45 Low-Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Serve with Your Turkey
Updated: Feb. 07, 2024
Make these sensational low-carb Thanksgiving side dishes with less than 8 grams per serving. They're so good, you'll ask for seconds.
One of the best things about the holidays is the food. From fluffy potatoes to roast turkey to homemade pies, Thanksgiving recipes just can’t be beat.
But if you’re on a low-carb diet, you might miss out on some of the best dishes of the season. Luckily, we’ve gathered our best low-carb Thanksgiving sides so you can load up your plate without maxing out your macros. Fill out the rest of your holiday dinner with low-carb mains and healthy desserts.
1
/
45
Cauliflower au Gratin
Count on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask me for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada
2
/
45
Spinach-Parm Casserole
For those who ignore Popeye and won’t eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
3
/
45
Garlic-Buttered Green Beans
These dressed-up beans are simple to make but look and taste special. They're a perfect side dish for nearly any meal.
4
/
45
Cauliflower Stuffing
This cauliflower stuffing is the vegan substitute you've been looking for. It's perfect for the holidays. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
5
/
45
Tasty Marinated Tomatoes
My niece introduced me to this colorful recipe some time ago. I now make it when I have buffets or large gatherings because it can be prepared hours ahead. This is a great way to use a bumper crop of tomatoes. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
6
/
45
Cheesy Cauliflower Side Dish
This cheesy cauliflower side dish is my favorite way to prepare cauliflower. The topping adds color and enhances the flavor with a little zip. —Rita Reinke, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
7
/
45
Caesar Salad
This crunchy, refreshing Caesar salad has a zippy, zesty dressing that provides a burst of flavor with each bite. It's a fantastic salad to perk up any spring or summer meal. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware
8
/
45
Lemon-Scented Broccolini
Even the most finicky eaters will eagerly eat this vegetable seasoned with lemon pepper, lemon zest and lemon juice. If you prefer, use broccoli instead. —Kim Champion, Phoenix, Arizona
9
/
45
Smothered Cabbage
Ham adds smoky and salty flavor to this southern side dish. You could also used smoked sausage, smoked turkey leg or bacon. Serve the cabbage with your favorite pork chop dinner or roast chicken. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10
/
45
Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus
This is especially wonderful when locally grown asparagus is in season. It's so easy for celebrations because you can serve it hot or cold. —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts
11
/
45
Green Beans and Radish Salad with Tarragon Pesto
Whichever way my garden grows, I usually build my salad with green beans, radishes and a pesto made with tarragon. That adds a hint of licorice. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
12
/
45
Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Cauliflower
My grandkids were never huge fans of cauliflower, but the bacon makes a big difference in this dish. They like it even more with golden cauliflower instead of white. — Patricia Hudson, Riverview, Florida
13
/
45
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Garlic
When we have company, these sprouts are my go-to side dish because they look and taste fantastic. Fancy them up a notch with pancetta instead of bacon. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
14
/
45
Garlic-Herb Pattypan Squash
The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. Using pattypan squash is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
15
/
45
Harvest Squash Medley
To me, cooking is an art, and I love trying new recipes. For this one, I dressed up baked butternut squash, sweet potatoes and apples with citrus and spices. —Ruth Cowley, Pipe Creek, Texas
16
/
45
Fresh Green Beans & Garlic
I am a firm believer that fresh is best. I developed this recipe to take advantage of our garden veggies. It really shows off the full flavor of the green beans. —Carol Mayer, Sparta, Illinois
17
/
45
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
I order cauliflower mash every time we visit our favorite restaurant. Lucky us; one night, I figured out how to make it at home. It was so easy! —Jean Keiser, West Chester, Pennsylvania
18
/
45
Zucchini Mushroom Bake
Just a 10-minute prep dresses up my garden-fresh zucchini, adding mushrooms, onion, cheddar and a sprinkle of basil. —Jacquelyn Smith, Carmel, Maine
19
/
45
Baked Parmesan Breaded Squash
Baked yellow squash is beautifully crispy. You don’t have to turn the pieces, but do keep an eye on them. — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
20
/
45
Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry
Fresh ginger, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil provide a nice blend of flavors in this Asian-inspired recipe for fresh sugar snap peas. This quick-to-cook recipe will complement most any entree, including ham, lamb, chicken or fish. Best of all, it's easy to double for large crowds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
21
/
45
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
I order cauliflower mash every time we visit our favorite restaurant. Lucky us; one night, I figured out how to make it at home. It was so easy! —Jean Keiser, West Chester, Pennsylvania
22
/
45
Shredded Gingered Brussels Sprouts
Even people who normally don't care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
23
/
45
Creamed Spinach & Pearl Onions
When I was a culinary student, this creamy dish wowed me, and I don't even like spinach. This side is a keeper! —Chelsea Puchel, Pickens, South Carolina
24
/
45
Thymed Zucchini Saute
Simple and flavorful, this recipe is a tasty and healthy way to use up all those zucchini that are taking over your garden. It's ready in hardly any time! —Bobby Taylor, Ulster Park, New York
25
/
45
Sauteed Squash with Tomatoes & Onions
My favorite meals show a love of family and food. This zucchini dish with tomatoes is like a scaled-down ratatouille. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
26
/
45
Parmesan Creamed Spinach
This rich and creamy spinach dish takes minutes to make. If I'm expecting guests, I'll double or triple the recipe. —Leann Ross, San Tan Valley, Arizona
27
/
45
Green Beans in Red Pepper Sauce
For easy veggies, I make a simple sauce of sweet red peppers, almonds and parsley. We also like this sauce with zucchini or roasted cauliflower. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
28
/
45
Steakhouse Mushrooms
I got this recipe from a friend back when we were in nursing school. Whenever my husband is cooking meat on the grill, you can bet I'll be in the kitchen preparing these mushrooms. —Kenda Burgett, Rattan, Oklahoma
29
/
45
Pepper Parmesan Beans
A colorful mixture of peppers and green beans gets an Italian treatment with basil and Parmesan cheese in this delightful vegetable dish. The garlic adds a savory zip. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
30
/
45
Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan
I couldn’t shake my mashed potato habit—until I tried mashed cauliflower with a similar consistency. I started making my own, and my family loves it. —Meredith Howard, Franklin, Kentucky
31
/
45
Roasted Root Vegetables
Pleasantly seasoned with rosemary and garlic, this appealing side dish showcases good-for-you roasted turnips, carrots and potatoes. It's a nice homey addition to our family's holiday meal. —Kerry Sullivan, Maitland, Florida
32
/
45
Green Bean Bundles
I found this recipe in a rural newspaper years ago and have made it often. The bean bundles are excellent with chicken or beef. Sometimes I'll arrange them around a mound of wild rice to make an appetizing side dish. —Virginia Stadler, Nokesville, Virginia
33
/
45
Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower
A standout cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
34
/
45
Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
35
/
45
Bacon and Garlic Green Beans
Adding white wine, lemon juice and garlic gives a little kick to green beans. It was enough to turn our old, traditional holiday side into a year-round favorite. —Shannon Reynoso, Bakersfield, California
36
/
45
Artichoke Spinach Casserole
Although he isn't a fan of spinach, my husband loves this dish. The combination of ingredients may sound unusual, but the flavors meld well. It's an excellent side vegetable for a formal dinner. —Judy Johnson, Missoula, Montana
37
/
45
Lemony Green Beans
You can throw together this dish in minutes using ingredients you probably already have on hand. That’s the beauty of it. —Jennifer Tarantino, Rutherford, New Jersey
38
/
45
Broccoli Cauliflower Combo
Shallots, basil and broth rev up the taste of this nutritious vegetable medley. The bright color and fresh flavors will dress up your plate! —Clara Coulston, Washington Court House, Ohio.
39
/
45
Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
My roommate and I used to make garlicky Brussels sprouts at least twice a week. Now I make them as a healthy side for all sorts of occasions. —Katherine Moore-Colasurd, Cincinnati, Ohio
40
/
45
Spinach Souffle Side Dish
You just can't make an easier, more delicious side dish than this. It's great with beef, pork and lamb, and I especially like serving it for a festive occasion like New Year's Eve. —Bette Duffy, Kenmore, Washington
41
/
45
Roasted Cauliflower Mash
Here’s a tempting yet lower-carb alternative to traditional side dishes of spuds or rice. Guests who don’t detect the cauliflower might even think it’s mashed potatoes! —Jane McGlothren, Daphne, Alabama
42
/
45
Lemon Pepper Roasted Broccoli
Fresh green broccoli turns tangy and tasty when roasted with lemon juice and pepper. A sprinkle of almonds adds crunch. —Liz Bellville, Jacksonville, North Carolina
43
/
45
Garlic Asiago Cauliflower Rice
The garlic seasoning and Asiago really pack a punch, making this five-ingredient low-carb side dish a real weeknight winner. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
44
/
45
Italian Mushrooms
Only four ingredients create a rich and flavorful side dish that goes well with beef and mashed potatoes. —Kim Reichert, Fargo, North Dakota
45
/
45
Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower
Whenever we make a time-consuming entree, we also prepare this quick broccoli and cauliflower side. The veggies are a good fit when you’re watching calories. —Debra Tolbert, Deville, LouisianaOriginally Published: September 25, 2018
