Want to plan out some healthy Thanksgiving sides but not sure where to start? We've rounded up 40 healthy Thanksgiving side dish recipes that will help you enjoy the spirit of the season while preparing nutritious meals for yourself and loved-ones.
How can I make a side dish healthy?
Traditional Thanksgiving side dishes are often high in calories and saturated fat and lack vegetables, fiber, and important micronutrients. But don't worry, there are many ways to boost the nutrients in your favorite Thanksgiving sides!
Here are some tips to help make your Thanksgiving sides fun, healthful, and satisfying:
- Utilize vegetables: It's harvest season after all, so feel free to make veggies the star of the show! Roasted carrots, butternut squash, or brussels sprouts are perfect for this time of year! Dress them up with herbs and spices of your choice or a balsamic glaze for some extra flavor!
- Adjust fan favorites: Many traditional thanksgiving side dishes can provide lots of nutrients with a few simple tweaks. For example,
- Swap the cream of mushroom soup in green bean casserole with milk and Greek yogurt.
- Make your own cranberry sauce with honey or maple syrup instead of store-bought varieties that often contain high fructose corn syrup and other additives.
- Ditch the marshmallows in traditional sweet potato casserole and opt for a crunchy oat and pecan topping instead.
- Alter the cooking method: Try streaming, baking, grilling, braising, or boiling your foods rather than deep frying them and use healthy, plant-based oils instead of butter when sautéeing.
40+ Healthy Thanksgiving Sides to Try
Read below for dietitian-approved recipe ideas that will give you some inspiration and help you pump up your nutrition this holiday season!
1
Sheet Pan Green Beans with Alfredo Sausage
This sheet pan green beans recipe is perfect for the busy holiday season when you're craving a comforting meal without the hassle. It contains flavorful Italian sausage, creamy alfredo sauce, and canned green beans. Plus, you get to customize it with any cheese of your choice.
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2
theoregondietitian.com
Acorn Squash Salad with Maple Dressing
Looking for a delicious way to dress up a classic seasonal squash? This recipe features acorn squash, pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, lots of greens, and a homemade creamy maple dressing.
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3
Massaged Kale Salad with Marinated Chicken, Fall Produce, and Apple Cider Vinaigrette
4
Air Fryer Corn Fritters
These air fryer corn fritters are the perfect side for the busy holiday season. They contain the goodness of Libby's Whole Kernel Sweet Corn alongside your favorite cheese and seasonings, served with a smoked paprika maple aioli for dipping. Plus, they're made in the air fryer for a lighter take on this indulgent classic.
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5
www.laurelannnutrition.com
Pomegranate and Feta Salad
Try out this light and fresh fall-themed salad dish that will pair perfectly with the rest of your Thanksgiving dishes!
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6
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air fryer green beans are the easiest side dish you could ask for! They take just a few minutes to make with only 3 main ingredients. Plus, you get to customize the toppings your way!
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7
beingnutritious.com
Roasted Honeynut Squash Stuffed with Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf
Want to try out a new stuffing dish this year? Look no farther than this flavorful honeynut squash recipe stuffed with a seasonal cranberry wild rice pilaf.
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8
Roasted Fall Vegetables with Smoked Paprika Aioli
Looking for an easy side dish recipe using up all those delicious winter squash and Brussels sprouts? Try making Roasted Fall Vegetables served with a Smoked Paprika Aioli sauce. Perfect to add to your holiday table!
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9
fadfreenutrition.nutricionalgrano.com
Homemade Caramelized Vegan Onion Gravy
It's not Thanksgiving without gravy. If you want to add a plant-based version of this Thanksgiving classic, try out this delicious homemade onion gravy.
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10
theoregondietitian.com
Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Take green bean casserole to the next level with this fresh spin on traditional green bean casserole that uses fresh green beans and a perfect blend of bacon and cheese to tie all the ingredients together!
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11
www.laurelannnutrition.com
Everything Bagel Pumpkin Seeds
Everything bagel seasoning isn't just for avocado toast. It's perfect for those extra pumpkin seeds you have leftover from carving pumpkins!
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12
healthyideasplace.com
Maple-Balsamic Roasted Winter Vegetables
This fall-inspired recipe features sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets with a delicious blend of seasonings to make the perfect Thanksgiving side!
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13
www.hauteandhealthyliving.com
Roasted Beets and Carrots Kale Salad
Looking to get some greens in over the holidays? This bright and vibrant kale salad is simple to make and perfect for a nutrient-dense side.
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14
laraclevenger.com
Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
With four main ingredients, this air-fryer parmesan asparagus is super simple and a perfect veggie to pair with the rest of your Thanksgiving meal!
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15
www.hauteandhealthyliving.com
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole {Without Marshmallows}
This healthy spin on a Thanksgiving classic provides a delicious alternative without marshmallows. Sweet potatoes are sweetened with maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla and topped with crunchy pecans.
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16
www.chelseadishes.com
Herb Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
Mashed potatoes aren't the only way to enjoy potatoes this holiday season! This recipe flavors roasted potatoes and broccoli with fresh rosemary and garlic for a delicious Thanksgiving side.
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17
healthyideasplace.com
Quinoa Dressing with Mushrooms and Almonds
Try something new for your dressing this season with this creative, healthy quinoa stuffing made with flavorful mushrooms, crunchy almonds, and sweet dried cranberries.
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18
Maple Roasted Squash Wedges
Create a beautiful side dish with this simple, 5-ingredient recipe for maple roasted squash wedges. This recipe is completely customizable so you get to choose your favorite squash pick or use up whatever squash you already have on hand.
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19
www.chelseadishes.com
Instant Pot Cauliflower Potato Mash
These cauliflower mashed potatoes provide an easy and light take on a Thanksgiving classic. With simple ingredients and only 5 minutes of prep time, they are sure to satisfy this holiday season!
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20
agratefulmeal.com
Citrus Winter Farro Salad
Crunchy vegetables, bright citrus flavors, and satisfying grains come together to make a delicious side dish that's sure to make the repeat list!
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21
agratefulmeal.com
Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic
Veggies will be the star of the show with this delicious combination of Brussels sprouts, balsamic glaze, crunchy pepitas, and sweet cranberries!
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22
healthyishappetite.com
Sweet & Spicy Turmeric Roasted Carrots
These sweet and spicy roasted carrots are a quick, simple and colorful side dish packed with warm fall flavors like turmeric and cinnamon.
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23
lettucevegout.com
Roasted Pumpkin and Beetroot Salad Recipe (Maple Dijon Dressing)
This recipe uses a simple maple Dijon dressing to bring together the amazing fall flavors in roasted pumpkin and beetroot.
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24
jackienewgent.com
Pomegranate-Smashed Butternut Squash
Take mashed potatoes to the next level with this unique take on a mashed vegetable dish. With flavorful pomegranate juice and sweet mashed butternut squash, you won't be disappointed.
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25
sarahpflugradt.com
Apple, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Salad - Sarah Pflugradt
This vibrant and fresh salad is sure to lighten up any holiday dinner with a delicious combination of crisp romaine, crunchy walnuts, and sweet apples and cranberries!
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26
healthyishappetite.com
Holiday Fruit Salad
This time of year roasted veggies usually get most of the attention, but this simple holiday fruit salad is sure to be a showstopper with its vibrant colors and unique mix of flavors!
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27
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
These air fryer stuffed mushrooms are the easiest appetizer to make! You only need 4 ingredients and a few minutes of your time. Plus, mushrooms are filled with beneficial nutrients like potassium, B vitamins, and vitamin D.
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28
www.rachaelhartleynutrition.com
Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms
This green bean dish takes a fun spin on traditional green bean casserole with crispy, garlicky, herbed breadcrumbs spread over roasted green beans mixed with flavorful mushrooms.
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29
halsanutrition.com
Simple Roasted Root Veggies
Root vegetables are perfect for fall and packed with nutrients making them a great Thanksgiving side dish. Mix and match your favorite root veggies with this super easy recipe that's sure to satisfy!
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30
thesoundofcooking.com
Roasted Persimmon and Asian Pear
Never tried persimmons with your Thanksgiving meal? Give this recipe a try and you won't be disappointed. Persimmons, purple daikon, and watermelon radish make this dish pop with color and flavor.
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31
plantbasedwithamy.com
Vegan Sausage Gravy
This vegan recipe provides a rich and creamy gravy using just four simple ingredients!
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32
Air Fryer Edamame
Full oven? Break out the air fryer and try these delicious brussels sprouts with edamame. With just 4 ingredients and a few minutes in the air fryer, this recipe is an easy way to get some veggies on the table during the holidays.
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33
thehealthyepicurean.com
Roasted Delicata Squash with Walnut Crumble
This no-fuss and deliciously nutty roasted delicata squash with walnut crumble is an easy, comforting side dish everyone will love. Plus, you don't even have to peel the delicata squash!
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34
Bruschetta Trio
Talk about the perfect party board! This bruschetta trio is so easy to make and has different flavor variations. Featuring three vegetarian options-a canned tomato bruschetta and two fruit bruschettas.
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35
Cheesy Sheet Pan Green Beans
This sheet pan green beans recipe is perfect for the busy holiday season when you're craving a comforting meal without the hassle. It contains flavorful Italian sausage, creamy alfredo sauce, and canned green beans. Plus, you get to customize it with any cheese of your choice.
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36
www.dietitianjess.com
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
Flavored with shallots, garlic, dijon mustard, and lemon juice and topped with crunchy almonds and fresh scallions, this cauliflower rice is anything but basic!
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37
www.lauramali.com
Thanksgiving Rice Stuffing
Swap out your typical bread and sausage stuffing for this new take on stuffing that uses a nutty wild rice blend as the base instead of bread.
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38
Veggie Bites
If you're looking for the perfect meal prep snack, this veggie bites recipe was made for you! Customize these veggie muffins with any vegetables and cheese of your choice.
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39
beautifuleatsandthings.com
Easy Sweet Potato Carrot Casserole
This casserole has all the usual goodies with marshmallows and pecans but adds a double dose of veggies with some added sliced carrots to provide a slight twist on a Thanksgiving classic!
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40
carrotsandcookies.com
Lower Sugar Cranberry Sauce
This homemade cranberry sauce is made with less sugar by using orange juice and fresh apple for sweetness and fall flavor.
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41
nourishedbynic.com
Simple Kale Harvest Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
This Kale Harvest Salad is packed with all of the best fall flavors-shredded brussels sprouts, crisp apples, roasted butternut squash, and a maple dijon dressing!
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42
totaste.com
Sweet Potato & Banana Casserole
This sweet potato and banana casserole relies on the natural sweetness of banana rather than sugar to make a healthy and satisfying Thanksgiving favorite!
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43
Fall Charcuterie Board
Who said snacks can't be a side?! Create this seasonal platter by layering over fall fruits, assorted cheeses, crackers, and nuts.
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44
Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
Say hello to dreamy baked mac and cheese bites! This is the perfect recipe to serve at holiday gatherings or large parties.
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Guest contributors: Corrin and Sydney are both Registered-Dietitians-to-be from Westminster, Colorado who are passionate about helping others through food and nutrition. They are both currently Food Science and Human Nutrition majors at Colorado State University looking to graduate in 2023 and pursue their Masters in Dietetics. In their free time, Sydney and Corrin enjoy backpacking in the Colorado mountains, doing yoga, and cooking new recipes. They love sharing their passion for food with others and providing food inspiration on their Instagram page. You can connect with them on Instagram @nutri.liciouseats!
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