14 Thanksgiving recipes side dishes fruit

Thanksgiving side dishes don’t have to be just savory — fruits can bring color, sweetness, and freshness to your holiday table.

Here are 14 delicious fruit-based Thanksgiving side dishes that are easy to make and loved by everyone.

1. Cranberry Orange Relish

A bright, tangy side dish that pairs beautifully with turkey.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries

• 1 orange (peeled and chopped)

• ½ cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor.

2. Pulse until finely chopped.

3. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

2. Apple Walnut Salad

A light, crunchy salad with the sweetness of apples and nuttiness of walnuts.

Ingredients:

• 2 apples (sliced)

• ½ cup chopped walnuts

• 2 cups mixed greens

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Mix apples, greens, and walnuts in a bowl.

2. Whisk olive oil and honey for dressing.

3. Toss and serve fresh.

3. Baked Cinnamon Pears

Warm, spiced pears make a comforting side dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe pears (halved)

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Place pears in a baking dish.

2. Top with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.

3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

4. Grape and Cheese Salad

Sweet grapes and savory cheese come together in this creamy side.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups seedless grapes

• 1 cup cubed cheddar or cream cheese

• ½ cup sour cream

• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Mix grapes and cheese in a bowl.

2. Stir in sour cream and honey.

3. Chill and serve.

5. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Apples

A perfect blend of sweet and savory.

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes (cubed)

• 2 apples (cubed)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Toss all ingredients together.

2. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes.

3. Serve warm.

6. Strawberry Spinach Salad

A fresh, colorful side with fruity flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spinach leaves

• 1 cup sliced strawberries

• ¼ cup feta cheese

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette

Instructions:

1. Arrange spinach and strawberries in a bowl.

2. Sprinkle feta on top.

3. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.

7. Pineapple Glazed Carrots

A tropical twist on a Thanksgiving favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups baby carrots

• ½ cup pineapple juice

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Boil carrots until tender.

2. Simmer pineapple juice, butter, and sugar in a pan.

3. Add carrots and coat in glaze.

8. Pomegranate Couscous

A refreshing grain side with bursts of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked couscous

• ½ cup pomegranate seeds

• ¼ cup chopped mint

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Combine couscous, seeds, and mint.

2. Drizzle with olive oil.

3. Toss lightly and serve.

9. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries

A savory dish with a pop of tart fruit.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Brussels sprouts (halved)

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Roast sprouts at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.

2. Mix in cranberries.

3. Serve warm.

10. Peach Cornbread Stuffing

A fruity twist on classic stuffing.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cornbread cubes

• 1 cup diced peaches

• ½ cup onion (chopped)

• 1 cup broth

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion, add peaches.

2. Mix with cornbread and broth.

3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes.

11. Apple Cranberry Slaw

Crunchy, colorful, and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage

• 1 apple (sliced)

• ¼ cup dried cranberries

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise

Instructions:

1. Combine cabbage, apple, and cranberries.

2. Add mayo and mix.

3. Chill before serving.

12. Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

A sweet and creamy bite-sized side.

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette (sliced)

• ½ cup goat cheese

• ¼ cup fig jam

Instructions:

1. Toast baguette slices.

2. Spread goat cheese and top with fig jam.

3. Serve warm or at room temp.

13. Roasted Grapes with Thyme

Elegant and simple side for a fancy touch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups red grapes

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Toss grapes with oil and thyme.

2. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.

3. Serve alongside turkey or cheese.

14. Citrus Cranberry Rice

A zesty, colorful side dish that brightens the meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• 1 orange (zested and juiced)

• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Stir cranberries, zest, and juice into rice.

2. Add butter and mix until warm.

3. Serve immediately.

These 14 Thanksgiving fruit side dishes bring balance to your feast — from tangy cranberries to sweet peaches.

They add brightness, color, and flavor to every plate, making your celebration even more memorable.