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Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

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Are you thankful that you’ve been sticking to your clean eating goals all year, but worried about blowing it on Thanksgiving? Do you have a vegetarian friend or paleo partner at your table this year, but find yourself wondering what the heck to make for them? You’re in the right place! This collection of Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes has you covered. You’ll find recipes and inspiration for Thanksgiving sides, salads, soups, and desserts for every dietary need, healthy lifestyle, or allergy accommodation! 

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There are so many ways to enjoy a satisfying and indulgent Thanksgiving dinner without completely throwing your clean eating habits out the window. Whether you’re looking for traditional recipes with a healthy twists or new classics featuring real, whole foods, you’ve found yourself among friends – and those friends love really delicious food (even if it’s “healthy”)!

“Healthy” Thanksgiving recipes don’t need to mean bland, boring, or even totally fat and calorie free (heck no!). Whether you’re on a special diet, allergy conscious, or just integrating more real food/whole food habits into every aspect of your daily life, these recipes will help you enjoy Thanksgiving to it’s fullest. 

Each recipe below is labeled with dietary restrictions and accommodations. You’ll find delicious inspiration for paleo, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, plant-based and even Whole30 Thanksgiving recipes that will leave you both sated and thankful.

Healthy Thanksgiving Sides

Let’s be honest, the sides are the BEST part of Thanksgiving dinner, amirite?!? Thanksgiving sides for life. If that life includes plant based recipes or clean eating, you’ve come to the right place. I love offering a variety of side dishes both to accommodate our vegetarian friends and family, and to ensure I have every flavor profile to indulge in. Below you’ll find the full range of healthy thanksgiving side dish offerings, from vegan to Whole30 and everything in-between! 

Maple Bourbon Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo

These maple bacon brussels sprouts are a showstopper of a side dish in both flavor and presentation. They can be partially prepared in advance, and then finished in less than 15 minutes. A thanksgiving dinner (or really any dinner) winner!
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Maple bacon brussels sprouts with bourbon and pecans in a white serving bowl with a wood serving spoon.

Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple Brown Butter

Gluten Free – Grain Free – Vegetarian

A sweet-and-savory combination of maple browned butter, sea salt, and fresh sage makes roasted acorn squash shine. When purchasing, select squash that are 1-3 pounds, feel "heavy", and have dull (unwaxed) skin. Wash the squash thoroughly before cooking, as the skin is edible (and delicious). 
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From above, acorn squash roasted with maple brown butter and fresh sage.

Maple Roasted Root Vegetables

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Vegan – Vegetarian

Colorful and impressive looking, this recipe for maple root vegetables couldn’t be simpler. Use any combination of root vegetables that strike your fancy, just be sure to dice the pieces into uniform sizes so they roast evenly.
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A tan serving bowl filled with maple roasted root vegetables with a gold serving spoon and linen napkin on a concrete background.

Rosemary Cornbread with Honey Butter

Refined Sugar Free – Vegetarian – Whole Wheat Friendly

This healthy twist on a classic comfort food is a perfect, light accompaniment for heavy holiday meals. Honey and Greek yogurt give this Healthy Honey Cornbread recipe it's sweet, tart flavor, while olive oil keeps it moist but light. Bake the cornbread in a preheated cast iron skillet for the ultimate crispy crust.
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Two pieces of healthy cornbread stacked on a plate, drizzled with honey.

Cumin Honey Roasted Carrots

Gluten Free – Grain Free – Vegetarian 

It’s worth seeking out tricolor baby carrots with their greens still attached to get the most of out this easy but elegant side dish. Smaller baby carrots are a bit sweeter, with younger skin that needn’t be peeled. Reserve the freshest greens to make a vibrant pesto for dressing the honey roasted carrots.
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A plate of tricolor honey roasted carrots drizzled with carrot green pesto.

Garlicky Green Beans with Crispy Shallots

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Vegan – Vegetarian – Whole30

If you love green bean casserole, but can’t be bothered with the fuss, these garlicky green beans with crispy shallots are for you! Tender sweet green beans are sautéed in garlic, seasoned with cider vinegar, then topped with smokey, crunchy, caramelized shallots. 
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Garlicky french green beans topped with crispy shallots in a serving bowl.

Baked Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Fritters

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Whole30

Sweet potato and butternut squash go together like peas and carrots, or Saturdays and pajamas, or brothers and sisters (minus all the early childhood squabbling). When you crave this combo but can’t stand another soup or casserole, reach for these sweet potato and butternut squash pancakes. They’re airy and crispy, with the perfect al dente bite and herby edge.
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A butternut squash and sweet potato fritter garnished with fresh sage and flaky sea salt.

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Vegan – Vegetarian – Whole30

Olive oil in place of butter is perfect for creating dairy free mashed potatoes that still taste incredibly rich and buttery. A hit of roasted garlic keeps them sweet and creamy without cream or milk. Because these mashed potatoes are vegan and dairy free, use a flavor-packed potato like yukon golds for the best possible flavor.
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Roasted garlic olive oil mashed potatoes in a white serving bowl garnished with fresh parsley.

Butternut Squash Rice Pilaf

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Vegan – Vegetarian 

This honeynut squash rice pilaf is the perfect balance of nutty and sweet, with a bright herby finish. It’s an easy, seasonal, and nutritious recipe that’s perfect on it’s own for lunch, or paired with your favorite protein for dinner. 
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A bowl of honeynut squash wild rice pilaf on a marble table.

Healthy Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

Salads. Boring? NOPE! These vibrant salads will make you a Thanksgiving hero. Packed with all the colors of the rainbow and bursting with flavor and texture, one (or more!) of these healthy Thanksgiving salad recipes is sure to complete your table and delight your guests. 

Autumn Crunch Butter Lettuce Salad

Gluten Free – Grain Free – Vegetarian

Say hello to your newest crunchy companion. This autumn crunch butter lettuce salad is peppery, a little sweet, and of course packed with the most satisfying crunch.
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Butter lettuce and radicchio tossed salad on a small white plate drizzled with champagne vinaigrette.

Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Hazelnut Vinaigrette

Gluten Free – Grain Free – Vegetarian

Kale is good. Brussels sprouts are great. And when you combine them with creamy, sharp blue cheese and an irresistible toasted hazelnut vinaigrette? It's legit salad heaven. Kale and brussels sprouts salad will convert you into a green believer, no matter where you stand on the love/hate kale spectrum. 
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A bowl of shredded kale and brussels sprouts salad tossed with hazelnut vinaigrette in a blue and white bowl.

Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Creamy Maple Dressing

Gluten Free – Vegetarian

If you find most winter squash varietals to be difficult to work with, you will discover a hero in tender delicata squash. The skin is soft and edible, and the seeds easily scoop from the flesh, making it a superior squash for busy weeknights when you just cannot bother with tedious prep work. Roasted delicata squash is sweet, nutty, and impressively versatile. It shines in this seasonal fall salad recipe tossed with quinoa, vegetables, and pepitas, then drizzled with a sweet and creamy maple vinaigrette. 
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A vegetarian and gluten free delicata squash salad with creamy maple dressing.

Arugula Pear Salad with Pistachios and Pomegranate

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Vegan – Vegetarian – Whole30

This ridiculously easy arugula pear salad with pistachios and pomegranate is full of colorful, seasonal produce with a subtle sweetness and a delightful snap n’ crunch. A healthy punch of nuts and olive oil make it rich and satisfying. It takes only minutes to throw together, and pairs perfectly with a simple soup.
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Arugula pear salad with pomegranates and pistachios on a blue plate with a silver fork a small pitcher of champagne mustard vinaigrette.

Roasted Fennel Salad with Apple and Radicchio

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Vegan – Vegetarian – Whole30

Fennel becomes a completely different vegetable after a trip though the oven – it loses its classic licorice bite and becomes tender, nutty, and just a bit sweet. Tossed with apples and radicchio, this roasted fennel salad is a cool weather recipe you’ll turn to again and again. It’s bright and deeply flavorful, but also satisfying and nutritious.
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You will love this roasted fennel salad recipe! Roasted fennel is sweet and nutty and pairs perfectly with crispy apples and spicy radicchio. This easy fall salad recipe is one of my go-to paleo, Whole30 and vegan recipes when fennel is in season. It's a flavor packed side dish that's impressive enough for dinner parties and Thanksgiving dinner, but easy enough for a weeknight.

Kale Pomegranate Salad with Apple, Fennel, and Pepitas

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo Friendly – Vegetarian

This kale pomegranate salad is bright, colorful, hearty, and packed with vitamins and nutrients. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for dinner or meal prep, and a total crowd pleaser for parties.
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A kale pomegranate salad with apples, fennel, and pepitas in a blue ceramic bowl.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

Gluten Free – Vegetarian

This roasted sweet potato salad with maple vinaigrette is bursting with fall harvest flavor! Roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, tender swiss chard, and nutty wild rice come together for a hearty, nutritious, and flavor-packed vegetarian dinner.
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A bowl of roasted sweet potato salad with autumn greens, apples, seeds, and vegan maple vinaigrette.

Bittersweet Chopped Salad with Endive, Pears, and Pomegranate

Gluten Free – Grain Free – Vegetarian 

As it’s name might imply, this winter chopped salad is a refreshing combination of sweet and bitter lettuces tossed with winter fruits, a touch of gorgonzola, and a sweet and tart pomegranate poppy dressing. It’s beautiful salad recipe that comes together quickly, and is perfect as a side dish or served with seared steak for an easy seasonal dinner.
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Winter chopped salad platter with pear, endive, pomegranate, blue cheese, and pomegranate vinaigrette on a marble table.

Healthy Soups for Thanksgiving Dinner

If you’re fancy enough to offer a starter for Thanksgiving dinner, soup is the way to go. It can be made completely in advance and sets the tone for an elegant affair. These healthy soup recipes feature the best produce of the fall season, and each are friendly for nearly every diet, allergy, or preference. 

Roasted Carrot and Apple Soup

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Vegan – Vegetarian – Whole30

This roasted carrot apple soup is like a big hug – warm, comforting, and nourishing for the body and soul. Be sure to roast the carrots, even though it’s tempting to skip that step. They bring a hint of smokiness and depth of flavor that really makes this soup shine. This serves four as a main course or six as an appetizer. 
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This roasted carrot apple soup is like a big hug - warm, comforting, and nourishing for the body and soul. It's a nutty and sweet fall soup recipe that's naturally paleo, whole 30 and gluten-free. #paleo #whole30 #fall #soup #wholefood

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Vegan – Vegetarian

This paleo roasted pumpkin soup made with coconut milk and finished with fresh herbs and pepitias is a hearty, healthy, and simply delicious fall soup!
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A bowl of roasted pumpkin soup. This healthy paleo soup is made with coconut milk, bone broth, and fall herbs and spices.

Butternut Squash Soup with Pomegranate Seeds

Dairy Free Friendly – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo Friendly – Vegan Friendly – Vegetarian

Butternut squash soup with pomegranate is a seasonal nutritional powerhouse. Delicate butternut squash and rich bone broth combine to make a velvety soup that is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Pomegranate seeds add a fun little pop to every bite.
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A bowl of roasted butternut squash soup being garnished with pomegranate seeds.

Main Dish Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

If you have a vegetarian gracing your gathering this season and want to offer a main dish beyond a collection of sides (I’m not judging, I truly enjoy the latter!), then either of these vegetarian thanksgiving entrees are sure to be a winner. 

White Bean Ragout with Butternut Squash

Gluten Free – Vegan Friendly – Vegetarian

This white bean ragout with butternut squash and mushrooms is a hearty, super nutritious winter stew. Serve it over polenta, rice, or crusty bread, or for a grain-free option, pureed or riced cauliflower.
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This white bean ragout with butternut squash and mushrooms is a hearty, super nutritious cool weather recipe. It's hearty enough to stand on it's own, but you can also serve this vegetarian one pot stew over polenta, rice, or crusty bread, or for a grain-free option, pureed or riced cauliflower. #vegetarian #stew #fallrecipe #winterrecipe #onepot #ragout

Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette

Vegetarian – Whole Wheat Friendly

I am an unapologetic butternut squash enthusiast, and this butternut squash galette is one of my favorite ways to use this sweet, nutritious squash. It’s sweet and delicate, and a gorgeous centerpiece for a gathering with friends.
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Butternut squash galette is one of my favorite ways to showcase this sweet, nutritious fall vegetable. This galette is sweet, nutritious, and hearty, and a gorgeous centerpiece for a gathering with friends. #vegetarian #wholefood #realfood #butternutsquash

Easy Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

The main event after the main event – dessert! Sweet treats can be tricky during the holiday season but these healthy recipes will have you covered and that sweet tooth sated. 

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Gluten Free – Refined Sugar Free – Vegetarian

This gluten free apple crisp is a lightened up and refined sugar free version of the Thanksgiving classic! It’s made start to finish in a cast iron skillet resulting in an equally tender and crisp texture. This is a healthy fall dessert recipe that will satisfy even the pickiest sweet tooth around your table.
This gluten free apple crisp is a lightened up and refined sugar free version of the fall classic! It's sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar, and topped with gluten free oats, pecans, and walnuts. It's made start to finish in a cast iron skillet resulting in an equally tender and crisp texture. This is a healthy fall dessert recipe that will satisfy even the pickiest sweet tooth around your table.

Paleo Pumpkin Bread

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Refined Sugar Free – Vegetarian 

This paleo pumpkin bread is nutty and sweet with a spiced swirl through the center that makes each slice (and you) grin from ear to ear. Take care to use super fine almond flour (from blanched, skinless almonds) instead of almond meal in order to nail the texture. Feel free to use pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice in lieu of the spice blend below.
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A loaf of paleo pumpkin bread topped with pecans on a cutting board.

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bars

Dairy Free – Vegetarian – Refined Sugar Free – Whole Wheat

Classic pumpkin bars get a make-over using whole wheat flour, heart healthy olive oil, and antioxidant rich maple syrup. The result is a low sugar, dairy free treat that’s decadent enough to be considered cake, and healthy enough to pass for breakfast.
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A healthy pumpkin bar with pecans and vanilla glaze on a dessert plate.

Flourless Paleo Brownies

Dairy Free – Gluten Free – Grain Free – Paleo – Refined Sugar Free – Vegetarian

These paleo brownies look and taste just like the real thing with crispy edges, crackly tops, and the perfect dense-but-airy texture. 
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Life changing paleo brownies are here! These are the best gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free brownies out there. No weird ingredients or gimmicks. You need just 8 real food ingredients and 1 hour of your time to prepare the ultimate chocolate paleo dessert recipe.
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Comments

  1. Anna

    Mmm I’m drooling! Thank you for this compilation, Danielle! I’ve been racking my brains for nearly a month what to cook for Thanksgiving because now we’re on a special diet (if I can say so): we just try to avoid meat, dairy, and refined products. So, that’s why I don’t want to have a traditional dinner with turkey, apple pie, and dumplings.
    I’m gonna make some salads and mashed potatoes from your list and baked chickpeas with butternut squash, which recipe I found on the Internet. Hopefully, my family will love everything. Can’t wait to surprise them!

    Reply

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