Fall Side Dish Recipes: 25 Unique Ideas!

Fall is an amazing time for home cooked food. You can still get summer vegetables, but you also get the benefit of fresh Autumn foods too. It can be hard to even think about turning your oven on in the hot summer. With the cold weather, all we want are some comforting dishes that will warm us up.

Curl up with a glass of hot chocolate and munch on these 25 delicious Fall dishes. All of these dishes were submitted from users like you!

25. Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta

This roasted butternut squash recipe is sweet and buttery with a zing of flavor from the cranberries. It works perfectly to serve as a side dish for your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner, or any night of the week during the fall. This dish can also be made without the cranberries for a more classic butternut squash flavor.

To make this recipe you’ll need a few simple ingredients including butternut squash, fresh cranberries, feta, honey, olive oil, cinnamon, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste and parsley to garnish. This sweet and savory dish will be a guaranteed hit at your next holiday gathering.

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24. Baked Stuffed Pumpkin

Enjoy the flavors of the season with this healthy stuffed pumpkin dish. This dish even doubles as a cute decor piece since you use the pumpkin itself to as the serving dish. Best of all, these adorable stuffed pumpkins are completely edible too, making them a unique and fun dish.

To make the filling for this recipe the key ingredients you’ll need are mushrooms, spinach, and cheese. You’ll also need butter, shallots, salt and pepper, garlic, heavy cream, nutmeg and a French demi-baguette. This delicious recipe is vegetarian friendly and works as the perfect side dish for your next upcoming Thanksgiving or holiday gathering.

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23. Spicy Cornbread

If cornbread is a staple at your Thanksgiving dinner, why not try this spicy cornbread for something different? This is a great classic cornbread recipe, with a bit of a twist. Green onions and large jalapenos are added into the batter to give a zesty flavor. You can also easily use more or less jalapeno peppers depending on your spice preference.

This recipe is light and fluffy but super moist and packed with the bold flavors of sharp cheddar cheese and jalapeno. While this recipe would work perfectly your upcoming Thanksgiving meal, it also would taste perfect as a side with a bowl of chili or soup in the fall.

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22. Zucchini Gratin

Take advantage of fresh seasonal produce and make this beautiful and delicious zucchini gratin dish for Thanksgiving! The flavors of the fresh veggies pair so nicely with the warm notes of thyme, and Parmesan. This may just become your new favorite side dish and one that your guests will most definitely ask the recipe for.

It’s healthy, low carb, gluten-free and only requires a few simple ingredients. The ingredients needed are zucchini (of course), sea salt, black pepper, brie cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, butter, garlic, sharp shredded cheese, and Italian seasoning. Even better news? It requires only 10 minutes of prep!

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21. Wild Rice With Squash, Spinach and Fig

The thing about wild rice is that it’s really much better as a component in a rice “medley.” Use equal parts long-grain brown rice and wild rice in this dish. The wild rice is nice and chewy, which gives a great contrast of textures. This dish is bursting with warm fall flavors of squash and chestnuts which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the figs.

This recipe is also incredibly healthy, which is a major bonus in our books! It’s very low in saturated fat, zero cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, high in magnesium and high in vitamin A and vitamin C.

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20. Warm Tomato Onion and Feta Salad

This toasty salad is great to warm you up on a brisk Autumn day or a chilly winter evening. Onions and tomatoes are roasted with thyme for a delicious and robust flavor. The salad is dressed simply with balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, but the roast tomatoes blend to help create the tasty dressing flavor.

This warm salad dish works well as a side dish, but you could also top with some chicken or tofu to make it a filling main dish. You could also try different roast vegetables to make your own signature warm salad. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves and salt and serve warm.

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19. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Without a doubt, mashed potatoes are one of the favorite side dishes ever created. You can serve them with almost anything, cover them with cheese, gravy, or just eat them plain. You can whip them up with skins on, or make the traditional skin off kind. There are so many ways to enjoy this simple side dish.

This version is made with the skin on, to keep the nutrients, and lots of garlic and fresh herbs to give them tons of flavor! They’re also made in a slow cooker which means they are ridiculously easy to make and require little prep time.

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18. Healthier Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic side dish when it comes to Thanksgiving and the holidays. I’d recommend it for a side dish during a turkey dinner, but it could go well with any type of roasted meat dish. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients!

This delicious green bean casserole goes great with just about anything and is a healthier alternative than the traditional version of this dish that you might be used to. The reason this dish is healthier than your typical green bean casserole is because its made from scratch and avoids the canned creamy soup, frozen green beans, and packaged fried onions.

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17. Stuffed Butternut Squash

Stuffed butternut squash is a delicious and simple side dish that’s perfect for your next family gathering. You can use any squash for this recipe. Zucchini would be great in the summer, while butternut and acorn are great in the Fall. You could even use a large pumpkin. Serve it in the middle of the table for a great centerpiece and dish in one.

This particular stuffed butternut squash is filled with autumnal flavors such as quinoa, cranberries and kale. This dish has nourishing ingredients that are healthy for your body and the recipe is also vegetarian-friendly, which is a big bonus!

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16. Glazed Carrots

Warm carrots are another common side dish that make their way to the annual Thanksgiving or holiday dinner table. If you’re looking to have a shorter prep time for your carrot dish, consider using baby carrots this year! You can also use big carrots, but be sure to cut them into even pieces for cooking.

This particular carrot recipe is glazed with brown sugar and butter, which compliments the carrots perfectly. The carrots become very tender with this recipe and melt in your mouth. Even your pickiest eater will be saying “yum!” when they try this delicious side dish recipe.

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15. Scalloped Potatoes

There always needs to be some sort of potato dish when it comes to a Thanksgiving or holiday gathering. It’s common to see mashed potatoes as this side dish, but why not change it up this year with a delicious scalloped potato recipe? This dish is just how grandma used to make it.

The scalloped potatoes are rich and creamy, and a perfect side dish to a roasted ham during the holidays. You could also easily switch up the flavors with different cheeses. Cheddar is classic, but goat cheese or Parmesan would be delicious too! This dish is the ultimate comfort food.

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14. Creamed Corn

Instead of traditional corn for Thanksgiving, why not switch things up with this delicious recipe? This creamed corn is impossibly rich, creamy and buttery. It’s so decadent and it’s good both warm and room-temperature, which makes it a perfect, hassle-free side dish to any meal. You could also try adding chopped green chilies to give it a little kick!

To make this recipe you’ll need frozen corn kernels, butter, heavy cream, cream cheese, ricotta, sugar, flour, and seasonings. This specific recipe is made in a slow cooker which makes the cooking process even easier! Garnish with green onions and bacon.

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13. Roasted Root Vegetables

Enjoy the bounty of the fall season with this amazing roasted root vegetable side dish. Sweet potato, red potatoes, carrots, red beets, golden beets, butternut squash and fennel are all roasted together with delicious seasoning such as rosemary, oregano, sage, thyme and parsley. The natural sugars caramelize and create a delicious dish that also looks gorgeous with all the deep autumn colours of the root vegetables.

This comforting dish is perfect for the cooler months and is packed with vitamins, nutrients and fiber. It’s also very friendly to many different types of diets and lifestyles including vegan, paleo, Whole-30 friendly and sugar-free!

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12. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a delicious side dish for any season, but with the addition of cranberries and apples, this coleslaw is ready for thanksgiving supper. Filled with fresh apples, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, and green onions, this coleslaw is crunchy, sweet, and so tasty! It combines classic fall flavors in a way that you may have never thought of before.

The tangy dressing pairs perfectly with this combination of flavors and is surprisingly easy to make. For the dressing you’ll need lowfat mayo, plain yogurt, honey and dried, ground ginger. Simply pour the dressing over the mixed ingredients and stir until evenly coated.

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11. Marinated Tomatoes Salad

In the time it takes you to heat up some frozen veggies for dinner, you can have this fresh and tasty marinated tomato side dish on the table and ready to go! Tomatoes soak up flavor quickly with some fresh herbs, garlic and olive oil and help create a dish worth repeating! This dish is effortless to throw together and only requires a handful of ingredients.

This dish is also totally customizable. The recipe suggests using red wine vinegar as the base of the dressing, but you could also mix it up with a balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

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10. Roasted Cauliflower

Who knew cauliflower could taste so good? Roasting the cauliflower brings out a delicious nuttiness and the lemon and garlic adds to the fun! Roasted cauliflower also has a very similar texture to potatoes without all the heavy carbs! Your entire family will enjoy it and you won’t have to beg anyone to finish their vegetables.

The seasonings are really what make this dish so unique and tasty. It’s well-seasoned with garlic, black pepper, paprika, and Parmesan, which pair together deliciously. This tasty recipe will only take you 10 minutes to prep and can be garnished with parsley before serving.

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9. Cranberry Walnut Salad

This light apple and cranberry salad is the perfect side dish for roast chicken or a beautiful pork chop. The ingredients are simple, but that’s what makes them delicious. Walnuts, feta and cranberries are added to lettuce. Each bite has the tangy cranberries and nutty walnuts paired with red and green apple slices, which combine together into the ideal fall flavor palette.

The dressing for this salad is also homemade and pairs perfectly with the ingredients. To make this dressing you’ll need apple juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, black pepper and oil. Your guests will have you asking for this salad on repeat every year!

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8. Black Beans and Rice

Rice is a classic side dish, but why not make your rice side dishes a little more exciting and protein-packed by adding black beans? This recipe pairs perfectly with nearly every type of meat whether its turkey, sausage, chicken or pork. It’s versatile, easy to make and inexpensive. What could be better?

To make this recipe you’ll need olive oil, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, white rice, reduced-sodium chicken broth, cumin, canned black beans, and salt and pepper to taste. This combination also works perfectly as a base to other recipes such as tacos or burrito bowls and stays well in the fridge as leftovers.

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7. Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Are you scared of Brussels sprouts? Don’t be anymore! This recipe has turned many a sprout hater into a sprout lover. Why not give it a try? Plus, not only is it tasty, they are really good for you! This brussels sprouts recipe makes the perfect flavorful side dish and can easily be whipped up in less than 30 minutes.

The seasoning on this side dish is made with a mixture of balsamic, honey and Dijon mustard. This combination not only adds a hint of sweetness, but also enhances the flavor and adds some caramelization on the sprouts. Serve and enjoy!

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6. Pumpkin Fried Rice

If you’re a pumpkin fanatic, then you will love this pumpkin fried rice dish. The flavor of pumpkin is combined with onion and soy for a savory flavor that’s unlike anything you’ve tried before. When it comes to the ingredients, the recipe suggests using a sugar pumpkin and kabocha squash since they still hold their firmness during roasting.

A few other ingredients you’ll need include shiitake mushrooms, basmati, jasmine, or long-grain rice, vegetable oil, 1 chopped shallot, 1 scallion, and salt and pepper to taste. This delicious meal celebrates all the flavors of the season in an unexpected way. Enjoy!

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5. Chickpea and Feta Salad

This chickpea and feta salad is the perfect side dish for your next upcoming gathering. This healthy Mediterranean salad uses chickpeas as the base. These beans are packed with protein and are very healthy. They are also really delicious too! This recipe also contains avocado, which is a healthy fat full of nutrients.

To make this recipe you’ll need chickpeas, 2 diced avocados, chopped parsley, green onion, feta cheese, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Try this side dish beside spicy chicken to give a refreshing balance to the meal. Your guests will be so impressed with this delicious dish.

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4. Zucchini Oven Chips

These flavorful, crispy zucchini chips are so delicious that, just like their potato counterparts, I bet you won’t be able to eat just one! They’re a healthy side dish for just about any meal. Use this same technique on different vegetables to see what chips you can come up with.

This is the perfect healthy snack to have out on the coffee table for your guests to snack on throughout the night. For this specific recipe you’ll need 4 cups of thinly sliced zucchini, extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, and coarse sea salt. Best of all? One serving is just 40 calories!

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3. Roasted Beet Orange Salad with Pistachios and Feta

A quality salad is key to a well-rounded Thanksgiving or holiday dinner spread. The trick when using less ingredients for a quality salad is to pick great quality ones. This specific recipe uses beets, fresh oranges, shallots, pistachios and feta cheese to give its delicious flavor. When looking for beets, make sure the leaves are firm and not wilted. Also choose similar sized beets so that they cook evenly.

To begin, toss the beets with olive oil, orange juice and salt. Roast, then sprinkle on your shallots, and continue to roast. Top with oranges, pistachios, feta cheese and chives. Serve warm, room temp or chilled.

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2. Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

You may typically associate pasta salad as a side dish you’d bring to a summer barbeque, but there is certainly a way to change up this classic recipe to make it work for the cooler months. This delicious deviled egg pasta salad will give you all the nostalgia of summer in a unique way.

This recipe is a play on the classic deviled egg. It uses mayonnaise, mustard, hard boiled eggs, and pickle relish to really get the authentic flavors. As an extra touch, the top is dusted with paprika. This tasty recipe is quick, delicious and ready in 30 minutes!

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1. Tuscan Baked Beans

There’s nothing better than a hot pot of baked beans on a cold Autumn day. This Tuscan baked beans recipe takes a fresh approach to the classic barbecue side dish. It works perfectly for a Thanksgiving or holiday side dish and is a classic that never gets old.

To begin this recipe you’ll need brown onion, celery, garlic, tomato paste, whole peeled tomatoes, beans, fresh thyme, and kale or spinach. You can easily serve this baked beans dish beside fish, chicken, pork, or beef. You could also serve it as an appetizer with crunchy sourdough bread and crispy prosciutto to top it off!