20 Veggie Sides You'll Want to Make Every Thanksgiving

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Published on November 6, 2023

a recipe photo of a Carrot Casserole — Photo:
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Your Thanksgiving dinner will be even more delicious when you serve one of these veggie sides. Whether you want classic sweet potato or green bean casserole or opt for a hearty salad or scalloped veggie dish, everything you need is in this collection. Plus, these recipes have four- and five-star ratings, so rest assured that they’re crowd-pleasing, holiday dinner winners. Pair your turkey and stuffing with our Roasted Honeynut Squash or Carrot Casserole for a festive meal that you’ll want to make each year.

01 of 20

Roasted Honeynut Squash

roasted honeynut squash on plate

Honeynut squash looks just like mini butternut squash, but on the inside, you'll find an even sweeter, deeper orange flesh. This winter squash has only been available at farmers markets and in select grocery stores for a few years. If you see it, grab a few to try! This simple roasting method enhances the natural flavor of the squash with butter and spices.

02 of 20

Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Cabbage

roasted garlic parmesan cabbage — Ali Redmond

Cabbage gets transformed in the oven with garlic, Parmesan and olive oil in this simple vegetable side. This irresistible side dish would make a welcome addition to any meal—try serving it alongside chicken or steak.

03 of 20

No-Sugar-Added Sweet Potato Casserole

Instead of loading up this comfort food side with tons of brown sugar and marshmallows, we have turned to sweet spices, vanilla and inherently sweet dried fruit to enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. A topping of pecans and pepitas replaces traditional marshmallow topping to keep it healthy and add texture and color for a beautiful casserole.

04 of 20

Fall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar

Fall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar

Who says spinach salads are only for spring? Use autumn's tender crop of fresh spinach and other seasonal vegetables to make this fall salad with roasted butternut squash, apples, cheddar and pecans. This colorful and healthy salad would be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving menu, but there's no reason to save it for holidays--serve it along with chicken or pork for a healthy weeknight dinner, or turn it into a main course by adding some chickpeas or chopped chicken or turkey.

05 of 20

Massaged Kale Salad

Massaged Kale Salad

Here a pungent garlicky dressing is infused into kale by massaging the greens and the dressing together with your hands. Any type of kale will work in this recipe, just remember to remove the tough stems before you start.

06 of 20

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

What could be more satisfying than mashed potatoes? In this garlic mashed potato recipe, the potatoes are flavored with poached garlic, thinned with chicken stock and enriched with a small amount of sour cream. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you're cooking for a crowd--say for Thanksgiving dinner.

07 of 20

Carrot Casserole

a recipe photo of a Carrot Casserole — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Carrot casserole is a great holiday side dish that’s both creamy and savory with just a touch of sweetness from the carrots. Coriander and dry mustard add lovely background flavors to the cream sauce. Microwaving the carrots gives them a jump-start in the cooking process and ensures that they’re cooked through. The carrots should all be sliced thinly so they cook evenly. If you have one, a mandoline can make quick work of the slicing, but a good sharp knife will also do the trick.

08 of 20

Sauteed Broccoli & Kale with Toasted Garlic Butter

Sauteed Broccoli and Kale with Toasted Garlic Butter

In this easy vegetable side dish, broccoli and kale are drizzled with a butter, garlic and crushed red pepper sauce. Serve this healthy recipe alongside roasted chicken, turkey or ham--or on top of your favorite whole grain, such as quinoa or farro.

09 of 20

Spicy Black-Eyed Pea & Collard Green Salad

white bean salad with spinach, carrots, almonds in a serving bowl — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This black-eyed pea and collard green salad recipe can be served warm or at room temperature, either as a side dish or as a vegetarian main course along with rice or crusty bread. Harissa and peri-peri sauce provide gentle heat, and preserved lemon gives it briny tang.

10 of 20

Kale-Butternut Squash Gratin

Kale-Butternut Squash Gratin

This colorful gratin dish livens up any holiday plate. Creamy melted Gruyère is comforting, while a blend of cumin, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper lends a warm, spicy note.

11 of 20

Loaded Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon, Cheddar & Chives

Loaded Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon, Cheddar & Chives

Imagine a loaded baked potato topped with bacon, Cheddar and chives combined with the creamy goodness of scalloped potatoes, and you have the ultimate comfort food casserole. This scalloped potato recipe is made healthier than original versions by using low-fat milk in place of heavy cream, but it still tastes just as rich and creamy.

12 of 20

Anthony Anderson’s Sweet Potato Home Fries with Cranberry-Hazelnut Crumble

a recipe photo of Anthony Andersonâs Sweet Potato Home Fries with Cranberry-Hazelnut Crumble — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Chelesa Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

These home fries are made with sweet potatoes, which are rich in fiber as well as vitamin A, a nutrient which can help support a healthy immune system. Actor Anthony Anderson likes sprinkling a cranberry-hazelnut crumble on top for an easy but delicious upgrade.

13 of 20

Balsamic Oven-Roasted Carrots

Balsamic Roasted Carrots

Roasting carrots in the oven brings out their sweetness, which is enhanced further with a tangy balsamic and maple glaze. Serve these balsamic roasted carrots as an easy weeknight side dish.

14 of 20

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

Thanks to fresh green beans, an easy homemade cream sauce and crispy onion topping, this green bean casserole recipe is healthier and more delicious than traditional recipes that use canned soup, beans and onions. Plus, the slow cooker saves you time cooking at the stove. Make sure to use fresh green beans, as frozen green beans will become mushy.

15 of 20

Black-Eyed Peas with Slab Bacon

Black-eyed peas in a glass bowl — Jerrelle Guy

In this recipe, black-eyed peas get a wonderful smoky flavor from slab bacon. If you skip it for a vegetarian version, boost the flavor by doubling the garlic, adding a bay leaf, substituting vegetable stock for the water and adding a dash of smoked paprika for a slightly smoky taste.

16 of 20

Cheesy Corn Casserole

Cheesy Corn Casserole

This cheesy corn casserole is surprisingly light and fluffy, thanks to eggs and a whirl in the blender. The sweet corn batter and salty Cheddar cheese make this casserole pleasing to kids and adults alike.

17 of 20

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

a recipe photo of the Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad — Photographer: Stacy K. Allen; Prop stylist: Julia Bayless; Food stylist: Ana Kelley

Sweet cherries complement the tart goat cheese in this easy shaved Brussels sprouts salad. Pistachios add an extra layer of crunch. A sharp chef's knife works well to slice the Brussels sprouts thinly. A microplane grater is best for finely shredding the goat cheese.

18 of 20

Beet Salad

Beet Salad — Photographer / Victor Protasio, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke

This simple beet salad recipe uses just a handful of ingredients to create a delightful side dish. Roasted beets add a sweet, earthy and aromatic flavor that shines in this side salad.

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Collard Greens

Collard greens are meltingly tender when cooked for a long period of time. Smoked turkey in place of bacon adds the traditional smoky taste.

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Creamed Spinach

a recipe photo of the Creamed Spinach — William Dickey

This creamed spinach recipe is loaded with greens and bound together with just enough creamy goodness to make it luscious but not heavy. Serve it alongside just about anything—from holiday roasts and ham to grilled steak or tofu, you really can't go wrong!

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