35+ Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes for 2021
The best Thanksgiving side dishes for your holiday meal, all in one place! Recipes include casseroles, sweet potato recipes, green beans, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salads and more.
Out of all of the Thanksgiving dishes, the side dishes often make the meal. Whether you are looking for more traditional side dish recipes or want to try something new, you’ll find plenty of easy options below.
Thanksgiving sides are often loaded with unhealthy ingredients, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Even during the holiday season, you can prepare healthy yet delicious foods for your family. I guarantee that no one at your holiday dinner will miss the extra butter or cream in these delicious recipes.
I’ve done the work for you to round up this list of healthier holiday side dish ideas, so now all you have to do is choose which ones to try first! I hope this list will be a resource for you as you plan your Thanksgiving meal and Christmas menu.
Many of these Thanksgiving side dishes can be made ahead to save you time on the big day, and all are perfect for serving with your turkey dinner.
Best Thanksgiving Sides
Broccoli Casserole from Scratch
Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Kale Salad
Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash Wild Rice Salad
Quinoa with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Leeks
Mashed Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese and Rosemary
Pomegranate Fennel Quinoa Salad
Roasted Delicata Squash with Fresh Cranberries
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Spinach Salad with Quinoa and Apple
Garlic & Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower
Cranberry Pear Salad with Fresh Pear Vinaigrette
Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta
Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
Loaded Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Caramelized Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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This roundup looks fantastic, Kristine! I agree that the side dishes are definitely the star of the show. Thanks so much for including my sweet potatoes!
I cannot wait for all of the Thanksgiving sides! Luckily as food bloggers we get to sample some of them early. 🙂 I could make a whole meal out of your stuffed sweet potatoes!
What a phenomenal list! Thanks for including me 🙂
Pinning! 🙂
Thanks, Rachel! I’ve made your roasted green beans many times and love them!
THis is an amazing round-up! Wow, so many healthy choices here! Thanks for including me.
Thank you, Kelly! Your roasted delicata squash looks delish!
Holidays are absolutely all about the sides! This round up rocks the dang house!! Love that everything is lightened up! Pinned! Cheers! 😉
Thanks, Cheyanne! These lighter recipes certainly don’t make you feel like you’d be missing out, do they? 🙂
These all look fantastic, Kristine! I love Thanksgiving but sometimes I feel so heavy afterwards. Love to have some healthy inspiration. Thanks for including me!
I try to make sure we always have leftovers for the next day, so I don’t feel the need to stuff myself on the day of. But it usually happens anyways. 😉 Your cauliflower mash and quinoa salad look absolutely delicious!
Side dishes are my favorite part of Thanksgiving! All of these sound amazing!
Mine too! Thanks, Natalie!
Wow, this is such a great collection, can I have a Thanksgiving dinner made up entirely of sides? Thanks so much for including my Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole with all of this goodness!
Thank you, Meghan! I love your take on sweet potato casserole!
I’m all about the sides (well, and the desserts). Who needs a turkey when you have all this goodness! Thanks for the love! XO
I could make a meal with just the sides and desserts, Liz!
These are pure foodie perfection! Thanks for featuring my recipe Kristine! Pinning! <3
Thanks, Jenn! I can’t wait to try your roasted butternut squash recipe!
Dear Kristine, what a perfect roundup. I love these healthier choices…everything looks great! xo, Catherine
Thank you, Catherine! I think these recipes prove that healthy doesn’t mean boring or lacking in flavor!
Love this round-up!! I have so many that I want to make now! Thanks for sharing succotash ragout recipe. You’re the best! Hugs!!
Thanks, Cyndi! Your recipe looks delicious!
Definitely some great inspiration here, love seeing other people’s favorties to help me plan out my own menu!
Favorites** 🙂
Me too, Mary! 🙂
This round up is making me so excited for Thanksgiving, and I love that these dishes are healthy! Thank you for including my cranberry pear salad, Kristine!
Thanks, Marcie! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!