Thanksgiving is all about a big, delicious meal, but it’s also about two other things we treasure: spending time with family and enjoying the feast without regrets. If that sounds like your kind of holiday, you’ll love this carefully curated collection of 53 healthier, easy-to-make Thanksgiving side dishes. These recipes help you get out of the kitchen faster, serve a beautiful spread, and still feel great afterward.
We searched far and wide to gather favorite recipes from fellow food bloggers and our own kitchen. Whether you need a last-minute side to bring to grandma’s or you’re planning the whole meal, the ideas below offer inspiration for every taste and skill level.
1) Lemony Green Beans from Deb at Cooking on the Front Burner
2) Green Bean Casserole from Scratch from Christine at Cook the Story
3) Roasted Green Beans with Balsamic-Browned Butter from Two Healthy Kitchens
4) (Unavailable) — consider Balsamic-Glazed Chickpeas and Mustard Greens or Garbanzo Beans and Greens instead
5) Toasted Coconut Green Beans from Lisa at Wine and Glue
6) Charred Green Beans with Garlic and Pomegranate Seeds from Davida at The Healthy Maven
7) Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat Cheese from Gina at Running to the Kitchen
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Carrot Sides
1) Roasted Marsala Carrots from Trish at Mom on Timeout
2) Maple Glazed Carrots with Bacon from Ellen at Confessions of an Overworked Mom
3) Easy Glazed Carrots from Jen at Yummy Healthy Easy
4) Carrot and Roasted Almond Salad from Jen at Frugal Living Mom
5) Bourbon & Honey Glazed Carrots from Gina at So … Let’s Hang Out
6) (Unavailable) — consider Carrot Parsnip Gratin from Eating Well instead
7) Cumin Sautéed Carrots from Kelly at Tasting Page
8) Sautéed Carrots from Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
9) (Unavailable) — try Roasted Citrus Thyme Ombré Carrots or Roasted Beet, Carrot and Scallion Skewers with Tarragon
10) Harvest Maple Carrots and Apples from Jane at The Heritage Cook
11) Simple & Sweet Honey Roasted Carrots from Krista at Joyful Healthy Eats
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Grains & Salads
1) Kale Chopped Salad with Berries and Freekeh (or Quinoa) from Two Healthy Kitchens
2) Quinoa with Pecans and Raisins from Jen at Frugal Living Mom
3) Stuffins from Jocelyn at Inside Bru Crew Life
4) Persian Jeweled Rice from Sue at The View From Great Island
5) Quinoa Salad with Pecans and Cranberries from Anne at Fannetastic Food
6) Ants on a Log Stuffing from Amy at Amy’s Healthy Baking
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Broccoli & Brussels Sprouts
1) Roasted Brussels Sprouts from Carla at Chocolate Moosey
2) Parmesan Roasted Broccoli from Erren at Erren’s Kitchen
3) Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad from Tracey at The Kitchen is My Playground
4) Lemon Parmesan Broccoli from Julia at A Cedar Spoon
5) Maple, Balsamic, and Bacon Brussels Sprouts from Kate at i Heart Eating
6) Roasted Brussels Sprouts on The Stalk from Valerie at Mama Likes to Cook
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Mixed Vegetables & Sides
1) Zucchini Tomato Gratin from Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
2) Sautéed Zucchini with Walnuts from Kristin at Dizzy Busy and Hungry
3) Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes from Miriam at Overtime Cook
4) Salad with Goat Cheese, Pears, Candied Pecans and Maple-Balsamic Dressing from Two Healthy Kitchens
5) Seasoned Baked Potato Wedges from Erren at Erren’s Kitchen
6) Salad with Nuts, Feta and Cranberries (Two Ways!) from Two Healthy Kitchens
7) Collard Greens from Nancy at The Bitter Side of Sweet
8) Honey & Maple Roasted Parsnips from Erren at Erren’s Kitchen
9) Sweet Potato and Leeks with Honey from Sandi at Fearless Dining
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Squash Recipes
1) Roasted Kabocha Squash with Pomegranate and Tahini from Autumn at Autumn Makes & Does
2) Acorn Squash with Rosemary and Walnuts from Erin at Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
3) Butternut Squash and Spelt Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Almonds from Liz at The Lemon Bowl
4) Butternut Squash with Maple from Ellen at Confessions of an Overworked Mom
5) Roasted Butternut Squash with Balsamic and Rosemary from Jen at Frugal Living Mom
6) Roasted Pumpkin with Maple Syrup and Apples from Taylor at Food Faith Fitness
7) Butternut Squash Puree with Honey and Smoked Paprika from Liz at The Lemon Bowl
8) Apple and Nut Stuffed Acorn Squash from Brandy at Nutmeg Nanny
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Fruit-Based Sides
1) Apple Cranberry Sauce with Orange & Ginger from Ashley at Spoonful of Flavor
2) Hearty Fruit and Nut Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing from Two Healthy Kitchens
3) Healthier Sautéed Apples from Erin at Texanerin Baking
4) Cardamom Apple-Pearsauce from Lisa at Snappy Gourmet
5) Cranberry Mango Salsa from Valerie at Mama Likes to Cook
6) Honey Sweetened Orange Cranberry Sauce from Erin at Texanerin Baking
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More Thanksgiving Recipes We LOVE! (Update 2021)
Over the years we’ve added more of our own healthy, easy Thanksgiving side dishes. These extras pair perfectly with the list above and bring the total to 64 delicious ideas.
Adorable Thanksgiving Salad with Butternut Squash “Turkey”
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Family-Favorite Instant Pot Sweet Potato Soup
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Blistered Green Beans (With or Without Potatoes)
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Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey-Dijon Drizzle
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Spinach Salad with Apple, Cheddar and Smoked Almonds
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Microwave Spaghetti Squash with Sage-Browned Butter and Toasted Walnuts
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Oven Roasted Carrots
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Superfoods Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad
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Easy Cranberry Sauce with Apples, Pecans and Pineapple (5 Minutes and No Cooking!)
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5-Minute Savory Pumpkin Hummus with Fresh Sage
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Grape Salad with Cream Cheese-Vanilla Dressing
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If you prefer Instant Pot recipes, we’ve also compiled a dedicated Instant Pot Thanksgiving collection. And if a vegetarian main is needed, check our vegetarian Thanksgiving mains — many of those recipes work equally well as hearty side dishes.
Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!