50 Healthy Thanksgiving Sides

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From fall salads and roasted vegetables to lightened up classics like stuffing and mashed potatoes here are 50+ easy and healthy Thanksgiving sides to add to your holiday menu!

Collage of four photos: sweet potato casserole, roasted brussels sprouts, stuffing and baked mac and cheese.
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When it comes to Thanksgiving I’m all about the side dishes! I know many people are all about the turkey or pie, but for me side dishes is where it’s at. And not just any ol’ side dish… I love healthy Thanksgiving sides.

Think caramelized roasted vegetables, flavor-packed fall salads and lightened up classics like green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole (my personal fave!), mashed potatoes and stuffing.

Yup, that’s right. Healthy Thanksgiving side dishes don’t have to be boring or just a plate of plain vegetables. You can absolutely enjoy your favorite holiday flavors with better-for-you ingredients that still taste amazing.

How to Plan a Healthy Thanksgiving Menu

When I’m planning our Thanksgiving menu, I like to think about balance. There are always a few classic comfort foods on the table, but I also make sure to include some lighter veggie-forward dishes and at least one fresh salad.

Here’s the general flow I follow when building our spread:

  • Something starchy: Think mashed potatoes, stuffing, or sweet potato casserole.
  • A couple veggie sides: Roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or green beans are always a hit.
  • A fresh salad: This helps balance out the richness of other dishes. My green bean salad is always a hit! (find the full recipe in the recipe card below).
  • A cozy classic: Green bean casserole or mac and cheese brings that nostalgic holiday comfort.
  • A light appetizer: Just enough to keep everyone happy before dinner, without spoiling the meal.

Whether you’re hosting or just bringing a dish to share, this list has something for every table and every kind of eater. Let’s dive in!

Appetizers

All good Thanksgiving meals start with a few tasty hors d’oeuvres. These light bites will keep everyone from getting ravenous before the main event.

A large plate of multiple dates that are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with chopped pecans and fresh thyme.

Salads

I personally love having something green on the table during our Thanksgiving feast and all of these salads are family-approved. I make the brussels sprout and kale salad every year!

A beet salad with arugula, pecans, and crumbled feta in a bowl with two metal serving spoons.

Soups

Want to serve a cozy soup during your Thanksgiving meal? These fall-inspired soups are sure to satisfy.

Two bowls of carrot parsnip soup garnished with scallions and shredded gruyere cheese.

Air Fryer Recipes

If you have an air fryer and want to save some oven space here are a few air fryer recipes that would make for easy Thanksgiving side dishes.

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Healthy Thanksgiving Sides

From fall salads and roasted vegetables to lightened up classics like stuffing and mashed potatoes here are 50+ easy and healthy Thanksgiving sides to add to your holiday menu!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients  

Salad

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
  • cup toasted nuts, chopped (I used walnuts)
  • cup dried cranberries

Dressing

Fried Shallots

  • ¼ cup olive oil, or avocado oil
  • 1 cup sliced shallots

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Add nuts to a small baking sheet and place in the heated oven for about 10 minutes to toast, until they are golden and fragrant. You can toast nuts whole and chop after toasting or toast chopped nuts. If your nuts are already chopped it will take less time for them to toast. This step is optional but recommended.
  • Blanch the green beans by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes, until tender, but still have a slight crunch. Drain and add to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, minced shallots, dijon mustard, sea salt and pepper.
  • Add blanched green beans, nuts and dried cranberries into the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
  • While salad is chilling, make fried shallots by slicing shallots into thin rings with a knife or mandoline. Add shallots and oil to a frying pan. Turn heat to medium-high and saute shallots for about 5-7 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 3-5 more minutes or until shallots are golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly! Transfer the fried shallots to a plate or pan lined with paper towels or a clean dishcloth to soak up the extra oil. Let cool completely.
  • Once you’re ready to serve, mix your salad together (the dressing will go to the bottom after sitting) and top it with the fried shallots right before serving.

Notes

  • Storage: This salad can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just wait to add the fried shallots until right before serving to keep them crispy. Store the shallots separately in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • Make ahead tip: You can blanch the green beans and mix the salad with dressing a day in advance. The flavor gets even better as it sits.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of recipe | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: green bean salad
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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