14 Thanksgiving vegetable sides healthy

Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table with loved ones and enjoying delicious food — but that doesn’t mean your menu can’t be healthy too.

These 14 healthy Thanksgiving vegetable sides are flavorful, colorful, and nourishing, giving you all the holiday joy without the extra heaviness.

1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Olive Oil

Crispy and golden on the outside yet tender on the inside, these roasted Brussels sprouts are a healthy favorite for any Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer or oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Roast for 18–20 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through, until edges are crispy and golden.

2. Garlic Sautéed Green Beans

Bright, crisp, and full of flavor, these garlic green beans are a quick, low-calorie side dish that pairs beautifully with any Thanksgiving main.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

• 2 tsp olive oil

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

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

2. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

3. Toss in green beans and cook for 5–7 minutes until tender-crisp.

4. Season and serve warm.

3. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Herbs

These sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and beautifully caramelized, offering a nutritious twist on a Thanksgiving classic.

Ingredients:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp dried rosemary

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

3. Roast for 25–30 minutes until tender and golden brown.

4. Cauliflower Rice Pilaf

Light and fluffy cauliflower rice makes a nutritious substitute for traditional grains while still packing in great flavor and texture.

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, riced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ cup peas

• ½ cup diced carrots

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet.

2. Add cauliflower rice, peas, and carrots.

3. Cook for 6–8 minutes until tender.

4. Season and serve warm as a light, fluffy side.

5. Maple Glazed Carrots

Tender carrots glazed in maple syrup offer a perfect balance of sweetness and earthy flavor — a must-have for a wholesome holiday plate.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Toss carrots with olive oil, maple syrup, and salt.

2. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until caramelized.

3. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

6. Balsamic Roasted Beets

Earthy beets roasted with balsamic vinegar make a colorful, nutrient-rich addition to your Thanksgiving spread.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium beets, peeled and cubed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss beets with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt.

3. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

7. Garlic Roasted Broccoli

Roasted broccoli with a hint of garlic and lemon is both crispy and refreshing — a guilt-free green to balance your meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups broccoli florets

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss broccoli with olive oil and garlic.

3. Roast for 15–18 minutes.

4. Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

8. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa

Colorful bell peppers filled with quinoa and veggies bring protein and fiber to the table — beautiful and healthy!

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops removed and seeded

• 1 cup cooked quinoa

• ½ cup corn kernels

• ½ cup spinach, chopped

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Mix quinoa, corn, spinach, salt, and pepper.

3. Stuff peppers and place in a baking dish.

4. Bake for 25–30 minutes.

9. Kale and Apple Salad

Crisp apples and crunchy pecans bring a refreshing balance to hearty Thanksgiving dishes.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chopped kale

• 1 apple, thinly sliced

• ¼ cup chopped pecans

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Toss kale with olive oil and vinegar.

2. Add apples and pecans.

3. Mix well and chill before serving.

10. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

Simple and elegant, roasted asparagus brings a light, tangy touch to your feast.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Roast for 10–12 minutes.

4. Add lemon juice and zest before serving.

11. Spaghetti Squash with Spinach

This low-carb side is hearty yet light, featuring roasted spaghetti squash and sautéed spinach.

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash, halved and seeded

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 cup fresh spinach

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Roast spaghetti squash at 400°F (200°C) for 35–40 minutes.

2. Scrape out strands with a fork.

3. Sauté spinach in olive oil, then toss with squash.

12. Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries

A sweet and tangy combo that looks as beautiful as it tastes — perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cubed butternut squash

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ¼ cup dried cranberries

• 1 tsp maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Roast squash at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.

2. Add cranberries and maple syrup; toss gently.

3. Serve warm.

13. Garlic Mushrooms with Herbs

Savory mushrooms cooked with garlic and herbs bring rich umami flavor without heaviness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sliced mushrooms

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet.

2. Add garlic and mushrooms; cook for 6–8 minutes.

3. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

14. Grilled Zucchini Ribbons

These light, smoky zucchini ribbons are simple yet elegant — a perfect healthy finishing touch.

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchini, sliced thin into ribbons

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 1 tsp balsamic glaze

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Brush zucchini ribbons with olive oil and season.

2. Grill 2 minutes per side.

3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.