When Thanksgiving rolls around, you know you can always rely on the classics: stuffing, mashed potatoes, and of course, creamy green bean casserole. But what if you’re looking to switch up your side dish recipes this year—even keep it healthy, perhaps?
If you’re getting sick of cooking the same recipes over-and-over this year and you’re looking for some healthier recipes that can elevate your Thanksgiving table, you’ve come to the right place. From pumpkin mash and butternut squash pasta to smashed potatoes and fresh harvest salads, here are some of our favorite healthy Thanksgiving side dish recipes you can whip up for your festivities this year.
Then, if you’re looking for even more recipes to cook up this month, be sure to check out our list of 100 Easiest Recipes You Can Make.
Courtesy of Danielle Walker
Roasting is the name of the game when it comes to cooking Thanksgiving dinner—especially when you need to whip up a lot of different dishes at once. This roasted autumn harvest salad is the perfect mixture of warm, sweet, and savory to start off your Thanksgiving meal.
Get our recipe for Roasted Autumn Harvest Salad.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Sick of mashed potatoes? Ditch the classic Thanksgiving side dish and whip up these easy smashed potatoes instead!
Get our recipe for Smashed Potatoes.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
These roasted carrots add the perfect sweet touch to your Thanksgiving meal.
Get our recipe for Honey Roasted Carrots.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Switch up the starchy side this year with some homemade butternut squash ravioli!
Get our recipe for Butternut Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Can’t get rid of the classics? Why not make healthier versions of them! This popular Thanksgiving side dish can be made a lot healthier thanks to added vegetables and a lighter dusting of bread crumbs.
Get our recipe for Green Bean Casserole.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Who wouldn’t want fries on their Thanksgiving table? Skip roasting your sweet potatoes and make crispy baked fries instead!
Get our recipe for Sweet Potato Fries.
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!
Roasted Brussels sprouts certainly are an easy Thanksgiving side dish, but why not take it up a notch? Elevate your Brussels sprouts with one of our five favorite combos: lemon pomegranate, maple pecan, bacon feta, crunchy parmesan, or even everything bagel seasoning!
Get our recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts 5 Ways.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
You can easily turn this lunch salad into a side for your Thanksgiving table by skipping the cooked chicken and simply serving this vegetarian style with a homemade dijon vinaigrette.
Get our recipe for Warm Kale-Quinoa Salad.
Carlene Thomas/Eat This, Not That!
Sure, these bites could work as an appetizer—but why not also as a Thanksgiving side dish? Plus, cooking them in the air fryer gives you one less thing that needs to roast in your oven.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Cauliflower.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Not really feeling potatoes this year? Dice up a butternut squash and roast it as a starchy side instead!
Get our recipe for Roasted Squash.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
These flaky southern biscuits make for the perfect side dish for any meal, especially if it’s paired with a soup for dipping!
Get our recipe for Flaky Southern Biscuits.
Blaine Moats/Eat This, Not That!
Use up the leftover canned pumpkin from that pie you baked and whip up this simple mixed green salad with a pumpkin vinaigrette!
Get our recipe for Mixed Green Salad and Pumpkin Vinaigrette.
Blaine Moats
Or use that pumpkin to make a pumpkin potato mash to boost the fiber and the vitamin A on your plate.
Get our recipe for Pumpkin-Potato Mash.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
These stuffed tomatoes not only make for an excellent Thanksgiving side dish, but they also work as a vegetarian entree option for anyone who needs it!
Get our recipe for Stuffed Tomatoes.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
This spicy macaroni and cheese can be baked in individual cups, or in a larger casserole dish for easy sharing.
Get our recipe for Spicy Macaroni and Cheese.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
We get it—sometimes having a bowl of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving is comforting. So this roasted garlic mash will satisfy that nostalgic craving you have.
Get our recipe for Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
This salad could either work as a Thanksgiving side dish or the perfect appetizer before digging into the main meal!
Get our recipe for Healthy Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad with Apples & Warm Bacon Dressing.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
This apple sausage stuffing keeps it light with turkey sausage, good vegetables and fruit, and cubes of your favorite crusty loaf.
Get our recipe for Apple-Sausage Stuffing.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Impress your guests with this elevated potato side dish!
Get our recipe for Yukon Gold & Sweet Potato Gratin.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Not a fan of the canned stuff? Make your own cranberry sauce with our deliciously sweet orange cranberry recipe.
Get our recipe for Orange Cranberry Relish.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
Why not mix the veggies and the starchy Thanksgiving side dish recipes with this easy-to-make butternut squash pasta salad?
Get our recipe for Butternut Squash Pasta Salad.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
An easy green to add to your table that isn’t a salad, this roasted broccoli recipe will be in and out of the oven in just 15 minutes’ time.
Get our recipe for 15-Minute Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
With cheesy, crispy toppings, who wouldn’t love a twice baked potato on their Thanksgiving plate?
Get our recipe for Twice-Baked Potatoes.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
For an elegant Thanksgiving side dish, this gnocchi recipe is served with fresh green vegetables and savory prosciutto.
Get our recipe for Gnocchi with Peas and Prosciutto.
Shutterstock
Looking for low-carb sides? This mashed cauliflower recipe will keep your carb count low on your Thanksgiving plate.
Get our recipe for Low-Carb Mashed Cauliflower.
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!
Roasting up big wedges of cabbage makes for an easy green side with your Thanksgiving meal.
Get our recipe for Roasted Cabbage Recipe.
Carlene Thomas/Eat This, Not That!
Put your air fryer to work and make this original hasselback potato recipe that will certainly surprise—and delight—your Thanksgiving dinner guests.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes.
Carlene Thomas
Sure, this lentil and kale tater tot casserole could work for a plant-based brunch, but we also think it could be a deliciously easy side to serve at Thanksgiving as well!
Get our recipe for Plant-Based Lentil and Kale Tots Casserole.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
This flavorful, fresh salad makes for the perfect side to add to your plate—or a salad to start off the meal!
Get our recipe for Arugula and Grapefruit Salad With Dill Ranch Dressing and Pumpkin Seeds.