I know many of you are finalizing your Thanksgiving menus, so I wanted to share a round up of the best healthy Thanksgiving recipes that I’ve shared here on the blog over the years. I’ve published this post previously, but have updated it with new recipes from the past year!
I don’t believe in only eating “healthy” stuff on Thanksgiving – that’s not fun or realistic (see also: How to Have a Stress-Free Holiday Eating Experience). But it’s nice to have some veggie-packed and more nutrient dense options in the mix as well.
So, enjoy – and please let me know if you try any of these recipes! I’d love to see photos. 🙂
Best Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers
This crostini is easy to make, full of interesting flavors and textures, and pairs wonderfully with bubbly. 😉
An old favorite and fun seasonal twist on regular hummus. All you need is 5 minutes and a food processor!
Mediterranean Sweet Potato Hummus Bites
A flavorful, unique, and easy gluten free and vegetarian appetizer that’s sure to please a crowd!
I also love the look of this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board from a fellow blogger – big appetizer spreads are always a win!
Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
My favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Packed with flavor, not sugar.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Silky smooth butternut squash soup with apples and optional bacon: is there anything more autumnal?! It’s the perfect Thanksgiving meal starter.
These taste (and look) like normal mashed potatoes, but the nutrition is amped up with cauliflower and cannellini beans. Packed with protein and fiber and they’re vegan, too!
(Psst: have lots of leftover mashed potatoes? Try my Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes!)
Baked Buttercup Squash with Goat Cheese
This sweet and savory roasted squash dish features creamy goat cheese and juicy pomegranate seeds! It’s everything you could want in a Thanksgiving side.
These green beans pack in plenty of fresh flavor so you can skip the gray-tinted green bean casserole. 😉 Ready in minutes, too!
Skip the canned gelatinous goo and impress your guests with this easy and way more delicious homemade cranberry sauce.
Sweet, tangy, and bright, this can be made early to save time on the big day.
Shredded Brussels sprouts, juicy apples, dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans all tossed in a delicious lemon mustard dressing for an easy, healthy Thanksgiving side.
Butternut Squash Parmesan Biscuits
These flaky biscuits are delicious, filled with crave-worthy fall flavors!
This savory sweet potato casserole is easy to throw together, and can also be made ahead of time!
Crunchy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This sweet and crunchy salad is an easy, flavorful side dish everyone will love! Pumpkin seeds add crunch and the tangy yogurt dressing is always a hit.
Let the oven do the work with this hearty and savory take on regular roasted veggies.
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Veggies
These maple cinnamon infused veggies are a great alternative to the savory roasted veggies above. With just a hint of sweetness, they pair well with turkey!
Savory Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash
This impressive, yet surprisingly easy, dish is packed with sweet and savory flavor from cranberries, squash, herbs, and feta cheese.
It makes a great side – or even an entree if you have vegetarians attending your feast!
This hearty dish is comforting and cheesy, but still packs a nutritious punch.
Quinoa Salad with Pecans and Cranberries
This dish was actually served at our wedding!
It was so good I asked the caterers if I could share the recipe, and have made it many years now for Thanksgiving. It makes a fabulous side dish!
Healthy Salads for Thanksgiving
Just leave out the chicken to make this harvest salad a perfect side salad for the holidays!
It also makes a great way to enjoy leftover turkey – just replace the chicken with turkey instead!
Turkey and Wheat Berry Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette
This grain salad is a great way to use up leftovers after Thanksgiving, or it would also make a creative main course or side dish on the big day, if you want to mix it up from the usual!
Fall Harvest Salad with Watermelon
Yep – watermelon is delicious in the fall, too!
This autumn-inspired salad is drizzled in a delicious apple cider dijon dressing, and it’s packed with ingredients like watermelon, butternut squash, baby kale, farro, pecans, and feta cheese.
This salad tastes just as rich and delicious as regular Caesar salad, despite being vegan. It makes a great potluck dish to bring as a vegan option to Thanksgiving dinner!
White Bean and Cabbage Slaw with Apples and Cider Vinaigrette
If you’re looking for a nice light and refreshing side, this will fit the bill.
Tangy, tart, and crunchy, this will nicely round out any heavier side dishes, while also fitting in flavor-wise given the seasonal apples.
If you’re looking for an easy pie crust (that happens to be vegan) for your Thanksgiving dessert, I highly recommend this one:
And last but not least, one of my favorite festive autumn drink recipes:
What’s on the menu at your family’s Thanksgiving feast this year? Feel free to share some recipe links for your family’s best healthy Thanksgiving recipes!
