25 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes for a Feel-Good Feast

Vibrant colors and seasonal flavors (thanks to the apples and pecans) make this salad a hit every time. You can even prepare it up to two days ahead for easy holiday entertaining.

Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.

It might sound simple, but baked sweet potatoes are the perfect holiday side. You can dress them up however you like: with a drizzle of honey for something sweet or a dollop of Greek yogurt and crispy bacon for something savory.

Get the Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

Swap the green bean casserole for braised green beans instead! According to Ree, they’re “amazingly complementary to the rest of the typical Thanksgiving grub.”

Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.

There’s nothing boring about this seasonal salad! It’s packed with fun mix-ins, like pickled apples, smoked almonds, and blue cheese.

Get the Thanksgiving Salad recipe.

If you’re hoping to try a new fall vegetable, look no further than delicata squash. Just like butternut squash, it’s slightly sweet and tender, but this squash doesn’t require peeling, so it’s even easier to prepare.

Get the Roasted Delicata Squash recipe.

Just like kale, collard greens are a great way add a leafy green vegetable to your holiday table. They get soft and tender when braised and they’re full of flavor thanks to smoked turkey meat.

Get the Collard Greens recipe.

Skip the canned cranberry sauce and make your own instead. You can control how much sugar goes into the mixture, or take Ree’s advice and opt for a natural sweetener like maple syrup.

Get Ree’s Homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe.

SHOP BOWLS

Just as delicious during the week as they are on the holidays, these sweet potato fries are a must-have for any family meal. They get crisp and tender thanks to the air fryer.

Get the Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries recipe.

Maple syrup is a natural way of sweetening this holiday side. It also has apple juice but you can swap in chicken stock for a lower sugar alternative.

Get the Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe.

A hearty salad made with couscous is a great way to add in something healthy to your meal. The pops of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs make it a dish that everyone will love.

Get the Couscous Salad recipe.

This recipe for roasted cauliflower gets crisp and caramelized rather than soft and mushy. The key is to use the biggest baking sheet in your kitchen!

Get the Roasted Cauliflower recipe.

SHOP COOKWARE

The simple ingredients in this green bean recipe make it lighter than most heavy casseroles. If you want something that’s even lower in fat or calories, use just one tablespoon of oil and butter. It’ll still taste delicious!

Get the Garlic Green Beans recipe.

Skip your typical mashed potato recipe in favor of these mashed sweet potatoes instead. They’re a good source of fiber and they’re loaded with vitamin A.

Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.

If potatoes are non-negotiable on your Thanksgiving table, try making them healthier by cooking them in an air fryer. They’ll taste just as crispy as fried potatoes.

Get the Air Fryer Potatoes recipe.

Loaded with leafy kale and winter squash, this casserole dish is both hearty and healthy. Look for pre-peeled and chopped butternut squash at the grocery store to make it even easier.

Get the Butternut Squash Casserole recipe.