21 delicious vegetarian side dishes for Thanksgiving

The Ultimate Potato Gratin

The combination of a creamy potato filling and cheesy breadcrumb crust makes this recipe one of our favourites. Gruyère cheese is notoriously strong-smelling, but it mellows nicely as it melts. Get the recipe here.

Squash and Quinoa Pilaf

This dish is packed with all the flavours of fall, making it the perfect side for your Thanksgiving turkey (or Tofurky). Get the recipe here.

Roasted Cabbage Wedges With Orange Vinaigrette

Surprise your guests with this unique way of preparing cabbage this holiday season. Get the recipe here.

Yellow Bean and Rapini Salad

While it may look similar to broccoli, rapini has a distinct and assertive taste that many find bitter. Here, we’ve tossed the green with a sweet and savoury dressing, sweet yellow beans and nutty toasted almonds for a perfectly balanced blend of flavours. Get the recipe here.

Roasted Garlic Potato And Turnip Mash

Slightly sweet and peppery turnips hold their own in this extra-creamy mash, adding a welcome hit of flavour to the classic comforting side. Make it ahead and simply pop the dish in the oven to reheat before your meal. Get the recipe here.

Cheddar Cauliflower with Sun-dried Tomato Herb Butter

A few sun-dried tomatoes add zing to this simple cauliflower side-dish. Get the recipe here.

Lemony Kale

Serve this easy side dish with grilled fish or chicken for a light supper. Get the recipe here.

Twin Peas With Roasted Garlic Butter

Roasted garlic butter adds a modern twist to seasonal peas in this flavourful side dish. If you like, make a double batch of the garlic butter and toss the extra with hot pasta for an easy sauce. Get the recipe here.

Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad

Serve this colourful salad as a light lunch or a side dish with your favourite grilled poultry recipe. Get the recipe here.

Creamed Brussel Sprouts

This creamy dish is a cross between decadent creamed spinach and lighter slaw, making it a crowd-pleasing side to satisfy many palates. To make this vegetarian-friendly, simply use vegetable broth. Get the recipe here.

Crispy Tofu with Two Sauces

Use the remaining ginger-flavoured oil to stir-fry sliced red peppers and snow peas for a colourful, tasty side dish. Get the recipe here.

Couscous with Squash, Feta and Almonds

Squash adds a burst of colour and sweetness, making it a perfect pairing for the salty feta cheese in this dish. We suggest acorn squash, but use any kind you like for this versatile side dish. Get the recipe here.

Sweet Potato Strudel With Balsamic Mushroom Sauce

This flavourful winter vegetable strudel works double duty. It's an impressive side dish and an elegant way to remember vegetarian friends and family. Get the recipe here.

Spaghetti Squash with Herb Butter

Spaghetti squash, so named because its flesh comes apart in long strands when cooked, gets dressed up in an easy way for a satisfying side dish. Get the recipe here.

Braised Cabbage and Beets

The festive red colour of this stove top side dish will dazzle your guests. Freeze leftover tomato paste in 1 tbsp portions for future use. Get the recipe here.

Chestnut and Mushroom Stuffing

Sweet chestnuts and meaty mushrooms add fall flavour to an otherwise classic stuffing. Look for ready-to-eat peeled whole chestnuts in the grocery store. Get the recipe here.

Zucchini, Chèvre And Walnut Tart

Serve this savoury tart as either an appetizer or a side dish. For the easiest prep, thaw the puff pastry in the fridge the night before. Get the recipe here.

Swiss Chard With Frizzled Onions

Frizzled onions add instant sophistication to even the most humble side dish. Garlic and hot pepper flakes infuse the oil—and the Swiss chard—with flavour. Get the recipe here.

Mixed Rice Stuffing With Caramelized And Crispy Shallots

Rice replaces bread in this hearty gluten-free stuffing. Slowly caramelized shallots add layers of flavour, while a sprinkling of crispy fried shallots delivers a satisfying crunch. Get the recipe here.

Honey-Lime Carrots With Cipollini Onions

The trick to giving this simple side dish a company-worthy look is all in the way you slice the carrots. Rather than cutting them in standard coins or sticks, we’ve sliced them on the diagonal to add a hint of drama to your holiday spread. Get the recipe here.

Panko-Crusted Squash With Tahini Dipping Sauce

Panko (Japanese bread crumbs) gives squash wedges a delicious crispy coating. This versatile side dish also makes the perfect vegetarian main course to serve with a green salad. Get the recipe here.