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If you’re the type to fill your plate with Thanksgiving side dishes and forget about the turkey, you’re going to love this collection of healthy side dish recipes! From lightened up mashed potatoes to homemade cranberry sauce, I’ve got plenty of ideas for you here.
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Thanksgiving Sides
Holidays aren’t the best time for counting calories and tracking macros, but making lightened up recipes does leave you more room for dessert! (Crustless Pumpkin Pie, anyone?) These Thanksgiving side dishes are reader favorites that take classic holiday recipes and make them healthier—but still every bit as delicious as the original.
Here’s why you’re going to love these recipes.
- Dishes that won’t disappoint. Everyone knows that nervous feeling you get when you make a new recipe for a holiday or party. You don’t want to let your guests down! You can rest assured that my recipes are all rigorously tested before they’re published, so you can make them with success!
- Great for making ahead. Many of these Thanksgiving side dishes can be made ahead of time and reheated on the big day, or prepped ahead of time and assembled or cooked right before serving. This makes your holiday planning much easier!
- Light and healthy. Holidays are all about balance! I don’t want to give up my favorites, but I do want to make sure I have room for the splurge-worthy dishes my family only makes for special occasions. These healthy Thanksgiving side dishes trim calories and fat without sacrificing flavor.
For more Thanksgiving menu inspiration, see my Holiday Recipes page.
Lightened Up Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Sausage Stuffing Recipe
Sausage and herbs add lots of flavor to this classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe.
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping
A lot of sweet potato casserole recipes are loaded with sugar, but this one is sweetened with maple syrup and a brown sugar substitute made from monk fruit.
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Broccoli Casserole Recipe
This creamy broccoli casserole skips the usual canned soup, but don’t worry—it still has that irresistible buttery Ritz cracker topping!
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Spinach Gratin Recipe
Even spinach haters won’t be able to resist this creamy, cheesy spinach gratin recipe! The hint of nutmeg makes it a great complement to other Thanksgiving side dishes.
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Corn Casserole Recipe
Jiffy corn casserole is a favorite Thanksgiving side dish, but this recipe is made with Greek yogurt to lighten it up!
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Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Buttermilk makes mashed potatoes rich and creamy, with a slightly tangy flavor similar to sour cream, without as much fat.
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Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Give mac and cheese a fall makeover with this butternut squash mac and cheese recipe! Kids won’t even notice the squash, I promise.
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Roasted Honeynut Squash Recipe
Honeynut squash is such a treat, like butternut squash but even sweeter. Add it to your Thanksgiving spread for something a little different!
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Turkey Gravy Recipe
You can’t serve mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving without a good turkey gravy and this is my own family’s tried-and-true recipe.
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Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows are like personal sweet potato casseroles—the perfect Thanksgiving side dish!
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Slow Cooker Butternut Pear Soup
This Slow Cooker Butternut Pear soup with a hint of ginger is vegan and dairy-free and so simple to make. Great as a starter or serve it as a meal with a salad or a sandwich.
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Cheddar Biscuit Recipe
Dinner rolls or biscuits are good for soaking up gravy and even better for making sandwiches with leftovers the day after Thanksgiving! These cheddar biscuits are a family favorite.
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Sweet Potato Gratin Recipe
If marshmallows aren’t your thing, you’ll appreciate this sweet potato gratin, which puts a more savory spin on sweet potatoes with a creamy sauce and melted gruyere.
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Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
If your family prefers stuffing made with cornbread, this recipe is for you! Savory sausage is a nice balance for the sweet cornbread.
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Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Green bean casserole is as much a part of Thanksgiving as the turkey! This version is made with cremini mushrooms, shallots, and Parmesan for extra flavor.
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The BEST 3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce Recipe
It’s so easy to make your own cranberry sauce, and it’s also much tastier. Especially when you add sweet, tender pears!
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Corn Muffins
You can get a head start on your Thanksgiving cooking by baking these muffins a month or two in advance and freezing them!
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Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
Looking for a change of pace from green bean casserole? You’ll love these roasted green beans with jammy, sweet caramelized onions!
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Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
This sweet potato casserole has the mini marshmallows, but it’s also got sweet golden raisins, crushed pineapple, and pecans for crunch.
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Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
A good fall salad is the perfect addition to any Thanksgiving menu and this one isn’t good—it’s amazing! Pears and pomegranates add a sweet balance to slightly bitter Brussels sprouts, while goat cheese adds richness.
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Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta is the best Brussel sprout recipe! Lightly pan fried until crisp and slightly browned on the edges, it’s my favorite way to cook and eat them!
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Butternut Squash Galette
The beauty of this butternut squash galette is that it can be a main dish for the vegetarians at your Thanksgiving celebration and a side dish for everyone else!
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Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Jazz up your mashed potatoes with some garlic! These mashed potatoes are a creamy, flavorful crowd-pleaser.
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Best Stuffing Recipe
This is my mom’s Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. So you know it’s going to be good! It’s a traditional recipe with lots of herbs and aromatics, with the addition of bacon for extra flavor.
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Scalloped Potato Gratin Recipe
A delicious Scalloped Potato Gratin recipe made with thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes layered with cheese and a light buttery sauce.
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