16 Low Sodium Thanksgiving Side Dishes (That Work for Christmas, Too)

Per serving: 123 calories, 26 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein

Every Thanksgiving table needs a big bowl of plain, creamy mashed potatoes, and this is the recipe to make. The potatoes cook in a mix of water and unsalted vegetable stock, which seasons them from the inside out. Then they're mashed with a little butter, milk, fresh garlic, and thyme until they're smooth and fluffy. With just 26 mg of sodium per serving, there's plenty of room on your plate for a ladle of gravy (our low sodium turkey gravy is the perfect match).

Per serving: 158 calories, 65 mg sodium, 2 g saturated fat, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein

You won't find a drop of heavy cream in these scalloped potatoes, and you won't miss it. Thin layers of potato bake slowly with sweet sliced onions, garlic, fresh thyme, and sage in unsalted vegetable stock until the edges turn golden and crispy and the middle is soft and tender. It's a

Per serving: 201 calories, 74 mg sodium, 2 g saturated fat, 2 g fiber, 8 g protein

If stovetop space is tight on the big day, this casserole is your new best friend. The potatoes simmer with whole garlic cloves, bay leaf, and thyme so they're full of flavor before you even start mashing. Greek yogurt and a little reduced fat cream cheese make them rich and tangy, and a crunchy panko topping goes on just before baking. The Greek yogurt also gives each serving 8 grams of protein, which is a nice bonus for a potato side.

Per serving: 122 calories, 35 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein

Roasting sweet potatoes instead of boiling them concentrates their natural sweetness, so this mash doesn't need butter, brown sugar, or marshmallows to shine. A little lemon zest brightens everything up, a pinch of cayenne adds gentle warmth, and toasted sliced almonds give it some crunch on top. It's vegan, too, so it's a great pick if you have a mix of eaters coming to dinner.

Per serving: 227 calories, 136 mg sodium, 3 g saturated fat, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein

For the folks who believe sweet potato casserole is basically dessert, this is the one to make. A smooth, cinnamon-and-nutmeg sweet potato base gets covered in a buttery, crunchy brown sugar pecan topping (walnuts work too). It skips the marshmallows and still tastes like the holidays in every bite. It's naturally gluten free as well, thanks to almond flour in the topping.

Per serving: 168 calories, 192 mg sodium, 2 g saturated fat, 4 g fiber, 8 g protein

Green bean casserole is a holiday classic, so we gave it a low sodium makeover. We replaced the canned cream of mushroom soup with a homemade sauce made from baby bella mushrooms, shallots, garlic, milk, and unsalted stock, so it's still creamy and savory with a fraction of the sodium. Crushed corn flakes and a little reduced fat cheddar make a crunchy, golden topping that might just disappear before the rest of the casserole does.

Per serving: 75 calories, 56 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 4 g fiber, 2 g protein

Sometimes the simplest side on the table is the one everyone goes back for. Fresh green beans are cooked until crisp-tender and then finished with thinly sliced shallots that get broiled until they're brown and crispy. A small pat of butter brings it all together. It's quick enough to make at the last minute and light enough to balance out the heavier dishes.

Per serving: 132 calories, 60 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein

Even people who say they don't like Brussels sprouts tend to change their minds after trying them roasted. High heat turns the outer leaves crispy and caramelized while the centers stay tender and sweet, and red onion wedges roast right alongside them. Chopped pecans or walnuts add a toasty crunch at the end. You can make these in the oven or the air fryer, which is handy when the oven is full of turkey.

Per serving: 71 calories, 91 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 2 g fiber, 8 g protein

Here's a cheesy casserole that doesn't rely on canned soup or processed cheese. No-salt-added cottage cheese blends into a smooth, creamy sauce with a little dry mustard, garlic, and nutmeg, and sharp cheddar and Parmesan melt over the top with a sprinkle of smoked paprika. It's a big batch (12 servings!) that's perfect for a crowd, and each serving has 8 grams of protein for just 71 calories.

Per serving: 128 calories, 55 mg sodium, 2 g saturated fat, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein

Corn pudding is a must-have in many Southern homes, but the boxed corn muffin mix in most recipes adds quite a bit of sodium. Our version uses no-salt-added whole kernel corn and cream-style corn, eggs, and just a touch of sugar and butter. The result is creamy, custardy, and sweet, with whole kernels in every spoonful. Best of all, it bakes in about the same time it takes to carve the turkey.

Per serving: 255 calories, 12 mg sodium, 0 g saturated fat, 6 g fiber, 3 g protein

These stuffed squash halves look so festive on the table that guests might think you ordered them from a restaurant! Each tender, roasted acorn squash half is filled with a sweet mix of dried cranberries, apricots, plums, and toasted pecans. With just 12 mg of sodium and 6 grams of fiber per serving, it's also one of the most heart-healthy dishes in this collection.

Per serving: 90 calories, 79 mg sodium, 0 g saturated fat, 1 g fiber, 0 g protein

Cinnamon, sage, and a little brown sugar give this squash dish the kind of cozy flavor that tastes like fall and the holidays all at once. Tender butternut squash is tossed with unsweetened applesauce and dried cranberries, and the bright red berries make it especially pretty on a Christmas table. If you're short on time, frozen winter squash works great here too.

Per serving: 195 calories, 95 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 4 g fiber, 5 g protein

Want something a little different on the table this year? This warm salad combines roasted sweet potatoes, nutty farro, crisp apple, radishes, and kale with a tangy Dijon and apple cider vinegar dressing. A small sprinkle of feta and some sunflower seeds finish it off. It's hearty enough to work as a main for any vegetarian guests and it makes a great lunch with the leftovers.

Per serving: 143 calories, 363 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 4 g fiber, 5 g protein

This stuffing tastes like the one you grew up with, with soft cubes of bread soaked in broth and plenty of onion, celery, and carrot. A generous amount of fresh and dried sage gives it that classic holiday aroma, and whole wheat bread adds fiber. Bread is naturally one of the biggest sources of sodium in a stuffing, so this is the highest sodium recipe on our list, but it still comes in far lower than most boxed mixes. Use low sodium broth (or homemade unsalted turkey stock) to keep it that way.

Per serving: 96 calories, 93 mg sodium, 1 g saturated fat, 1 g fiber, 7 g protein

The secret to this rich, flavorful gravy starts early in the day. While the turkey roasts, the neck and giblets simmer in unsalted chicken stock with onion, carrot, celery, and fresh herbs to make a deeply savory base. Then the pan drippings, a splash of white wine, and a little apple cider vinegar get stirred in at the end. You get all the flavor of a traditional gravy with just 93 mg of sodium per serving. If you're cooking a turkey breast instead of a whole bird, our guide on how to cook a low sodium turkey breast walks you through it.

Per serving: 93 calories, 7 mg sodium, 0 g saturated fat, 2 g fiber, 0 g protein

Once you make cranberry sauce from scratch, it's hard to go back to the can. Fresh cranberries simmer until they burst, and orange marmalade adds bright citrus flavor with a little less added sugar than most recipes. A touch of vanilla and maple extract makes it taste extra special. It's ready in 25 minutes, and you can make it up to a few days ahead, which is one less thing to worry about on the big day.