Despite the shorter days, we just can’t help but get excited about the holiday season. Between the much-needed downtime where we can chill with friends and family while watching movie marathons to all the delicious fall foods, we love it all. Did we already mention the food? Let’s just say it again: we love the food. While the main dish is always the star of Thanksgiving dinner, we think sides need a little love, too. So, we searched the Food Monster App for some seriously awesome sides that are guaranteed to impress.

If you haven’t already, check out 15 Creamy Fall Soups You Can Make In Your Blender!, 15 Vegan Seasonal Mashed Vegetable Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Table, 15 Delicious Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes, and Green Beans Galore! 12 Thanksgiving Dishes Using the Lovable Legume for holiday meal planning ideas. Then, buckle up, because here are your 25 plant-based side dishes from the Food Monster App for Thanksgiving dinner:

1. Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower With Maple-Pomegranate Vinaigrette 

Source: Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower

A new, holiday favorite: Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower by Nancy Partington with red onion, garlic, pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, and a bright maple-pomegranate vinaigrette. Turmeric brings a wonderful earthiness and a gorgeous golden color to the cauliflower florets. And juicy, ruby-red pomegranate jewels, crisp toasted pine nuts, and a zesty dressing take it to the next level; how could anyone resist such a royal dish?

2. Paleo Maple Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes 

Source: Paleo Maple Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These quick Paleo Maple Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes by Taylor Kiser in coconut oil are sweet, spicy, and so easy to make! A light and healthy Thanksgiving side that your guests will love!

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3. Maple-Thyme Roasted Parsnips And Carrots

Source: Maple-Thyme Roasted Parsnips And Carrots

This recipe by Lili Basic Capaccetti for Maple-Thyme Roasted Parsnips And Carrots is so simple, it’s genius! You have to try this combination, it works so well together and the vegetables get slightly sweet, crunchy, and just amazing! A savory and sweet dish that is perfect to pass around the table this holiday season.

4. Cranberry Almond Green Beans

Source: Cranberry Almond Green Beans

Green beans aren’t always the most exciting side, but these Cranberry Almond Green Beans by Gina Hoskins are an exception. This recipe is a healthy take on the traditional green bean casserole. It will be a perfect, modern side dish this holiday season. The added almonds give the classic ingredients an extra nice crunch.

5. Crispy Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Source: Crispy Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

These Crispy Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts by Danielle Clark are the perfect quick, easy side dish. Fresh Brussels sprouts are tossed in a simple blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper and then roasted until crisp and slightly caramelized on the outside. This dish is ready in under an hour, making it an easy option to throw together.

6. Cauliflower Cheese

Source: Cauliflower Cheese

This Cauliflower Cheese by The Rose and Bean is a plant-based take on a classic English dish. Smooth, creamy, and dairy-free sauce made from almonds pairs perfectly with tender cauliflower and is a great accompaniment to any holiday meal.

7. Smoky Southern Collard Greens

Source: Smoky Southern Collard Greens

These Smoky Southern Collard Greens by Molly Patrick are comfort food at their finest! The South’s favorite greens are braised in a mixture of smoky paprika, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup to create a dish that’ll make you see collards in a whole new light.

8. Herbed Biscuits With Mushroom Gravy 

Source: Herbed Biscuits With Mushroom Gravy

These gluten-free Herbed Biscuits With Mushroom Gravy by Jasmine Briones are amazingly flavorful, they’ll disappear in an instant. They are best fresh, warm, and straight out of the oven, but if you make them the day ahead, simply warm them in the oven before serving. With the addition of herbs and a gravy that encompasses classic fall flavors, and is a fantastic addition to any holiday table.

9. Millet Cauliflower Mash With Shiitake Gravy 

Source: Millet Cauliflower Mash

This Millet Cauliflower Mash from The One Peaceful World Cookbook cooks up soft and creamy and even tastes like mashed potatoes. The Shiitake gravy makes it especially tasty for the holiday season.

10. Coconut Creamed Corn 

Source: Coconut Creamed Corn

Although full-fat coconut is an important piece of what makes this Coconut Creamed Corn by Jasmine Briones so amazing, it doesn’t compromise the flavor by adding notes of coconut. First, onion and garlic are sautéed and then combined with sweet corn kernels and caramelized. Creamy coconut milk, a sprinkle of coconut sugar, and fresh herbs add an amazing depth of flavor that might just upstage all the other dishes on the table.

11. Roasted Carrots With Fresh Figs, Pomegranate Glaze, and Pistachios

Source: Roasted Carrots With Fresh Figs

In this recipe for Roasted Carrots With Fresh Figs by Karen Sheer, carrots caramelize with the figs with a delectable just-sweet-enough glaze, all roasted in one pan. Here is a colorful, balanced side dish that excites the palate rather than weighs it down. The perfect combination of roasted veggies and fruits with nuts, herbs, and a zippy glaze.

12. Beer Battered String Beans

Source: Beer Battered String Beans

Crispy, crunchy, Beer Battered String Beans! The lager used in the batter adds another layer of rich flavor to the fries. The best thing about these crispy string beans by Alison Edmund is that they pair well with any holiday sides, like mushroom gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole … you name it!

13. Slow Cooker Rosemary Carrot Parsnip Mash

Source: Slow Cooker Rosemary Carrot Parsnip Mash

The nutty flavor of the root vegetables in this Slow Cooker Rosemary Carrot Parsnip Mash by Lindsay Cotter mixed with the creamy almond milk and coconut cream creates a satisfying dish to add to any menu. This is an easy-to-make, comfort-food-style dish that is perfect for any family party.

14. Autumn Maple Sage Acorn Squash 

Source: Autumn Maple Sage Acorn Squash

This Autumn Maple Sage Acorn Squash by Kristina Todini is a caramelized, sweet squash dish — the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Get ready for the holiday season with this winter squash recipe.

15. Candied Squash Casserole

Source: Candied Squash Casserole

Warm, bubbly, and sweet, this Candied Squash Casserole by Rachel Hanawalt is a must-make for the holidays. This recipe uses North Georgia candy roasted squash — keep an eye out for it at your local farmers market, but otherwise, use another sweet squash variety, such as buttercup or butternut. With dairy-free butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, this side bakes up into something sweet, sticky, and aromatic. If you find yourself in possession of a North Georgia candy roaster, count yourself lucky and give this moreish side dish a try!

16. Sweet Potato and Sage Corn Muffins

Source: Sweet Potato and Sage Corn Muffins

These Sweet Potato and Sage Corn Muffins by Courtney West are an autumn-inspired take on cornbread. They have sweet potato puree in them to add a little natural sweetness and some sage to make them fragrant and earthy.

17. Glowing Turmeric Chanterelle Gravy

Source: Glowing Turmeric Chanterelle Gravy

Chanterelle mushrooms are fleshy, and firm, and smell a bit like peppery apricots. They last much longer than other mushrooms in the fridge and are delicious in this Glowing Turmeric Chanterelle Gravy by Nele Liivlaid! Mushroom sauces are conventionally made with butter, cream, and/or white flour, making it a very high-fat food. This Chanterelle mushroom gravy is so delicious and creamy, yet oil-free and even gluten-free! You won’t need to compromise on taste or texture. And last but not least, this gravy is also Candida diet-friendly! This hits all the marks.

18. Holiday Hasselback Sweet Potatoes 

Source: Holiday Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

These smoky, herbed Holiday Hasselback Sweet Potatoes by Larice Feuerstein are perfect for a holiday meal. Rich sweet potato is completed with savory toppings for a full flavor experience. Cheesy almond and cashew parmesan is the perfect complement to the smoky taste of coconut bacon. Sage and rosemary tie it all together for a delicious combination.

19. Buttery Cornbread Squares

Source: Cornbread Squares

The buttery flavor in these Cornbread Squares by Renee Press is attained by using a combination of avocado oil (the butteriest!) and a small dollop of vegan mayo. Use fresh corn kernels if corn is in season, if not frozen will work fine (or leave them out entirely).

20. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Casserole

Source: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Casserole

This Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Casserole by Gabrielle St. Claire is comfort food heaven. Sweet, creamy butternut squash is paired with decadently cheesy macaroni elbows and sealed with a unique flatbread topping. The finishing touches put it over the top, from the smoky Shiitake bacon to the red pepper flakes and maple syrup.

21. Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce

Source: Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce

Everyone needs cranberry sauce for their holiday table. This Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce by Sabrina Russo is infused with cinnamon and cloves and flavored with fresh orange juice and zest. This combination creates just the right balance of acidity, sweetness, and warming spice; perfect for your holiday table.

22. Sweet Potato Mash With Roasted Garlic and Cashew Cream

Source: Sweet Potato Mash

This simple Sweet Potato Mash by Bianca the Green Creator has the deep flavors of roasted sweet potato, onion, and a whole head of garlic. The cashew cream makes this dish feel like a guilty pleasure, with its unsurpassed creaminess. It’s perfectly warming and served as a side or as a thick soup.

23. Wild Rice Pilaf With Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and Pecans

Source: Wild Rice Pilaf With Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and Pecans

With lemon and orange juices, fresh ginger, and spices, this Wild Rice Pilaf With Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and Pecans by Cathy Elton produces a shock of delicious flavor.

24. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Apples and Chestnuts 

Source: Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Apples and Chestnuts

It’s that time of year! Time to make these Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Apples and Chestnuts by Michaell Johnson. Make sure you make this dish on a cookie sheet to maximize your crispiness efforts.

25. Beluga Lentils With Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, and Plums

Source: Beluga Lentils With Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, and Plums

These Beluga Lentils With Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, and Plums by Heather Poire are the perfect dish for your next holiday or family gathering. Each component brings wonderful flavor to the table; butternut squash is roasted with bell peppers, mushrooms are sautéed with garlic, plums add a delicate hint of sweetness, and rosemary brings an earthy note. Toss with protein-rich lentils, garnish with just enough salt and pepper, and you have a dish that will be remembered by all.

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