interiors to contrast with the crispy outsides. Sub a favorite vinegar for the Champagne vinegar the recipe calls for if you like—white Balsamic would be a tasty choice.

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

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

Sweet-Potato-and-Cauliflower Mash

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

Simple 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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

Sweet Potato Casserole

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.

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.

Caramelized Sweet Potato Wedges

Wedges of sweet potato are tossed with orange juice and brown sugar, which create a caramelized coating in the oven. Garnish this easy Thanksgiving side dish with orange zest.

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.

Big Martha's Mashed Potatoes

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.

Crispy Potato Roast

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.

Butter-Pecan Sweet Potatoes

A simple mixture of butter, brown sugar, and pecans creates a glaze for roasted sweet potato slices. Just a pinch of cayenne pepper balances out the buttery sweetness.

Roasted-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 in the refrigerator. To serve, heat over simmering water, stirring to combine.

Roasted Red Potatoes

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.

Rutabaga-Sweet Potato Mash With Garlic and Sage

Two of our favorite root vegetables come together in this velvety mash: crowd-pleasing sweet potato and underrated rutabaga. This soon-to-be Thanksgiving classic is enriched with butter and cream and flavored with garlic and fresh sage.