26 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Are Still Comforting
Try mac and cheese made with butternut squash! 😋
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If you want to include a few healthy Thanksgiving recipes to your holiday menu this year, the side dishes are a great place to start! Think about it: you can include tons of vegetable Thanksgiving sides, fall salads, and even some lightened up versions of your favorite classics. That includes new variations on mac and cheese, comforting Thanksgiving casseroles, and sweet potato recipes. Ahead, you’ll find all those healthy Thanksgiving side dishes and so much more! In fact, your family will be happy to have a few good-for-you dishes on the table to balance out all those tasty Thanksgiving pies!
Plus, most of these healthy and creative Thanksgiving recipes are easy to incorporate into your traditional holiday fare, like the air fryer Thanksgiving recipes and fall vegetables. They're perfect for a vegetarian Thanksgiving menu. Of course, they would also make for a delicious side dish for your big roasted turkey. Check out the roasted cauliflower, wild rice stuffing, air fryer okra, and a fun twist on mac and cheese made with creamy butternut squash. There's also tons of healthy Brussels sprouts recipes! Whichever you choose, be sure to save some room for a few healthy desserts.
Roasted Cauliflower
This recipe for roasted cauliflower gets crisp and caramelized rather than soft and mushy. The key is to use the biggest baking sheet you have!
Get the Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Just as delicious during the week as they are on the holidays, these sweet potato fries are a must-have for any family meal. They get crisp and tender thanks to the air fryer.
Get the Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries recipe.
Couscous Salad
A hearty salad made with couscous is a great way to add in something healthy to your meal. The pops of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs make it a dish that everyone will love.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction
Tangy balsamic vinegar is the perfect compliment to seasonal Brussels sprouts. Add some walnuts for crunch and an extra boost of nutrition!
Maple-Glazed Carrots
Instead of sugar, this recipe uses all natural maple syrup to give the carrots a sweet glaze. It's an easy way to add some color to your plate.
Get Ree's Maple-Glazed Carrots recipe.
Cauliflower Steak
Packed with fiber, folate, and vitamins C and K, cauliflower is a great choice for those who are trying to eat healthy. Here, they might even steal the show from the turkey!
Get the Cauliflower Steak recipe.
Garlic Green Beans
The simple ingredients in this green bean recipe make it lighter than most heavy casseroles. If you want something that's even lower in fat or calories, use just 1 tablespoon of oil and butter. It'll still taste delicious!
Get the Garlic Green Beans recipe.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Skip your typical mashed potato recipe in favor of these mashed sweet potatoes instead. They're a good source of fiber and they're loaded with vitamin A.
Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
These days, you can find Brussels sprouts just about everywhere. But have you ever tried them raw in a salad? They're crunchy and flavorful just like a slaw.
Get the Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
Air Fryer Potatoes
If potatoes are non-negotiable on your Thanksgiving table, try making them healthier by cooking them in an air fryer. They'll taste just as crispy as fried potatoes.
Get the Air Fryer Potatoes recipe.
Butternut Squash Casserole
Loaded with leafy kale and winter squash, this casserole dish is both hearty and healthy. Look for pre-peeled and chopped butternut squash at the grocery store to make it even easier.
Get the Butternut Squash Casserole recipe.
Green Bean Salad
For a healthy twist on this green veggie, turn it into a refreshing salad. The mix-ins, like olives, goat cheese, and roasted almonds, give it a ton of flavor.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Roasted Vegetables with Pecan Crumble
You'll get your share of root vegetables with this Thanksgiving side dish—it includes butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
Get Ree's Roasted Vegetables with Pecan Crumble recipe.
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Maple syrup is a natural way of sweetening this holiday side. It also has apple juice but you can swap in chicken stock for a lower sugar alternative.
Get the Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Sometimes simple is best! And these green beans are the proof. They're easy, flavorful, and perfect alongside whatever your main course might be.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Holiday Wild Rice Salad
Just because you're serving salad doesn't mean it needs to be boring. This holiday-inspired dish is loaded with healthy mix-ins, like wild rice, nuts, grapes, apples, and pomegranate seeds.
Get the Holiday Wild Rice Salad recipe.
Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
We all know that carrots are good for you—they're packed with vitamin A. Try giving them the sweet and savory treatment by cooking them with fresh thyme and a touch of honey.
Get Ree's Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips recipe.
Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole
If you're unfamiliar with wild rice, now is a great time to try it! It's lower in calories compared to white rice and it provides a nice, chewy texture to this casserole recipe.
Get Ree's Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole recipe.
Air Fryer Okra
Any Southern Thanksgiving menu needs to have okra on the table. This version is made lighter by using the air fryer to crisp up the vegetables.
Get the Air Fryer Okra recipe.
Ranch Chopped Salad
This crisp salad comes together in just 20 minutes, so it's a no-brainer if you want to add something fresh to your holiday menu.
Get the Ranch Chopped Salad recipe.
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