Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Garlicky, buttery sauteed Brussels sprouts are brightened with fresh lemon juice and finished with toasted walnuts in this tasty Thanksgiving side dish. Serve alongside our Classic Brined and Roasted Turkey.

This cream of celery soup is garnished with toasted baguette and celery leaf.

This four-ingredient dish from reader Joanne Dotson of Dallas turns butternut squash into a creamy mash with a cracker-crumb topping for a welcome crunch. 

Broccolini looks like baby broccoli, but it's actually a natural hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale. (If you can't find it, broccoli rabe can be used in its place.) The tender stalks are blanched first and then sauteed with lemon zest for a quick vegetable dish.

Put a light, fresh spin on Thanksgiving leftovers with a speedy riff on avgolemono, the classic Greek chicken soup. Egg yolks add creaminess to turkey stock, while lemon juice brightens the flavor, and cooked rice and shredded meat fill out every spoonful.

This side is easy enough to make for the holidays or any night of the week. It goes well with tofu, steamed fish, or meatloaf.

Often the most favorite holiday side dishes are the simplest. This recipe combines roasted sweet potatoes with butter and maple syrup in the food processor with very little effort.

In this simple Thanksgiving side dish, green beans are sauteed with butter, shallots, and white wine. A finishing touch of aromatic fresh tarragon sets it apart.

This four-ingredient side dish comes together quickly and is ultra-rich and subtly sweet thanks to the addition of butternut squash. 

Quinoa cooks up light and fluffy in minutes (it's done when the telltale curlicue wisp unfurls). This Quick Five-Grain Salad's subtle flavor comes through whether served hot, cold, or at room temperature. It can stand in for couscous in most recipes.

Quinoa's a complete protein, and it will easily fill up guests who skip the turkey. If you're serving vegans, swap the feta for some nutritional yeast, which has a mild nutty, cheesy flavor.

Sweet and savory sweet potatoes and squash make this warm salad a perfect side dish.

Whole peeled chestnuts add structure to this pumpkin soup, texture that's important if the squash is too watery. 

This Thanksgiving-inspired quick bread recipe comes from Jane Kraemer of Manchester, Connecticut. The mixture of tart cranberry and salty nuts will have everyone reaching for a second slice. 

This wild rice dish is even better when dressed a day ahead; cover and refrigerate. Then bring to room temperature and garnish with almonds before serving.

In this take on the green-bean casserole, cheese ravioli replaces the heavy mushroom soup, while sauteed shallots and crunchy toasted almonds stand in for the fried onions.

In this simple side dish for Thanksgiving, adding fresh dill, lemon and butter to brussels sprouts adds extra layers of delicious flavor.

A twist on traditional cannelloni, this vegetarian and gluten-free dish is made with blanched sweet potato slices. They're filled with a cottage cheese, sweet potato, and apple filling, then topping with shaved Parmesan and toasted walnuts. The remarkably rich taste and vibrant appearance make it a worthy and healthy addition to any dinner.

Anna Lappe, cofounder of the Small Planet Institute, developed this vegan gravy recipe to be served with her Dried Fruit and Toasted Nut Stuffing, a Thanksgiving dish from her childhood.

Here's a fabulous fall side dish that pairs particularly well with poultry or fish. A touch of vanilla and maple syrup turn an ordinary side into a decidedly elegant, and child-friendly, dish.

One of the world's oldest health foods, lentils are nutritional powerhouses. Their high protein and fiber content steadies blood sugar, staving off hunger. Create this Curried Red Lentil Soup with Dried Cherries and Cilantro for a tasty and nutritious meal. 

Roasted pears and red onions are a unique holiday side dish that's a bit sweet and a touch savory. A splash of sherry vinegar adds a slight tang and the rosemary lends a woodsy note.

Brussels sprouts are a classic at Thanksgiving; they have great texture when used raw in a slaw.

Complement a feast of hearty dishes with a side of crisp broccoli dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.