14 Thanksgiving vegetable sides stovetop

When the oven is full of turkey and pies, stovetop recipes save the day! These 14 Thanksgiving vegetable sides are all made right on the stove—quick, flavorful, and festive.

From creamy greens to sizzling stir-fries, these dishes will make your Thanksgiving spread shine.

1. Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon

Crisp green beans tossed with lemon and garlic for a light, refreshing side.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb green beans, trimmed

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • ½ lemon, juiced

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

  2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

  3. Toss in green beans and sauté 5–7 minutes.

  4. Squeeze lemon juice before serving.

2. Stovetop Creamed Spinach (Vegan)

Creamy cashew sauce and tender spinach come together for a dairy-free classic.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb spinach

  • ½ cup soaked cashews

  • ¾ cup almond milk

  • 1 garlic clove

  • Salt and nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Blend cashews, milk, garlic, and nutmeg until smooth.

  2. Sauté spinach until wilted.

  3. Stir in cashew cream and cook 2–3 minutes.

3. Maple-Glazed Carrots

Tender carrots coated with a sweet maple glaze that screams fall comfort.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large carrots, sliced

  • 2 tbsp vegan butter

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a pan.

  2. Add carrots and cook 8–10 minutes.

  3. Drizzle maple syrup and toss to coat.

4. Garlic Sautéed Broccoli

Simple, flavorful, and ready in minutes—this broccoli dish is a crowd favorite.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups broccoli florets

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet.

  2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

  3. Add broccoli and stir-fry for 5 minutes.

  4. Season and serve warm.

5. Skillet Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

A sweet and tangy stovetop dish with caramelized Brussels sprouts.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tsp maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in skillet, add sprouts cut-side down.

  2. Cook 8 minutes until golden.

  3. Add balsamic and maple syrup; stir to coat.

6. Buttery Corn and Peppers

A colorful blend of corn and bell peppers for a bright, sweet side dish.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups corn kernels

  • 1 red bell pepper, diced

  • 2 tbsp vegan butter

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a skillet.

  2. Add corn and peppers; cook 7–8 minutes.

  3. Season and serve.

7. Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Savory, rich, and perfect over mashed potatoes or rice—made all on the stovetop.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz mushrooms, chopped

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 tbsp flour

  • 2 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 tsp soy sauce

Instructions:

  1. Sauté mushrooms in oil until soft.

  2. Add flour and stir for 1 minute.

  3. Slowly whisk in broth and soy sauce; simmer until thick.

8. Stovetop Mashed Potatoes (Vegan)

Creamy and buttery mashed potatoes—no oven required!

Ingredients:

  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 3 tbsp vegan butter

  • ½ cup almond milk

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Boil potatoes until tender.

  2. Mash with butter and milk.

  3. Season to taste.

9. Garlic Green Peas with Herbs

Bright and herby peas that come together in 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups green peas

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in skillet.

  2. Add garlic and thyme.

  3. Stir in peas and cook for 5 minutes.

10. Sautéed Cabbage with Onions

Soft, sweet, and buttery cabbage—simple yet satisfying.

Ingredients:

  • ½ head green cabbage, shredded

  • 1 onion, sliced

  • 2 tbsp vegan butter

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a pan.

  2. Add onions and cabbage.

  3. Cook 15 minutes until soft and caramelized.

11. Stovetop Glazed Beets

Earthy beets glazed with balsamic and maple syrup for a sweet-savory finish.

Ingredients:

  • 3 beets, peeled and diced

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Sauté beets in oil for 10 minutes.

  2. Add balsamic and maple syrup; cook until glazed.

12. Lemon Garlic Asparagus

Fresh asparagus cooked quickly for a crisp and citrusy flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • ½ lemon, juiced

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in skillet and add garlic.

  2. Toss in asparagus and sauté 5 minutes.

  3. Add lemon juice before serving.

13. Sweet Corn Succotash

A Southern-inspired stovetop mix of corn, lima beans, and peppers.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups corn

  • 1 cup lima beans

  • ½ red bell pepper, diced

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a pan.

  2. Add all veggies and cook 10 minutes.

  3. Season well before serving.

14. Garlic Mushrooms with Fresh Herbs

Juicy mushrooms sautéed with garlic and herbs—rich, earthy, and holiday-perfect.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mushrooms

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tsp rosemary

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in skillet.

  2. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.

  3. Stir in garlic and rosemary.


These 14 stovetop Thanksgiving vegetable sides are fast, flavorful, and oven-free — ideal for busy holiday cooking.

From buttery corn to glazed beets and garlicky greens, these dishes prove that delicious sides don’t have to wait for oven space.

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