Move Over, These Easy Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes Have Arrived
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As much as we love Turkey Day’s namesake bird, no holiday spread is complete without an assortment of delicious Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes. Rather than relegate them to mere sidekick status, think of these veg-centric Thanksgiving sides as crucial components of the symphony that is the Big Meal — we’re talking creamy soups, crisp salads, actually exciting veggies, yummy potato recipes and so much more.
If you’re on the hunt for a healthy Thanksgiving side, we’ve got a slew of great options for you: Tender, oven-roasted vegetables with natural sweetness, bright, punchy Thanksgiving salads that help cut through the richness of other foods and even some vegan Thanksgiving recipes that ensure everyone’s dietary needs are met. But we also have plenty of comfort food that veers classically indulgent — it is a holiday, after all! Heavy hitters like buttery mashed potatoes and green bean dishes make an appearance, because how could they not?
Coming up with an entire Thanksgiving dinner menu — and then executing it — is no small feat (Psst: If you’re feeling stressed, check out our Thanksgiving meal plan to pull off this annual feast like a pro). That’s why these standout Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes are here to help: They’re easy to make, packed with crave-worthy flavors and textures and will make your T-Day table shine. Paired with a show-stopping turkey recipe, a few Thanksgiving cocktails and mocktails and one (or more!) of our Thanksgiving dessert recipes, your spread is bound to be epic.
Without further ado, here are the best vegetable sides to make this Thanksgiving:
Air Fryer Green Beans
Fresh tarragon and a zippy shallot and mustard vinaigrette add intrigue and welcome acidity to plain green beans. Trust us, guests will go for seconds!
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
RELATED: 22 Best Thanksgiving Green Bean Recipes to Spruce up Your Turkey Day Menu
Roasted Carrots and Red Onions
The orange and sherry vinegar dressing complements the carrots’ sweetness, and almonds and sesame seeds bring nutty flavor and crunch.
Get the Roasted Carrots and Red Onions recipe.
RELATED: 12 Easy Carrot Recipes That’ll Spruce Up Dinner
Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions
Goodbye, bland spuds! Mash potatoes with a garlic, peppercorn and thyme-infused mixture, then top with a lemony scallion relish for a zesty hit and pop of color.
Get the Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions recipe.
RELATED: How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes
Kohlrabi and Apple Salad
This refreshing salad spotlights kohlrabi, a crunchy cruciferous vegetable that has the mild flavor of broccoli stems and a lovely natural sweetness.
Get the Kohlrabi and Apple Salad recipe.
RELATED: 10 Easy Kohlrabi Recipes That Are a Must-Try for Dinner
Mushroom Lovers’ Soup
This umami-packed, vegan pleaser features ‘shrooms three ways: dried (and rehydrated with mushroom bouillon), pureed into the broth and roasted as a crispy topping.
Get the Mushroom Lovers’ Soup recipe.
RELATED: 40 Best Mushroom Recipes That Are Packed With Natural Flavor
Roasted Okinawan Sweet Potato Wedges
These vibrantly hued, crispy-creamy roasted sweet potatoes from Byrant Terry’s 2020 cookbook, Vegetable Kingdom, are finished with sweet, creamy coconut milk and shredded coco. Pure luxury!
Get the Roasted Okinawan Sweet Potato Wedges recipe.
Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad
This elegant salad gets a boost of flavor from chopped capers and Parmesan, and is exactly the light bite you need to add balance to your holiday spread.
Get the Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad recipe.
RELATED: 22 Holiday Salads to Kick Off Any Festive Dinner Menu
Quinoa-Stuffed Honeynut Squash
These earthy-sweet squash boats are hearty enough to be a meatless main for vegetarian feasters — or to serve up as a scrumptious side for all.
Get the Quinoa-Stuffed Honeynut Squash recipe.
RELATED: 55 Healthy Vegetarian Recipes You’ll Absolutely Love
Winter Green Salad
This chic chicory salad stands up to big meat dishes and celebrates winter’s bounty of hardy vegetables (think frisée, endives and radicchio) with some delicious add-ons (lookin’ at you, candied pecans and aged Gouda).
Get the Winter Green Salad recipe.
RELATED: Why Bitter Foods Are Surprisingly Healthy
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan Crisps
Sprout-haters in attendance? A foolproof way to convince them otherwise: Toss the veg with crispy shards of baked cheese. Magic!
Get the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan Crisps recipe.
RELATED: 38 Brussels Sprouts Recipes That Will Have You Asking for Seconds
Air Fryer Parmesan-Thyme Artichokes
Topped off with grated lemon zest and a sprinkle of chopped parsley, this cheesy, crispy-edged side makes a hero of canned artichoke hearts — and your air fryer!
Get the Air Fryer Parmesan-Thyme Artichokes recipe.
RELATED: 45 Best Finger Food Ideas to Get the Party Started
Orange- and Garlic-Roasted Broccoli
Smashed roasted garlic, cumin seeds and a double whammy of orange juice and zest take broccoli to bright, flavorful heights.
Get the Orange- and Garlic-Roasted Broccoli recipe.
RELATED: Why You Should Eat Broccoli Every Single Day
Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
This large-format salad is filled with fresh, crunchy vegetables that are the perfect balance for the heavier dishes on the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.
Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Green Beans
Roasted cauliflower and green beans are punched up with garam masala, brown sugar and cayenne in this flavorful dish that's perfect for fall weather.
Get the Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Green Beans recipe.
Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad
Every Thanksgiving meal needs something light and fresh. Enter: This bright, crunchy side you'll happily chow down.
Get the Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.
Roasted Beet and Orange Salad
Packed with roasted beets, two kinds of oranges and shaved ricotta salata, this colorful salad is almost too pretty to eat.
Get the Roasted Beet and Orange Salad recipe.
Roasted Kale and Mushrooms
This easy, versatile and crowd-pleasing side pairs well with just about any protein — and will be gone before you know it!
Get the Roasted Kale and Mushrooms recipe.
Roasted Asparagus with Anchovy Breadcrumbs
Toasty, salty breadcrumbs sprinkled over tender roasted asparagus make for the ideal Thanksgiving side.
Get the Roasted Asparagus with Anchovy Breadcrumbs recipe.
Air Fryer Squash Soup
The veggies for this creamy, earthy soup are cooked in the air fryer, leaving your oven free for the turkey.
Get the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
RELATED: 78 Best Air Fryer Recipes That Are Easy and Delicious
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
These crispy smashed potatoes can be loaded up with whatever toppings you like. Can't decide? Mix and match!
Get the Crispy Roasted Potatoes recipe.
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
We made this green bean casserole extra tasty by adding cream cheese, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon zest and a pinch of cayenne.
Get the Fresh Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas with Marinated Feta
Give roasted veggies an upgrade with creamy feta and protein-packed chickpeas. Shallots and chilies add an even bigger dose of flavor.
Get the Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas With Marinated Feta recipe.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Almond-Thyme Gremolata
This luxurious side dish is even better sprinkled with a crunchy, herb-flecked almond topper.
Get the Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Almond-Thyme Gremolata recipe.
Balsamic Roasted Red Onions
With so many dishes to prep for Thanksgiving, we love a simple but eye-catching dish like this one. It only takes a few ingredients to make!
Get the Balsamic Roasted Red Onions recipe.
Glazed Green Beans
This plate of greens gets a sweet-and-tangy upgrade from sherry vinegar and brown sugar.
Get the Glazed Green Beans recipe.
Vanilla Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Fresh red chile and a whole vanilla bean pod give these potatoes a warm, spicy-sweet balance.
Get the Vanilla Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe.
RELATED: 56 Best Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Fall Occasion
Colcannon
Typically a St. Patrick's Day food, this mashed potato recipe with greens works well for Thanksgiving, too.
Get the Colcannon recipe.
Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter
Slathered in sage-scented maple brown butter, this isn't just a delicious side — it's practically a work of art!
Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter recipe.
RELATED: 32 Easy Butternut Squash Recipes Perfect for Cozy Fall Dinners
Vegetable Torte
This layered beauty offers multiple vegetables — squash, kale, potato and tomato — in one delightful pie.
Get the Vegetable Torte recipe.
Coriander-Maple Glazed Carrots
Maple syrup and lime juice create a bright, finger-licking glaze for gorgeous rainbow carrots.
Get the Coriander-Maple Glazed Carrots recipe.
Bacon-Roasted Potatoes
Bacon and potatoes turn extra crispy in the air fryer, all in under 30 minutes.
Get the Bacon-Roasted Potatoes recipe.
Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad
Crunchy carrots and radishes offer a crisp, colorful contrast to all of the heavier sides on your plate.
Get the Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad recipe.
Lime and Aleppo Pepper Green Beans
Save space on the stovetop and make grilled green beans instead. Mildly spicy, earthy and a little bit fruity, Aleppo pepper adds major flavor.
Get the Lime and Aleppo Pepper Green Beans recipe.
Hasselback Potatoes
Dollops of scallion butter are essential here: It seeps into all those crispy nooks and crannies in the accordion-like slits.
Get the Hasselback Potatoes recipe.
Mushroom and Chile-Garlic Green Beans
Tossed with spicy chile-garlic butter, these beans will stand out on the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Mushroom and Chile-Garlic Green Beans recipe.
Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Infuse cream with the aromatic flavors of fresh thyme and parsley to upgrade the crowd-favorite Turkey Day side.
Get the Herbed Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette
Tahini adds a characteristically nutty and earthy flair to this autumnal salad packed with squash, kale, cilantro and almonds.
Get the Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette recipe.
Thyme and Shallot Roasted Butternut Squash
Fall-favorite roasted butternut squash gets a little extra sweetness from a drizzle of maple syrup.
Get the Thyme and Shallot Roasted Butternut Squash recipe.
Parsnip and Potato Mash
Parsnips add sweetness and subtle anise flavor (plus an extra veggie!) that make buttery mashed potatoes even better.
Get the Parsnip and Potato Mash recipe.
Green Bean and Cheddar Casserole
Combine green bean casserole with mac and cheese vibes, and you have one unforgettable Turkey Day side. The best of both worlds!
Get the Green Bean and Cheddar Casserole recipe.
Rosemary-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This hearty, creamy side is perfect for potato lovers with a sweet tooth. The spiced, roasted pecans are the cherry on top.
Get the Rosemary-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Brussels Sprouts with Heaps of Bacon
Studded with big chunks of bacon, this sprout side will be a fan fave this Thanksgiving.
Get the Brussels Sprouts with Heaps of Bacon recipe.
Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash
Trust us, you're going to want to make extra apple cider dressing to drizzle over this comforting squash dish — and basically everything else!
Get the Spice-Roasted Butternut Squash recipe.
Creamy One-Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
All it takes is one pot (and a couple tablespoons of butter) to make these creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes.
Get the Creamy One-Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Rosemary Roasted Carrot Salad
Cozy roasted carrots and peppery arugula come together in this simple, can't-stop-eating side dish.
Get the Rosemary Roasted Carrot Salad.
Romaine Salad with Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette
Hazelnuts add toasty crunch to this zingy version of a classic Caesar salad.
Get the Romaine Salad with Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette recipe.
Roasted Sweet Potato, Pear, and Onion
Roast pears with root vegetables for a sweet and savory celebration of the season's bounty.
Get the Roasted Sweet Potato, Pear, and Onion recipe.
Creamy Roasted Squash Puree
Easily turn roasted squash and shallots into a sweet and smooth puree with the help of a food processor.
Get the Creamy Roasted Squash Puree recipe.
Brussels Sprouts with Pepitas and Figs
Figs add lovely pockets of natural sweetness to every delectable bite of this sprout side.
Get the Brussels Sprouts with Pepitas and Figs recipe.
Old Bay–Spiced Potato Salad
Who says potato salad is only for summer cookouts? This flavorful mayo-free potato salad brings plenty of sunny flavor to the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Old Bay–Spiced Potato Salad recipe.
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