Low-Carb? Here Are 18 Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Make.

updated Sep 27, 2022

Page URL

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Photograph of garlic green beans on a white plate with kitchen towel on a marble countertop. — Credit: Meleyna Nomura
Garlic Green Beans

Turkey is great, but I think we can all agree that the sides are what really make a Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re cutting back on carbs, however, it can feel like all the good stuff — mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls — are off limits.

But that’s not the case at all! Rather than focus on what you can’t eat, consider this your reminder that there’s plenty that’s still fair game. Here’s a list of 18 irresistibly delicious low-carb Thanksgiving sides that do have a place on your holiday table, including lemony shaved Brussels sprouts, garlicky green beans, and bacon-wrapped asparagus.

1 / 18

Shaved Brussels Sprouts

It's a 10-minute side dish that easy to serve alongside absolutely anything.

2 / 18

Here are the simple steps you take to cook sautéed escarole.

3 / 18

Broccoli Steaks with Walnut-Raisin Salsa

A mix of crumbly ricotta salata cheese, vinegar-soaked raisins, toasted walnuts, herbs, garlic, and red pepper flakes makes a bold topping for roasted broccoli steaks.

4 / 18

Easy Lemon-Ginger Spinach

Grated fresh ginger root lends spicy, bold flavor to this quick and easy skillet of sautéed baby spinach.

5 / 18

Garlic Green Beans

This quick and simple way to cook green beans will become an instant favorite.

6 / 18

Kohlrabi and Cabbage Salad with Maple Lemon Dressing

This salad is a great make-ahead side dish because the kohlrabi and cabbage are sturdy enough that they won’t wilt very much as they sit and the flavors meld together well.

7 / 18

The Creamiest Mashed Cauliflower

Don’t think of this as a lighter version of mashed potatoes: Creamy cauliflower mash’s nutty flavor, paired with oodles of butter, makes it irresistibly delicious in its own right.

8 / 18

15-Minute Parmesan-Thyme Mushrooms

Just 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients are all you need to bring these hearty Parmesan mushrooms to the table.

9 / 18

Garlicky Roasted Broccoli

Plenty of garlic, red pepper flakes, and a splash of vinegar give this favorite a big pop of flavor.

10 / 18

Stovetop Steam-Fried Green Beans and Mushrooms

Instead of creamy green bean casserole, go for this lighter alternative. You get the same onion-y flavor from the shallots and an extra dose of savoriness from the mushrooms.

11 / 18

Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

Inspired by loaded potatoes, this low-carb casserole starts with roasted cauliflower as the base.

12 / 18

Easy Skillet Kale with Lemon & Garlic

Garlic chips, red pepper flakes, and a squeeze of lemon are the magic trio that make a basic pan of sautéed kale extra delicious.

13 / 18

Roasted Cabbage with Bacon

It’s hard to say whether the crispy, charred edges or the smoky aroma of bacon that’s infused into the cabbage is the best part of this simple side.

14 / 18

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan

The only thing better than classic roasted Brussels sprouts is showering them with a generous dose of Parmesan cheese halfway through cooking. It creates a delicious crispy outer layer on top of the tender green globes.

15 / 18

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

The combination of bacon and asparagus is a stellar pairing. Dressed with lemon, it’s full of crispy, fatty, tangy goodness.

16 / 18

90-Second Keto Bread

If you can’t imagine Thanksgiving dinner without a bread basket, you’re gonna want to add this quick-cooking recipe to your spread.

17 / 18

Broccoli and Cheese Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Here tender strands of spaghetti squash are tossed with crisp-tender broccoli and enveloped in a fluffy, cheesy custard.

18 / 18

These collard greens are flavorful without being too salty. All you need is ham hock, two big bunches of collard greens, salt, pepper, and some red pepper flakes for heat.

Filed in: