29 Vegetarian Side Dishes You Can Master This Month Before the In-Laws Arrive for Thanksgiving

When Thanksgiving plans include a full table, it helps to have the side dishes settled before guests arrive. This collection brings together salads, potato dishes, casseroles, rice, bread, and other familiar sides with a mix of quick and longer cooking times. Pick a few to practice this month, then choose the ones that fit your menu and kitchen schedule.

Cauliflower steaks with pomegranate and pistachios on a plate. — Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cauliflower Rice

A skillet side can lighten a plate without taking much time, and Cauliflower Rice is ready in 16 minutes from one head of cauliflower. Olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley or cilantro keep the flavors simple. The grains sauté for about five minutes, so they stay separate instead of turning soft. Set it beside a saucy main dish when the Thanksgiving menu needs a fresh, lighter option.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Rice

Chickpea Salad

For a bright bowl that can sit alongside richer holiday dishes, Chickpea Salad brings chickpeas, cucumber, red bell pepper, mint, and cilantro together with lemon and olive oil. The recipe takes 30 minutes and serves six, with dried apricots and toasted almonds adding extra texture. It gives the spread a cool, fresh choice among baked sides. Make it when you want a crisp contrast to heavier Thanksgiving favorites.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad

Baked Potato

A crisp-skinned potato makes a familiar side that guests can top as they like, and Baked Potato takes 52 minutes from start to finish. Russet potatoes roast with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper, then get served with butter. The hands-on prep is only two minutes, leaving the oven to do most of the work. Add it to a Thanksgiving menu when you want an easy, filling option beside the centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Buttermilk Biscuits

Three golden-brown biscuits are stacked, with the top one missing a bite. A small sprig of greenery with red berries is visible in the corner. — Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Flaky layers bring a little bakery feel to the holiday bread basket, while Buttermilk Biscuits take 35 minutes to make. Flour, frozen butter, and cold buttermilk form the dough, with baking powder helping the biscuits rise. The recipe makes twelve, so there are enough to pass around with dinner or set out for leftovers. Try them ahead of Thanksgiving to get comfortable with shaping and cutting the dough.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

A plate of roasted Brussels sprouts topped with pine nuts on parchment paper. — Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

A sweet-tart glaze gives this vegetable side a deeper flavor for a holiday plate, and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze takes about an hour. Frozen Brussels sprouts roast with olive oil, while balsamic vinegar and brown sugar cook down into a glossy finish; toasted pine nuts add crunch. This serves four, making it a smaller-batch option to practice before the big meal or scale for a larger table.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Eggplant Casserole

A slice of cheesy eggplant lasagna with tomato sauce is being lifted from a pan, showing stretchy melted cheese. A bowl is blurred in the background. — Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Layers of sauce and cheese make Eggplant Casserole feel right at home beside the Thanksgiving mains, and the full bake takes 45 minutes. Eggplant is paired with marinara, shredded and fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and basil. Six servings make it useful for a family table, while its casserole format is easy to portion. Add it when you want a hearty baked side that can be prepared before guests sit down.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Buttery Garlic Bread

Slices of garlic bread topped with chopped parsley and sea salt sit enticingly on a wooden board, accompanied by a small bowl of salt and fresh cloves of garlic. — Buttery Garlic Bread. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A golden loaf with a garlicky center gives guests something to reach for between bites, and Buttery Garlic Bread takes 25 minutes total. French bread is spread with softened butter, garlic cloves, garlic powder, parsley, and salt flakes before baking. Six servings make a modest loaf for a smaller gathering. Serve it with casseroles or gravy, or practice the quick spread before Thanksgiving week gets busy.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Garlic Bread

Caramelized Sweet Potato Cubes

Sweet potato cubes on a plate with a dipping sauce. — Caramelized Sweet Potato Cubes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Small cubes make this side easy to spoon beside turkey and other holiday dishes, and Caramelized Sweet Potato Cubes take 40 minutes. Sweet potatoes roast with olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and parsley until tender. The recipe serves four, so it works for a practice run or a smaller gathering. Their warm seasoning brings variety to a table that already has mashed potatoes or a creamy casserole.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Sweet Potato Cubes

Egg Fried Rice

Oval dish filled with fried rice garnished with chopped green onions. — Egg Fried Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A pan of rice adds a savory option that can be made in 25 minutes, and Egg Fried Rice serves four. Jasmine rice is tossed with eggs, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a simple side with plenty of texture. It can round out a casual Thanksgiving menu or fill a weeknight plate before the holiday. Keep it in mind when you want a break from the usual potato and bread choices.
Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

Celery Salad

A bowl filled with chopped celery, red onion, apples, almonds, and fresh herbs. — Celery Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Thin slices and crisp add-ins give Celery Salad plenty of crunch, while the preparation takes just 15 minutes. Celery, Granny Smith apple, red onion, Medjool dates, roasted almonds, and Parmesan are dressed with apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and olive oil. The recipe serves four and brings a fresh pause between richer bites. Make it for a smaller Thanksgiving gathering or as a test run for a new salad on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Celery Salad

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

A colorful salsa can brighten a holiday buffet, and Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa comes together in 22 minutes. White corn is mixed with red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, roasted poblano, lemon juice, and lime juice. The recipe makes six servings and offers a fresh, tangy side next to casseroles and potatoes. Set it out with chips or spoon it onto plates when the Thanksgiving spread could use a little contrast.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Hasselback Potatoes

The thin cuts across each potato create a table-ready look, and Hasselback Potatoes take about an hour to prepare and bake. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are cooked with olive oil, butter, garlic, rosemary, chives, thyme, and vegetarian Parmesan. The herbs and crisp edges give a familiar potato side a different shape. Practice the slicing before Thanksgiving, then serve them when you want a special-looking addition to the menu.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes

Creamed Spinach

A bowl of creamy spinach topped with grated cheese, being stirred with a spoon. — Creamed Spinach. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A quick stovetop side helps make room in a busy holiday schedule, and Creamed Spinach is ready in 13 minutes. Fresh spinach cooks with heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, and butter until soft and creamy. Six servings make it easy to share, and the short cook time leaves the oven free for other dishes. Add it beside potatoes or a main casserole when you want a green side on the Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Colcannon

A bowl of mashed potatoes with spinach, topped with a pat of butter and black pepper, with a wooden spoon partially visible. — Colcannon. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Mashed potatoes get a hearty green addition in Colcannon, which takes 40 minutes and serves six. Russet potatoes are combined with spinach, green onions, butter, and heavy cream, making a rich side that can stand beside roasted mains. Its familiar mash texture may be a welcome fit for guests who prefer classic holiday fare. Try it ahead of Thanksgiving to see how it fits with the rest of your planned sides.
Get the Recipe: Colcannon

Mushroom Gravy

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with mushroom and onion gravy, garnished with rosemary. — Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

A ladle of savory gravy can bring the whole plate together, and Mushroom Gravy takes 40 minutes to make. Vegan butter, olive oil, shallots, garlic, mushrooms, flour, vegetable broth, and soy sauce build its rich base. The recipe serves eight, so it can cover a larger group at the holiday table. Pour it over potatoes, biscuits, or other sides when you want a sauce that works across the menu.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Gravy

Crunchy Onion Rings

A close-up of crispy, golden-brown onion rings sprinkled with chopped parsley and black pepper on a white parchment-lined surface captures perfection in every bite. — Crunchy Onion Rings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crisp rings add a familiar fried side to a holiday spread, and Crunchy Onion Rings take 30 minutes to prepare. Onions are coated with a flour mixture seasoned with paprika, dipped in egg and milk, and finished with breadcrumbs if desired. The recipe serves eight, making it handy for a gathering or practice batch. Serve them soon after frying so the coating stays crisp beside the other Thanksgiving dishes.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Onion Rings

Asian Cucumber Salad Jar

A glass jar filled with sliced cucumbers, red onions, and herbs in pickling liquid, with two metal forks placed inside. — Asian Cucumber Salad Jar. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A chilled salad can break up the richer dishes on the table, and Asian Cucumber Salad Jar needs about two hours including its resting time. Thin cucumber and red onion slices marinate with rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame seeds. Two servings make this a small batch to try before scaling. Its crisp, tangy flavor fits as a refreshing side for a more casual Thanksgiving menu.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad Jar

Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

A bowl of stew with bread and carrots. — Jamaican Red Beans and Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Rice and beans make a substantial side that can stretch a holiday menu, and Jamaican Red Beans and Rice takes 32 minutes. Long-grain rice cooks with red beans, coconut milk, vegetable broth, garlic, onion, scallions, Scotch bonnet, and jerk seasoning. The recipe serves eight, making it practical for a larger gathering. Bring it to the table when you want a filling option alongside the more familiar Thanksgiving potatoes and casseroles.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Beet Salad

A close-up of a salad featuring chopped beets, cucumber, feta cheese, walnuts, and fresh herbs on a white plate. — Beet Salad. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Deep red beets give Beet Salad a vivid place on the holiday table, and the full recipe takes 75 minutes. Roasted beets pair with feta, pecans, cucumber, and parsley, then get dressed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh orange juice. Eight servings make it suitable for a group. Prepare it when you want a colorful salad that adds a cool, tangy note among warm Thanksgiving sides.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad

French Dauphinoise Potatoes

An oven dish with baked dauphinoise potatoes in it. — French Dauphinoise Potatoes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy layers make French Dauphinoise Potatoes a substantial choice for a holiday spread, and they take about 65 minutes. Sliced potatoes bake with heavy cream, whole milk, Dijon mustard, garlic, thyme, and vegetarian cheddar. Eight servings offer enough for a shared table, while the casserole-style dish can be portioned neatly. Practice this one before Thanksgiving if you want a rich potato option alongside lighter salads and vegetables.
Get the Recipe: French Dauphinoise Potatoes

Breakfast Potatoes

A crisp potato side can work well beyond breakfast, and Breakfast Potatoes take 35 minutes from start to finish. Russet potatoes are cut into small pieces and cooked with olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Four servings make this a manageable recipe to try during the month before Thanksgiving. Put it on the menu when you want a simple, seasoned potato dish that does not need a long list of toppings.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Potatoes

Panda Express Super Greens

A plate of stir-fried kale, broccoli, and sliced onions, served with a pair of chopsticks on the side. — Panda Express Super Greens. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Garlicky greens add color and freshness to a plate, and Panda Express Super Greens are ready in 20 minutes. Broccoli, green cabbage, and kale cook with garlic, soy sauce, vegetable broth, sesame oil, and olive oil. Four servings suit a smaller table or a trial batch before Thanksgiving. Serve them beside richer casseroles and potatoes when you want a quick vegetable side that uses the stovetop instead of the oven.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Super Greens

Baked Sweet Potato

Three roasted sweet potatoes on a plate with chives. — Baked Sweet Potato. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A soft center and simple toppings make Baked Sweet Potato an easy side to personalize, with 47 minutes of total cooking time. Sweet potatoes bake with butter, kosher salt, and black pepper, then can be finished with chives. Four servings make it easy to plan for a small group. Add it to the Thanksgiving menu when you want a straightforward option that pairs well with savory mains and vegetable casseroles.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sweet Potato

Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Casserole dish with Brussels sprouts, crispy onions, cheese, and herbs, mixed with a spoon. — Brussels Sprouts Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Baked dish with a crisp onion topping makes Brussels Sprouts Casserole a hearty addition to the holiday table, and it takes 50 minutes. Brussels sprouts bake with butter, onion, garlic powder, flour, milk, parsley, and fried onions. Six servings give you enough to share without overwhelming the menu. Try it before Thanksgiving so you know how its creamy texture fits with the other planned sides.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Several smashed, roasted baby potatoes garnished with herbs and grated cheese are arranged on a baking sheet. — Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crackly edges and a cheesy finish give Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes a different texture from mashed potatoes, and they take one hour. Small red or yellow potatoes are cooked with olive oil, butter, garlic powder, black pepper, and Parmesan. Six servings work for a family gathering. Serve them alongside gravy or a vegetable casserole when you want a potato side with crisp edges and a tender center.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

Greek Salad

Cool cucumber and tomatoes bring a crisp contrast to heavier Thanksgiving plates in Greek Salad, which takes 15 minutes and serves six. The bowl includes green bell pepper, red onion, green olives, and feta, with a dressing of red wine vinegar, lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. It is quick to put together before guests arrive. Add it to the menu when the warm sides need a fresh counterpart.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad

Squash Casserole

Yellow squash gets baked into a creamy dish with a crunchy top in Squash Casserole, which takes 90 minutes total. The squash is combined with onion, eggs, mayonnaise, sour cream, Cheddar, thyme, and vegetarian Parmesan, then topped with Ritz crackers. Eight servings make it suitable for a shared holiday meal. Plan it for Thanksgiving when you want a substantial vegetable casserole alongside potatoes and salads.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole

Dumplings

Soft herb dumplings can turn a bowl of soup or stew into a fuller holiday side, and Dumplings take 25 minutes to make. The dough uses flour, baking powder, salt, melted butter, whole milk, and fresh herbs. Six servings offer a small batch to practice before Thanksgiving. Serve them while warm alongside gravy or a saucy main dish, where they can soak up some of the sauce without needing extra accompaniments.
Get the Recipe: Dumplings

Cauliflower Steaks

Thick-cut cauliflower makes a striking vegetable side, and Cauliflower Steaks take 40 minutes to roast. Olive oil, honey, lemon juice, garlic, and smoked paprika season the slices, with pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and parsley added at the end. Two servings make it a simple dish to try first before preparing more for guests. Serve it when the Thanksgiving menu needs a plant-forward centerpiece on the sideboard.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks