50 Best Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food.

And these 50 Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes can help you make the most of all those things. 

Are you looking for vegan thanksgiving sides, or something more indulgent? Either way, I have you covered.

With 50 recipes to choose from, there’s something here for everybody. 

The kids will love the oven-baked potato wedges and scalloped potatoes.

And everyone else will appreciate the numerous ways to cook sprouts and carrots. 

Honestly, everything here is delicious. So browse through these Thanksgiving vegetable side dishes and find a new favorite. 

Thanksgiving Carrot Sides

Carrot Casserole

This cheesy carrot casserole will easily become one of your new favorites.

With cream of celery soup, cheddar cheese, and seasoned croutons, it’s too good to pass up.

It’s the perfect option for a quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish. 

Healthy Mashed Carrots

Want to experience carrots in a whole new way? Try mashing them like mashed potatoes!

They have the same creamy, fluffy texture and much prettier orange color. 

They’re a lower-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.

And you can even add garlic to make garlic mashed carrots if you prefer! 

Fall Farro Salad with Carrots and Cranberries 

Need a filling side dish that combines several fall favorites? Try this farro salad recipe.

You make it with farro, celery, carrots, almonds, garlic, cranberries, and more. 

It’s colorful, fresh, and full of complementary flavors to delight your tastebuds.

It takes less than an hour to make and can serve up to eight people. 

Give it a try if you want something new for Thanksgiving dinner.

Carrots Au Gratin

Trust me on this: anything you can do with potatoes, you can do with carrots.

Remember Samwise’s love of potatoes? Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a stew! 

You can do all those things with carrots, too. Don’t believe me? Check out this recipe for carrots au gratin.

They’re cheesy, buttery, garlicky, and vegan-friendly! That’s a hard dish to beat. 

Cracker Barrel Glazed Baby Carrots

When it comes to glazed baby carrots, Cracker Barrel makes the best. With this recipe, you can, too!

It’s a quick and easy copycat recipe that comes together in just 15 minutes. 

And you’ll only need four ingredients to make them!

What are you waiting for? This one makes such a great vegetable Thanksgiving side.

Carrot Souffle

Mmmm. Carrot souffle! It’s so light and fluffy that it barely feels real! I adore this dish.

It takes a little time to get it right. But once you do, there’s nothing else like it on the whole table. 

Honey Roasted Carrots with Balsamic

Put the words’ honey’ and ‘balsamic’ in a recipe, and I’m sure to love it.

These gorgeously glazed, juicy carrots are no exception. 

They have a sweet, tangy, and herb flavor that’s out of this world. They’re also simple to make, using fewer than 10 ingredients.

Try this recipe if you need a carrot side dish for any meal.

Carrot Slaw with Cranberries, Toasted Walnuts & Citrus Vinaigrette

When most people think of slaw, they picture cabbage. 

This carrot slaw is brighter, prettier, and, in my opinion, tastier.

It’s a sweet, zesty slaw packed with typical Thanksgiving ingredients. (Carrots, cranberries, walnuts, etc.) 

Give it a try the next time you’re not in the mood for typical cabbage slaw.

Classic Vegetable Side Dishes

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

This garlic parmesan roasted cauliflower is so full of delicious flavor! It only takes 25-30 minutes to whip up this delicious side dish.

Since it’s low-carb and keto-friendly, it’s a wonderful alternative to potatoes and stuffing.

Once you try it for Thanksgiving dinner, you’ll make it all year round.

Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted butternut squash is a soft, sweet, caramelized delight.

The maple syrup, cinnamon, and rosemary go together flawlessly. Every bite is one you’ll want to savor. 

Green Beans Almondine

Looking for an extra special vegetable side for Thanksgiving? Add a little crunch to your green beans with slivered almonds.

It also gives them a richer, nuttier taste, which you’ll brighten with lemon juice. 

Add some shallots and garlic, and you’re all set. It’s the green bean recipe you never knew you needed. 

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Crispy Bacon, Parmesan, and Toasted Walnuts

 A crunchy Brussels sprouts salad is always welcome at Thanksgiving.

This dish offers a rough, hearty contrast to creamy mashed potatoes and savory gravy.

Mixed with bacon, toasted walnuts, and nutty parmesan, this salad truly shines.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms may not be a traditional Thanksgiving food, but they should be.

They’re delectable little mouthfuls of YUM. They’re relatively easy to make, too. 

This recipe is a must-try if you want something earthy, rich, and full of flavor. 

Fresh Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is often overlooked, especially for more formal gatherings and occasions.

I hope to rectify that by sharing this recipe with you. 

It’s creamy, garlicky, cheesy, and too good to pass up. Forget the frozen stuff.

Make it fresh this year and see what a difference that makes. 

Easy Vegetable Casseroles

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

The combination of broccoli and cheese is always a winner. And when it’s baked into an ooey-gooey casserole, it’s even better!

This tasty dish is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s so good, you could even serve it as an entree for vegetarians.

It’s easy to make, and you can have it on the table in 45 minutes.

Paula Deen’s Squash Casserole

Casseroles are excellent vegetable Thanksgiving sides because they’re easy to make.

You assemble them and let the oven do all the hard work. 

This squash casserole is even easier than most. It takes only 15 minutes of prep work and 10 ingredients.

It’s a creamy, cracker-covered casserole the whole family will love. 

Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole requires a few more ingredients than the one above.

Thankfully, it’s just as quick and straightforward to make. 

It’s a creamy, indulgent comfort food casserole. It’ll almost guarantee you don’t have to deal with any leftovers. 

Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin

Potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple. But don’t overlook other root vegetables!

This scrumptious gratin is made with beets, parsnips, and potatoes, plus cream and garlic.  

There’s also Gruyere cheese, which gives it such a luxurious feel. This dish will be the star of your Thanksgiving menu!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Of course, I’m still going to mention the casserole mentioned above!

After all, it’s a holiday classic! This recipe forgoes marshmallows, but you can add them if you like. 

It’s sweet and creamy, with a crunchy pecan topping that everyone will love.

And thanks to the spices, your kitchen will smell fantastic while it’s cooking. 

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts & Bacon

This creamy Brussels sprouts dish is unlike any sprouts recipe I’ve ever tried. It’s full of cheese, garlic, bacon, and more.

It’s ridiculously flavorful and entirely comforting. 

You’ll barely even realize you’re eating Brussels sprouts. 

Butternut Squash Gratin with Feta

If you’re looking for a side dish to truly impress, this butternut squash gratin is the one.

Given that it’s topped with feta cheese, you really can’t go wrong. The salty flavor and creamy flavor of feta is such a treat!

It’s so easy to make, too. All you have to do is peel the squash, dice it, and mix the ingredients together. Then pop it in the oven to bake!

French’s Green Bean Casserole

This quick and easy vegetable side for Thanksgiving is so simple, even beginners can make it.

You need four ingredients and about 30 minutes. It’s the perfect last-minute side dish for any occasion.

Squash and Pumpkin Side Dishes

Hasselback Butternut Squash in Garlic Butter

No, that’s not a strange-looking roast on your screen.

It’s a garlic butter-infused Hasselback butternut squash, and it’s divine. 

It tastes great, looks fantastic, and will draw many compliments from guests.

Best of all, it’s naturally gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly. So just about anyone can enjoy it! 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries

I made this colorful, flavorful dish last Thanksgiving, and it was a hit.

There wasn’t a single bit of it to bring home. Everyone from the youngest kid to the oldest great-aunt loved it. 

It has so much flavor, and the mixture of textures is delightful.

There are crunchy pecans, crisp sprouts, chewy cranberries, and soft squash. It’s incredible till the last bite. 

Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese

Butternut squash has a natural, earthy sweetness. It tastes great, but by itself, some people find it bland.

Jazz it up with some tangy goat cheese and tart pomegranate arils.

It’s a colorful, festive vegetable Thanksgiving side showcasing butternut squash in a new light. 

Apple-Stuffed Baked Acorn Squash

Acorn squash makes a fantastic side dish for your spread! And this version stuffed with caramelized apples couldn’t be more delicious.

The squash is roasted with cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter before being stuffed.

Sprinkle it with fresh thyme for a colorful finishing touch.

Mashed Pumpkin

Here’s another terrific replacement for mashed potatoes.

Don’t want to use carrots or cauliflower? No problem! Try pumpkin instead! 

This creamy, cheesy side dish is delightfully fluffy and full of garlic.

It doesn’t taste just like mashed potatoes, but it’s delicious in its own right. 

One-Pot Stove-Top Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Add a little pumpkin flair to your Thanksgiving food this year, including your mac and cheese! 

I know! I know! Pumpkin mac and cheese sounds like you’re taking things a step too far. Surprisingly, though, it’s good. 

It’s still as creamy and cheesy as ever. The pumpkin just adds another depth of warm flavor.

It enhances, not masks, the dish’s overall yumminess. 

Pumpkin Cornbread Stuffing with Bacon and Dates

Instead of traditional stuffing, try this tasty cornbread version! It’s a feast for the senses, made with pumpkin puree, onions, dates, and bacon.

The addition of rosemary, sage, and thyme adds the perfect herbal touch.

Top it with gravy for an extra special treat.

Butternut Squash and Wild Mushroom Stuffing

This vegetarian stuffing is one for the record books. The flavors, textures, and seasonings are just so on-point.

Mushrooms bring a hearty, earthy flavor, while butternut squash sweetens things up.

The recipe creator suggests adding a little balsamic vinegar and Asiago cheese to kick things up a notch.

Potato and Sweet Potato Sides

German Potato Salad

This isn’t your average backyard cookout potato salad! The German version has a cider vinegar and mustard base as opposed to mayonnaise.

It also features bacon, onion, honey, and garlic.

This is one potato side dish nobody will be expecting on Thanksgiving.

Sweet Potato Cobbler

If you’re a fan of sweet potato casserole, just wait until you try this cobbler. 

Sweetened with sugar and vanilla, it’s a scrumptious treat no one can resist. The crumbly topping is simply irresistible!

Try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dish to remember.

Mashed Red Potatoes

Switch up your regular mashed potatoes with this incredible red version.

Leaving the skin on adds a depth of flavor and texture you just can’t get with Yukon Golds.

Make them with butter, milk, and sour cream for silky, creamy potatoes. (Yes, you need all three.)

Irish Mashed Potatoes (Colcannon)

Irish chefs have a lot of good stuff going for them. The myriad of potato recipes they have is definitely one of them. 

Try this colcannon recipe if you want the best mashed potatoes you’ve ever had.

They’re thick, buttery, garlicky, and melt-in-your-mouth incredible. 

Don’t be afraid to add bacon, cheese, and more to really knock them out of the park. 

Oven-Baked Potato Wedges

These are the most phenomenal potato wedges ever.

They have crisp skins and tender insides and are perfectly seasoned. 

There’s more than just salt and pepper on them, too!

You also add onion powder, garlic powder, and a little parmesan cheese. 

You haven’t had potato wedges until you’ve had these potato wedges.  

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

These roasted potatoes with garlic, olive oil, and rosemary are nothing short of heavenly.

Each bite brings a burst of buttery goodness no one can resist. Plus, the potatoes are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

This dish pairs well with turkey or any other entree you’re serving!

Potatoes au Gratin (Dauphinoise)

You’ll never want boxed au gratin potatoes again after trying this recipe.

It’s cheesy, buttery, and will melt in your mouth. 

I make two baking dishes full of these every year.

And every year, I bring home two scraped-clean baking dishes without a single leftover. 

Honestly, I’m a little salty about that.

I started making two helpings so I could enjoy them for a couple of days. *sigh* The best-laid plans…

Scalloped Potatoes

These scalloped potatoes are almost as good as the au gratin ones above.

The only real difference is that these are cheese-free.

Take your pick, really. You won’t have any leftovers of these, either. 

Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Is it even Thanksgiving if you don’t have sweet potatoes on the table?

These savory whipped sweet potatoes are easy to make and even easier to devour. They’re fluffy and full of flavor.

They’re much healthier than the brown sugar- and marshmallow-packed casserole, too!  

Beetroot and Sweet Potato Salad

Want a sweet potato recipe that’s not too indulgent? Try this beetroot and sweet potato salad.

With all the heavy sides at your Thanksgiving dinner, it’s nice to throw some greens into the mix.

Topped with crunchy pecans or walnuts and feta cheese, this salad is such a show-stopper.

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Here’s another ridiculously good savory sweet potato recipe.

These potatoes take some time to cook, but they’re well worth it. 

They have a striking appearance that’ll delight all who see them.

Even better, they smell and taste mouth-wateringly incredible. 

Cheesy Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

This fun sweet potato recipe is a salty and cheesy treat. You’ll use parmesan and cheddar to cheese them up.

Plus, there’s bacon, Italian dressing, and chives. 

Every bite is a flavor explosion for your tastebuds.

I promise you’ve never had a Thanksgiving side dish quite like this one. 

Roasted Vegetable Sides

Garlic Roasted Cheesy Sheet Pan Asparagus

This healthy, low-carb side is a guaranteed winner. It takes just 20 minutes in the oven, and the result is pure perfection.

Roasted asparagus is great on its own with a little salt and pepper. But the addition of mozzarella and parmesan cheese makes it irresistible.

Roasted Beets and Fennel with Orange Vinaigrette

If you’re a fan of roasted beets, you’ll adore this easy recipe! The fennel brings an interesting burst of licorice flavor.

But it’s the orange vinaigrette that turns this dish into a masterpiece. This combination of sweet and savory is to die for!

Maple Balsamic Roasted Asparagus with Cranberries and Feta

Even though asparagus is typically a spring veggie, it’s wonderful any time of year!

Cranberries and maple syrup make this dish fitting for the holiday season. Topped with feta and pumpkin seeds, it’s a crunchy, creamy delight.

In a 450-degree oven, it only takes 7-10 minutes to roast the asparagus.

Holiday Roasted Vegetables

Why choose a single holiday staple when you can have many?

This roasted veggie dish combines onions, carrots, sprouts, cranberries, and more. 

It features a combination of flavors and textures to enjoy.

And all of them are drizzled in rich maple syrup and roasted till they’re nearly caramelized. 

It takes about an hour to make. But everyone who tries it will tell you it was well worth the time. 

Whole Roasted Cabbage

Whole roasted cabbage wasn’t something I thought I’d enjoy. Boy, I’ve never been so happy to be wrong about anything!

This vegan dish has it all! It’s crisp, crunchy, perfectly spiced, fragrant, and flavorful.

It’s also wonderfully filling, especially with the potatoes on the side. 

I would never have thought cabbage by itself could taste so good. 

Golden Pan Roasted Parsnips

Making these roasted parsnips is a quick and easy process.

It takes about 30 minutes and requires very little hands-on work. 

The result is a spiced, vegan-friendly side dish the whole family will enjoy. 

Honey Sriracha Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts have gained in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to see why! They’re hearty and delicious.

This honey and Sriracha recipe brings the perfect marriage of sweet and spicy flavor.

The glaze is so addictive, you might not be able to stop at one helping!

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Want to make Brussels sprouts the quick and easy way? Toss them in the air fryer!

It’ll take about 5 minutes to prepare them and another 10 to cook them. 

It’s one of the easiest ways to make Brussels sprouts you’ll ever try.

And thanks to the mustard, mayo, and maple syrup, they still have a ton of flavor.