Side dishes are an opportunity to bring healthy, vibrant, and nutritionally dense food to a festive table, especially to a table that celebrates the harvest and the blessings of the past year. Work with a variety of fresh whole foods and bring in layers of flavors that will satisfy even a picky eater. These 14 suggestions for healthy Thanksgiving side dishes are gluten-free, lectin-free, and plant-centered, some of them vegan or easy to convert.
Gluten-Free Millet Stuffing (Lectin-Free)
Healthy stuffing
Classic stuffing is made with bread and has little nutritional value while being a carb and lectin bomb. This is a more nutritious side dish for your holiday meal and Thanksgiving table, made with millet, lots of vegetables, and fresh herbs.
Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce, Easy Recipe
A healthy version
Cranberry sauce is a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner, but did you know only one serving has about 20 grams of sugar? This sugar-free, orange-flavored cranberry sauce is festive and vibrant and will help you stay healthy even during the holidays.
Cauliflower Gratin with Pecans and Caramelized Leeks
Your low-carb festive side-dish
Cauliflower is perfect in this combination with cheese, caramelized leeks, and pecans. As this recipe was a request from my sister for her holiday preparations, it was made to be a delicious side dish for a festive meal.
Thyme-Roasted Mushrooms with Millet Polenta
A feast for mushroom lovers
A fairly simple meal with Mediterranean vibes, these thyme-roasted mushrooms with millet polenta will hit the spot for mushroom lovers. Millet polenta is creamy and as good as its corn counterpart.
Flax Seed Crackers with Zaatar Spices
For all your holiday dips
Flax seed crackers and almond crackers met in this recipe and gave the best gluten-free, lectin-free, keto, and vegan crackers I’ve ever had. These crunchy flax seed crackers with almond flour and zaatar spices are super easy to make and tasty.
Nigella’s New Orleans Coleslaw Made Lectin-Free
Full of nutrients
Inspired by one of Nigella Lawson’s slaw recipes and converted to a lectin-free version, this slaw is easy to make, delicious, and healthy.
Mini Bella Mushrooms Stuffed with Almond Ricotta and Oregano
Pretty, delicious, vegan
This is a very easy recipe, plant-centered and plant paradox friendly. The stuffing is made with almond ricotta and fresh oregano.
Millet Bread with Walnuts (Lectin-Free)
Cornbread without the corn
You can serve it warm, out of the oven, with a cube of grass-fed butter or nut butter and a drizzle of raw honey or yacon syrup. My favorite way!!
Creamy Casserole with Asparagus, Cauliflower Rice, and Broccoli Slaw
Move over green bean casserole
This plant-based casserole with asparagus, cauliflower rice, and broccoli slaw is an easy-to-make, nutritious and tasty side dish.
Mashed Cauliflower, Celeriac, and Parsnip
Better than mashed potatoes
Creamy, flavorful, and festive, this mashed cauliflower, celeriac, and parsnip can be both an everyday nutritious staple and a festive side dish for your holiday menu. This recipe is dairy-free, lectin-free, and a low-carb and more nutritious alternative to mashed potatoes.
Bistro Salad with Crispy Prosciutto and Pistachios
Trust me, it’s delicious and so healthy
This bistro salad with bitter greens, crispy prosciutto, and pistachios, dressed with a creamy vinaigrette, is refreshing, tasty, and packed with prebiotic fiber, polyphenols, and healthy fats.
Root Vegetable Puree with Cauliflower and Turmeric
A creamy and healthy delight
Not only is this mash nutritious, delicious, and creamy, but it’s super easy to make in a manual pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Try this root vegetable puree, it will brighten up your festive table.
Sweet and Sour Braised Red Cabbage (Scandinavian Style)
A sweet and sour colorful touch
A Danish holiday staple, this simple dish is such a wonderful addition to any festive meal. Red cabbage, cinnamon, and cloves; it doesn’t get healthier and more festive than this.
Warm Brussels Sprouts and Millet Salad
Creamy like a casserole, full of nutrients
Brussels sprouts will steal the show in this warm salad. If you are looking for a different way to serve this holiday staple vegetable, this salad is comforting, sweet, and grounding.
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