Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes For a Healthier Meal

Looking for healthy and delicious Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes? I know that Thanksgiving is often dominated by the stars of the night—turkey, hams, and chickens! But of course, all of us also crave some healthy and complementary Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes. That’s why I’ve curated this list of the best and healthiest side dishes for your holiday meals!

From classic vegetable recipes to recipes with a twist, I’m sure you’ll find something here that you’ll love! 

Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes Carrots and Green Beans

Let’s begin with a classic roasted vegetables recipe! I love how this one uses green beans along with carrots and potatoes. It’s perfect for any season; you can always find fresh, quality ingredients year-round!

Healthy Kidney Beans Salad

The Healthy Kidney Beans Salad is a vibrant and nutritious choice for your Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes, adding a colorful and hearty element to your feast. Its mix of kidney beans, crisp vegetables, and tangy dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the traditionally rich Thanksgiving fare, making it a satisfying and balanced option for your holiday table.

Cucumber Salad with Radish

Light and refreshing, this cucumber and radish salad adds a crisp contrast to rich Thanksgiving dishes. It’s a perfect palate cleanser between bites of heavier fare like gravy-laden turkey and stuffing.

Refreshing Purslane Salad with Eggs

This bright and nutritious purslane salad with eggs is a refreshing side dish that balances out richer holiday flavors. It’s ideal for those looking for a healthy yet satisfying option to enjoy alongside heartier meals.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

I know that feeling when you want to make something easy yet delicious, so here’s the butternut squash recipe! In just a short time, you’ll enjoy naturally sweet, tender centers and crisp, caramelized edges. This dish is an excellent fall and winter side that pairs perfectly with any meal!! 

Keto Mashed Cauliflower

I’m sure we all love mashed potatoes, but if you’re looking for something new to try this Thanksgiving, give this mashed cauliflower a shot! It’s just as delicious as potatoes and has a similar creamy consistency. Plus, it’s a perfect low-carb side dish that everyone will enjoy! 

Zucchini Sauce with Heavy Cream

Creamy and rich, this zucchini sauce adds a delicious twist to any pasta or vegetable side dish. Serve it with roasted meats or as a topping for baked vegetables for an extra indulgent touch at your holiday table.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Crispy and healthy, these air fryer zucchini fries are a fun and delicious way to enjoy vegetables. They make a great snack or side dish for Thanksgiving, adding a lighter option to balance out the meal.

Easy Glazed Carrots Recipe

Simple recipes are the key! With just four basic ingredients, you can create these delicious glazed carrots. They’re a quick and tasty side dish that will impress everyone at the table!

Creamed Corn

I just can’t resist corn, let alone creamed corn! Using only five ingredients—corn, cream cheese, milk, butter, and sugar—this dish effortlessly comes together!

Creamed Spinach

Here’s another creamy delight featuring spinach, perfect for a classic vegetable side dish! Whether using fresh or frozen spinach, this recipe is easy to create and very nutritious. 

Butternut Squash Salad

From the name alone, you can tell this recipe is a vegetable-packed meal that makes for a perfect side dish. It offers delicious flavors and textures.

Root Vegetable Tian

This vegetable tian is simply gorgeous and incredibly tempting! I’m in love with its plating! It shows a vibrant mix of beets, parsnips, sweet potatoes and more! 

Vegetarian Olivier Salad

This creamy and comforting Russian-inspired Olivier salad is ideal for holiday gatherings, bringing vibrant flavors and a rich texture. It pairs beautifully with roasted meats, making it a great choice for Thanksgiving.

Broccoli Potato Cups Recipe

These fun, bite-sized broccoli potato cups are perfect for a crowd and bring together wholesome vegetables in a deliciously crispy package. Serve them as a side or an appetizer that will surely be a hit with guests of all ages.

Crispy Potatoes From The Oven

These oven-baked crispy potatoes are a comforting, crowd-pleasing side dish that’s easy to make. With their golden crust and tender inside, they’re a wonderful accompaniment to turkey or roast beef.

Traditional Haluski – Cabbage and Noodles

This hearty Polish cabbage and noodles dish is cozy and satisfying, ideal for family gatherings and Thanksgiving dinners. Its warm, homey flavors complement any main course, making it a comforting addition to the holiday table.

Cheesy Creamed Kale 

Of course, I can’t leave out kale! This Cheesy Creamed Kale recipe is one of my favorites, perfect alongside any Thanksgiving main dish. It’s savory, extra cheesy, and incredibly easy to prepare! 

Potatoes Au Gratin

Here’s a delicious potato dish with the best presentation! These creamy potatoes au gratin are always a hit at any meal—they’re so irresistible that they disappear fast (kidding!). Perfect for fall and winter gatherings, they pair perfectly with any main course! 

Buttered Vegetables

I’ll not end this list without the queen of vegetable side dishes — buttered vegetables! As a firm believer that butter makes everything better, this dish features a blend of flavorful veggies coated in rich, creamy butter (yum!!). 

Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Shells Recipe

These creamy ricotta and spinach stuffed shells offer a comforting Italian twist to your holiday spread. Rich and flavorful, they pair well with roasted vegetables or serve as a vegetarian main for Thanksgiving guests.

Maple-Roasted Root Vegetables

Maple flavor + vegetables? Well, count me in immediately to this twist! Maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness while improving the natural flavors of the vegetables. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish too! 

Shredded Cabbage Slaw with Ginger Vinaigrette

I’m honestly in love with shredded cabbage, especially this recipe that uses ginger vinaigrette! It’s such a top-tier match! This recipe is also a twist to your classic coleslaw.

Creamy Asparagus Pasta Recipe

This creamy asparagus pasta is light and vibrant, bringing a taste of spring to the fall table. It’s an elegant side that complements roasted poultry or beef and adds a delicate touch to the feast.

 

Miso Sesame Eggplants

Here’s another classic: eggplant with a twist of sesame seeds, a favorite among everyone! What sets this recipe apart is its eye-catching presentation and the blend of miso that adds to its delicious flavor – just heavenly!!

Green Bean Casserole With Crispy Fried Onions

Ending this list with a delicious green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions! I absolutely love fried onions, and who wouldn’t?! This recipe is also proven and tested throughout the years! Truly a classic side dish during holidays. 

Chickpea Salad with Corn

This fresh and flavorful salad combines chickpeas and corn, making it a vibrant, nutrient-packed side dish for Thanksgiving. Its light and zesty taste pairs wonderfully with heartier main dishes like turkey and stuffing.

German Celeriac Salad with Walnuts

This crunchy and tangy celeriac salad with walnuts offers a unique side dish packed with texture and flavor. It’s perfect for adding a bit of freshness to heavier Thanksgiving fare like mashed potatoes and stuffing.

Cherry Tomato Feta Pasta Bake with Spinach

Packed with juicy tomatoes, creamy feta, and fresh spinach, this pasta bake is a comforting and flavorful side dish. Its richness pairs well with roasted meats and is perfect for serving at family-style holiday meals.

Easy Candied Yams

This no-fuss recipe delivers all the sweet, caramelized goodness of traditional candied yams without the hassle of peeling and slicing. It’s a perfect holiday side dish that’s quick, easy, and full of flavor.

Maple Bacon Butternut Squash

Oven-roasted butternut squash is paired with crispy bacon and a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet and savory side. This dish is simple to make yet packed with irresistible flavors that complement any holiday meal.

5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

This casserole combines creamy sweet potatoes with a golden brown marshmallow topping for the ultimate holiday indulgence. With only five ingredients, it’s an easy and crowd-pleasing addition to your table.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Loaded with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and green onions, these twice-baked potatoes are a savory favorite. They’re creamy on the inside and golden on the outside, making them a comforting and indulgent side.

Potatoes and Green Beans

This simple dish combines tender potatoes and green beans with garlic and seasonings for a flavorful veggie side. It’s a delicious and healthy option that pairs well with any main course.

Lemon Cilantro Roasted Potatoes

These roasted potatoes are infused with the bright flavors of lemon and fresh cilantro, creating a zesty and aromatic side dish. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, they’re an easy crowd-pleaser.

Cheesy Broccoli

Covered in a rich homemade cheese sauce, this cheesy broccoli dish is both kid-friendly and quick to prepare. It’s a classic side that’s creamy, comforting, and guaranteed to be a hit.

Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad

Fresh kale is tossed with a tangy lemon dressing and topped with shaved Parmesan for a light and refreshing side. Ready in under 15 minutes, this salad adds a healthy and flavorful option to your spread.

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with Spinach and Ricotta

These colorful bell peppers are filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, offering a low-carb, vegetarian-friendly option. They’re an easy yet elegant side that also works well as a meal prep recipe.

Easy Refried Beans (with canned beans)

Creamy and seasoned to perfection with garlic and chili powder, these refried beans are a quick and satisfying side. Made with canned beans, they’re a simple yet flavorful addition to your meal.

Broccoli Slaw

This broccoli slaw is coated in a creamy dressing that clings to every nook and cranny, making it irresistibly good. Its crunchy texture and fresh flavors make it a standout side for any holiday gathering.

Thanks to the talented creators of these recipes, we’re all set to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast filled with healthy and flavorful vegetable side dishes!