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6 Superfood Sides for Thanksgiving

6 Superfood Sides for Thanksgiving

By Lori Powell

October 27, 2015

Travis Rathbone

Add a nutritious kick to your Thanksgiving feast.

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Make a healthier plate

From kimchi to kefir, nutritionists reveal the best anti-aging foods.

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Rye Stuffing with Greens and Herbs

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Try this recipe: Rye Stuffing with Greens and Herbs

Change up your stuffing game this Thanksgiving by adding veggies, herbs, and greens.

Ingredients: rye bread, olive oil, red onion, carrot, celery, thyme, rosemary, sage, kale, kosher salt, black pepper, turkey bone broth, eggs

Calories: 139

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Brussels Sprout Slaw With Lemon and Pecorino

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Try this recipe: Brussels Sprout Slaw With Lemon and Pecorino

This slaw will be the unsung hero of the Thanksgiving table, with notes of cherry, nuts, and lemon.

Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast powder, sea salt, black pepper, brussels sprouts, tart cherries, Pecorino Romano cheese, parsley, pine nuts, thyme

Calories: 152

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Roasted Cranberry Sauce

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Try this recipe: Roasted Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving staple, but this is a big step up from the old canned version. Notes of sweet and savory from the orange and shallots, this is a side that will definitely elevate your holiday feast.

Ingredients: cranberries, shallots, maple syrup, orange zest, fresh orange juice, Kosher salt

Calories: 58

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Miso-Mushroom Sauce

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Try this recipe: Miso-Mushroom Sauce

This mushroom gravy is a perfect compliment for your turkey, so you can forget about that packet of powdered brown gravy of yesteryear.

Ingredients: dried shiitake mushrooms, olive oil, thyme sprigs, turkey bone broth, white miso, sherry vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper

Calories: 38

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Charred Edamame With Ginger Dipping Sauce

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Try this recipe: Charred Edamame With Ginger Dipping Sauce

Edamame may be simple, but it packs a ton of nutritional value—a half cup offers 11 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber. And while they're plenty good steamed with salt, the charring and the ginger sauce add a strong Asian flavor profile.

Ingredients: soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, fresh ginger, fresh chile paste, rice vinegar, edamame

Calories: 142

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Crispy Curried Chickpea Snack Mix

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Try this recipe: Crispy Curried Chickpea Snack Mix

This dish is so easy to make—just 10 minutes of prep time and pop them in the oven—it'll work just as well as a snack, hors d'oeuvres or side dish. Plus, chickpeas are a great healthy source of protein.

Ingredients: Chickpeas, grapeseed oil, coconut, Madras curry powder, sea salt, dried apricots, dried unsweetened cherries

Calories: 200

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Carrot-Swirled Parsnip Potato Mash

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Try this recipe: Carrot-Swirled Parsnip Potato Mash

Mashed potatoes are a thanksgiving staple for a reason. They're delicious. But you can give them a healthy twist by mixing in some mashed carrots, parsnips, and garlic.

Ingredients: Yukon Gold potatoes, carrots, parsnips, garlic, chicken broth, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper

Calories: 180

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Cauliflower Gratin

Travis Rathbone

Cauliflower can help ward off cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Plus, one serving packs 80% of your daily vitamin C.

Ingredients: Cauliflower, olive oil, leeks, salt and pepper, flour, chicken broth, half-and-half, pecorino Romano, whole-wheat bread crumbs, horseradish, proscuitto

Calories: 243

Try this recipe: Cauliflower Gratin

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Roasted Squash Salad

Travis Rathbone

Loaded with nutrients, chard and mustard greens can help fight cancer and heart disease. Look for baby versions, which are more tender and milder-flavored.

Ingredients: Butternut squash, olive oil, maple syrup, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, chili powder, salt, cumin, cayenne, pumpkin seeds, winter salad greens, dried cranberries

Calories: 306

Try this recipe: Roasted Squash Salad

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Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole

Travis Rathbone

Sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium, an important mineral that balances out excess sodium in our diets (especially from rich holiday meals) and can help keep blood pressure in check.

Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, molasses, cinnamon, salt, allspice, nutmeg, eggs, butter, red and green apples, almonds

Calories: 206

Try this recipe: Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole

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Roasted Carrots With Citrus Dressing

Travis Rathbone

Just one provides more than double your daily vitamin A, and one study found that the vitamin can direct immune cells to battle infection.

Ingredients: Carrots, shallots, olive oil, cumin, salt, black pepper, orange juice, lime juice, cilantro, pistachios

Calories: 103

Try this recipe: Roasted Carrots With Citrus Dressing

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Bacony Beet Greens

Travis Rathbone

Beet greens give kale a run for its nutritional money—they're brimming with essential nutrients, including fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K.

Ingredients: Bacon, red onion, salt, garlic, red pepper flakes, beet greens, pomegranate juice, dates, balsamic vinegar

Calories: 147

Try this recipe: Bacony Beet Greens

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Kale-Quinoa Stuffing

Travis Rathbone

Mushrooms are one of the few plant sources of vitamin D—key during months when we spend less time outside.

Ingredients: Quinoa, kale, assorted mushrooms, onion, garlic, vegetable or chicken broth, black pepper, olive oil, butter, salt, celery, eggs, feta, parsley, rosemary, thyme, pecans

Calories: 206

Try this recipe: Kale-Quinoa Stuffing

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