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

30 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes That Don't Taste Like Cardboard —We Promise (20)

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 for Thanksgiving? ›

Many traditional Thanksgiving foods are high-calorie and low-nutrient, but you can plan ahead for a healthier holiday meal. Skinless turkey, green salads, and roasted vegetables are some healthier choices that may be on your table. You can make recipes that have flavors of Thanksgiving but are healthier swaps.

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 are the 10 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Our Top 10 Easy Traditional Thanksgiving Dishes w/ Recipes
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: Up to 4 people. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Baked Corn. ...
  • Mac and cheese. ...
  • Peas & Water Chestnuts. ...
  • Fresh Rolls.
Oct 28, 2021

How to have a healthy Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Lighten Your Recipes
  1. Skip the cream. Use Greek yogurt or whole milk instead in mashed potatoes, creamy soups, and creamed onion or spinach recipes.
  2. Reduce the sugar. Cut it back by 10 to 25 percent in baking recipes. ...
  3. Add some fiber. ...
  4. Upgrade the stuffing. ...
  5. Be sodium savvy. ...
  6. Boost nutrition.
Nov 22, 2021

What is the healthiest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey. Turkey is an inherently healthy meat so long as you don't toss it in the deep fryer.

What is the unhealthiest food for Thanksgiving? ›

14 Unhealthiest Thanksgiving Sides To Avoid This Year
  • Sweet potato casserole. Foodio/Shutterstock. ...
  • Green bean casserole. from my point of view/Shutterstock. ...
  • Ambrosia salad. Alleko/Getty Images. ...
  • Jell-O salad. Islandleigh/Getty Images. ...
  • Dinner rolls. Say-cheese/Getty Images. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Potatoes au gratin. ...
  • Macaroni and cheese.
Nov 6, 2023

What is the most popular side dish served on Thanksgiving Day? ›

Mashed Potatoes

And the winner is... mashed potatoes! Rising from second place in 2022, mashed potatoes take the crown for America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Creamy, rich, and comforting, they're the perfect accompaniment to turkey and gravy, so it makes sense that mashed potatoes came out on top.

What is the most important meal on Thanksgiving? ›

Four Essentials for Thanksgiving
  • Turkey. Some would say a turkey is the most important food item at the table. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. There's nothing better than smooth and creamy mashed potatoes! ...
  • Cranberry Sauce. Thanksgiving is never Thanksgiving without this iconic treat. ...
  • Pies. We saved the best for last!
Nov 6, 2023

What is everyone's favorite Thanksgiving food? ›

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and though the turkey (or ham) might take top billing, everyone knows the sides are the true stars of the table. What would our national holiday be without stuffing and sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, green beans and rolls?

What did the natives eat for Thanksgiving? ›

But according to the two only remaining historical records of the first Thanksgiving menu, that meal consisted of freshly killed deer, assorted wildfowl, cod, bass, and flint, and a native variety of corn harvested by the Native Americans, which was eaten as corn bread and porridge.

What food did Native Americans have for Thanksgiving? ›

But there was definitely no shortage of options, as Native Americans marked celebratory meals with plenty of fish, produce, and wild rice. Want a fully Indigenous-inspired Thanksgiving meal? Pair our whole roasted trout with roasted turnips, fried cornbread, and wild rice pudding for dessert.

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 should I eat on Thanksgiving to not gain weight? ›

5 Healthy Food Swaps to Avoid Weight Gain This Thanksgiving
  • Eat Pumpkin Pie Instead of Pecan Pie. ...
  • Grill Instead of Frying. ...
  • Swap Mashed Potatoes for Mashed Cauliflower. ...
  • Serve Brussels Sprouts Instead of Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Use Wild Rice Instead of Pilaf.

What can I eat instead of Thanksgiving food? ›

Alternatives could be:
  • Baked Stuffed Shrimp dinner or any seafood, saffron herbed rice, seasonal vegetables.
  • Beef Crown Rib Roast dinner with Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise and asparagus.
  • Roast Leg of Lamb with wine, lemon, garlic, and rosemary, Brussel sprouts, wild rice.
Nov 5, 2023

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 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 should you eat instead of turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Whatever the reason, here are 20 Thanksgiving recipes for a turkey-free table.
  • Roast Chicken With Maple Butter and Rosemary. Image. ...
  • Beef Wellington. Image. ...
  • Ombré Gratin. Image. ...
  • Skillet Pork Chops and Apples With Miso Caramel. Image. ...
  • Samosa Pie. Image. ...
  • Maple-Baked Salmon. Image. ...
  • Lasagna. Image. ...
  • Ina Garten's Make-Ahead Coquilles St.
Nov 10, 2022

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