16 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on November 19, 2025
Side dishes, collectively, are the main attraction at Thanksgiving. If you’re aiming to offer more vegetables and wholesome options on the table, I have a wide variety for you here! These vibrant recipes feature vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, beans and quality dairy products.
“Healthy” dishes can be wildly flavorful, colorful and delicious, and you can prove it with these sides. These recipes are on the lighter side, so they will help balance out rich mashed potatoes and pecan pie. Your guests will leave the table with happy bellies.
Check out my suggestions below, and view my full Thanksgiving recipe collection here.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
This homemade butternut squash soup is the best I’ve ever tasted! This recipe is super creamy (yet cream-less) and full of delicious butternut flavor. Leftover soup tastes even better the next day. Recipe yields about 4 bowls or 6 cups of soup.
Favorite Green Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Pepitas
My favorite fresh salad featuring healthy greens, sliced apple, toasted pepitas, dried cranberries and crumbled goat cheese. Toss with my simple apple cider vinaigrette or use balsamic dressing in a pinch. Recipe yields 4 to 6 side salads.
Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Sauce
This naturally sweetened cranberry sauce recipe is made simply with fresh cranberries, honey or maple syrup and orange zest! It’s easy to make and tastes amazing, too. Recipe yields about 2 cups.
Almost Homemade Green Bean Casserole
This delicious green bean casserole is loaded with fresh green beans and mushrooms (no canned ingredients here). I took one shortcut with the topping, using crushed high-quality potato chips instead of fried onions. It’s easy to make it gluten-free. Recipe yields 6 to 8 side servings.
Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
This vegetarian stuffed acorn squash recipe is beautiful and delicious! The cheesy quinoa filling develops an irresistible crispy top in the oven. Make it for your holiday dinner or serve it on a relaxed weeknight at home. Recipe yields 4 stuffed squash halves.
Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Pecans
This recipe features roasted Brussels sprouts, pecans, cranberries, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. This simple side dish is utterly irresistible and perfect for the holidays! Recipe yields 4 to 6 side servings.
Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
Make this sweet potato casserole recipe for T-day! Topped with buttery pecans, this creamy sweet potato casserole will be a BIG hit. Recipe yields 8 to 10 servings.
Fresh Creamed Spinach
This creamed spinach recipe is made with fresh baby spinach and cream cheese. It’s deliciously rich and creamy, but not over the top. Recipe yields 4 to 6 side servings.
Butternut Tabbouleh
This fresh winter tabbouleh salad recipe features butternut squash instead of tomatoes, along with some dried cranberries for complementary flavor. This recipe yields 4 side salads. Feel free to double the recipe; if you do, you’ll likely need to cook the butternut squash longer than indicated below.
Honey Mustard Brussels Sprout Slaw
This delicious slaw recipe features shredded Brussels sprouts tossed with tangy honey mustard dressing, toasted almonds and dried cherries (or cranberries). Recipe yields 4 substantial side servings; double if desired.
Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These incredible mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with herbs, butter and sour cream. No marshmallows or brown sugar in this savory recipe! Recipe yields 6 to 8 side servings.
Pomegranate & Pear Green Salad with Ginger Dressing
This gorgeous green salad recipe is bursting with fresh pomegranate, Bartlett pear and Honeycrisp apple! This salad will brighten up your holiday table, and liven up a regular weeknight dinner. Recipe yields 4 to 6 side salads.
Best Ever Green Beans
This green bean recipe will become your new favorite side dish. Inspired by a classic French recipe (haricots verts amandine), these green beans feature buttery toasted almonds, tender shallots, and a squeeze of lemon. Recipe yields 4 generous side servings; you can double the recipe by cooking it in a large Dutch oven.
Roasted Butternut Squash, Pomegranate and Wild Rice “Stuffing”
This vibrant vegetarian stuffing recipe features roasted butternut squash, kale, pomegranate and wild rice. It’s a showstopper! This recipe yields 6 to 12 servings (a lot!). You can cut this recipe in half, if desired.
Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Cauliflower mashed potatoes are creamy and delicious! This healthy side dish recipe is a satisfying alternative to mashed potatoes. Recipe yields 4 cups, enough for 8 half-cup servings.
Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas & Herbed Crème Fraîche
This roasted carrot recipe looks gourmet, but it’s surprisingly easy to make! Serve it as a vegetarian main dish, and everyone else can enjoy it as a side. Recipe yields 4 main dish servings to 8 side servings, depending on portions.
More resources you might appreciate: What to Cook This November and 35+ Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes.
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