12 Amazing Thanksgiving Vegetables Dishes

Turkey may be the star of the show at Thanksgiving but what makes the meal memorable are the side dishes. Since vegetables are my thing, I’ve put together 12 amazing Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes for you to choose from to make your Thanksgiving special. I think about vegetables a lot because I aim to eat 5-9 cups each day to fill my body with nutrients.

Most of these recipes are vegan and a few contain a little grass-fed butter, cheese or prosciutto.  There are options to tailor it to your particular needs and taste.  They are all gluten free.

I’ve upgraded a few traditional dishes to healthier versions that are incredibly delicious.

Some of the recipes are easier to make than others.  At Thanksgiving, I spend a little more time on my vegetable dishes than on a regular weeknight. Choose the ones you feel most confident making.

Enjoy the selection. Please leave a comment below to let me know which ones you are planning to make and how they come out.  I always love hearing from you.

CLICK ON THE TITLE OF EACH DISH TO GET TO THE RECIPE

Green Beans with Cashews and Coconut

This is an upgrade of the classic green bean casserole.  These green beans taste sublime with ginger, garlic, and spices.  Cashews and coconut give them a delightful little crunch.  If you prefer something quick and easy  make 5 Minute Green Beans with Garlic and Thyme

Brussels Sprouts Steeped in Olive Oil & Fish Sauce

This dish is simple to make and has only 4 ingredients. The full-bodied olive oil and fish sauce marinade infuse the slightly bitter Brussels sprouts with a sweet salty taste. It can be served as an appetizer or side dish. If you don’t like fish sauce it can be made with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos.

Sautéed Kale with Mushrooms & Carrots

This is an easy dish with only 6 ingredients. Mushrooms are added to the kale to give it a woodsy flavor. Sweet carrots and onions balance the bitter greens. Yum!

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

This easy dish is an excellent way to enjoy cauliflower. The cauliflower is tossed with a mixture of cumin, turmeric, and black pepper and then it is roasted to perfection.

Orange Cardamom Cranberry Sauce

Thanksgiving isn’t complete without cranberry sauce. In this recipe, cardamom and cinnamon give the cranberries a nice aromatic flavor.  The oils in cardamom are beneficial for digestion. The cinnamon helps keep your blood sugar balanced.

Magic Broccoli

This is a very simple, delicious dish to add to your Thanksgiving meal. Roasting broccoli caramelizes it creating a sweet flavor. Lemon juice brightens up the flavor when you drizzle it over the broccoli while still hot. Parmesan cheese on top. Yum! It’s also great without the parmesan if you’re vegan.

Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Prosciutto

In this dish, the sweet apples and bitter Brussels sprouts mix together in perfect harmony. The prosciutto adds a nice salty balance. If you don’t eat prosciutto add grated pecorino or leave it out. The dish is delicious however you make it.

Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Candied yams are a classic dish. Here is the upgraded healthy version but no less delicious.

Roasted Garlic Parsnip Cauliflower Mash

Parsnips and roasted garlic are the magic combination to take cauliflower mash to another level. It brings the earthiness and starchiness you typically find in white potatoes. It’s lighter than mashed potatoes and holds up to a thick gravy.

Roasted Carrots with Parsley and Thyme

A simple dish of roasted carrots with slightly bitter herbs to highlight their sweetness. It can be made ahead and served at room temperature or reheated.

Dairy Free Cream of Spinach

A light and healthy version of creamed spinach made with a garlic cashew cream sauce, your guests will never know it’s dairy free.

Smoky Braised Kale with Tomato

The long gentle braise infuses the greens with a dark smoky flavor. Plan to simmer it for 20-30 minutes.

Click here if you want more of the best Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes from last years line up.