Let’s be honest, Thanksgiving side dishes are often just as exciting as the main event! But who says holiday food has to be heavy to be satisfying? I’ve put together some of my favorite side dishes that bring plenty of flavor, color and nutrition to your holiday spread. Whether you’re planning a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or want to add a few fresh ideas to your family feast, you’ll find something delicious here.
Start your Thanksgiving meal with a comforting bowl of homemade soup.
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Roasted pumpkin soup recipe without cream
A healthy pumpkin soup recipe made by roasting whole fresh pumpkin and has no cream, milk, or stock yet is smooth and creamy. This easy pumpkin soup without cream requires no chopping or boiling. Just roast, blend and enjoy!
This almond broccoli soup is a delicious revelation – no heavy cream in sight! Indulge in a velvety, flavorful experience that’s low in calories but high in satisfaction. This healthy soup is a creamy dream come true, perfect for warming your soul during the winter months. Say goodbye to heavy calories and hello to a healthy warm hug in a bowl!
A creamy pumpkin carrot soup recipe with warming spices is all you need on a chilly night. This easy soup recipe combines delicate flavours of the carrot, fresh pumpkin and spice from ginger. It makes you forget that it's a soup without cream.
Make-ahead tips: You can make the soup a couple of days ahead and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, heat it up and add toppings/garnish.
Thanksgiving favorites, made lighter
Some dishes are simply too good to leave off the Thanksgiving table! Enjoy familiar favorites made with a lighter touch.
4
Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Mashed potatoes with Greek yogurt is a nutritious twist on the classic favorite without compromising on taste. Say goodbye to heavy, calorie-laden mashed potatoes and embrace a lighter, protein-packed alternative. Find out the 2 secret ingredients that make this recipe stand out!
This sweet and spicy roasted sweet potatoes with carrots is tossed with honey, smoked paprika, rosemary and thyme for a healthy, low-calorie side dish that’s perfect for holidays or everyday meals.
This is a no-fuss recipe for roasted green beans and carrots. SECRET INGREDIENT: topping with toasted almonds. This easy-to-follow recipe brings out the natural flavor of green beans and sweetness of the carrots. With simple steps and minimal ingredients, this delicious side dish is perfect for any occasion.
Mashed potatoes: Cook and mash the potatoes a day ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently with a splash of milk, then stir in the Greek yogurt towards the end.
Roasted vegetables: Peel and chop the vegetables a day ahead. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Toss with the seasonings and roast on Thanksgiving day for the best results.
Roasted vegetable side dishes
These easy sides bring plenty of flavor and texture to the table, with the advantage of hands-free cooking.
7
Marinated Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Forget boring, bland Brussels sprouts. This recipe for marinated Brussels sprouts transforms those little green guys into flavor bombs you won't be able to resist. To add a touch of creamy luxury (without the guilt!), we're serving these glazed Brussels sprouts with a simple garlic yogurt sauce.
Oven-roasted potatoes and broccoli with rosemary is a simple side dish perfect for busy weeknights. Learn how to quickly cook this healthy side dish on a sheet pan. It is an easy way to cook your veggies and carbs for the meal.
These roasted pesto vegetables are made by oven roasting mixed vegetables until tender and golden, then finishing them with basil pesto. Simple, nourishing, and full of flavor, this is an easy side dish you’ll come back to again and again.
Make-ahead tips: Chop and dice the vegetables to be roasted and refrigerate them a day or 2 ahead. Marinate/season them on Thanksgiving day and roast in the oven. The marinade and sauces can also be made a day ahead and stored in separate containers.
Colorful Thanksgiving salads
These salads brighten up your holiday spread with seasonal vegetables, fruits and delicious dressings.
10
Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad Recipe
This cucumber tomato Mediterranean salad is a fresh, healthy side dish you can make in minutes. It is light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. Perfect for pairing with grilled chicken, fish, falafel, or wraps, this simple Mediterranean cucumber salad is a delicious way to add more vegetables to your meal.
Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Roasted red pepper salad is a light, flavorful, and nutrient-packed dish that's perfect as a side or on toast as bruschetta. Made with roasted peppers, fresh herbs, feta and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this quick salad with red peppers is both refreshing and satisfying. This healthy recipe is simple, wholesome, and full of Mediterranean flavors. With no ultra-processed ingredients and minimal saturated fat, it’s a delicious way to enjoy a roasted bell pepper salad that fits into a balanced diet.
Roasted beetroot walnut feta salad is easy, healthy and delicious! It is a complete salad with a flavorful roasted garlic dressing you would want to eat for lunch, dinner or any time hunger strikes!
Mediterranean salad: Chop the vegetables ahead of time and refrigerate. Toss with the spices just before serving.
Roasted red pepper salad: Roast and peel the peppers a day ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container. Add the dressing and fresh herbs shortly before serving.
Beet walnut feta salad: Cook or roast the beets a day or two ahead and refrigerate. Prepare the dressing separately. Assemble the salad shortly before serving.
Beyond the usual
Fresh, filling salads that are anything but ordinary.
13
Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad Recipe
An easy fall quinoa salad with roasted vegetables, flavored with pumpkin pie spice vinaigrette! This roasted pumpkin quinoa salad tastes delicious both ways: serve it warm as a classic fall salad or chill and eat it as a cold summer salad.
This Mediterranean hummus salad bowl is loaded with fresh veggies, chickpeas, and a creamy hummus dressing—perfect for meal prep, or a quick lunch or dinner.
Red Lentil Salad Recipe with Ginger Honey Dressing
Red Lentil salad is a sweet and spicy Indian salad recipe with masoor dal or red lentils and fresh ginger honey dressing. This summer lentil salad is a perfect addition to your healthy meal plan for weight loss!
Roasted pumpkin quinoa salad: Cook the quinoa and roast the pumpkin a day ahead. Refrigerate separately. Prepare the dressing and store it in a small jar. Toss everything together just before serving.
Mediterranean hummus salad: Chop the vegetables and make the hummus dressing a day ahead and refrigerate. Assemble everything on Thanksgiving day.
Red lentil salad: Cook the lentils, chop the vegetables and make the dressing a day ahead. Assemble shortly before serving.
Something different
Want to surprise your guests with something unexpected? These fun, flavor-packed recipes bring a little global inspiration to your Thanksgiving table.
16
Easy Mango Corn Salsa Recipe
This corn mango salsa is a quick, no-cook recipe made with fresh mango, sweet corn, lime juice, and herbs. Naturally low in calories and packed with flavor, this mango salsa with corn is perfect as a taco topping or refreshing side dish.
This savory mashed pumpkin is a sweet and spicy side dish made with fresh pumpkin and topped with crunchy coconut. Serve this pumpkin mash on toast or with chicken, fish, or rice and curry.
Easy Indian fruit salad recipe with tropical fruit mix and a simple dressing! With this mixed fruit chaat, you don't have to tell your kids to eat fruits, they're going to ask for more!
Savory Mashed Pumpkin: Prepare the mashed pumpkin a day ahead and refrigerate. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave. Add coconut and the herbs before serving. (You can replace curry leaves with other herbs like parsley or cilantro.)
Mango Pomegranate Fruit Chaat: Remove the pomegranate seeds, dice the fruits and prepare the dressing a day ahead. Assemble the salad closer to serving time.
Corn Mango Salsa: Prepare the corn and chop the other ingredients ahead of time. Store them separately and combine with the dressing just before serving.
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Hi! I’m Sheeba, welcome to Go Healthy ever after!
Hi, I’m Sheeba Subbu, founder of Go Healthy Ever After. Certified in diet and wellness, I create family-friendly recipes where nutrition meets flavor. My goal is to make delicious, wholesome meals simple and enjoyable for every kitchen.
