We all know that Thanksgiving side dishes are the best part of the meal! Every year, we look forward to serving our tried-and-true Thanksgiving side dish recipes, as well as a few new ones to add to the mix. When you’re on the search for fresh, healthy, and (most-of-all) delicious recipes to add to your Thanksgiving menu, look no further than these top-rated holiday side dishes from The Real Food Dietitians.
Healthy Thanksgiving side dishes You’ll Love
Every Thanksgiving table needs something fresh, something roasted, something sweet, and something savory. Here we’ve assembled our best healthy Thanksgiving side dish recipes, including fresh salads, roasted veggies, and lots of potato dishes. Want to skip the decision making, then check out our Done-For-You Thanksgiving Menu featuring everything you need: recipes, grocery list, prep timeline, and even printable menu cards. Prefer to select your Thanksgiving side dish recipes a la carte? Then just scroll on down through the drool-worthy choices.
Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Salads
Dairy-Free | Paleo | Vegan | Whole30
Hearty winter veggies, harvest fruits, and crunchy seeds pack a flavorful punch in this Thanksgiving salad recipe. The kale can be massaged up to three days in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready to toss it with the remaining ingredients and serve. The colors and textures in each bite will have you and your guests coming back for seconds. Total time: 15 minutes.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Here’s a perfect Thanksgiving salad recipe inspired by the popular store-bought sweet kale salad kit. It comes together with kale, shredded Brussels sprouts, broccoli slaw, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, and a delicious poppy seed-yogurt dressing. Total time: 25 minutes.
Dairy Free | Gluten Free | Paleo | Whole30
This flavorful and fresh salad makes the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. It’s made with florets of broccoli and cauliflower, grapes, red onion, sunflower seeds, and an easy dairy-free dressing. Total time: 20 minutes.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free
This fresh remake of an old family favorite salad is one that everyone will love to see on your Thanksgiving table. Made with an easy yogurt dressing, fresh broccoli florets, raisins, sunflower seeds, and bacon, it’s even better than you remember. Total time: 25 minutes.
Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Veggies & Stuffing
Egg-Free. | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian
If you thought that acorn squash could only be made with butter and brown sugar, we’re here to tell you otherwise. Here, crusted thin slices of squash get crusted with herbs and cheese for an unexpectedly delicious Thanksgiving side dish that everyone is going to love. Total time: 35 minutes.
Dairy Free | Gluten Free | Paleo
These perfectly roasted Brussels with bacon will be the talk of your Thanksgiving table. They’re that good! It’s a simple side-dish that’s made with just seven ingredients. The combination of perfectly roasted garlic Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, crisp bacon, tart cranberries, toasted pecans, and melty feta cheese is heavenly. Total time: 40 minutes.
Dairy-Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Paleo | Vegan | Whole30
Thanksgiving often brings together people with different diet requirements, allergies, preferences, and sensitivities. It can be hard to find a Thanksgiving side dish recipes to please them all – until now. This grain-free, plant-based, veggie-packed stuffing has all the flavor of traditional bread stuffing that everyone can enjoy. Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes.
Dairy Free | Gluten Free | Paleo | Vegetarian | Whole30
Your won’t get any of the “stuffed” feeling, but you will get all of the flavor when you add this delicious sweet potato-based “unstuffing” to your table. Perfect for guests who love the flavor of stuffing, but need to avoid gluten or grains. It’s loaded with a variety of veggies, plus dried cherries, apples, pecans, and fresh herbs. Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Dairy Free | Gluten Free | Paleo | Vegan
Made with just six ingredients, this savory-sweet side dish features cinnamon- and maple-flavored sweet potatoes, apples, and pecans. It’s so simple, but always a side dish to love on your Thanksgiving table. Total time: 55 minutes.
Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Potatoes
Dairy Free, Gluten Free | Paleo, Whole30
When it comes to sweet potato casserole, ditch the overly sweet marshmallow topping in favor of this crunchy maple-cranberry-pecan topping with crispy bacon, too! It’s creamy, crunchy, savory, and sweet. Total time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
Dairy-Free | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Paleo | Vegan
Think mashed potatoes, only better. In these soft and creamy mashed sweet potatoes, maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness. A perfect complement to turkey, pork, chicken, and more. Total time: 50 minutes.
Dairy-Free | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Paleo | Nut-Free
Sweet potatoes, red onions, and bacon get perfectly caramelized when they roast together on a sheet pan. Then add the flavor addition from a simple maple vinaigrette, and even your veggie-snubbing uncle will be asking for more. The next day, pair any leftovers with a fried egg. Delish! Total time: 40 minutes.
Dairy Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Paleo | Vegetarian | Whole30
Serve the creamy and crispy sweet pan smashed potatoes as an appetizer or side dish at your Thanksgiving feast. With a crunchy, crackled surface, these flattened potatoes pair perfectly with a bright herb-garlic oil. Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Paleo
Cook perfectly fluffy mashed potatoes in your slow cooker, keeping your stovetop free and filling your home with amazing smells. These mashers are truly loaded (with garlic, bacon, chives, Cheddar, and ranch) for a classic Thanksgiving side dish with an elevated feel. Total time: 4 hours, 20 minutes.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Paleo | Vegetarian | Whole30
For a show-stopping Thanksgiving potato side dish, try these crispy, buttery halved and roasted potatoes seasoned with herbs, onion and garlic. Serve them with a side of ranch dressing for dipping or drizzling. Total time: 45 minutes.
Pin Them Now & Make Them Later
All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
