Elotes-Style Spaghetti Squash

IDiana Dávila’s main-course-worthy take on the quintessential Mexican street food elotes, spaghetti squash gives everything it has: The noodle-like flesh is roasted, the pulp is simmered into stock, and even the hollowed-out shells are repurposed as rustic serving bowls.

Edward Kim’s Pan-seared Mushrooms With Miso Butter

A side dish of seared mushrooms bathed in miso butter may not be a Thanksgiving standard, but rest assured this Mott St. classic will be right at home on your holiday table. 

Zoe Schor’s Grown-Up Mac and Cheese

We miss West Town’s Split-Rail, but at least we can still mimic chef Zoe Schor’s macaroni and cheese — elevated with Calabrian chiles.

Marina’s Bistro’s Mofongo

If you’re looking for an alternative (or addition) to mashed potatoes, rib-sticking mash of garlicky plantains is an excellent option.

Braised Tuscan Kale With Butternut Squash Soffritto

Our favorite pro tip for Thanksgiving? Plan ahead. “The key is creating a menu where nothing is made in the moment,” says Monteverde chef-partner Sarah Grueneberg, whose kale dish can be made in advance and gently rewarmed before eating.

Apple-Braised Turkey Pot Pie

Pastry chef Maya-Camille Broussard knows how to make a perfect pie, and this pot pie — inspired by the smoked turkey legs she grew up eating at the Taste of Chicago — is no exception.

Roast Chicken With Smashed Potatoes

Maybe you already have plans for your bird, but the potatoes in this dish will sing on your Thanksgiving table. Citrus-thyme jus and and a bacon vinaigrette? Hard to argue with that burst of flavor.

Jalapeño Cornbread

The key to this cornbread’s tender, cakey interior? Creamed corn. This recipe from Dana Hompluem, the chef-owner of Lowcountry in Lake View, is best when slathered with honey-butter.

Sweet Potatoes with Labneh and Pomegranate Gremolata

This autumnal side dish from the former Bristol chef Todd Stein combines his Jewish and Middle Eastern heritage. The homemade labneh — while time-consuming — makes the dish pop.

Charred Broccoli With Pickled Radishes and Lemon

This veggie recipe from Dear Margaret’s Ryan Brosseau features pickled radishes that you’ll want topping everything on your dinner table.

Brussels Sprouts Foogath

These Brussels sprouts from chef Sahil Sethi put an Indian twist on the classic side dish. Bonus: You can switch out the Brussels for other vegetables such as cabbage or French beans.

Roasted Carrots With Labneh, Honey, and Dukka

Fiya executive chef David Lyng caramelizes his carrots and adds za’atar, dukka, and a smear of labneh to balance bitter and sweet flavors.

Escalivada

“The trick is to burn the vegetables until they’re very soft and you don’t see any of their original color outside, just black,” says Boqueria executive chef Marc Vidal.

Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup

The velvety ginger- and coconut-infused soup from Virtue’s owner and executive chef Erick Williams offers a far more elegant take on sweet potatoes than the traditional marshmallow-topped side dish.

Apple and Oat Frangipane Galette

Frangipane is typically made from almonds, but if you have diners with nut allergies then this oat version from Kasama’s Genie Kwon is an excellent alternative. The cinnamon-apple filling lends a tender, oatmeal-cookie-like chew.

Hot Buttered Rum

Lastly, kick back after dinner with this recipe for a hot spiced drink from Sparrow’s Peter Vestinos.