Nine Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
A typical Thanksgiving table has turkey, stuffing, gravy, and side dishes galore. This Thanksgiving, instead of serving dishes that are high in calories, fat, and low in nutrients, swap your traditional side dishes out for a healthier choice. We found 9 healthy and unique side dishes that are rich in flavor, but won’t leave you reaching for your sweat pants after the meal.
1. Kale and Wild Rice Casserole
via Half Baked Harvest
For a healthy alternative to the green bean casserole, try adding some kale. When sautéing the kale, add a cup of water to make sure it stays moist, but still wilts.
2. Quinoa Stuffing
via The Wannabe Chef
If you’re looking for a stuffing alternative, try a quinoa stuffing this year. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and only takes 20-minutes to cook.
3. Asian Chili Roasted Brussels Sprouts
via Taste Seekers Kitchen
Instead of flavoring your Brussels sprouts with butter this year, use vegetable oil and Asian seasoning for a rich flavor. Cut the Brussels sprouts in quarters instead of halves to make sure they cook all the way through.
4. Warm Wheatberry Salad with Dried Fruit
via Health
Wheatberries, cranberries, and apricots are all a great source of fiber. Make sure to soak the berries for 24 hours before preparing.
5. Spice Sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Garlic
via My Recipes
This recipe has bold Italian flavors, and it’s super fast and easy to make. Just throw the ingredients in a sauté pan, and you can make a great side dish.
6. Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa and Roasted Almonds
via Marin Mama Cooks
This vegetarian dish can also be made vegan by substituting nutritional yeast instead of feta. Use acorn squash for the dish, but be warned, it’s difficult to cut in half.
7. Low-Carb Mashed Potatoes
via POPSUGAR
Yukon gold potatoes are a great choice for a low-carb dish because they are sweet, creamy, and already taste like butter. To make, use broth and Greek yogurt to get the texture of traditional mashed potatoes but without the calories.
8. Red Wine Glazed Mushrooms
via What’s Gabby Cooking
Wine isn’t just for drinking, you can cook with it, too. Once the mushrooms are cooked, add the red wine and continue cooking at a low heat to turn the wine into a creamy sauce.
9. Tomato Biscuits
via Reader’s Digest
Swap out white dinner rolls this year for this yogurt inspired biscuit. You get the texture of a biscuit without the calories by mixing in yogurt with the flour and baking powder.
