13 Irresistible Vegetable Side Dishes for Thanksgiving That Deserve a Spot on Your Holiday Table

1. Swiss Chard Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food: creamy, cheesy, and loaded with velvety Swiss chard. Fusilli pasta combines with sautéed Swiss chard stems and a mozzarella sauce spiced with onion powder. A sprinkle of Parmesan before baking gives the dish a golden, crispy top. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for whipping up in the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving prep.

2. Fennel, Leek, and Wild Mushroom Gratin

This gratin hits all the marks for the perfect Thanksgiving side dish: cheesy? Absolutely. Comforting? Without a doubt. Can it feed a crowd? It serves eight. And it’s conveniently vegetarian, adding even more reasons to love it.

3. Broccolini With Lemon and Smoked Almonds

Here's a quick and flavorful vegetable side that’s bursting with taste. Smoked almonds bring a toasty, nutty flavor and delightful crunch to the broccolini, while lemon juice and zest deliver a fresh citrusy zing, complemented by a subtle heat from crushed red pepper.

4. Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Bake

A Thanksgiving casserole that's sure to impress! This hearty dish blends roasted squash with a creamy, cheesy rice mixture, and the addition of mushrooms adds extra depth. This versatile recipe works wonderfully as a gluten-free stuffing option, a vegetarian main, or a fabulous side dish.

5. Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds

Eggplant may not be a typical Thanksgiving guest, but this dish proves it deserves a place at the table. Eggplant slices are roasted and then coated in a savory sauce made from white miso, ginger, sesame oil, honey, vinegar, and chili paste. After broiling, a dusting of toasted sesame seeds adds a nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch.

6. Herb-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are a simple yet reliable side dish that pairs well with almost any meal. This recipe features fingerling potatoes coated with rosemary, oregano, and garlic, but feel free to mix things up with herbs like parsley or thyme.

7. Miso Roasted Radishes

If you're looking for a vibrant, naturally plant-based side dish, try this simple yet flavorful roasted radish recipe. Radishes and shallots are combined with a zesty blend of white miso, olive oil, and gut-friendly apple cider vinegar. The result is a dish that's both lightly sweet and satisfyingly crunchy, and it’s a breeze to make.

8. Creamed Spinach Casserole

With the help of frozen chopped spinach, this side dish comes together in just 30 minutes. The spinach is mixed with herb-infused soft cheese, nutmeg, Parmesan, and heavy cream to create a luscious base. Then, buttery Ritz cracker crumbs are sprinkled on top, giving the dish a golden, crispy finish.

9. Beet-Radicchio Salad

This vibrant salad combines tender arugula, bitter radicchio, juicy orange slices, pre-cooked beets, pistachios, and shaved Parmesan. The fresh ingredients are tied together by a maple-miso dressing that adds a rich umami flavor, making this a colorful and flavorful side.

10. Creamy One-Pot Mashed Potatoes

Can Thanksgiving truly be complete without mashed potatoes? This simple recipe uses a handful of ingredients, but don’t swap out Yukon gold potatoes. Their low starch content prevents the mash from becoming too gooey. And with just one pot to clean, you’ll have fewer dishes to wash once the festivities are over.

11. Brussels Sprouts Salad

Instead of serving whole roasted Brussels sprouts as a traditional side, you can try this recipe, which slices the sprouts thinly to form the base of a refreshing salad. The salad also features vibrant ribbons of bitter radicchio, crunchy pecans, aged provolone shavings, and dried cranberries. A zesty apple cider vinegar dressing ties all the flavors together.

12. Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Grapes and Feta

This dish can easily be served as a show-stopping main or appetizer, but it also makes a great side. Start by boiling the cauliflower until it’s tender, letting the salted water season it from the inside. Then, roast the cauliflower evenly in the oven. Once roasted, add grapes and chunks of feta to the baking sheet, bringing a perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness. Finish it off with a touch of pickled shallots and fresh oregano for the ultimate flavor harmony.

13. Pommes Anna

This traditional French method of preparing potatoes is wonderfully simple, requiring only potatoes, salt, pepper, and generous amounts of butter. After peeling, slicing, and layering them, the potatoes are baked until they develop a beautifully golden, crispy crust.