30 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes That Don't Taste Like Cardboard — We Promise (2024)

30 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes That Don't Taste Like Cardboard —We Promise (1)

A perfectly balanced

Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without some mashed potatoes, rolls, and an assortment of desserts. Knowing exactly how to combine the most flavorful dishes and leave room for healthy dinner recipes, too, can be a little harder, though. Although, of course, the rich and indulgent dishes are some of the best parts of Thanksgiving, it's always good to add a little balance to the menu. So, this year, why not avoid the food coma by swapping out your favorite Thanksgiving classics with some healthy Thanksgiving recipes? You have to make sure you have enough energy to shop those Black Friday deals, after all.

These healthy Thanksgiving recipes are just as delicious as the Thanksgiving classics you know and love — just a little lighter. Whether you’re trying to keep your cholesterol in check or just trying to add some veggie side dishes into the mix, you can rest assured that these recipes for roasted sweet potatoes and cranberry-grape sauce will satisfy everyone at the table. But remember, you shouldn't feel bad for eating whatever you want during the holidays. Enjoying every aspect of the special occasion — including the food — is what it's all about.

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1

Green Beans with Orange and Thyme

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Adding a little orange zest to your green beans will ensure everyone will want some.

Get the Green Beans with Orange and Thyme recipe.

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2

Lemon-Maple Roasted Carrots

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When in doubt, throw some maple syrup on your favorite fall vegetable to make them sweet and flavorful.

Get the Lemon-Maple Roasted Carrots recipe.

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3

Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Fennel

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This recipe is full of substitutions you can make to your liking to make it healthier all around.

Get the Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Fennel recipe.

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4

Basic Herb Stuffing

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Stuffing can be less than healthy, but if you make it from scratch you can keep an eye on what ingredients you're using and how you're cooking it.

Get the Basic Herb Stuffing recipe.

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5

Coriander Roasted Sweet Potatoes

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Thanksgiving isn't complete without some sweet potatoes. All it takes is some coriander, cinnamon, yogurt, lemon juice, and chile to make this recipe.

Get the Coriander Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe.

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6

Green Beans with Chorizo and Almond Crumbs

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You can prepare this side dish up to two days before your Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the Green Beans with Chorizo and Almond Crumbs recipe.

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7

Wild Rice and Cherry Pilaf

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You'll love this recipe so much that you'll want to eat it all week long!

Get the Wild Rice and Cherry Pilaf recipe.

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8

Pecan Pie Glazed Carrots

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Even though these carrots are glazed with maple syrup and brown sugar, this side dish is still very healthy.

Get the Pecan Pie Glazed Carrots recipe.

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9

Ginger-Turmeric Cherry Tea

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Stay warm this Thanksgiving with this delicious ginger-turmeric cherry tea. It can be brewed in just five minutes.

Get the Ginger-Turmeric Cherry Tea recipe.

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10

Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts

You can refrigerate these pan-roasted Brussels sprouts up to a day before your dinner. Just don't forget to defrost and sauté them with seasoning before serving.

Get the Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts recipe.

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11

Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad

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Topped with a lemon vinaigrette dressing, this shredded Brussels sprout salad is the perfect pre-entree dish.

Get the Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.

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12

Creamy Garlic and Herb Spinach

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Upgrade your classic spinach with a little garlic and herb cheese for a dish you can't resist.

Get the Creamy Garlic and Herb Spinach recipe.

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13

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

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Roasted almonds and cranberries are what make this cauliflower salad over the top delicious.

Get the Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe.

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14

Hasselback Butternut Squash with Browned Butter

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If you're looking for a sweet potato alternative this holiday season, try this butternut squash lathered in browned butter.

Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash with Browned Butter recipe.

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15

Squash Toasts

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These squash toast take Thanksgiving appetizers to the next level.

Get the Squash Toasts recipe.

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16

Green Beans with Toasted Garlic and Almonds

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Add some toasted garlic and almonds to your green beans for extra flavor and texture.

Get the Green Beans with Toasted Garlic and Almonds recipe.

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17

Mini Hasselback Potatoes with Chive Butter

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Instead of serving mashed potatoes with all the heavy fixings, serve these mini potatoes that are roasted to golden perfection.

Get the Mini Hasselback Potatoes with Chive Butter recipe.

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18

"Kaleard" Greens

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Enjoy the taste of collard greens without all the added calories in this stewed "kaleard" greens recipe.

Get the "Kaleard" Greens recipe.

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19

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

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We don't know what's better — the baked sweet potatoes or the light meringue topping.

Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.

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20

Cider-Glazed Brussels Sprouts

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Spruce up your Brussels sprouts with a light, easy-to-make cider glaze.

Get the Cider-Glazed Brussels Sprouts recipe.

30  Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes That Don't Taste Like Cardboard — We Promise (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest food to eat on Thanksgiving? ›

Choosing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, salads, and other foods with lots of water and fiber add to the feeling of fullness. Don't forget those alcohol calories that can add up quickly.

How can I make Thanksgiving more healthy? ›

7 ways to make Thanksgiving menu healthier - and taste good too
  1. Keep your turkey tasty yet low-fat. ...
  2. When making gravy, skip the flour. ...
  3. Boost the nutrition in your stuffing. ...
  4. Enjoy colorful cranberries — with no added sugar. ...
  5. Fill half your plate with fresh, roasted vegetables. ...
  6. Skip the creamy casseroles — or lighten them up.
Nov 3, 2023

What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Scroll through to take a look at our most popular Thanksgiving recipes.
  • 01 of 24. Perfect Turkey. ...
  • 02 of 24. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 03 of 24. Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 24. Homemade Mac and Cheese. ...
  • 05 of 24. Sweet Potato Pie. ...
  • 06 of 24. Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll. ...
  • 07 of 24. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast. ...
  • 08 of 24. Cream Corn Like No Other.
Oct 26, 2023

What is the unhealthiest food at Thanksgiving? ›

14 Unhealthiest Thanksgiving Sides To Avoid This Year
  • Potatoes au gratin. ...
  • Macaroni and cheese. ...
  • Canned cranberry sauce. ...
  • Candied yams. sasazawa/Shutterstock. ...
  • Sausage stuffing. Alivemindphotography/Getty Images. ...
  • Turkey Gravy. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cornbread. Bhofack2/Getty Images. ...
  • Pecan Pie. Nicolasmccomber/Getty Images.
Nov 6, 2023

What should I eat on Thanksgiving to not gain weight? ›

Try these healthy options for Thanksgiving dinner:
  • Beets. These sweet and savory vegetables are an excellent source of essential nutrients, including iron and magnesium.
  • Brussel sprouts. ...
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • White Turkey Meat.

What is healthier than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Try it out on Thanksgiving by substituting tofu for your turkey. Tofu can be cooked in a variety of flavorful ways and comes with a ton of nutritional benefits including a lot of calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B, and protein.

What is the healthiest way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey? ›

Rustveld suggests air frying your turkey as a healthier alternative to deep frying. It takes less time at 400 degrees, and the end product contains less fat since you do not need to add oil. “Deep frying is not as healthy as air frying, roasting or grilling,” he said.

What is the most loved Thanksgiving dish? ›

The 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes
  • Roast turkey. We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. ...
  • Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Green bean casserole. ...
  • Corn casserole. ...
  • Sweet potato casserole. ...
  • Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Cranberry sauce.
Nov 2, 2022

What is a Southern Thanksgiving? ›

In the South, planning for Thanksgiving usually consists of turkey and ham with all the fixin's, including cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, and sweet potato pie.

What is served at a black Thanksgiving dinner? ›

You will likely be eating roast turkey, barbecued turkey, deep fried turkey, glazed country ham, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes mashed and covered with marshmallows, corn, cornbread, yeast/potato rolls, black eyed peas, rice, gravy, potato salad, cranberry sauce from ...

What is celebrated instead of Thanksgiving? ›

The National Day of Mourning is an annual demonstration, held on the fourth Thursday in November, that aims to educate the public about Native Americans in the United States, notably the Wampanoag and other tribes of the Eastern United States; dispel myths surrounding the Thanksgiving story in the United States; and ...

What other meat is good for Thanksgiving? ›

Here are some big, impressive, delicious pieces of meat you should definitely make for Thanksgiving, instead of turkey:
  • Roast Duck with Plums. ...
  • Garlic Rosemary Prime Rib Roast with Horseradish Cream. ...
  • Roasted Capon with Sage Stuffing. ...
  • Jamie Oliver's Best Roast Leg Of Lamb.
Nov 17, 2016

What is cheaper than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Roast chicken is less expensive, easy to roast, delicious, and has less portions than a large turkey, so it is perfect for a single, couple, or small family celebration. A simple chicken stuffed with mirepoix, lemons, fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, sage) and roasted whole is a great alternative to a large turkey."

How healthy is Thanksgiving dinner? ›

The traditional turkey-day feast, replete with fatty, high-cholesterol foods like drumsticks, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing, is generally anything but heart-healthy. Try a healthy roasted turkey and gravy recipe for your Thanksgiving meal.

Is turkey healthy on Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey is a great source of protein, rich in many vitamins and minerals, and is low-fat — if you don't eat the skin,” Catherine M. Champagne, professor of nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment and nutrition counseling at Louisiana State University, told the American Heart Association.

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