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    Home » Blog » Thanksgiving

    25 Easy Thanksgiving Vegetables

    Published: Aug 28, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    The photo collage shows canned vegetables next to a slowcooker and then serving dishes of glazed carrots, a salad, a skillet of squash, and a plate of green beans.

    Thanksgiving vegetables add more flavor, a bit of color, and delicious variety to your holiday menu. While delicious vegetable casseroles make yummy sides, you can get easy vegetable recipes that will save space in your oven and can be made ahead, too.

    The photo collage shows a serving bowl of glazed carrots, a Thanksgiving salad, squash casserole, and roasted green beans.

    Once you have your main dishes and Thanksgiving side dishes all picked out, the easiest way to add a big dose of variety to the holiday menu is to fill in the blanks with a few easy Thanksgiving vegetable recipes.

    The challenge then just becomes, how do you want to cook those veggies?

    If you need to save space in your oven, I've got easy skillet vegetables, air fryer vegetables, and slowcooker vegetables that make perfect alternatives to oven baked veggies.

    I also included some make ahead Thanksgiving salads for a completely no-cook vegetable option.

    Will you be hosting kids at your holiday table, too? Don't miss my kid-friendly ideas for serving veggies for the holiday at the bottom.

    Jump to:
    • Why These are the Best Recipes
    • Easy Vegetable Casseroles
    • Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
    • Old Fashioned Squash Casserole
    • Grated Zucchini Gratin
    • Acorn Squash with Apples
    • Roasted Vegetables
    • Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Roasted Carrots
    • Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
    • Sauteed Vegetables
    • Glazed Baby Carrots
    • Fried Green Cabbage
    • German Red Cabbage
    • Thanksgiving Salads
    • Festive Apple Pear Salad
    • Simple Citrus Salad
    • Carrot Apple Salad
    • Crispy Wild Rice Salad
    • Easy Salad Greens
    • Raw Veggies and Relishes
    • Dill Dip for Veggies
    • Chow Chow
    • Kid-Friendly Vegetables for Thanksgiving
    • Veggie Pizza
    • Cold Spinach Dip
    • More Thanksgiving Ideas
    • 💬 Comments

    Why These are the Best Recipes

    A traditional Thanksgiving dinner is all about having lots of options on the table.

    Once you've got your main dishes and Thanksgiving side dishes planned, it is easy to fill out the rest of the menu with simple vegetable recipes.

    I think these are the best Thanksgiving vegetable recipes because:

    1. Flexible Cooking Methods: When you're juggling dishes in the oven, it is nice to be able to use an appliance like a slowcooker or air fryer to help finish some of the other items.
    2. Easy to Make: Let's be honest, the vegetables are not the star of the show. There's no reason to make them difficult. This is a great spot to cut some corners on prep.
    3. Super Delicious: Even though they are easy, these recipes are still big on flavor and will actually make the veggies something you want to eat!

    Easy Vegetable Casseroles

    If it doesn't have a pat of butter or a bit of cream, is it even a Thanksgiving side dish??

    If you want to turn your vegetables into something extra delicious for the Thanksgiving meal, you definitely want one of these creamy vegetable casseroles.

    They are easy to prepare and will be eagerly enjoyed at the table.

    Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

    The most classic Thanksgiving vegetable is green bean casserole.

    I've developed an easy way to make this vegetable side in the slowcooker while still keeping that amazing crispy onion topping.

    Crispy Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
    Classic green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving side dish essential. When you need to feed a crowd and your oven is full with other things, you can make a crispy Crockpot green bean casserole that stays hot and crunchy for your guests with these tricks.
    5 from 43 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A serving of crispy green bean casserole is in a blue dish with a fork.

    Old Fashioned Squash Casserole

    Ooey gooey cheese and crispy buttery breadcrumbs on top make this old fashioned squash casserole a total winner for a holiday dinner.

    Pretty large slices of yellow squash and zucchini add a little bit of color to the feast.

    Old Fashioned Squash Casserole
    Turn ordinary fresh zucchini and yellow squash into a decadent side dish for a special meal by pairing them with a touch of cream, shredded cheese, and crispy bread crumbs. This is the perfect side dish for grilled fish or chicken when your garden is overflowing with squash!
    4.99 from 51 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A white bowl is filled with sliced zucchini squash covered in cheddar cheese and bread crumbs.

    Grated Zucchini Gratin

    Need an easier veggie casserole? This 3-ingredient zucchini gratin uses grated zucchini and can be prepped in advance.

    You'll want to double or triple the recipe for a holiday dinner.

    Grated Zucchini Gratin
    Use up the leftover grated zucchini after making zucchini bread to make this quick and easy cheesy gratin side dish for dinner. Mix and match your favorite shredded cheese and seasonings, bake with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs until hot and bubbly, and serve warm. This makes 4 "just a taste" servings or 2 generous side dish servings.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A white baking dish has baked zucchini gratin with breadcrumbs on top.

    Acorn Squash with Apples

    Slowcooker acorn squash has cooked apples, brown sugar, and dried cranberries in the mix.

    You can cook everything in the Crockpot and then just mash the squash into a serving bowl to bring to the table as a casserole.

    Slow Cooker Acorn Squash with Apples and Raisins
    This easy side dish is perfect for Thanksgiving or other fall dinners. Pop the acorn squash and apples into the crockpot and enjoy a sweet side dish with turkey or pork.
    5 from 33 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A sliced open acorn squash has been filled with red dried cranberries and a spoonful of brown sugar.

    Roasted Vegetables

    If you want to use your vegetables as a less-creamy, more healthy option at the holiday table, you can't go wrong with a simple roasted veggie.

    These crispy vegetable recipes are tossed with just a bit of oil or butter and are a delicious option for the Thanksgiving plate.

    Air Fryer Green Beans

    Save room in your oven and make these easy green beans in the air fryer.

    I use pre-washed green beans for extra-easy prep. Just toss them in olive oil and add a little seasonings, they can cook just before you head to the table.

    Air Fryer Green Beans
    These quick and easy air fryer green beans make the perfect healthy side dish for dinner.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A white plate has a pile of freshly roasted green beans hot from the air fryer basket.

    Roasted Carrots

    Prep a batch of roasted carrots and they can pop into the oven while the turkey is resting and you're making the gravy on the stovetop.

    Roasted Carrots
    These delicious roasted carrots are slightly seasoned with garlic and red pepper flakes. Enjoy them as an easy side dish or use them to bulk up a salad or rice dish.
    5 from 44 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    The oven roasted carrots have golden brown edges and are being served on a white platter with a serving spoon.

    Roasted Broccoli and Carrots

    Want something a little more colorful for your Thanksgiving menu?

    Try making a batch of this delicious roasted broccoli and carrots. There are colorful bell peppers and a red onion in the mix and they'll look super pretty in a serving bowl at the table.

    Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
    This easy roasted vegetables side dish is perfect for serving alongside your favorite Italian pasta dishes or even tossing right into a pasta primavera.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A baking sheet is filled with roasted broccoli and carrots.

    Sauteed Vegetables

    Need to save room in the oven and make your veggies on the stove top?

    Not a problem, sauteed vegetables are still very easy to prepare and very delicious. Here are a few of my favorites:

    Glazed Baby Carrots

    You steam the baby carrots in a saucepan on the stovetop and then thicken the brown sugar and butter glaze at the end.

    My glazed baby carrots recipe is truly a hit with kids for your holiday meal.

    Glazed Baby Carrots
    Sweet glazed baby carrots with brown sugar, butter, and a dash of ginger, make an elegant and easy vegetable side dish for a weeknight dinner but are pretty enough for your holiday table.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A white bowl is filled with glazed baby carrots, a blue napkin is tucked underneath.

    Fried Green Cabbage

    This fried green cabbage recipe has a touch of butter and savory caraway seeds in the mix.

    It is perfect for the Thanksgiving menu as a simple vegetable side and cooks in a pot on the stove top.

    Fried Cabbage
    Crispy fried cabbage tossed with caraway seeds and a dash of salt and pepper is one of the easiest budget-friendly side dishes ever! Serve with pork, corned beef, or even roast chicken for a quick vegetable side.
    5 from 2 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A serving of crispy fried cabbage with caraway seeds is in a white serving bowl.

    German Red Cabbage

    For deeper flavor and a big boost of color, choose my classic German red cabbage.

    While not a traditional Thanksgiving item it is perfect for fall and complements the flavors of many of the other dishes on the table.

    German Red Cabbage
    Traditional German red cabbage is cooked with red wine vinegar, a touch of mustard, and a sprinkle of caraway seeds. This warm side dish pairs wonderfully with many pork or beef recipes, especially German sauerbraten.
    5 from 46 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A white bowl filled with shredded cooked red cabbage.

    Thanksgiving Salads

    Thanksgiving salads are a great option for a make-ahead vegetable dish or if you need something to bring that travels well.

    Prep a cold and crispy salad brimming with fall flavors, these salads could work as an easy Thanksgiving lunch while everyone is waiting on the turkey to finish baking, too.

    Festive Apple Pear Salad

    Crispy raw apples and juicy pears are the highlight of this amazing fall salad.

    Dried cranberries and a mustard vinaigrette finish it off. You can prep all the ingredients in advance for an easy toss right before serving.

    Apple Pear Salad
    This festive salad features sweet and crispy red and green fruits and toasted almonds with a mustard vinaigrette dressing. Perfect for serving for Christmas or Thanksgiving as a festive holiday salad.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A platter of prepared apple and pear salad.

    Simple Citrus Salad

    While citrus has a stronger flavor and is not necessarily found on most Thanksgiving tables, it actually would be the perfect acidic complement to all the rich butter and gravy laden dishes.

    My favorite herb butter turkey has lemons and oranges stuffed inside and my favorite cranberry sauce uses fresh oranges, I think citrus is an excellent flavor for Thanksgiving!

    Sunny Citrus Salad
    This sunny and fresh citrus salad is the perfect side dish for salmon or your favorite fish. A great healthy family dinner idea.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A platter of sliced oranges with crumbled cheese, chopped pistachios, and seasonings.

    Carrot Apple Salad

    Carrot apple salad is most often found on barbecue plates but could be a fun and colorful relish to add to the Thanksgiving table.

    Carrot Apple Salad
    Easy carrot apple salad is a vinegar based slaw that tastes amazing with savory barbecue dishes or grilled meats. Use it to top a pulled pork sandwich or spoon some over spicy barbecue chicken. This is a great side dish to bring to a potluck!
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    Colorful shredded cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions are mixed in a bowl.

    Crispy Wild Rice Salad

    I love that this crispy wild rice salad uses up leftover roasted carrots and wild rice, but you could prep it especially for the holiday dinner by making those items the day before.

    This would make an amazing vegetarian entree to offer for Thanksgiving and is a perfect way to bulk up their plate with some warm and filling items.

    Crispy Rice Salad
    Next time you make rice for dinner, double the recipe for leftovers so you can make this delicious and simple salad for another meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    GET THE RECIPE
    A serving of crispy rice salad shows green lettuce, roasted carrots, fried wild rice in a white bowl.

    Easy Salad Greens

    If you want to toss together a last-minute salad with a bag of salad greens, you could dress it up for the holiday with a drizzle of homemade buttermilk herb dressing and a batch of these easy cornbread croutons.

    This mustard vinaigrette would be an excellent alternative since it pairs so well with many of the other fall flavors that will be on the table.

    • A mason jar filled with homemade buttermilk dressing sits next to a bunch of green onions and a bowl of cherry tomatoes.
      Easy Buttermilk Herb Dressing
    • Homemade cornbread croutons on a blue plate next to a bowl of buttermilk dressing.
      Homemade Cornbread Croutons
    • A mason jar filled with mustard vinaigrette is in front of a salad.
      Mustard Vinaigrette

    Raw Veggies and Relishes

    Need a Thanksgiving vegetable that you don't have to cook?

    These ideas are perfect for offering before the dinner as an appetizer or as a relish at the table.

    Dill Dip for Veggies

    Make a batch of my easy dill dip and serve it with a big platter of crispy raw veggies.

    This is an excellent snack to nibble on before dinner or to just keep on hand all Thanksgiving weekend long.

    Dill Dip for Veggies
    This easy dill dip for veggies or chips is a quick cold dip for serving at your next party. Delicious when paired with fresh baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, raw broccoli, and celery sticks.
    5 from 44 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A bowl of dill dip has a baby carrot dipping in it. Cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs are on the platter behind it.

    Chow Chow

    This spicy chow chow relish pairs so well with pork and chicken, I think it would be a unique and amazing thing to offer on the Thanksgiving table, too.

    You could make it up to a week in advance and just store it in the fridge. The crispy cabbage and carrot mix would be a vinegary substitute to gravy for the turkey if you're trying to lighten up your holiday meal.

    Chow Chow Relish
    This popular southern condiment is the perfect vinegary topping for savory meats and barbecue. Garden fresh vegetables are cooked in a sweet vinegar dressing and seasoned with mustard and turmeric for color. The base recipe has a jalapeño pepper for extra flavor but isn't too spicy. Check the notes for easy heat level adjustments.
    5 from 36 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    The chow chow has been spooned over a baked chicken breast. Green beans and a couscous side dish are in the background.

    Kid-Friendly Vegetables for Thanksgiving

    So here's the tricky part when it comes to serving kids for Thanksgiving -- all those vegetables and sides mixing and mingling on their plates sends most kids running for the hills.

    If you want to make the kids at your table happy, there are four excellent strategies:

    1. SIMPLE Cooked Veggies: Serve a simple veggie like frozen corn or a can of green beans, all by itself. No sauces, no seasonings, nothing added to it that they can see.
    2. Raw Veggies & Dip: Let them dip raw baby carrots into a simple dip like my dill dip above.
    3. Veggie Snacks BEFORE the Dinner: Want less fights at the Thanksgiving table? Get the kids to eat something with veggies in the afternoon before the main meal and then just let it go at dinnertime. Let them enjoy putting what they want on their plates.
    4. Just Don't Stress It: It's a holiday. You don't have to fight the vegetable fight all 365 days of the year. You can get right back to encouraging vegetable exposures tomorrow.

    Check out some of my favorite kid-friendly vegetable ideas for you to use below and don't miss these awesome Thanksgiving recipes for kids for the rest of your menu.

    Veggie Pizza

    Make this delicious cold veggie pizza with crescent roll crust as a Thanksgiving appetizer.

    You can top it with your kids' favorite raw veggies and make it custom just for them.

    Even better? Let them help you decorate the top!

    Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza
    This cold veggie pizza appetizer is a favorite party snack that is easy to make ahead the day before. Buttery crescent roll dough is spread with ranch seasoned cream cheese and topped with your favorite raw veggies.
    5 from 37 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A veggie pizza has been sliced and served with a small spatula.

    Cold Spinach Dip

    My daughter loves this cold spinach dip and she totally eats more spinach this way than any other.

    Serve it with raw carrots or bell peppers for dunking to up the veggie quotient or let it go and let them enjoy dunking crackers or bagel chips.

    Cold Spinach Dip
    This easy spinach dip recipe is best served chilled. Simply mix together the spinach and cream cheese base for a delicious dip for bagel chips and crackers.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    GET THE RECIPE
    A bowl of spinach dip is served with bagel chips for dipping.

    More Thanksgiving Ideas

    Now that you've got your easy Thanksgiving vegetables all picked out, what about the rest of your meal plan?

    Don't miss my other easy Thanksgiving recipes for your family feast:

    • A white plate has a grey napkin and a sprig of orange berries with a tag that says "Thankful."
      Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas for Families
    • The photo collage shows several traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes including a roast turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and sweet potato casserole.
      Top 10 Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes {Start Here!}
    • The photo collage shows the easy Thanksgiving side dishes -- potatoes, stuffing, and green beans.
      20 Easy Thanksgiving Sides
    • The photo collage shows slices of pumpkin pie, apple pie, a whole pecan pie, and a slice of Oreo cream pie.
      15 Easy Thanksgiving Pies to Make Ahead
    The photo collage shows canned vegetables next to a slowcooker and then serving dishes of glazed carrots, a salad, a skillet of squash, and a plate of green beans.

    More Thanksgiving

    • The baked turkey brie sandwich has been sliced in half so you can see the layers of turkey, apple, brie, and arugula.
      Turkey Brie Sandwich
    • A white bowl is filled with glazed baby carrots, a blue napkin is tucked underneath.
      Glazed Baby Carrots
    • The photo collage shows several make ahead Thanksgiving desserts that travel well including a 9x13-in cake in a pan and easy dessert bars.
      20 Make Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts that Travel Well
    • A slowcooker has an aluminum foil lining and is filled with baked scalloped potatoes with fresh chives sprinkled over the top.
      Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for women.

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