Thanksgiving is a special day for food lovers. The whole day and the week after are filled with delicious, homemade meals. While we enjoy turkey, mac and cheese, and pumpkin pie, we also want something lighter.
That’s why we’ve gathered healthy Thanksgiving sides for you. These recipes are both healthy and tasty, perfect for your Thanksgiving table. Try sweet potatoes with kale, spaghetti squash Parmesan, or Brussels sprouts on flatbread. Your guests will love these delicious, nutritious recipes.
Table of Contents
Flavorful Roasted Veggies with a Twist
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate, and delicious, wholesome plant-based dishes are key. Add these vegan thanksgiving options and plant-based holiday sides to your table. They’re not only good for you but also full of flavor.
Maple Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots
Maple is a rising star in flavors, especially with roasted vegetables. For a tasty healthy thanksgiving side, toss cauliflower and carrots with olive oil and maple syrup. Roast until they’re caramelized and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Broccolini with Almonds and Red Pepper Flakes
Broccolini is already tasty with shallots and garlic. But add almonds, parsley, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper for a boost. This mix is great on other veggies too, like asparagus or green beans, for a wholesome thanksgiving accompaniment.
“Roasted vegetables are a game-changer for clean eating holiday sides that are both delicious and nutritious.”
For guilt-free thanksgiving fare, roasted veggies are a winner. Season them right and add a bit of sweetness. You’ll make healthy thanksgiving sides that everyone will love.
Nutrient-Packed Salads and Slaws
Thanksgiving is known for rich dishes, but your sides don’t have to be. Enjoy the season’s best with these vibrant, tasty salads and slaws. They’ll make your taste buds happy and keep your body healthy.
Butternut Squash and Sausage Salad
This salad is a healthy twist on a Thanksgiving classic. It has roasted butternut squash, spicy Italian sausage, crunchy pecans, and a tangy dressing. For a meatless version, try mushrooms instead of sausage and use vegetable broth.
French Green Bean Salad with Apples
This side salad is quick to make and full of veggies. It’s a mix of French green beans, crisp apples, and celery. It’s so refreshing, you’ll want more.
Blood Orange, Grapefruit, and Navel Orange Salad
This salad is a burst of flavor and color. It’s made with blood oranges, grapefruit, and navel oranges. They’re tossed in a special orange dressing and topped with almonds and Manchego cheese.
Healthier Takes on Classic Thanksgiving Sides
No Thanksgiving table is complete without cranberry sauce. But why choose the canned version when you can make a healthier homemade one in just 30 minutes? This recipe lets you control the ingredients and cut down on sugar. Plus, you can make it up to a week in advance if you’re short on time.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Eggplant might not be the first choice for Thanksgiving, but Roasted Miso Eggplant could be a game-changer. Prep the eggplant slices ahead of time. Then, bake them in the oven 20 minutes before serving.
The eggplant gets a sweet-savory-spicy miso paste brush and a quick broil. This makes it golden brown with a deliciously melted center. It’s a tasty, plant-based option for your Thanksgiving table.
Roasted Miso Eggplant
Looking for a healthier green bean casserole? Try this lighter version that skips the condensed soup. It uses fresh green beans in a warm, tangy mustard vinaigrette. This adds a delicious savory flavor.
Top it with crispy bacon pieces for a flavorful, wholesome thanksgiving accompaniment.
Fresh Green Bean Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
Versatile Greens and Leafy Sides
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy good food, but it doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Adding nutrient-rich, plant-based dishes to your table is a smart move. It helps balance out the richer foods and keeps everyone feeling good, not weighed down.
Garlicky Tahini-Maple Spinach
This spinach is unlike any you’ve had before. It’s elevated by a simple sauce made of tahini, maple syrup, tamari, and sesame seeds. The best part? It’s ready in just 10 minutes, making it a quick and healthy side for Thanksgiving.
Basmati Rice with Crispy Chickpeas and Dates
This dish is a standout for vegetarian guests. It’s made with basmati rice, crispy chickpeas, sweet dates, and crunchy pistachios. It’s spiced with garam masala, turmeric, and cilantro. Serve it with a dollop of Greek yogurt to cool down the flavors.
“Incorporating nutrient-dense, plant-based dishes into your holiday spread is a great way to balance out richer fare and ensure your guests leave the table feeling satisfied, not sluggish.”
These sides show how versatile greens and leafy veggies can be. They prove that healthy sides can be tasty and full of nutrients. By focusing on the natural flavors of the produce, these recipes offer a refreshing contrast to the usual Thanksgiving fare.
Showstopping Veggie-Centric Dishes
Planning your Thanksgiving feast can make you focus on the turkey or ham. But, the real stars are often the healthy thanksgiving sides, plant-based holiday sides, and wholesome thanksgiving accompaniments. These clean eating holiday sides can be the talk of the table.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Feta and Grapes
A whole roasted cauliflower is a low-fat side dish that can outshine the turkey. It’s roasted with creamy feta cheese and sweet grapes. The final look, with shallots and oregano, is sure to wow your guests.
Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes
Looking for a wholesome thanksgiving accompaniment that’s different? Try these salt and vinegar roasted potatoes. They’re a clean eating holiday side that turns a favorite snack into a special dish. Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy flavor and crispiness.
Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
Thanksgiving is a time to come together with loved ones and enjoy a big feast. This year, why not choose healthy thanksgiving sides that are good for you and taste great? The recipes in this article offer a variety of low-fat side dishes, vegan thanksgiving options, gluten-free thanksgiving sides, and plant-based holiday sides. They will make you feel full and energized.
This section shows off nutrient-dense thanksgiving recipes and wholesome thanksgiving accompaniments. You’ll find a great selection of clean eating holiday sides and guilt-free thanksgiving fare. Explore the wellness-focused thanksgiving dishes that celebrate the season’s best while keeping your health in mind.
- Each recipe highlighted in the article provides a different healthy side dish option for Thanksgiving.
- The provided recipes focus on including ingredients low in saturated fat and sodium to promote heart-healthy eating patterns.
- The article offers ten different recipes for nutritious Thanksgiving side dishes.
- The article mentions the quick preparation time for certain side dishes, like the thin green beans that only take 20 minutes to prepare.
Make your holiday feast better with these healthy thanksgiving sides. They offer great taste and nutrition. Enjoy the rich flavors of the season while feeding your body with healthy, plant-based foods. Find the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving turkey or roast that will impress your guests and show your commitment to wellness.
Wholesome Grain and Veggie Dishes
Hosting a healthy Thanksgiving feast? Side dishes with wholesome grains and legumes are perfect. They’re full of nutrients and add a nice texture to the meal. Here are some tasty and healthy grain and legume-based sides that will wow your guests.
Brussels Sprouts and Cranberry Barley Salad
This dish is a mix of a salad and a starchy side, using nutty barley instead of couscous. Sweet cranberries and savory Brussels sprouts blend well with the grains. It’s great for Thanksgiving because it can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Cacio e Pepe Roasted Cauliflower
This plant-based version of cacio e pepe uses roasted cauliflower instead of pasta. The cauliflower absorbs a creamy “cheese” sauce made from Pecorino or Parmesan. It’s a healthier, yet indulgent side dish.
Spaghetti Squash Parmesan
This side dish replaces white pasta with creamy spaghetti squash. It’s tossed in Parmesan sauce and topped with crispy breadcrumbs. It’s a great way to add more veggies to your Thanksgiving table.
Loaded and Unique Sweet Potato Recipes
Classic sweet potato casserole? That’s so last year. This Thanksgiving, try something new – Curried Coconut Kale over Sweet Potatoes. These sweet potatoes are loaded with flavor. They’re mashed with grapefruit juice, butter, and spices, then stuffed back into their skins.
On top, you’ll find kale cooked in a rich coconut curry sauce. It’s finished with toasted coconut. This dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Curried Coconut Kale over Sweet Potatoes
This recipe uses 3 large sweet potatoes, about 3 pounds. Once baked, scoop out the flesh and mash it. The mix includes milk, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
The sweet potato mix is then put back into the skins. It bakes for 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
The dish’s star is the curried coconut kale topping. It’s made with sautéed kale, coconut milk, curry, ginger, and garlic. Crunchy pecans, pepitas, and Medjool dates add texture and sweetness.
This healthy Thanksgiving side has 298 calories per serving. It’s packed with 31g of carbs, 5g of protein, and 18g of fat. It’s a nutrient-dense Thanksgiving recipe that everyone will enjoy. Serve it as a wholesome Thanksgiving accompaniment for a clean eating holiday side that will wow your guests.
Conclusion
This article has given you a full view of Thanksgiving side dish options that make your holiday meal better. You’ll find tasty roasted vegetables, nutrient-packed salads, wholesome grain dishes, and sweet potato recipes. These dishes add balance and satisfaction to your Thanksgiving table.
By choosing these veggie-centric options, you can enjoy the holiday’s flavors without losing nutritional value. This is great for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking for wholesome choices.
These healthy Thanksgiving sides will impress your guests and become holiday favorites. You’ll find low-fat side dishes, vegan Thanksgiving options, and gluten-free Thanksgiving sides. This article offers a variety of plant-based holiday sides, nutrient-dense Thanksgiving recipes, and wholesome Thanksgiving accompaniments.
By adding these clean eating holiday sides and guilt-free Thanksgiving fare, you can make a wellness-focused Thanksgiving spread. It is nutritious and flavorful. Enjoy the holiday flavors while keeping your health in mind, and let these healthy Thanksgiving sides be the stars of your table.
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