Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

When it comes to Thanksgiving Dinner, the turkey, ham, dressing, stuffing, sweets, and plenty of other hearty dishes get the spotlight and often leave vegetables behind or overshadowed. Luckily, this curated list of 60 Favorite Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes from Food52 is just the thing you need to keep your Thanksgiving dinner from being unbalanced or overtly unhealthy.

The holiday table on Thanksgiving is best when it’s colorful, diverse, and health-conscious, so consider making an active effort this year and whip up some of these vitamin-rich and heart-happy side dishes to add some green to that Thanksgiving table and compliment the golden brown color scheme of the various potato-crusted dishes on its surface.

Green Beans Vinaigrette

Tangy, seasoned, and delicious, these salt-boiled green beans are just the dish to prepare if you’re looking to spice up a traditional serving of so-called “boring” green beans. This dish has you combining red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, honey, high-quality olive oil, and dijon mustard for a vinaigrette that is well-served on essentially any salad or vegetable side, but when it’s placed atop brightly colored and tender green beans that are fresh out of a salt boil, the acidic flavor is elevated and leaving your palette satisfied after a hearty serving of any of your other dinner table offerings.

Twice-Baked Potatoes With Kale

It may be time to blend the warmth that comes from an all-time fan favorite: baked russet potatoes and the vitamin-rich superfood that is kale in this heart-conscious side dish that will leave all who survey it wanting more. In this recipe, you essentially soften the russet potatoes with an initial bake before sautéing your roughly-chopped bunch of lacinato kale. What follows is a delicious, seasoned, and expertly-textured side dish that tastes absolutely wonderful and (get this) good for you!

Caramelized Butternut Squash Wedges With Sage-Hazelnut Pesto

Autumn comes out in full force alongside this impeccable sage-hazelnut pesto and all the oft-ignored flavor notes that it’s able to bring out. Also, while it’s absolutely delicious and well-suited to serve this herbal and nutty pesto atop sweetened, caramelized butternut squash wedges, you’re free to substitute another favorite vegetable in its place such as parsnips, carrots, or zucchini. Though, a combination of all four might not be a bad idea; just ensure you have enough pesto to go around!

Mashed Maple Chipotle Sweet Potatoes

Sometimes opposites attract; it’s proven to be true in romantic comedies and this side dish that has you take the sweetness of sweet potatoes and maple syrup and plate them against the distinct flavor palette and spice of smoky chipotles. What transpires is a dish that is sure to stick with you long after the meal is over, though it does compliment the various starchy dishes likely beside it on the table as well. Most of all, the soft orange glow of this dish will serve as a welcome addition to your table, no matter the case.

Brussels Sprouts Caesar

Admit it, salad is always a winner, but it can often be lost in the Thanksgiving shuffle and forgotten about. However, this Brussel-sprout Caesar salad has a texture and color that will literally brighten up your dinner table, plate, and taste buds. Consider preparing extra Brussel sprouts and shaving them with a knife or mandoline for excellent flavor pairings outside of this off-the-beaten-path salad.

Besides those dishes listed above, the following encompasses a variety of vegetable-focused side dishes that are sure to delight and impress.

Whether they’re proper side dishes or hors d’oeuvres, the above recipes are sure to serve you and your guest right at Thanksgiving dinner.

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