My family loves Thanksgiving. More than the turkey, we are big fans of all the Thanksgiving side dishes, appetizers, and desserts. In fact, we start making the sides a week or two earlier and eat them for various “regular” meals or we take them for sharing to holiday dinners through November and December. This way we get to enjoy all our favorite Thanksgiving recipes throughout the holiday season.
In this post, I highlight our 10 Favorite Thanksgiving Sides that can be made in your Instant Pot pressure cooker, in the oven or the stovetop. Good for any holiday dinner, these holiday dishes are quick to make, easy to double, and most importantly, they are HEALTHY. Most of these can me made ahead and re-heated for your holiday meal.
So, if you’re looking for Vegan Thanksgiving sides, Vegetarian Thanksgiving sides or Gluten-free Thanksgiving sides, you’ll find plenty of choices in this post!
Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
I add parmesan cheese to this classic dish that forms a delicious crust on these parmesan roasted potatoes. They are crispy on the outside, light and creamy on the inside. Herbs like basil and oregano add a nice earthy flavor to the potatoes. This recipe is Veg + Gluten-Free.
Green Beans Almondine
This green bean almondine recipe is a great lighter alternative to the green bean casserole. You simply sauté fresh crisp string beans with olive oil, butter, seasoning, garlic and balsamic vinegar. Finish by topping with toasted almond chips. This recipe is Veg + Gluten-Free. To make it Vegan, substitute the butter with olive oil.
Honey-Glazed Carrots
These crisp, tender and citrusy-sweet Honey Glazed Carrots are a delicious and colorful side, fit for any occasion. Steamed carrots are sautéed in ginger infused orange juice, till they form a sweet floral glaze all over. Orange juice and zest add a subtle citrus flavor, which contrasts so beautifully with the ginger. This is one of my favorite ways to eat carrots! This recipe is Veg + Gluten-Free. To make it Vegan, substitute the honey with maple syrup.
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
A combination of sweet and savory, this cheesy Jalapeños Cheddar Cornbread is the perfect balance of moist and crumbly. This recipe is an all jazzed-up version of my favorite store-bought cornbread mix.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Sweet, tart and extremely delicious, this cranberry sauce is a jam-like sauce or relish made by cooking down cranberries with sugar. Making cranberry sauce at home takes just 15-20 minutes, but completely elevates your turkey. I make this sauce in the summer and freeze it. We then use it on cheese plates throughout the year. This recipe is Vegan + Gluten-Free.
Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
This creamy garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes is simply magical. It’s like mashed potatoes met cheese fondue! I add some goat cheese, which adds a tanginess that cuts through the richness, and balances this sauce perfectly. Parmesan cheese compliments the goat cheese and makes this sauce absolutely delicious. This recipe is Veg + Gluten-Free.
Cranberry Orange Cornbread
The flavor combination of cranberries, orange, and cornbread was just meant to be. The orange compliments the subtle sweetness in the cornmeal and the cranberries’ tartness provides a nice contrast and balance to the cornbread. This result in a well balanced, moist and flavorful Cranberry Orange Cornbread, which smells of orange and cornmeal.
Pumpkin Spice Cornbread
In this pumpkin spice cornbread recipe, the earthy and sweet cornbread mix meets creamy and moist homemade pumpkin puree. The result is a soft, moist, delicious Pumpkin Spice Cornbread that is a great side and can also be used in stuffing.
Kale, Mango, & Chickpeas Slaw
Lightly sautéed kale slaw mix (from Trader Joe’s), with cooked chickpeas, juicy mango or butternut squash, and topped with crunchy slivered almonds. This bright and healthy Kale, Mango & Chickpeas Slaw is a great addition to any holiday spread. This recipe is Veg + Gluten-Free.
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Not a traditional side for Thanksgiving, but this light and refreshing Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad provides such a light and delightful contrast to the holiday table. It’s a great side for your guests who prefer to eat gluten-free. This recipe is Veg + Gluten-Free.
Bonus Thanksgiving Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole:
French Toast Casserole
This Cinnamon Raisin French toast casserole is everything you love about a French toast, just more delicious and way more convenient! It is an ideal make-ahead breakfast casserole that you can make on Thanksgiving night for the morning. Sweet cinnamon raisin bread soaked in custard, baked till it’s soft and gooey on the inside and crispy and caramelized on the outside! A slice of this feels like a treat!
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