These 15 healthy Thanksgiving recipes all look amazing and will lighten up your big feast.
I didn’t want to go to crazy healthy here because it’s Thanksgiving after all and I’m a big believer in moderation. If you eat healthy the rest of the year, I think splurging a little on the holidays is quite all right!
But, considering the most traditional recipes are things like green bean casserole, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry jelly and mashed potatoes with lots of butter, it’s nice to work in a few healthier, veggie-forward options. Load your plate with more of this stuff and you won’t feel quite so full at the end of dinner!
Healthier Thanksgiving Recipes
1. Butternut Squash & Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Okay, honestly, I’m partial to my family’s stuffing or dressing (what do you call it—stuffing or dressing?) recipe, but this one sounds so good too! And is definitely less carb heavy than my family’s version. Roasted earthy mushrooms and sweet butternut squash with thyme and caramelized onions also just sounds like a really great Thanksgiving vegetable side dish.
2. Honey Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta
The sweetness of the squash and cranberries mixed with the tanginess of feta in this dish sounds so yummy! Again, Thanksgiving tends to be a lot of bread and carbs, so having a nice roasted veggie dish sounds so lovely. I love dishes that have a mixture of flavors and textures!
3. Simple Bacon-Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
The easiest way to get anyone who doesn’t usually like brussels sprouts to eat them! This recipe only has two ingredients and salt and pepper! They’d make for great little appetizers for Thanksgiving or any holiday party for that matter!
4. Cranberry Quinoa Salad
This quinoa salad is a nice alternative to stuffing. It’s got kale, mint and orange in it and sounds absolutely delicious! My guess is that you could make it ahead and it would only taste better after sitting in the fridge for a while! The mint would be so refreshing and unique for your Thanksgiving dinner.
5. Herbed Wild Rice & Quinoa Stuffing
If you’ve got someone who doesn’t eat gluten and you’re not sure what to make in the way of stuffing, here’s an idea! Wild Rice and quinoa are hearty, earthy and tasty, but are gluten free and won’t leave you feeling quite so full!
6. Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
I do like mashed potatoes, but I LOVE roasted potatoes. I wouldn’t be mad one bit if these were on our Thanksgiving table instead of their mashed counterparts. The parmesan adds a salty and savory bite without adding too many additional calories.
7. Salted Caramel Apple Parfaits
We’ve always got pie at our house and honestly, I usually don’t have any until hours later—I’m just too full! I love this option though! It’s nut free, gluten free, and dairy free and looks sooooo yummy! It can also be made in pre-prepared dishes for easy serving.
8. Honey Maple Roasted Carrots
Carrots and thyme go together so well! Have you had them before? Roasting carrots brings out their sweetness. This recipe is so simple and would be an easy one to make. I love the addition of pomegranate seeds in here for a burst of tart flavor to counterbalance the sweet carrots.
9. Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans & Cranberries
I love every ingredient in this recipe so I know I’d love it! My husband is allergic to pecans so we won’t be making this one, but if it was up to me, this would be on the menu! I love them!
10. Chopped Brussel Sprouts Salad with Cranberries & Blue Cheese
Lastly, a salad! I find that salad is often overlooked, something cool, light and crisp is exactly what’s missing from my Thanksgiving plate. Serving a salad is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself from over-eating on Thanksgiving. Fill up on salad, even a basic greens salad and you won’t have as much room for the other stuff!
11. Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
These green beans look divine and would make for a perfect healthy Thanksgiving recipe to add to your menu! And the fact that you can make them in the oven? Even easier. They have a mix of panko bread crumbs and parmesan to add some nice crunchy texture to this easy and healthy Thanksgiving side dish.
12. Healthy Quinoa Stuffing
Again, another gluten free option for stuffing. I love quinoa and love that it’s packed with protein and fiber. Of course, I love the addition of fresh herbs as well!
13. Pumpkin Hummus
This just looks beautiful and healthy! This would make for a great healthy appetizer for Thanksgiving. It’s seasoned with warming spices to make it the perfect addition to your feast.
14. Butternut Squash Risotto
Any Italian-Americans out there? This might the perfect way o bring in a little touch of Italy to your Thanksgiving table. I love risotto and add in butternut squash, sage and a touch of parmesan and I’m sold!
15. Autumn Kale Salad
One thing that’s usually missing from Thanksgiving is something light, fresh and raw! I’m all about the savory dishes, but mixing in a salad is ideal for lightening up your plate. This autumn kale salad with honeycrisp apples, fennel and goat cheese looks divine! I think I’ll be adding this one to our menu this year!
What healthy Thanksgiving recipes and side dishes do you love?
BTW, unexpected Thanksgiving desserts you need to try, and easy and delicious pumpkin bread.
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