Hi friends! 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!
As you guys know, 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 less heavy and veggie-packed 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. :)
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Best Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
~ ~ 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!
~ ~ Side Dishes ~ ~
My favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Packed with flavor, not sugar.
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!)
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.
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!
Strawberry and Fennel Barley Salad
This colorful and delicious salad makes the perfect side dish. Sneak in those veggies!
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!
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!
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.
What’s on the menu at your family’s Thanksgiving feast this year? Feel free to share some recipe links for your family’s favorite healthy Thanksgiving recipes!
I’ve made your quinoa salad for Friendsgiving 3 years in a row! We LOVE it!!
Aw yay! That makes me happy :)
I need to make that cranberry sauce ASAP! Love the cranberry and orange combo. Thanks for sharing!
Sweet potatoes are my favorite Thanksgiving dish, and the recipe you recommended looks great! I’ll have to give it a try. All the pictures were mouthwatering. :)
Yum! These look incredible! I would love to try that wheat berry salad- love the texture! I have been obsessed with roasted beets lately… hoping to make this one again for this year’s feast! http://clairetastes.com/roasted-butternut-squash-red-beet-salad-w-warm-lemon-curry-vinaigrette/
That sounds amazing – I looooove beets!
These look delicious! Thanks — and have a great Thanksgiving!
I have made the spiced mashed sweet potatoes for a couple of years now, and they always get rave reviews. I substitute almond milk because a few of my relatives are vegan, but they always turn out great and are super easy to make. Thanks for re-sharing!
Yay, so glad they’ve been a big hit! :)
Who needs turkey? I just want all of these sides.
Love ???? your blog with all the great nutrition tips, recipes, workouts, photos, recaps, products, etc.! Any healthy Thanksgiving dessert recommendations? Have a healthy & happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for reading! I have a couple fun dessert ideas — Sweet Potato Whole Wheat Bread Pudding and 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Pie Bites. Enjoy!
Pumpkin bean dip sounds interesting. I love pumpkin!
I’m definitely adding the stuffed mushrooms to my menu this year! We stick with a pretty traditional menu, but I always make cornbread stuffing. I made a traditional stuffing, but use half cornbread and half white bread and it has so much flavor!
Enjoy the mushrooms! Cornbread stuffing sounds genius!
I don’t need turkey… I just want a cup of all of these yums. :D
on my list: smashed redskin potatoes, cornmeal & almond meal crusted tofu, and then probabaly roasted cauliflower, maybe brussels, and maybe garlic/thyme white bean dip. it’s just me & the parents so we’ll see!
Sounds yummy!
These all sound amazing! I love the rich foods of Thanksgiving but also crave roasted vegetables and other sides that aren’t enveloped in a casserole. Thank you for these! I look forward to making them throughout the cold weather season!
Thanks Kori! Enjoy :)
I’ve been using your cranberry sauce recipe for three years now — it’s become an essential at my family’s Thanksgiving! Today I made some for my preschooler’s pot luck, too, and added a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Mmm. Happy Thanksgiving!
So glad to hear that! :)
So, which of these did you enjoy on Thanksgiving?