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12 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Published 10/21/2025
In This Article
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Thanksgiving is all about being thankful - for our family, for our friends, and most importantly, for the delicious food. While we often refer to this holiday as “Turkey Day,” most of us look forward to the side dishes more than anything else. This year, fill your Thanksgiving dinner table with healthy Thanksgiving side dishes that feel festive and comforting while being good for you.

These sides aren’t boring or bland—they’re lighter versions of the classics, including sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, and even corn pudding. Whether you enjoy creamy starches or sweet and colorful fruit-forward dishes, these healthy Thanksgiving recipes bring comfort to the table in a healthier way.

And the best part? Each side dish for Thanksgiving dinner can be made ahead or cooked alongside the turkey, giving you more time to relax with family. With heart healthy, low sodium and gluten free Thanksgiving sides to choose from, everyone at the table gets to enjoy something that fits their diet and their holiday meal craving.

What Makes a Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dish?

Healthy holiday sides use smart swaps to keep flavor high without weighing you down. Think creamy potatoes made with lighter dairy, casseroles built on veggies instead of heavy cream, breads baked with heart healthy oils, and sauces sweetened with fruit instead of excess sugar. The goal is balance—keeping tradition alive while making small changes that everyone at the table will appreciate.

Our Favorite Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

From comforting casseroles and roasted vegetables, to sweet muffins and bright cranberry sauce, these Thanksgiving side dishes are lighter versions of holiday classics. You’ll find your favorite side dish for Thanksgiving dinner in these recipes that are heart healthy, kid-friendly, and gluten free, so there’s something for everyone at the table.

  • Low Sodium Ranch Roasted Potatoes

    Ranch Roasted Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Adam Fisher, Baldwin Publishing
    45 mins

    These golden bites are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and seasoned with a homemade, low sodium ranch seasoning. With just 64 mg sodium per serving, they’re a flavorful, gluten free Thanksgiving side option that feels indulgent without adding a ton of salt to your plate. 

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  • Gluten Free Corn Pudding

    Corn Pudding
    Photo Credit: Adam Fisher, Baldwin Publishing
    30 mins

    A lighter twist on a Southern classic, this creamy corn pudding combines whole kernel and creamed corn—no boxed mix needed. At only 128 calories per serving, it’s a sweet, comforting Thanksgiving dinner side that’s also gluten free.

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  • Low Fat Turkey and Herb Stuffing

    Healthy Turkey Stuffing
    Photo Credit: Shutterstock
    45 mins

    Made with low sodium broth, fresh sage, and whole wheat bread, this turkey stuffing delivers all the cozy holiday flavor without the heavy fat and salt. A healthy Thanksgiving side dish that still feels like tradition.

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  • Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole

    Heart Healthy Mac and Cheese Casserole
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    75 mins

    A cheesy favorite made lighter, this version uses skim milk and light cheese, baked until bubbly. It’s creamy, rich, and a satisfying side dish for Thanksgiving dinner that works for those on a heart healthy diet.

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  • Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash with Apple

    Heart Healthy Butternut Squash and Apple
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    This flavorful side dish balances the natural sweetness of squash and apple with savory spices. It’s nutritious, full of healthy fiber, and perfect for adding warmth and color to your Thanksgiving dinner side lineup.

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  • Easy Make Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole

    Heart Healthy Mashed Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    65 mins

    This dish takes familiar mashed potatoes and turns them into a baked, make-ahead casserole to take the stress out of the holiday meal. It blends light dairy and fluffy potatoes, then bakes into a golden, cozy side that’s easy to prep in advance and reheat when it’s time to serve.

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  • Healthy Pecan Muffins

    GLP-1 Pecan Muffins
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    45 mins

    These tender muffins bring nutty sweetness with less sugar than typical holiday breads. Perfect as an appetizer, Thanksgiving dinner side or a lightly sweet treat after the meal.

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  • Healthy Green Bean Casserole

    Healthy Green Bean Casserole (No Mushroom Soup)
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    45 mins

    A lighter twist on a classic, this casserole swaps heavy cream and salty toppings for a veggie-forward, flavorful dish. It's a savory side dish for Thanksgiving dinner that everyone knows, elevated to be lighter and brighter.

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  • Gluten Free Cornbread

    Healthy Homemade Cornbread (Gluten-Free)
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    This naturally gluten free Thanksgiving side is friendly to low-cholesterol diets, with just 40 mg cholesterol per slice. Warming, a little sweet, and perfect for dipping in turkey gravy.

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  • Healthy Orange Cranberry Sauce

    Heart Healthy Orange Cranberry Sauce
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    25 mins

    Bright, tangy, and naturally sweetened with fruit, this cranberry-orange sauce is a colorful upgrade from store-bought jelly. A refreshing, low-sugar addition to your Thanksgiving dinner side lineup.

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  • Creamy Low Sodium Mashed Potatoes

    Low Sodium Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    30 mins

    These simple mashed potatoes stay creamy without relying on butter or salt. Made with lighter dairy and seasoned with herbs, they deliver classic comfort in a heart-smart way.

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  • Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

    Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole (Gluten-Free, Diabetic-Friendly)
    Photo Credit: Shutterstock
    90 mins

    Looking for a healthy Thanksgiving side dish that pairs well with everything on your plate? Look no further, because these sweet potatoes are baked with a lighter topping for a comforting, low sugar side dish full of the traditional Thanksgiving flavors everyone loves.

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Bringing Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes to the Table

Serving healthy Thanksgiving side dishes is a simple way to make the holiday feel special without weighing everyone down. From comforting casseroles to colorful veggie bakes and gluten free Thanksgiving sides, these recipes bring flavor and balance to the table. This year, let your sides do more than just fill the plate—let them set the tone for a holiday that’s cozy, satisfying and memorable. 

Here are more healthy Thanksgiving recipes to try:

Health eCooks Cookbook on Amazon

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