Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without all the delicious side dishes! From creamy mashed potatoes and homemade stuffing to roasted vegetables and fluffy dinner rolls, sometimes the sides are the best part of the meal.
If you’re looking for healthy Thanksgiving side dishes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and family-friendly, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 18 of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes, including lighter versions of holiday classics, colorful vegetable sides, and comforting dishes even picky eaters will get excited about.
Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering, bringing a dish to Thanksgiving dinner, or simply looking for a few new holiday traditions, these easy Thanksgiving side dishes will help you create a delicious, balanced holiday spread without spending the entire day in the kitchen.
Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong with the classics! These comforting Thanksgiving favorites deserve a spot at your holiday table. From creamy potatoes to savory stuffing, these recipes deliver all the traditional flavors everyone looks forward to.
1. Homemade Stuffing
This homemade stuffing is everything a Thanksgiving side dish should be! Made with hearty sourdough bread, savory sausage, fresh herbs, and buttery seasonings, it’s crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. Finely chopped vegetables blend right into the stuffing, adding flavor without overwhelming kids who aren’t fans of big pieces of onion or celery.
2. Easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving essential, and this slow cooker version makes holiday cooking so much easier! Made with simple ingredients and Greek yogurt for extra creaminess, these potatoes cook right in your crockpot, freeing up valuable stovetop space. Keep them warm until dinner is ready for one less thing to worry about.
3. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
If your family loves loaded baked potatoes, this cheesy casserole is guaranteed to be a hit! Fluffy potatoes are mixed with Greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and green onions, then baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving potato side dish that can be prepared ahead of time.
4. Sweet Potato Casserole with Oat Crumble
This healthier sweet potato casserole has all the cozy flavors of the traditional holiday favorite without being overly sweet. Creamy sweet potatoes are lightly sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a crunchy pecan and oat crumble. It’s a delicious alternative to the marshmallow-topped version and one of our favorite ways to enjoy sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving.
5. Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Give this Thanksgiving classic a fresh makeover! Made with fresh green beans instead of canned, this lighter green bean casserole delivers plenty of comforting flavor while letting the vegetables shine. It’s a delicious way to bring a little extra nutrition to your holiday table without giving up a favorite tradition.
6. Cheesy Creamy Corn Casserole
Sweet corn, cream cheese, and a golden cornbread-style topping come together in this rich, creamy casserole. It’s easy to prepare, incredibly comforting, and always a favorite with kids. This Thanksgiving corn casserole pairs perfectly with roasted turkey and all your favorite holiday sides.
7. Creamy Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, especially when kids are at the Thanksgiving table! This creamy version gets a nutritious boost from roasted butternut squash blended into a velvety cheese sauce. The squash adds a beautiful golden color, subtle sweetness, and extra vegetables to a familiar comfort food.
Healthy Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes
Adding a few colorful vegetables to your Thanksgiving menu is an easy way to balance the richer holiday dishes. These vegetable sides are packed with seasonal flavors, delicious textures, and simple ingredients that help even picky eaters enjoy their veggies.
8. Maple Roasted Carrots
These tender, caramelized carrots are coated in a delicious maple glaze with garlic, butter, and fresh herbs. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots, making them especially appealing to kids. They’re simple enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for your Thanksgiving table.
9. Roasted Honey Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Fresh, healthy Brussels sprouts cooked until caramelized, crispy chopped bacon, sweet chewy cranberries all drizzled with honey for the most delicious veggie side dish.
10. Roasted Cauliflower with Bacon and Pomegranate
This festive roasted cauliflower is as beautiful as it is delicious! Golden, caramelized cauliflower is tossed with crispy bacon and juicy pomegranate seeds for the perfect balance of savory and sweet. The bright red pomegranate adds a gorgeous pop of color to your Thanksgiving spread.
11. Easy Candied Sweet Potatoes
Skip the canned yams and make these buttery, caramelized sweet potatoes from scratch! Fresh sweet potatoes are baked with brown sugar, maple syrup, and warm spices until perfectly tender. They’re naturally delicious, easy to prepare, and bring all the nostalgic Thanksgiving flavors without requiring complicated ingredients or preparation.
12. Honey Roasted Butternut Squash
Sweet, tender, and beautifully caramelized, this honey roasted butternut squash is one of our favorite easy Thanksgiving vegetable sides. A simple combination of honey, butter, olive oil, and salt enhances the natural sweetness of the squash. It’s a great introductory vegetable for picky eaters and a colorful addition to your holiday meal.
Fresh Thanksgiving Salads and Cranberry Sides
Thanksgiving dinners tend to feature lots of rich, creamy dishes. Adding a fresh salad or a bright cranberry side helps balance the meal with crisp textures, seasonal fruits, and refreshing flavors.
13. Holiday Spinach Salad
This beautiful holiday spinach salad is bursting with festive colors and flavors! Tender spinach, crisp apples, juicy pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and candied pecans come together with a light apple vinaigrette. It’s fresh, crunchy, and the perfect contrast to heavier Thanksgiving favorites.
14. Wild Rice Salad with Pear and Maple Vinaigrette
This hearty wild rice salad tastes like autumn in every bite! Nutty wild rice is combined with sweet pears, dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fresh greens, then tossed in a homemade maple vinaigrette. It’s a beautiful, nourishing Thanksgiving side dish that adds texture and seasonal flavor to your holiday table.
15. Holiday Broccoli Salad
Crunchy broccoli, sweet pomegranate seeds, red onion, and sunflower seeds are tossed in a creamy yogurt-based dressing for a colorful holiday salad. This easy Thanksgiving side dish takes just 15 minutes to prepare and is a great make-ahead option. The sweet and tangy dressing makes broccoli extra appealing!
16. Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without cranberry sauce! This homemade version combines fresh cranberries, bright orange, and warm spices for a delicious balance of sweet and tart flavors. It’s incredibly easy to prepare ahead of time, and leftovers are delicious on turkey sandwiches, yogurt, or oatmeal.
Thanksgiving Breads and Rolls
It’s hard to resist a warm roll or a scoop of homemade cornbread alongside Thanksgiving dinner. These easy bread recipes round out your holiday spread and are especially popular with kids.
17. Quick and Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and golden brown, these homemade dinner rolls are guaranteed to disappear quickly! Made with just a handful of simple pantry ingredients, they’re surprisingly easy to prepare and perfect for soaking up all that delicious turkey gravy. Add a little butter or honey for an extra-special holiday treat.
18. Cornbread Casserole
This creamy cornbread casserole is the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Made with cornmeal, fresh corn, and simple pantry staples, it bakes into a moist, spoonable side dish with a golden top. It’s comforting, delicious, and a wonderful addition to any Thanksgiving menu.
19. Sweet Potato Crescent Rolls
Tips for Planning an Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Menu
When it comes to Thanksgiving, you don’t need to make every side dish imaginable to create a memorable meal. Choosing a few recipes with different flavors, colors, and textures is the secret to a balanced and delicious holiday spread.
Here are a few simple tips to make planning easier:
- Start with the classics. Choose two or three traditional favorites, like mashed potatoes, stuffing, or green bean casserole. These familiar dishes are usually a hit with everyone.
- Add colorful vegetables. Include at least one or two roasted vegetable sides to balance the richer dishes. Carrots, Brussels sprouts, and butternut squash are all delicious seasonal options.
- Include something fresh. A crunchy salad or homemade cranberry sauce adds brightness and helps break up the heavier flavors.
- Choose at least one make-ahead recipe. Preparing a few dishes in advance makes Thanksgiving Day much less stressful.
- Remember the kids! Include at least one familiar favorite, like macaroni and cheese, homemade rolls, or creamy potatoes, so even your pickiest eaters have something they’re excited about.
Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dish Tips
One of the best ways to simplify Thanksgiving dinner is to prepare as much as possible in advance. With a little planning, you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the holiday with your family.
Two to three days before Thanksgiving:
- Prepare homemade cranberry sauce and refrigerate it.
- Wash and chop sturdy vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
- Prepare salad dressings and store them separately.
- Cube and dry the bread for homemade stuffing.
- Cook the wild rice for your holiday salad.
The day before Thanksgiving:
- Assemble make-ahead casseroles according to their recipe instructions and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Prepare the broccoli salad ingredients and dressing.
- Wash and dry salad greens.
- Set out serving dishes and label them for each recipe.
- Check your oven schedule so you know which dishes need to cook at the same temperature.
On Thanksgiving Day:
- Use your slow cooker for mashed potatoes to save stovetop and oven space.
- Roast vegetables closer to serving time for the best texture.
- Warm rolls just before dinner.
- Toss delicate salads with dressing at the last minute.
- Let the kids help with simple jobs like mixing salads, arranging rolls, or garnishing serving dishes.
How to Make Thanksgiving Side Dishes Kid-Friendly
Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to introduce kids to new foods, but it can also be overwhelming when the table is full of unfamiliar dishes.
The good news? You don’t have to make an entirely separate meal for picky eaters.
Start by offering some familiar favorites alongside new dishes. Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls, and sweet potatoes give kids comfortable options while encouraging them to explore other flavors.
Here are a few more ideas to help kids enjoy Thanksgiving dinner:
- Serve small portions. A tiny taste of something new feels much less intimidating than a full serving.
- Let kids help cook. Children are often more interested in trying foods they’ve helped prepare.
- Offer toppings separately. Serve nuts, blue cheese, sauces, and other stronger flavors on the side when possible.
- Use naturally sweet vegetables. Roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash are great options for kids who prefer sweeter flavors.
- Keep things pressure-free. Encourage curiosity without insisting that kids finish or even taste everything on their plates.
Most importantly, remember that Thanksgiving is about enjoying good food and time together. It’s perfectly okay if your child only eats the rolls and mashed potatoes this year!
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Side Dishes
What are the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes?
Traditional Thanksgiving favorites include mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls. Roasted vegetables and fresh salads are also wonderful additions to a holiday menu.
What are some healthy Thanksgiving side dishes?
Healthy Thanksgiving side dishes can include roasted vegetables, fresh salads, naturally sweetened sweet potatoes, and lighter versions of traditional casseroles. Maple roasted carrots, honey roasted butternut squash, fresh green bean casserole, and holiday spinach salad are all great options.
What Thanksgiving side dishes can be made ahead of time?
Homemade cranberry sauce, broccoli salad, and many casseroles can be prepared ahead of time. You can also wash and chop vegetables, prepare dressings, and assemble some dishes the day before. Follow the individual recipes for storage and reheating instructions.
What are the best Thanksgiving side dishes for picky eaters?
Familiar, comforting dishes like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, homemade dinner rolls, corn casserole, and sweet potato casserole are great choices for picky eaters. Naturally sweet roasted vegetables, like carrots and butternut squash, can also be especially appealing to kids.
How many side dishes should I make for Thanksgiving?
For a small gathering of six to eight people, four to six side dishes are usually plenty, especially if you’re also serving turkey, rolls, and dessert. For larger gatherings, consider offering additional choices or doubling a few popular recipes. Aim for a variety of potatoes, vegetables, salads, and breads rather than making several similar dishes.
Make Thanksgiving Delicious, Simple, and Memorable
Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table, sharing delicious food, and making memories with the people you love. And while the turkey might be the centerpiece, we think the side dishes deserve just as much attention!
Whether you stick with classic mashed potatoes and homemade stuffing or try something new like honey roasted butternut squash or a colorful holiday salad, these healthy Thanksgiving side dishes make it easy to create a holiday meal that’s comforting, nourishing, and full of flavor.
Choose a few family favorites, add something new, and don’t forget to let the kids join in the fun.
Happy Thanksgiving from Super Healthy Kids!
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: superhealthykids.com
