17 Healthy Thanksgiving Sides (Yes, They Taste Amazing)

Four-Cheese Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese

This creamy casserole is on a mission to prove that healthy Thanksgiving sides and mac and cheese can be one and the same. This light version of a Southern side swaps in whole grain macaroni, fat-free milk, and four flavorful cheeses, but butternut squash is the true star. The squash is roasted then mashed into the sauce for a low-calorie burst of fall flavor.

Spicy Green Beans with Herb Salad

This healthy Thanksgiving side dish is full of flavor thanks to anchovies, garlic, and a fresh herb topper. To make the herb salad, toss together fresh parsley, dill, cilantro, and mint with a simple olive oil dressing. Just before serving, scatter the herbs over the garlicky green beans.

Brown Butter-Sage Cornmeal Muffins

Yes, we know, "butter" is in the recipe name, so how can this be a healthy Thanksgiving food? Because each muffin contains only a half tablespoon of butter—just enough for maximum nutty flavor and decadent, flaky texture. Buttermilk keeps the fat content low, and there's only 1 tablespoon of sugar in the entire recipe. (Translation: Each 167-calorie muffin has only 3 grams of sugar.)

Sausage-Stuffed Honeynut Squash

Sweet honeynut squash is the star of this healthy side dish recipe. If you can't find it in your local market, butternut squash is a great substitute. Fill the squash with homemade sausage stuffing that's loaded with chopped cauliflower, pistachios, spinach, and tart dried cherries.

Test Kitchen Tip: Make the balsamic reduction topping up to one day ahead of serving.

Gluten-Free Harvest Rice Stuffing

Gluten-free friends, you no longer have to pass on stuffing. The trick is subbing basmati rice in for bread to keep the dish wheat-free and lower in calories. The sweet rice packs in sausage, butternut squash, apples, walnuts, and dried cranberries in this healthy Thanksgiving recipe.

Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup

Start your Thanksgiving feast with a light, flavorful soup. (Serve it as either a healthy Thanksgiving appetizer or side.) Pureed harvest veggies—butternut squash, carrots, and leeks—fill the vitamin-rich soup. A splash of crème fraîche takes the creaminess to the next level.

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Taste the essence of autumn in one bite. Cranberries and walnuts flavor these twice-baked sweet potatoes that clock in at less than 160 calories per serving. Plus, this healthy sweet potato recipe for Thanksgiving can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Easy and nutritious options? Now that's something to be thankful for.

Two-Tone Green Bean Salad with Hazelnuts and Parmesan

The tang of lemon juice and Dijon-style mustard plays off aromatic olive oil and garlic for a dressing that elevates the healthy green bean recipe for Thanksgiving to holiday-worthy heights.

Winter Slaw with Kale and Cabbage

A beautiful, healthy Thanksgiving salad will steal the spotlight on your holiday table. This one stars kale, cabbage, and a flavor-packed homemade dressing. Cut calories and boost protein by swapping in plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream.

Double Cranberry Sauce

With the natural sweetness of cranberries, dried fruit, pomegranate juice, and molasses, there's no need for sugar in this Thanksgiving recipe. (Want to juice a pomegranate? It's possible.) Hints of orange zest and cinnamon bring more holiday flavors.

Julienned Snow Peas, Celery and Radish Salad

Among a spread of heavy Thanksgiving side dishes, this fresh salad will be a welcome contrast. Arrange a spread of shaved veggies like radish, celery, and endive on a large platter. Drizzle with a quick sherry vinaigrette and top with crunchy Marcona almonds and Manchego cheese.

Savory Spaghetti Squash Muffins

Spaghetti squash in muffins may sound odd, but stick with us. These healthy thanksgiving "rolls" are a bountiful blend of earthy roasted squash strands, eggs, a bit of flour and buttermilk, and plenty of fresh chives. Spicy cheese tops these protein-rich rolls.

Spiced Rice with Pickled Quince and Pomegranate

Try something new this Thanksgiving! This flavorful rice side dish is packed with spices including cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Toss the cooked rice and homemade pickled quince with pomegranate seeds, toasted pistachios, and fresh mint. As one reviewer raved, "This is delish".

Shaved Fennel and Fingerling Potato Salad

This fresh take on Thanksgiving potatoes doesn't skimp on flavor. Dress buttery fingerling potatoes with a homemade mustard vinaigrette and top with fresh veggies like fennel, green onion, and bell pepper to add crunch without the extra calories. A generous handful of chopped parsley just before serving ups the bright flavors even more.

Spicy Cranberry Sauce

Slather this jewel-color cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving turkey, on a cracker, or, heck, on sweet potatoes. Fresh cranberries, jalapeño jelly, and undertones of orange make this fruit sauce irresistible. But the best part may be that this healthy Thanksgiving side dish takes only 20 minutes to prep.

Mushroom Salad with Soy Vinaigrette

Put a new twist on your mushroom side dish for Thanksgiving. Dress up thinly sliced mushrooms with a quick Thai chile and soy vinaigrette. At just 161 calories per serving, you can indulge in this flavorful holiday side dish and still have room for dessert.

Cranberry and Beet Panzanella

Panzanella is a chopped salad made with bread. This healthy vegan Thanksgiving side dish is filled with seasonal flavors like roasted beets and cranberries. A whopping two cups of chopped herbs in the mix adds flavor without calories.