14 Thanksgiving vegetable sides stovetop

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:

  • 1 lb green beans, trimmed

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • ¼ cup sliced almonds

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Toast almonds in a skillet until golden. Remove and set aside.

  2. Add oil and garlic to the same pan; sauté for 1 minute.

  3. 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:

  • 3 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

  • 2 tbsp vegan butter

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Salt and black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Melt vegan butter in a skillet.

  2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

  3. 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:

  • 5 large carrots, sliced

  • 2 tbsp vegan butter

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

  • ½ tsp thyme

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a pan, add carrots, and cook for 5 minutes.

  2. 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:

  • 4 cups spinach

  • ½ cup soaked cashews

  • ½ cup oat milk

  • 2 garlic cloves

  • Salt and nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Blend cashews, oat milk, garlic, and nutmeg until smooth.

  2. 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:

  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

  1. Sear Brussels sprouts cut-side down until golden.

  2. 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:

  • 3 cups broccoli florets

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Steam or blanch broccoli for 3 minutes.

  2. Heat oil, sauté garlic, and toss broccoli in the pan.

  3. 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:

  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms

  • 1 tbsp vegan butter

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • ½ tsp thyme

Instructions:

  1. Heat butter in a skillet.

  2. 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:

  • 2 sweet potatoes, cubed

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet.

  2. Add onion and sweet potatoes; cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. Season and serve warm.

9. Creamed Corn (Vegan)

This stovetop creamed corn is silky, rich, and made entirely dairy-free.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups corn

  • ½ cup coconut milk

  • 1 tbsp vegan butter

  • 1 tsp flour

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour.

  2. 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:

  • 2 cups green peas

  • ½ onion, chopped

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Sauté onions until translucent.

  2. 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:

  • 1 zucchini, sliced

  • 1 bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a pan.

  2. Add vegetables and seasoning.

  3. 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:

  • 4 cups shredded cabbage

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil, add garlic and cabbage.

  2. 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:

  • 4 cups chopped kale

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil and garlic in a skillet.

  2. 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:

  • 1 cup corn

  • 1 zucchini, diced

  • ½ red bell pepper, chopped

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a skillet and add all vegetables.

  2. 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.

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