Last Updated on September 7, 2023 by Chef Mireille
Are you looking for Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Impress? Easter? Or just a weeknight dinner? These 20 Healthy Side Dishes to Impress are so versatile – there is something for everyone.
Although these healthy side dishes can be used for both simple dinners as well as holiday meals, let’s focus on the Thanksgiving table.
So many of the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes are loaded with not the healthiest of ingredients like candied yams, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese and rich gravy.
Sure we all love the cream, butter and sugar, but balance is important. So how about introducing some new recipes to the dinner table this holiday season to balance out all the fat and sugar.
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Table of Contents
Sure I have some more traditional Thanksgiving Recipes posted on this site like Cranberry Sauce, Cornbread Dressing and Pumpkin Pie, but with this collection of the Best Thanksgiving Side Dish recipes, I wanted to give give you some healthier options to balance out your Thanksgiving feast.
There is one thing these healthy side dish recipes don’t compromise on and that is flavor! So check out this collection of tasty recipes using fresh ingredients and they will soon become the favorite side dishes your family will love!
Many times vegans and vegetarians are an afterthought when preparing holiday meals in America, however, the rise of vegans, vegetarians and gluten free people means I can almost guarantee that there is someone that follows one of these diets at many of your Thanksgiving tables.
Many of the common veggie side dishes will still often have bacon, ham or other meat added to it. Although there are some of these below like the Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, there are many options here that are completely meat free, dairy free, gluten free, vegan or vegetarian. Whatever dietary restriction you need to accommodate, you will find in this collection of Best Thanksgiving Sides.
Since this site focuses on helping you Travel your Tastebuds, many of these recipes are globally inspired like Bolivian Cabbage Potatoes and Indian Chole Adraki. But don’t you get bored of the same traditional dishes with your Thanksgiving turkey year after year? After all, variety is the spice of life so lets keep this ideal going when you plan this year’s Thanksgiving Dinner Menu.
Before we get to the side dishes, do check out this collection of Alternative Thanksgiving Menu’s if you’d like to add even more global flavors to your Thanksgiving Menu.
Now let’s take a look at the delicious recipes!
Grain Salads
- Moroccan Couscous Salad
- Soba Noodle Salad with Brussel Sprouts
- Wheatberry Kale Salad
- Tabbouleh Salad
Green Salads
- Fig and Mozzarella Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower Fattoush
- Beet Carrot Salad
Legume Recipes
- Senegalese Black Eyed Pea Salad
- Chole Adraki
Vegetable Recipes
- Sri Lankan Green Beans Curry
- Dandelion Quiche
- Mango Jicama Salad
- Balsamic Glazed Beets
- Overnight Herb Roasted Tomatoes
- ​Brazilian Chayote
- Harissa Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Ethiopian Gomen Wat
- Cabbage Foogath
- Bolivian Cabbage Potatoes
- Alu Chorchori
There is something for everything in this collection:
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Carb Free
- High Protein
- Low Fat
Healthy Sides for all Your Meals
Grain Salad Recipes
Green Salad Recipes
Legume Recipes
Vegetable Recipes
Don’t forget to visit the RECIPE INDEX with over 1000 recipes from around the world including lots of Vegetarian Recipes and Gluten Free Recipes!
Many great options to choose from thanks for sharing this just in time to start planning and find all the ingredients. The chayote dish looks fantastic, and that veggie is now in season.
with dried shrimp and malaguete peppers, that is such a quick and easy yet delicious way to prepare the vegetable – I’m sure you will like it!
Well I think you have something for everyone in this delicious collection of recipes. Thanksgiving is just a “filling” meal, it is nice to have some healthy choices in the mix of all the food.
exactly – I like to pair my turkey with healthy sides so I can enjoy as much dessert as I want 🙂
What a great collection of healthy side dishes. These are sure to please everyone this Thanksgiving.
yes – show them that healthy can be delicious too!
I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year for the first time and have been debating what to make. Thanks for putting together so many delicious-looking recipes! This is a huge help.
your welcome – you must let me know which ones you try and how everyone liked it 🙂
Fennel and ginger cauliflower sounds so yummy! We don’t have Thanksgiving here, but I might need to make my own kind of Thanksgiving anyway because everything looks so delicious.
Thanksgiving is more about family and good food than to celebrate any history especially if you understand what atrocities have been done to Native Americans you would prefer not to celebrate the history of the holiday. No matter what country you are in you can always celebrate family and food!
Great choice of sides! I love the sound of the cauliflower, fennel and ginger and the ginger chickpeas!As you can guess I love ginger!
then you will love these healthy options infused with ginger 🙂
Thank you for sharing this post, I am in the process of planning for Thanksgiving dinner and this list is very much helpful! Especially the balsamic glazed beets recipe.
that is such an easy recipe and full of so much flavor!
So helpful, now I don’t have to dig around for recipes for the holiday!
great – I’m glad I could help!
Superb collection of recipes from global cuisines. This post is a keeper and quick guide for any dinner or lunch party planning . Such a wide variety to choose from.
What a great selection of sides with so many vegetarian options too!! And everything explained so well. The Shri Lankan Green beans is the one I will try as soon as I get some green beans.
Lovely recipes for Thanksgiving from various regions . Will definitely try out a few.
Mireille a wonderful selection of vegetarian side dish options not only for Thanksgiving but any festival. Its sometimes frustrating to see that much thought is not given to prepare something different for vegetarians at a party.
Wow you have such a variety of side dishes. Loved the Kashmiri cauliflower with fennel n ginger. These can be used anytime not just thanksgiving…Will definitely try a few
wow … this is not just for thanks giving but for any party / potluck too ! Loved the cabbage foogath and the wheat berry salad (which I think barley can substitute)… great collection, Mir !
Mir! I was constantly thinking of just pumpkin and apple dishes this is a wonderful idea. I love the fact that you have added grain salads too the menu. This is yum and something I will definitely appreciate even in my everyday meal.
Like all countries, America is regional and so there are a great variety of recipes that are also considered traditional depending what part of the country you live in. Regardless, Thanksgiving is about much more than apples and pumpkin. Lots of vegetables dishes are also traditional for Thanksgiving like green beans, corn and brussel sprouts.