3 Recipes for Thanksgiving Sides

Try these delicious side dishes for Thanksgiving to give a healthy twist to your meal

While roasted turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are the constants in your Thanksgiving menu, you can experiment with the side dishes for Thanksgiving to make your meal extra special. If you are worried about the nutritional value of your Thanksgiving meal, you can lighten up your hearty dinner spread by adding greens or refreshing salads. We have compiled the three best side dishes for Thanksgiving that you’ll love. And the best part? All these side dishes for Thanksgiving are delicious and super healthy.

Roasted Squash Salad

This bright and colorful squash salad is delicious, healthy, visually appealing and a good side dish for Thanksgiving. Packed with nutritional ingredients like arugula, pomegranate seeds, goat cheese and moringa, this salad is a good side dish for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

• 1 acorn squash
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• ¾ cup pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup baby arugula
• ½ cup moringa leaves
• 100 grams goat cheese
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ⅓ cup buttermilk

Preparation:

• Preheat your oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the acorn squash into ¾ inch thick rounds. Place on the baking sheet.
• Brush maple syrup over both sides of the squash. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the bottom side of the squash is nice and golden brown. Flip, and repeat the process. Remove from oven and brush with maple syrup again. Set aside to cool.
• To prepare the dressing, in a blender, mix goat cheese, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and buttermilk.
• To prepare the salad, toss the dressing with the arugula and moringa until the greens are coated with the dressing. Sprinkle ¾ of the pomegranate and pumpkin seeds and toss lightly. Lay roasted squash on top of the salad and sprinkle with remaining seeds. Serve this yummy side dish for Thanksgiving.

Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole is a very good side dishe for Thanksgiving. The healthy recipe features fresh beans, crispy baked onions and creamy mushroom sauce. To make the dish extra healthy, we have added moringa powder to the dish. Give this scrumptious side dish for Thanksgiving a try. We promise rave reviews across the board.

Ingredients:

• Crispy onions
  • 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon salt

• Filling
  • 250 grams green beans
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 500 grams mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons tamari
  • 2 tablespoons moringa powder
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

• To make the crispy onions, preheat the oven to 450°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease a baking dish.
• Take a mixing bowl and toss the onions with the oil, flour, breadcrumbs and salt. Spread them onto the baking sheet and bake them for 20-25 minutes or until they turn light brown and crispy.
• Blanch the beans in salted boiling water for four to five minutes. Then drain, and immediately immerse them in cold water to stop the cooking process. Then, transfer them onto a towel to dry.
• Then, in a pan, heat olive oil and add mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for 10-12 minutes and add tamari, garlic and thyme.
• Sprinkle the flour and moringa powder over the mushrooms and add almond milk and mustard. Stir to combine.
• Let them simmer for 20 minutes and then stir in the Parmesan cheese and pepper.
• Spread ⅓ of the sauce into the baking dish. Layer with green beans and top with the remaining sauce. Then, sprinkle the onions on top and bake, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes.
• Serve hot.

Moringa Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower is an extremely healthy vegetable. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and has numerous health benefits. Moringa is packed with antioxidants and iron. It also has a plethora of health benefits. And what better way than a delicious soup to reap these benefits? Because it’s unique and a great way to add vegetables in, this soup is a good side dish for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 leek, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 small head cauliflower, cored and sliced
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons moringa powder
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Pepper

 Preparation:

• Heat butter and oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add onion, leek and ½ teaspoon salt. Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become very tender.
• Stir in garlic and cook for one minute. Add cauliflower, vegetable stock and cream and simmer until cauliflower is tender. Now add moringa powder.
• Take a hand blender and puree until smooth.
• Sprinkle pepper and serve.