15 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Anna Brones |

Sep 10, 2024

While Thanksgiving often gets equated with overeating and overindulgence, the holiday doesn’t mean you have to stuff yourself with foods that aren’t good for you. Food brings us together, and Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, so it’s even better if you can put healthy dishes on the table – and just because it’s healthy doesn’t mean it’s not indulgent. So, say goodbye to Thanksgiving side dishes like sweet potato casserole with mini marshmallows and say hello to these 15 healthy sides that are as tasty as they are good for you.

1. Roasted Pumpkin Salad

Forget pumpkin in the pie, put it in a Thanksgiving side dish as well. This hearty salad can be made with or without feta cheese depending on if you’re serving a vegan crowd.

2. Garlicky Greens

Who doesn’t like a warm dish full of garlic? This recipe uses kale but could also be made with spinach.

3. Cranberry Orange Salsa

This fresh take on cranberry sauce depends on the sweetness of an orange to bring out the flavor.

4. Apple and Cumin Lentil Salad

A spicy taste paired with an autumn fruit makes for a hearty side dish.

5. Whole Wheat Bread With Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

Never buy pre-made rolls again. Make this bread instead.

6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brussels sprouts get a bit of a makeover in this warm salad.

7. Pumpkin Pesto Bruschetta

This dish can work as an excellent appetizer before the Thanksgiving meal. Make it with gluten-free bread and everyone is happy.

8. Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash Rings

Squash deserves a place on the table this time of year, and filled full of quinoa this recipe makes for an extra healthy side that’s as good for you as it is aesthetically pleasing.

9. Black Rice, Kale and Aubergine Pilaf

A side of brown rice? Boring. This? Much more exciting.

10. Cranberry, Pomegranate, Persimmon Relish

So many seasonal fruits in one relish.