When the oven is full of turkey and pies, the stovetop becomes your best friend.
These 14 Thanksgiving vegetable sides are easy to make, delicious, and require no baking — just simple, hearty, stovetop cooking.
From creamy greens to skillet-roasted favorites, each dish adds color and comfort to your Thanksgiving table.
1. Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds

Crisp-tender green beans tossed with toasted almonds and garlic bring a light, elegant flavor to your meal.
Ingredients:
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1 lb green beans, trimmed
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2 tbsp olive oil
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¼ cup sliced almonds
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Toast almonds in a skillet until golden. Remove and set aside.
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Add oil and garlic to the same pan; sauté for 1 minute.
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Add green beans, cook for 6–7 minutes, season, and top with almonds.
2. Garlic Butter Corn Skillet (Vegan)

Sweet corn kernels sautéed with vegan butter and garlic make a quick, flavorful side dish.
Ingredients:
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3 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
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2 tbsp vegan butter
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Salt and black pepper
Instructions:
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Melt vegan butter in a skillet.
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Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
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Stir in corn and cook for 5–7 minutes. Season and serve warm.
3. Stovetop Glazed Carrots

These sweet, buttery carrots glazed with maple syrup and herbs are a Thanksgiving classic.
Ingredients:
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5 large carrots, sliced
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2 tbsp vegan butter
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2 tbsp maple syrup
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½ tsp thyme
Instructions:
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Melt butter in a pan, add carrots, and cook for 5 minutes.
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Stir in maple syrup and thyme; cook until tender and glossy.
4. Creamy Vegan Spinach

Smooth, garlicky spinach made creamy with cashew sauce — comforting and nutrient-rich.
Ingredients:
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4 cups spinach
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½ cup soaked cashews
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½ cup oat milk
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2 garlic cloves
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Salt and nutmeg
Instructions:
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Blend cashews, oat milk, garlic, and nutmeg until smooth.
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Sauté spinach in a skillet until wilted, then stir in the creamy sauce.
5. Skillet Brussels Sprouts with Maple Glaze

Crispy stovetop Brussels sprouts tossed in a maple-balsamic glaze — perfectly sweet and tangy.
Ingredients:
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1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp maple syrup
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1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
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Sear Brussels sprouts cut-side down until golden.
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Add maple syrup and balsamic; toss for 2–3 minutes.
6. Garlic Lemon Broccoli

A simple, zesty stovetop broccoli side that’s light yet full of flavor.
Ingredients:
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3 cups broccoli florets
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions:
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Steam or blanch broccoli for 3 minutes.
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Heat oil, sauté garlic, and toss broccoli in the pan.
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Add lemon juice before serving.
Read More: 14 Thanksgiving vegetable sides broccoli
7. Sautéed Mushrooms with Thyme

Rich, buttery mushrooms cooked with thyme and garlic — earthy and savory.
Ingredients:
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2 cups sliced mushrooms
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1 tbsp vegan butter
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1 garlic clove, minced
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½ tsp thyme
Instructions:
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Heat butter in a skillet.
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Add mushrooms and thyme; cook until browned and fragrant.
8. Stovetop Sweet Potato Hash

Soft, caramelized sweet potatoes tossed with onions and herbs make a hearty vegetable side.
Ingredients:
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2 sweet potatoes, cubed
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1 small onion, chopped
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2 tbsp olive oil
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½ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions:
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Heat oil in a large skillet.
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Add onion and sweet potatoes; cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Season and serve warm.
9. Creamed Corn (Vegan)

This stovetop creamed corn is silky, rich, and made entirely dairy-free.
Ingredients:
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3 cups corn
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½ cup coconut milk
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1 tbsp vegan butter
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1 tsp flour
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour.
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Add coconut milk and corn, stirring until thickened.
10. Stovetop Green Peas with Onions

Quick and easy — peas and onions sautéed with olive oil and seasoning make a bright green side.
Ingredients:
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2 cups green peas
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½ onion, chopped
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Sauté onions until translucent.
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Add peas and cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste.
11. Skillet Zucchini and Bell Peppers

Colorful and crisp-tender, this dish adds a fresh touch to your Thanksgiving plate.
Ingredients:
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1 zucchini, sliced
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1 bell pepper, sliced
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
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Heat oil in a pan.
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Add vegetables and seasoning.
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Sauté for 6–8 minutes until lightly browned.
12. Vegan Cabbage Stir-Fry

Quick, simple, and full of flavor — cabbage stir-fry adds crunch and sweetness to your spread.
Ingredients:
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4 cups shredded cabbage
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1 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions:
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Heat oil, add garlic and cabbage.
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Stir-fry for 5 minutes, then add soy sauce and cook 2 minutes more.
13. Sautéed Kale with Garlic and Olive Oil

A hearty green side that pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving mains.
Ingredients:
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4 cups chopped kale
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2 tbsp olive oil
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Pinch of salt
Instructions:
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Heat oil and garlic in a skillet.
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Add kale and sauté until wilted, about 5 minutes.
14. Corn and Zucchini Succotash

A bright and colorful combination of corn, zucchini, and red peppers cooked on the stovetop.
Ingredients:
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1 cup corn
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1 zucchini, diced
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½ red bell pepper, chopped
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Heat oil in a skillet and add all vegetables.
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Sauté for 8 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
These 14 stovetop Thanksgiving vegetable sides make it easy to prepare a full feast without using the oven.
From sweet maple-glazed veggies to garlicky greens, each dish brings seasonal flavor and simplicity to your holiday table — all cooked in one pan.





