9 Thanksgiving Recipes That Give Classic Side Dishes a Healthy Makeover

Prepping your Thanksgiving side dishes to complement that big, juicy turkey? Before you add that heaping cup of sugar to the cranberries the way you do every November, consider this: We believe in enjoying the happy indulgences holidays present (like eating every bite of that slice of creamy, delicious pumpkin pie), but that doesn’t mean your meal always has to result in a paralyzing food coma. Tweaking classic sides is one easy way to make the feast healthier without sacrificing traditional flavors or dishes altogether. It’ll also add creativity and excitement to your table, which your little brother’s foodie fiancé will totally appreciate. Try one of these tasty recipes for a fresh, healthy menu this year. Thanksgiving side dishes, reimagined: Mashed Butternut Squash Butternut squash offers all the fall flavor of sweet potatoes, but with none of the peeling and chopping. Just cut in half, throw in the oven, and—voila!—a healthy Thanksgiving side dish. Spiced Cranberry Relish Instead of a sugar bomb, this twist on cranberry sauce is light and tart, providing a counterbalance to the many heavy, warming foods on the table. It’s packed with antioxidants from the cranberries, and vitamin C is a natural stress-fighter, which will help when Uncle Joe starts talking politics. You’re welcome. Sweet Potato Latkes Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamin C no matter how you make them, but these (baked!) latkes are especially unexpected and delicious, with cinnamon and nutmeg for a flavor- and antioxidant-boost. Ginger Carrot Squash Soup Butternut squash soup is generally as nutritious as it is delicious, but add in ginger and you’re serving guests an immune-system strengthener that will help them get through cold and flu season without sniffling. Protein-Packed Corn Muffins Garbanzo bean flour, coconut oil, and unsweetened almond milk make these corn muffins the healthiest you’ve ever had. And they take less than half an hour to make. Wild Rice and Bulgur Stuffing This recipe trades the refined carbs that usually dominate stuffing for healthier grains like wild rice and bulgur, and the pecans provide some healthy fat and protein to prevent overeating other dishes. Cranberry Roasted Root Vegetables  Spices (cardamom and nutmeg) plus a dash of honey pretty much guarantee that these vegetables won’t get lost in the crowd. Carrots and parsnips never shined so brightly. Garlic and Lemon Haricot Verts Green bean casserole is one of the highest-calorie side dishes at any holiday feast. Instead of smothering the crispy, vitamin-rich veggies with cream of mushroom soup, add immune-boosting garlic, lemon, and sea salt. Mini Pumpkin Pie Bites Okay, this one isn’t exactly a side dish, but these treats are the perfect bite-sized addition to your dessert table. Flax seeds and chia seeds help stabilize your blood sugar, and Greek yogurt offers a hit of protein you won’t find in other sweets.

13 Healthy, Easy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

No Turkey? No problem. There’s no need to settle for mashed potatoes and green beans when you have these delicious and nourishing plant-based dishes on the menu.  Ahead, you’ll find tasty recipes—both mains and side dishes—that will satisfy all your Thanksgiving cravings—and make everyone at the table happy (non-vegetarians, too) while you’re at it.  Even better, these vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes are simple and easy to prepare, so you can spend more time with good company and less time stressing in the kitchen. Consider us thankful. Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes Cranberry Roasted Root Vegetables Take your roasted veggies up a notch with a simple cranberry-orange glaze that’s bursting with flavor and antioxidants. Slow-roasted carrots and parsnips packed with immune-boosting vitamins A, C, and K are drizzled in this warming glaze for a seriously delicious and nutritious side dish. Sheet Pan Roasted Squash and Feta Salad When you need a quick and easy-to-prep dish, sheet pan recipes are the answer. This one from Epicurious includes delicious squash and nutrient-dense bitter greens that provide the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Mashed Butternut Squash Step aside mashed potatoes, mashed butternut squash is here to take your place at the Thanksgiving table. This subtly sweet veggie is loaded with fiber and carotenoids, which are highly effective antioxidants. Roast the entire squash to skip the peeling and chopping, and you’ll keep prep time to a minimum. Black and Wild Rice Salad with Roasted Squash If you haven’t tried black rice yet, now is your chance. High in protein, fiber, and iron, this tasty grain pairs perfectly with wild rice, butternut squash, pistachios, and pomegranate seeds to create a delicious fall salad. Roasted Brussels Sprouts If you want a simple and quick crowd-pleasing dish, then you need to add this roasted Brussels sprouts recipe to the menu. Cruciferous veggies like Brussels sprouts are associated with a reduced risk of some cancers and help feed the good-for-you bacteria in your gut. Just chop, toss, bake—and you’re done! Cranberry Walnut Salad Add some greens to your Thanksgiving meal with this easy cranberry walnut salad. The walnuts provide anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, while chopped apples and cranberries bring immune-boosting vitamin C. Tossed in a simple olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing, this salad will lighten up your meal. Stuffed Acorn Squash Bowl Antioxidant-rich acorn squash doubles as dishware in this veg-friendly recipe. Stuff this fall veggie with protein-rich quinoa salad or chili for a satisfying main dish that even meat eaters will love. Stuffing Stuffed Whole Cauliflower You won’t miss the turkey with this holiday-worthy main from Food Network. Raw, roasted, mashed, riced—cauliflower is delicious no matter how you prepare it. That said, this stuffing stuffed whole cauliflower might just beat them all. Plus, this nutrient-dense veggie is packed with an impressive number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. RELATED: The Health Benefits of Cauliflower Shaved Brussel Sprouts with Pecorino and Hazelnuts Roasted Brussels sprouts are delicious, of course, but raw shaved Brussels sprouts deserve some love too. Shaved sprouts provide the perfect crispy salad base that’s packed with nutrients like folate, potassium, and B vitamins. Citrusy grapefruit, crunchy hazelnuts, and sweet figs are added to create a simple yet sophisticated salad.  Spiced Cranberry Relish This spiced cranberry relish has all the yummy flavor you want from a cranberry sauce without all the excess sugar. Not to mention, it’s rich in anti-inflammatory vitamin C and cinnamon, which can both help reduce responses to stress. Bonus: This relish is delicious with meats or added to wraps and salads, so you can use it with all your Thanksgiving leftovers. Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole Lighten up the traditional green bean casserole with this vegan version from Delish. The green beans in this Thanksgiving staple are not only delicious, but also provide a healthy dose of protein, fiber, and immune-boosting vitamins C, K, and A. Wild Rice & Bulgur Stuffing Stuffing—but elevated. Substituting bread with wild rice and bulgur not only boosts flavor, but also adds fiber, B vitamins, and important minerals such as magnesium and iron. Make extra—your guests will go back for seconds. Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole Indulge in some nostalgia with this classic Thanksgiving dish. Sweet potatoes provide tons of fiber and nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. Just grab some vegan marshmallows if you want to keep the whole dish veg-friendly. (Images: Shutterstock)