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46 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
We all know that turkey is the main feature when it comes to holiday feasts but what about healthy Thanksgiving side dishes? Check out my top 30 Thanksgiving sides that will go perfectly with your holiday meal this year.
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How to Turn Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes Healthier
Remember, typically Thanksgiving main courses can be super healthy (thanksgiving classic, turkey is a lean protein, roasted potatoes are a delicious way to get in a starchy carbohydrate, salads and roasted vegetables are always a win).
If you have a traditional recipe that is high in fat, sugar, etc but you want to lighten it up for Thanksgiving dinner here are some tips:
- Cut the sugar. If grandma’s cranberry sauce recipe calls for 1-2 cups of sugar, start with half. Taste and adjust as you go. Even if you cut 1/4 of the sugar, that’s still a difference. You could also try to use a sugar alternative such as Swerve.
Note: I always recommend trying it ahead of time. I haven’t found a recipe that Swerve doesn’t work in, but I don’t want the first one to be the recipe you’re cooking for a group of people. - Reduce the fat. Instead of heavy whipping cream in the scalloped potatoes, could you try half and half? Or can you use less? Instead of 2 cups of shredded cheese over the casserole, how about one? Can you sneak in another vegetable in the stuffing? I’m not talking about huge changes here, just little swaps.
- Add flavor with herbs and spices. Fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme bring out the Thanksgiving aromas we love to walk into the kitchen for. Why not add them to your dish to add more flavor without the excess calories and sodium?
- Don’t dress the salad. Instead of pouring the vinaigrette or dressing overtop of the salad, serve it on the side so you and your guests can have control over how much you want to add.
Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
I sectioned off these Thanksgiving side dish recipes into the following:
- Vegetable side dishes
- Potato side dishes
- Squash side dishes
- Casserole recipes for Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving Salads
- Stuffing recipes
Vegetable Side Dishes
If we’re going to talk about healthy sides for Thanksgiving, then we need to share some vegetable sides.
This can be as simple as a veggie tray from the grocery store (my rule for clients is, when in doubt a veggie tray is the answer).
Or you can serve up some delicious roasted vegetables as an easy thanksgiving side dish like these Roasted Rainbow Carrots.
Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Roasted rosemary rainbow carrots are the perfect side dish for any meal. Simply garnished with garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper, these little babies are the perfect combination of savory with just a hint of sweetness. Excellent for holidays as well as weeknight meals.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan and Balsamic
This easy air fryer side dish is made in just 10 minutes. Try this healthy recipe for crispy air fryer brussels sprouts with parmesan and balsamic recipe tonight.
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Apple Butternut Squash Casserole with Cranberries | Busy Day Dinners
Make this easy and festive Apple Butternut Squash Casserole with Cranberries recipe. All the flavors of fall come together in this delicious side dish.
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Green Beans Almondine | Everyday Family Cooking
Green beans almondine is bursting with flavor! Fresh green beans, garlic, crunchy almonds, and the perfect touch of zesty lemon in each bite.
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Roasted carrots with tahini – Throughthefibrofog
Roasted carrots with tahini dressing. A simple but tasty recipe of sweet paprika marinated carrots with a drizzle of tahini dressing and pomegranate seeds.
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Pesto Brussels sprouts – Throughthefibrofog
These pesto Brussels sprouts are a flavourful healthy side dish, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, as well as your evening meal!
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Glazed Shallots
I know what you’re thinking…glazed shallots? But this is the love you never knew you had. These Glazed Shallots are insanely delicious, they’re just like eating candy!
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Roasted Asparagus (Paleo, Keto)
Roasted Asparagus is easy to prepare and nutrient-dense. Simply brush the stalks with olive oil, season, and roast for 10 to 15 minutes.
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Air Fryer Green Beans
The tastiest (and easiest) air fryer green beans. Simple, delicious, crisp, fresh and tasty! The best keto side dish I have made yet!
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Pan Seared Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts • Happy Kitchen
These quick balsamic glazed brussels sprouts are crispy, lightly sweet and utterly delicious. Perfect vegan side dish for your holiday menu!
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Cranberries with Pecans & Balsamic Vinegar
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries with Pecans and Balsamic Vinegar is a colorful and flavorful side dish perfect for a holiday dinner or any special occasion.
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Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe {The EASIEST Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving!}
Not a veggie, but a staple! Incredibly simple to make, this flavorful and delicious Homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe will be your new favorite Thanksgiving side dish! Can be made days in advance of your holiday meal.
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Potato Side Dishes (Both Regular and Sweet Potato)
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
This Roasted Sweet Potato Salad not only is Whole30 compliant but adds a healthy twist to the traditional bbq side dish.
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Parmesan Thyme Roasted Potatoes
Parmesan Thyme Roasted Potatoes are the easiest potato recipe! These luscious potato wedges are dusted in fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese.
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Easy, Roasted Sweet Potatoes
You only need 5 ingredients to make these simple roasted sweet potatoes! Deliciously seasoned and perfectly caramelized – the perfect side for any meal!
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Best Ratatouille Recipe
This is the best Ratatouille that’s loaded with fresh vegetables, perfect for a meatless meal that’s super quick to make. Make a delicious and healthy vegetable stew for a quick delicious summer meal that everyone loves. Ratatouille is one of my favorite animated movies, and if you haven’t seen it y…
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Lyonnaise Potatoes
Potatoes Lyonnaise are a classic French side dish made from crispy slices of potatoes, buttery onions and fresh chopped parsley!
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Healthy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes (stuffed with goat cheese, cranberries and herbs!)
These Healthy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes are super easy to make and you can do all the work ahead of time! A perfect side dish for holiday dinner or a casual supper.
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White Bean Butternut Squash Mash (Oil Free!) ~ Veggie Inspired
This creamy Butternut Squash Mash is a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes. Savory white beans blend in seamlessly and thicken it up.
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Boursin Mashed Potatoes
Make-ahead Boursin mashed potatoes are the perfect Thanksgiving recipe! These Boursin cheese mashed potatoes are easy, herby, and delicious!
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Squash Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
Since squash is in season it’s one of the best healthy sides for Thanksgiving.
Here are some colorful (and flavorful) autumn squash side dishes.
Hasselback Butternut Squash
This Hasselback Butternut Squash is an easy butternut squash recipe with a handful of ingredients, little hands on time, and results in a striking side dish.
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Baked Acorn Squash Slices
Covered in a sweet and spicy seasoning made with brown sugar, chili powder, and more, this oven-roasted acorn squash with pumpkin seeds, pomegranate seeds, and sage leaves will be a fave Thanksgiving Dinner side dish.
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Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries & Apples – Monica Nedeff
Not overly sweet Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Apples are roasted in orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and honey!
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Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
This Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash is filled with sausage, celery, apples, feta cheese, & walnuts. It’s hearty and cozy, perfect for the colder winter months and holidays.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Medley
One of the most flavorful, delicious ways to prepare butternut squash! Roasted with apples, bacon, pecans and shallots, this savory and slightly sweet side-dish is easy enough for a weeknight meal, and fancy enough to accompany your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner!
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Mashed Turnips (Paleo, Low Carb, Keto)
Need an alternative to potatoes that’s paleo, low carb, and keto friendly? Try mashed turnips which have a bit more flavor than other options.
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Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe
Stuffed Butternut Squash. An easy recipe that is vegan, gluten-free and can stand on it’s own as a main dish for Thanksgiving. Or, serve as a side dish.
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Spicy Honey Roasted Pumpkin Recipe
Spicy Honey Roasted Pumpkin is an easy pumpkin recipe that keeps it simple. Seasoned pumpkin slices eaten right off the skin. It is a delicious side dish recipe or healthy snack for fall, that everyone including kids will love. You may want to swap the spice blend a bit to reduce heat for little one…
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Healthy Thanksgiving Casserole Side Dishes
Is it even Thanksgiving without a casserole of something on the table?
Here are a few to try.
Butternut Squash Casserole (Vegan)
Healthy vegan butternut squash casserole with sweet potato, brown rice, wild rice, cranberries, raisins, a sweet balsamic sauce.
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Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe
This easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is a healthy holiday side dish! This family favorite Thanksgiving side dish is the perfect amount of sweet and wholesome–you’re going to love it! Mashed sweet potato casserole topped with coconut sugar and pecans | holiday side dish | healthy holiday side…
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Root Vegetable Casserole – Freezer-Friendly Comfort Food
This Root Vegetable Casserole is amazing – DELICIOUS, easy, CHEAP, healthy, versatile and can be made ahead of time. Freezer-friendly and feeds a crowd!
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Black Beans, Kale and Quinoa • Happy Kitchen
Comforting vegan sweet potato casserole with black beans, kale, quinoa and roasted garlic sauce. Easy to assemble and perfect to make ahead.
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Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole from scratch! Real fried onions and a homemade sauce make this delicious and MSG free, a healthier alternative for Thanksgiving. Gluten and dairy free options available.
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Salads for Thanksgiving
One of the easiest side dishes for Thanksgiving is salads. It’s my personal go to and you don’t have to put yourself out. A simple bagged salad from the grocery store is more than enough (in my opinion, it’s one of the best thanksgiving sides), but if you want to throw something unique together here are some delicious ideas.
Fall Harvest Salad
This Fall Harvest Salad is full of kale, sweet potatoes, & candied pumpkin seeds. Plus, a maple tahini dressing to drizzle over the top!
Click here for the recipe
Pumpkin And Beetroot Salad (Vegan)
This easy pumpkin and beetroot salad features roasted pumpkin and beets, fresh leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, and a mustard lemon vinaigrette. The tart and sweet dressing brightens and ties beautifully all ingredients together and the
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Lacinato Kale Salad with Butternut Squash & Dates Recipe – Mae’s Menu
Put together a hearty, healthy, and tasty salad worth of a celebration or holiday with this Lacinato Kale Salad with Butternut Squash.
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Harvest Salad with Pears and Pomegrantes {A Gorgeous, Healthy Salad perfect for the Holidays!}
Looking for an amazing pear salad recipe? My Harvest Salad with Pears and Pomegranates is fantastic! Beautiful enough for a Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish and simple enough to make for weekday lunch paired with chicken or turkey!
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Fall Cobb Salad
Fall Cobb Salad is packed with the fun flavors and textures of the season. The salad is finished off with a rosemary and apple cider vinegar salad dressing.
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Roasted Pumpkin and Beetroot Salad | Maple + Mango
This hearty Roasted Pumpkin and Beetroot Salad recipe is the perfect fall/winter salad or holiday side dish. Delicious, beautiful and easy to make!
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Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes
When it comes to homemade stuffing recipes for Thanksgiving, everyone has a different preference so I wanted to give a few options.
Yes, stuffing can be considered healthy as long as you eat it in moderation. Don’t for 1-2 cups on your plate (although it’s tempting), take a serving, enjoy it, and move on.
Sourdough Stuffing Recipe
Learn how to make sourdough stuffing for the holidays. This stuffing recipe uses sourdough bread, herbs & spices to create a moist turkey dinner side dish.
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Traditional Bread Stuffing
If I had to choose my favorite sides for Thanksgiving, Traditional Bread Stuffing is definitely at the top of the list. That’s what I grew up on and my mom’s was always the best!
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Everything Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe
This Thanksgiving stuffing recipe will be an instant holiday dinner favorite with everyone at the table!  Loaded with apples, sausage, mushrooms, pecans and more, this easy stuffing recipe is the ultimate side dish for your holiday meal. Can be made in the oven or slow cooker!
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Vegan Cauliflower Stuffing Recipe
This low carb riced Cauliflower Stuffing can be made in the Instant Pot or in the oven, and is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish! All of the traditional dressing flavor with less carbs and calories than your traditional stuffing recipe–and it’s vegan. Vegan Stuffing Recipe | Low-Carb Stuffing Recip…
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Gluten-Free Stuffing
Gluten-Free Stuffing! Easy, classic stuffing – full of flavor and perfect for your holiday feasts! It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a big spoonful of savory, stuffing on your plate!Â
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Low Carb Riced Cauliflower Stuffing
Low Carb Riced Cauliflower Stuffing is has all the flavors of traditional stuffing without the carbs. You’ll never miss the bread!
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Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing
This Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing recipe is a classic holiday stuffing recipe made with fresh sage, breakfast sausage, and gluten free cornbread.
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Enjoy these healthy Thanksgiving recipes with your family and let me know in the comments what ones you chose for your Thanksgiving menu.
There are so many great tips to making healthier holiday recipes here…I’m a firm believer that there’s way too much sugar in most recipes. Thanks so much for including my cauliflower stuffing!
You’re welcome Marice. I agree, it’s easy to just lower it (even if its a tad). Our grandma’s loved adding sugar to everything haha!