The turkey may be the centerpiece, but the real magic often comes from what’s on the side. These thanksgiving vegetable sides bring bold flavor, great texture, and the kind of freshness that makes every plate feel balanced. They’re the dishes that keep guests reaching for seconds without hesitation. From buttery and crisp to bright and herby, each one earns its spot on the table. With the right thanksgiving vegetable sides, even the meat lovers will be talking about the veggies first.
Sweet & Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
This roasted butternut squash hits the sweet and spicy balance just right. Each cube turns golden and caramelized in the oven, creating a side that feels special without any fuss. It’s one of those thanksgiving vegetable sides that wins over both squash fans and skeptics. Serve it warm and watch it disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
Ginger Ale Carrots
These ginger ale carrots are soft, slightly sweet, and just different enough to surprise everyone at the table. The soda adds a light glaze that gives them a gentle pop of flavor. They’re perfect when you want a quick, easy side that doesn’t taste like every other carrot dish out there. Great for weeknights or special dinners.
Get the Recipe: Ginger Ale Carrots
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Green beans never tasted this good. With crispy bacon and melted Parmesan, every bite brings a mix of salty and crunchy goodness. It’s a 20-minute side that looks fancy but couldn’t be easier to throw together. Keep it in mind when you’re planning thanksgiving vegetable sides that feel fresh but familiar.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts turn crisp and flavorful in the air fryer with almost no work. Parmesan and a little seasoning give them that perfect golden crunch. This quick recipe is proof that healthy sides can still be seriously good. Add it to your thanksgiving vegetable sides list for something everyone will reach for.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions
This version of the classic green bean casserole keeps everything you love but swaps canned beans for fresh ones. The texture is better, the flavor’s brighter, and the crispy onions still seal the deal. It’s a dish that brings comfort and just enough nostalgia to the holiday table. Easy, reliable, and crowd-approved.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Broccoli and cheese are the ultimate comfort combo, and this casserole proves it every time. It comes together fast with ingredients you probably already have. The creamy sauce and baked topping turn simple broccoli into something crave-worthy. It’s one of those thanksgiving vegetable sides that never leaves leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Roasted Beets and Carrots
Roasting beets and carrots together brings out their natural sweetness while rosemary adds a cozy, aromatic touch. The colors look amazing on any table, and the flavor is earthy but bright. It’s a simple side that works for holidays or regular weeknight dinners. Every bite tastes like fall without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beets and Carrots
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
This sheet-pan side brings two fall favorites together in one easy recipe. The vegetables roast until tender inside and caramelized on the edges, giving every bite rich flavor. It’s simple enough for weeknights but right at home on your thanksgiving vegetable sides menu. Fewer dishes, all the flavor.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
Green Beans with Garlic
Fresh green beans cook fast in the Instant Pot and come out perfectly tender every time. Garlic gives them a little punch without overpowering the dish. They pair with almost anything, from roasted meats to simple grilled chicken. This is one of those sides you’ll end up making all year.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic
Brussels Sprouts
These Instant Pot Brussels sprouts come out soft, flavorful, and ready in minutes. The process couldn’t be easier, and cleanup is just as quick. They fit right in with your thanksgiving vegetable sides, especially when time is short but flavor still matters. Simple, fast, and always dependable.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts
Messy Avocado Summer Salad
This avocado summer salad brings together fresh veggies and creamy avocado in the easiest way possible. It comes together in minutes and tastes great on a hot day. Everything stays crisp and light, which keeps it perfect for quick lunches. It’s one of those throw-together salads that still feels like you put in effort.
Get the Recipe: Messy Avocado Summer Salad
Big-Small Salad with Pomegranate
This pomegranate salad packs big flavor into a small bowl. Juicy seeds add crunch and color while the greens keep things light and fresh. It’s quick to toss together and fits right into any meal plan. Five minutes, and you’ve got something that feels fresh and balanced.
Get the Recipe: Big-Small Salad with Pomegranate
Winter Squash Agrodolce with Cranberries
This roasted winter squash dish gets a tangy kick from its sweet-and-sour glaze and a pop of color from cranberries. Everything cooks on one sheet pan, so cleanup stays easy. It feels festive but still simple enough for a weeknight. The flavor mix is bright, cozy, and a little unexpected.
Get the Recipe: Winter Squash Agrodolce with Cranberries
Sweetgreen Spicy Broccoli
This copycat Sweetgreen broccoli brings that same bold, umami flavor without leaving the house. The seasoning crisps up in the oven and turns plain broccoli into something crave-worthy. It’s easy to prep and works well in salads or on its own. You’ll end up roasting extra just to snack on.
Get the Recipe: Sweetgreen Spicy Broccoli
Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad
This cauliflower and chickpea salad hits all the right notes with its roasted edges, caramelized onions, and a touch of za’atar. Every bite feels balanced between crispy, herby, and warm. It’s simple enough for meal prep but good enough to serve for dinner. Once you try it, you’ll probably keep it on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad
Zucchini and Squash
These air-fried zucchini and squash slices turn golden and flavorful in minutes. A quick seasoning mix keeps them simple but never boring. They go with just about anything, grilled meats, pasta, or rice bowls. It’s a fast, foolproof side that works any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini and Squash
Savory Potato Galette
This savory potato galette layers thin, crisped potatoes with pesto and parmesan for a flavor combo that just works. The free-form crust keeps it rustic and easy to assemble. It’s hearty enough to serve on its own or beside a salad. Every bite hits that perfect balance of crunchy and cheesy.
Get the Recipe: Savory Potato Galette
Roasted Vegetables
These roasted vegetables come out caramelized and full of flavor every single time. The recipe uses simple ingredients and gets done fast. You can mix up the veggies based on what’s in your fridge. It’s an easy go-to for adding color and balance to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetables
Broccoli Fritters
These broccoli fritters turn simple ingredients into crispy, snackable bites that everyone actually wants to eat. A mix of lemon, garlic, and cheese keeps them full of flavor without being heavy. They’re perfect for dipping or packing in lunches. Once they hit the plate, they disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters
Vegetable Noodle Soup
This vegetable noodle soup comes together fast but tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. The broth stays rich, and the noodles give it that comforting texture everyone loves. It’s loaded with veggies, so every spoonful feels hearty and fresh. On chilly nights, it’s exactly what you’ll want.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Noodle Soup
