62 Best Vegetable Side Dishes to Round Out Your Thanksgiving Spread
These veggies are cozy, colorful, and completely crave-worthy!
Holiday staples like turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy sure are merry, but they're not the most colorful. Luckily, there are plenty of bright Thanksgiving vegetable sides to balance out all that beige! Sweet potato recipes, green beans, and butternut squash bring the perfect pop of color and taste to any Thanksgiving menu. Plus, they're proof that tasty Thanksgiving sides and healthy Thanksgiving recipes aren't mutually exclusive. Even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied with dishes like smashed Brussels sprouts and stuffed mushrooms!
When you're planning a menu of Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes, there are plenty of seasonal fall produce to choose from. You'll feel perfectly autumnal with Ree Drummond's roasted vegetables with pecan crumble, and you'll definitely want to make a trip to the farmers' market for the butternut squash and kale casserole. Of course, there are also tons of variations on potato recipes, too! Think: creamy mashed potatoes, crash hot potatoes, or scalloped potatoes that are made in a slow cooker.
Not only will you get a pop of color, but veggies help round out a meal and provide much needed vitamins and minerals. Even on an indulgent day, you can feel good about getting in something that'll help you digest it all! No matter which vegetable side dish you choose, these sides are sure to get a second scoop from guests sitting at your Thanksgiving table.
Broccoli Caesar Salad
In this unique salad, crisp-tender roasted broccoli stands in for the romaine. It's tossed with a creamy Caesar dressing, then finished with crunchy homemade cheesy croutons. It holds up beautifully—make ahead, stash the croutons separately, then toss just before serving.
Get the Broccoli Caesar Salad recipe.
Asparagus Casserole
Bright, cheesy, and crunchy, this side dish has it all! Crisp-tender asparagus is coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, then topped with buttery panko breadcrumbs. Parmesan, lemon zest, and sliced almonds add extra texture and flavor, too.
Get the Asparagus Casserole recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Vinaigrette
Slightly caramelized carrots get a flavor upgrade with a vibrant garlic-and-herb vinaigrette (think: olive oil, Dijon mustard, fresh rosemary and thyme). They're tender in the middle, golden on the edges, and full of holiday-table appeal.
Get Ree's Roasted Carrots with Vinaigrette recipe.
Crispy Potatoes Halves with Cilantro Garlic Sauce
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside—these potato halves are simple perfection. Baked cut-side down until golden and crisp, they're finished with a bright, garlicky sauce that gets a little kick from lime, jalapeño, and cilantro.
Get Ree's Crispy Potatoes Halves with Cilantro Garlic Sauce recipe.
Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates
Here, snap-tender green beans meet a glossy pomegranate-butter reduction, then get showered with juicy pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and fresh herbs like parsley and dill. It's a festive side that adds color and crunch to your plate.
Get Ree's Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates recipe.
Caprese Skewers
Elegant yet effortless, this recipe calls for juicy grape tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls (marinated in olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper) threaded on rosemary sprigs, all drizzled with a luscious plum-balsamic glaze. And yes, you can prep ahead!
Get Ree's Caprese Skewers recipe.
Asparagus Salad
This light, fresh side will balance out all your hearty holiday favorites. Tender asparagus and crisp radishes are tossed with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and topped with walnuts, shaved parmesan, and bacon.
Get the Asparagus Salad recipe.
Braised Cabbage Wedges
Give hearty cabbage the holiday treatment! Caramelized on the cut side, then slowly braised in smoky bacon, garlic, tomato-chipotle sauce and hearty broth until melt-in-your-mouth tender, this side brings a satisfying twist on the traditional veggie dish.
Get the Braised Cabbage Wedges recipe.
Grilled Broccoli
Big on broccoli flavor, low on fuss, these large broccoli spears are soaked in a garlicky balsamic marinade, then grilled until tender. Finish them with a fresh lemon squeeze! The recipe can even be made up to five days in advance.
Get the Grilled Broccoli recipe.
French Onion Stuffed Potatoes
Imagine the cozy, caramel-sweet flavors of French onion soup—but tucked into a baked potato. These hearty russets are hollowed, mashed with caramelized onions, crumbled bacon, sour cream, and cheddar and topped with more cheese and sliced green onions.
Get Ree's French Onion Stuffed Potatoes recipe.
Zucchini Gratin
Layers of tender zucchini rounds meet a lusciously creamy sauce, then get topped with gruyère, parmesan and panko crumbs for golden, crisp perfection. This gratin checks all the boxes—comforting, elegant, and full of flavor.
Get the Zucchini Gratin recipe.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Roasted acorn squash halves become cozy little bowls filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, mushrooms, cooked rice and creamy fontina cheese—then baked until golden and bubbling.
Get the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.
Green Bean Casserole
You can't go wrong with a classic green bean casserole on Thanksgiving! Ree's twist on the comforting casserole features bacon, cheese, and a crispy panko crust instead of the usual fried onion topping.
Get Ree's Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
For a sweet and savory side that isn't sweet potato casserole, try your hand at these tender roasted carrots. They're coated in homemade honey herb butter and even more fresh herbs for a side dish that's equal parts comforting and refreshing.
Green Beans Almondine
Switch it up from your usual green beans with this nutty, lemony dish! It's full of fresh flavor thanks to green beans, lemon, shallots, garlic, and crunchy toasted almonds.
Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon
If green beans aren't your thing, but you still want a creamy casserole to pair with your turkey, look no further than this veggie-packed side dish! It's chock full of cauliflower, broccoli, and bacon (which you can leave out if desired).
Get Ree's Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon recipe.
Smashed Brussels Sprouts
These are Brussels sprouts like you've never seen them before! They're boiled, flattened, and coated in a panko-parmesan mixture before being baked until crisp. Serve them up with a creamy lemon sauce and dip away!
Get the Smashed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Cabbage Salad
This cooling cabbage salad will be a welcome source of crunch on your plate. It's so easy to make: just toss together purple cabbage, nutty toasted pecans, tart green apples, and peppery arugula in a bright, tangy vinaigrette.
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
French Onion Potatoes au Gratin
Mashed potatoes aren't the only starch that deserves a spot in your spread! With many melt-in-your-mouth layers of potatoes, caramelized onions, and cheese, this side dish may just steal the show.
Get Ree's French Onion Potatoes au Gratin recipe.
Roasted Asparagus
The best way to balance out the big names on your Thanksgiving menu? With a simple and bright dish like Ree's roasted asparagus! It's ready in just 15 minutes and oh-so-crispy.
Get Ree's Roasted Asparagus recipe.
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