Thanksgiving dinner may revolve around the main course, but let’s be honest — it’s the sides everyone remembers. This roundup gathers 14 vegetarian-friendly side dish collections from the Leafline archive, from cozy make-ahead casseroles and slow-cooker saviors to fresh fall salads and crowd-pleasing appetizers. Every pick is meatless, holiday-ready, and guaranteed to earn a permanent spot on your Thanksgiving table.
1. 33 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
The ultimate starting point: 33 side dishes ranging from creamy mashed potatoes and cheesy scalloped gratins to roasted sweet potatoes and savory stuffings. There is a little something here for every kind of holiday table.
Make-ahead tip: Assemble potato casseroles and stuffing the night before, then bake fresh on Thanksgiving day.
2. 15 Easy and Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with BBQ Ribs
Don’t let the name fool you — these crowd-pleasing sides, from crisp slaws and baked beans to corn and potato salads, slide right onto a Thanksgiving spread too.
Make-ahead tip: Chill-friendly salads and slaws can be made a day ahead; their flavors only get better overnight.
3. 15 Delicious and Healthy Cauliflower Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss
Lighten up the holiday table with cauliflower in every form — roasted, mashed, and riced — so there is a feel-good option sitting right next to the richer classics.
Make-ahead tip: Cut and season cauliflower florets ahead of time, then roast just before serving.
4. 15 Tasty Fall Bread Recipes
Warm bread on the table makes everything better, from pumpkin loaves to herbed dinner rolls that sop up every last drop of gravy.
Make-ahead tip: Bake loaves and rolls a day ahead, then rewarm wrapped in foil for 10 minutes.
5. 15 Easy Thanksgiving Dinner
A one-stop collection of Thanksgiving dinner inspiration, packed with vegetarian-friendly sides, salads, and sweets to round out the feast.
Make-ahead tip: Pick your menu early and prep all chopped vegetables the night before.
6. 19 Best Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes
The secret to a stress-free holiday: dishes designed to be made in advance, from hearty casseroles to desserts that wait patiently in the fridge.
Make-ahead tip: This whole collection is built for planning — flag three or four dishes to fully prep two days out.
7. 20 Easy Thanksgiving Crockpot Recipes
Free up the oven by letting the slow cooker handle sides like creamy potatoes, glazed carrots, and warm dips while everything else roasts.
Make-ahead tip: Load and refrigerate slow-cooker inserts overnight, then start them first thing in the morning.
8. 15 Simple Crockpot Recipes for Fall
Cozy slow-cooker sides full of autumn flavor — perfect for a hands-off Thanksgiving when oven space is precious.
Make-ahead tip: Chop hearty vegetables ahead and store them in water to keep them crisp.
9. 21 Best Thanksgiving Recipes
Our biggest Thanksgiving collection yet, with vegetarian-friendly mains, sides, and desserts to cover the entire holiday menu in one place.
Make-ahead tip: Skim the full list now and assign each dish a “day-before” or “day-of” slot on your cooking timeline.
10. 15 Creative Ways to Use Up Thanksgiving Leftovers
Plan for the day after, too: clever ways to turn leftover sides and veggies into soups, casseroles, and next-day sandwiches.
Make-ahead tip: Store leftovers in shallow containers within two hours so they reheat safely and taste their best.
11. 15 Amazing Fall Salads
Bright, crunchy fall salads with apples, squash, and maple dressings — a fresh, colorful counterpoint to the heavier holiday dishes.
Make-ahead tip: Wash and dry greens a day ahead; add the dressing only at serving time.
12. Easter Salad Recipe: 16 Fresh and Flavorful Ideas
Don’t let the title fool you — these 16 fresh, vibrant salads work beautifully on a Thanksgiving table that needs a crisp, light side.
Make-ahead tip: Prep dressings and toppings separately, then toss everything together just before the meal.
13. 30 Easy Fall Finger Foods
Bite-sized fall appetizers and snacks that keep guests happy while the main event finishes cooking — many are naturally vegetarian.
Make-ahead tip: Choose room-temperature bites that can sit out safely during cocktail hour.
14. 15 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers
Start the feast right with 15 Thanksgiving appetizers, from warm dips to elegant little bites that tide everyone over until dinner.
Make-ahead tip: Make dips and spreads up to three days ahead; bake or broil them at the last minute.
Keep the Feast Going
Once your sides are sorted, round out the holiday menu with a show-stopping main dish and something sweet:
Leave a Comment