42 Low-Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Serve with Your Turkey

Cauliflower au Gratin

Count on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask 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

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

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

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

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

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

I order cauliflower mash every time we're at 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

Hash Brown & Apple Pancake

Wedges of crispy Hash Brown Apple Pancake make a fast and fabulous side dish the whole family will savor. Laced with onions, chives and Swiss cheese, they take only minutes and would go well with all kinds of entrees.—Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

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

Super-Simple Garlic Broccoli

My kids love broccoli, especially with lots of garlic. It’s great for a special occasion, but it’s so quick that I usually fix it once a week in our home. Everyone gobbles it up. —Caramia Sommers, Oswego, New York

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

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

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

I order cauliflower mash every time we're at 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

Shredded Gingered Brussels Sprouts

Even people who normally don't care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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

Steamed Kale

With this good-for-you steamed kale, it's easy to eat healthy and get out of the kitchen quick. A wonderful accompaniment to most any entree, it is packed with vitamins and is a snap to prepare. I use garlic, red pepper and balsamic vinegar for this side dish that keeps my family coming back for more! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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

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

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

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

Smoky Cauliflower Bites

These healthy little treats work well as a side or as fun bite size appetizers. Roasting the cauliflower adds deep flavor and gives it an irresistible crunch. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 meal like New Year's Eve. —Bette Duffy, Kenmore, Washington

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

Broccoli Rabe with Tuscan Crumbs

With seasoned bread crumbs, cheese and currants, our recipe specialists turn basic broccoli rabe into a more special side. Serve it with a variety of entrees. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Roasted Italian Green Beans & Tomatoes

When you roast green beans and tomatoes, their flavors really shine through. The vibrant colors light up a table. What a perfect side dish for the holidays! —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

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

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

Italian Mushrooms

Only four ingredients create a rich and flavorful side dish that we love to eat with beef and mashed potatoes. —Kim Reichert, St. Paul, Minnesota

Broiled Parmesan and Swiss Tomatoes

Planning to serve steak or tenderloin? These cheesy tomatoes make the ideal accompaniment. Plus, the recipe is simple to double for guests. —Mary Price, Youngstown, Ohio

Broccoli Cheddar Squares

For many years, I’ve made these cheesy broccoli squares for tailgate parties, book club and other events. They’re excellent served warm or hot, but we enjoy them cold, too. —Veronica Downen, Crystal Beach, Florida

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, Louisiana