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November 9, 2021

Best Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Appetizers Side Dishes Thanksgiving
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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. 🙂

healthy thanksgiving recipes

Best Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers

Ham & Pear Crostini

This crostini is easy to make, full of interesting flavors and textures, and pairs wonderfully with bubbly. 😉

Pumpkin Bean Dip

An old favorite and fun seasonal twist on regular hummus. All you need is 5 minutes and a food processor!

pumpkin bean dip 4

Mediterranean Sweet Potato Hummus Bites

A flavorful, unique, and easy gluten free and vegetarian appetizer that’s sure to please a crowd!

sweet potato hummus bites

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

Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes

My favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Packed with flavor, not sugar.

spiced mashed sweet potatoes 2

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.

apple butternut squash soup

Healthier Mashed Potatoes

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!)

healthier mashed potatoes

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.

baked buttercup squash with goat cheese and pomegranate seeds

Lemon Garlic String Beans

These green beans pack in plenty of fresh flavor so you can skip the gray-tinted green bean casserole. 😉 Ready in minutes, too! 

lemon-garlic-string-beans

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

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. 

maple syrup cranberry sauce

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shredded Brussels sprouts, juicy apples, dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans all tossed in a delicious lemon mustard dressing for an easy, healthy Thanksgiving side.

shaved brussels sprouts salad in a bowl with wooden spoons

Butternut Squash Parmesan Biscuits

These flaky biscuits are delicious, filled with crave-worthy fall flavors!

butternut squash parmesan biscuits recipe

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

This savory sweet potato casserole is easy to throw together, and can also be made ahead of time!

savory sweet potato casserole recipe

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.

broccoli cauliflower salad in a large bowl with wooden salad spoons and sliced lemons

Garlic Herb Roasted Veggies

Let the oven do the work with this hearty and savory take on regular roasted veggies.

garlic herb 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!

maple cinnamon roasted veggies

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!

Thanksgiving side dish recipes: cranberry stuffed acorn squash

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

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!

vegan cranberry quinoa salad in a bowl with pecans

Healthy Salads for Thanksgiving

Harvest Sweet Potato Salad

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! 

chicken and sweet potato harvest bowls

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!

wheat berry salad with leftover turkey and cranberry vinaigrette

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.

fall harvest salad with watermelon and butternut squash

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad

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!

kale-caesar-salad

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.

white bean cabbage slaw

If you’re looking for an easy pie crust (that happens to be vegan) for your Thanksgiving dessert, I highly recommend this one:

Perfect No Bake Pie Crust

vegan pie crust in a glass dish

And last but not least, one of my favorite festive autumn drink recipes:

Easy Fall Sangria

fall sangria recipe

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!

- anne
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Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

you might also like:

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice

Almond Milk Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash

Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Spiced)

healthy mashed potato recipe

Healthy Mashed Potatoes with Cauliflower

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26 comments
  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
    November 18, 2015 · 11:44AM:
    I've made your quinoa salad for Friendsgiving 3 years in a row! We LOVE it!!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 18, 2015 · 12:03PM:
      Aw yay! That makes me happy :)
      Reply
  • Katie Shottes
    November 18, 2015 · 2:00PM:
    I need to make that cranberry sauce ASAP! Love the cranberry and orange combo. Thanks for sharing!
    Reply
  • Alison
    November 18, 2015 · 4:14PM:
    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. :)
    Reply
  • Claire
    November 18, 2015 · 7:19PM:
    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/
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 19, 2015 · 10:35AM:
      That sounds amazing - I looooove beets!
      Reply
  • Roadrunner November 18, 2015 · 7:52PM:
    These look delicious! Thanks -- and have a great Thanksgiving!
    Reply
  • Ashley B. November 19, 2015 · 8:22AM:
    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!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 19, 2015 · 10:34AM:
      Yay, so glad they've been a big hit! :)
      Reply
  • Katie {moms kitchen handbook}
    November 21, 2015 · 12:39PM:
    Who needs turkey? I just want all of these sides.
    Reply
  • Kathy November 22, 2015 · 9:06AM:
    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!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 23, 2015 · 9:17AM:
      Thank you for reading! I have a couple fun dessert ideas -- Sweet Potato Whole Wheat Bread Pudding and 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Pie Bites. Enjoy!
      Reply
  • Jill @ RunEatSnap
    November 23, 2016 · 10:14AM:
    Pumpkin bean dip sounds interesting. I love pumpkin!
    Reply
  • Elizabeth at Reserved for Running
    November 16, 2017 · 4:16PM:
    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!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 16, 2017 · 6:08PM:
      Enjoy the mushrooms! Cornbread stuffing sounds genius!
      Reply
  • Nicole @ Bento Momentos
    November 16, 2017 · 9:34PM:
    I don't need turkey... I just want a cup of all of these yums. :D
    Reply
  • priya
    November 17, 2017 · 12:01PM:
    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!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 17, 2017 · 2:11PM:
      Sounds yummy!
      Reply
  • Kori
    November 20, 2018 · 11:33AM:
    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!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 20, 2018 · 1:43PM:
      Thanks Kori! Enjoy :)
      Reply
  • Jessica November 20, 2018 · 12:43PM:
    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!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 20, 2018 · 1:43PM:
      So glad to hear that! :)
      Reply
  • Roadrunner November 24, 2018 · 8:49AM:
    So, which of these did you enjoy on Thanksgiving?
    Reply
  • ANA November 9, 2021 · 12:05PM:
    Yum to all! Some old faves here that I will remake. And your cranberry sauce is the best!
    Reply
    • Anne
      November 9, 2021 · 12:58PM:
      Yay! Thanks!
      Reply
  • roadrunner November 9, 2021 · 8:24PM:
    Wow, what a super collection of recipes!
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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