25 Best Healthy Holiday Sides And Appetizers

by Academy of Culinary Nutrition in Best Of

We love the holidays, but we definitely don’t love feeling overstuffed and uncomfortable after a holiday meal. We wholeheartedly believe that the holiday season can be delicious, satisfying and support our health all at once. During a holiday dinner, the main focus of the meal – the turkey or another bird – is fairly simple to healthify by using an organic source and using simple seasonings like healthy oils, herbs and sea salt. It’s everything that goes along with the holiday meal, particularly those holiday sides and appetizers, that tend to be loaded with processed foods, excess sugar, inflammatory oils, gluten and various dairy products.

That’s why we’re sharing our 25 best healthy holiday sides and appetizers you can use to brighten up your table and aid your vibrant health at the same time!

And if you’re looking for more holiday recipes, check out these posts:

25 Best Holiday Sides and Appetizers

Sweet Potatoes with Kale + Caramelized Onions

Sweet Potatoes with Kale + Caramelized Onions by Calm Eats

This is one of those easy and healthy holiday sides that everyone in the family will adore.

Maple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts

Maple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts by Pure + Simple Nourishment

Brussels sprouts are one of those vegetables that many people hate until they’ve had them cooked the right way. With a hint of sweetness from dried cranberries and maple syrup, this recipe is sure to convert the haters.

Chickpea-Free Hummus 3 Ways

Chickpea-Free Hummus 3 Ways by Eat Spin Run Repeat (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

Love hummus, but don’t want your guests tooting all evening? Try these 3 bean-free hummus recipes using beets, carrots and zucchini. Of course, they are delicious, but they also make a gorgeous and fancy-looking holiday plate.

Herby Gluten-Free + Vegan Biscuits

Herby Gluten-Free + Vegan Biscuits by A Saucy Kitchen

Can it be true? Yes! These fluffy gluten-free and vegan biscuits are perfect for your holiday table. You may want to double the batch – otherwise fighting over the last one may ensue!

Vegan Cultured Butter

Vegan Cultured Butter by Full of Plants

‘Cause you’ll need something to spread on your gluten-free + vegan biscuits. Plus, you’ll get the awesome benefits of fermented foods.

Celeriac, Apple, and Lentil Salad with Cumin Seed Dressing

Celeriac, Apple, and Lentil Salad with Cumin Seed Dressing by Feasting at Home

This tasty recipes gives you an excuse to eat more celery root – plus, it serves well as a side for meat-eating guests and as a main for the vegans or vegetarians.

Maple Bacon Roasted Butternut Squash

Maple Bacon Roasted Butternut Squash by Paleo Running Momma

Given the popularity of the Paleo diet, you’re likely going to have a Paleo dieter at your table. This simple, grain-free holiday side is Paleo-friendly and we’re sure that nobody else at the table will complain about the chance to eat organic bacon.

Harvest Wild Rice Salad

Harvest Wild Rice Salad by Girl Heart Food

By adding bright pomegranate arils, this hearty winter salad immediately becomes festive and will put everyone in a good mood.

Cheezy Broccoli Quinoa

Cheezy Broccoli Quinoa by That Clean Life (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

All you need is 4 simple ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking time to make this protein-rich side dish.

Berbere Roasted Kabocha Squash with Tahini Dill Dressing

Berbere Roasted Kabocha Squash with Tahini Dill Dressing by Vegan Richa

Take advantage of the wide variety of winter squashes and roast ’em up for a sweet and caramelized healthy holiday side dish. Yum!

Green Beans and Golden Beets with Tarragon and Almonds

Green Beans and Golden Beets with Tarragon and Almonds by Floating Kitchen

Skip the green bean casserole this year include this this elegant and light dish as one of your healthy holiday sides + appetizers.

Cranberry Sauce with Blood Orange, Balsamic & Rosemary

Cranberry Sauce with Blood Orange, Balsamic & Rosemary by Meatified

Homemade condiments are so much tastier than the canned and store-bought versions – and this fresh cranberry sauce really sings!

Simple Cauliflower Mash

Simple Cauliflower Mash by Confessions of a Clean Foodie

Everyone at the table will love this creamy, Paleo + Whole 30-compliant side dish. It goes perfectly with cranberry sauce or gravy!

Sweet Potato & Lentil Goulash With Pumpkin Seed Oil

Sweet Potato & Lentil Goulash With Pumpkin Seed Oil by Wife of a Grocer (*Culinary Nutrition Expert Student)

A nutrient-packed one-pot meal that makes a great holiday dish. Candra created this recipe for an assignment in the culinary nutrition expert program (we have the BEST homework) and we love seeing the delicious results!

Paleo Butternut Squash Souffle

Paleo Butternut Squash Souffle by Cook It Up Paleo

This 6 ingredient Paleo recipe is creamy, fluffy, simple, tasty and hearty – basically everything we want in our healthy holiday side dishes + appetizers.

Maple Dijon Vegan Cheese Ball

Maple Dijon Vegan Cheese Ball by Connoisseurus Veg

Impress both the vegans and the non-vegans with this flavourful vegan ‘cheese’ ball. It’s perfect with your favourite gluten-free crackers or crudites.

Vegan Walnut, Sage + Cranberry Stuffed Holiday Mushrooms

Vegan Walnut, Sage + Cranberry Stuffed Holiday Mushrooms by Blissful Basil

This healthy twist on stuffed mushrooms really takes holiday appetizers to the next level. The next extremely delicious level.

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables by Meghan Telpner (*ACN Founder + Director)

Please make some room in your oven for these easy roasted vegetables. You won’t regret it.

Paleo Cornbread Stuffing

Paleo Cornbread Stuffing by Cook Eat Paleo

This faux ‘cornbread’ stuffing doesn’t actually have any corn in it at all. Make a batch ahead of time and freeze it to use in this recipe!

Miso Turmeric Zucchini Salad

Miso Turmeric Zucchini Salad by Sheena Scott (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

An easy and refreshing mostly raw salad that is rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients. It’s got great flavour and the oh-so-important crunch factor.

Roasted Artichoke Salad

Roasted Artichoke Salad by Sunday Supper

We love the tangyness of this roasted veggie salad and we know your guests will, too.

Roasted Delicata Squash Tian

Roasted Delicata Squash Tian by Hungry Hobby

This elegant dish will garner many ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ at the table. We like to ditch the cheese on top to make this dairy-free.

Homemade Plantain Chips

Homemade Plantain Chips by The Wooden Skillet

It doesn’t get easier than a one-ingredient recipe – and these easy plantain chips are great for munching along with dips or hummus as guests wait for the main attraction.

Golden Turmeric Rice with Raisins

Golden Turmeric Rice with Raisins by Sondi Bruner (*ACN Head Program Coach)

Add some sunshine to your holiday festivities with this 5-ingredient side dish.

by Academy of Culinary Nutrition
in Best Of

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