Thanksgiving is a time to gather, celebrate, and indulge in delicious food. But traditional holiday dishes, though comforting, can often be heavy and rich, leaving us feeling sluggish. If you’re looking to keep the holiday feast lighter without sacrificing flavor, try these healthier versions of classic Thanksgiving recipes. From gluten-free dressing to vegan pumpkin pie, these dishes offer options for a range of dietary needs, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy the festivities.
ROASTED GARLIC MASHED CAULIFLOWER
(Low-Carb, Keto-Friendly)
A lighter alternative to mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower offers a creamy texture and mild flavor with fewer carbs. It’s also packed with nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
Ingredients:
1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup almond milk (or any unsweetened milk of choice)
2 tbsp olive oil or grass-fed butter
salt & pepper to taste
Optional: fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Steam or boil the cauliflower until tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- In a small pan, sauté garlic in olive oil or butter until golden.
- Drain cauliflower and place it in a food processor. Add sautéed garlic, almond milk, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, and garnish with fresh chives before serving.
SOUTHERN CORNBREAD DRESSING
(Gluten-Free, Optional Dairy-Free)
My family tradition is to deep fry our bird, so stuffing isn’t an option. You can certainly use this recipe as stuffing, but dressing (cooked separately) gives a slightly crispier texture on top – and no, it’s not dry either.
Ingredients:
cornbread (homemade or packaged – your choice)
6-8 biscuits (use gluten-free Bisquick or similar)
2 cup celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
8 tbls butter (dairy-free if desired)
7 c chicken stock
salt & pepper to taste
5 eggs, beaten
Optional: sage (about 1 tsp) and poultry seasoning (about 1 tbls)
Instructions:
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F
- In a large bowl, combine crumbled cornbread and biscuits and set aside.
- In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onions and celery in butter until transparent (approx.: 5-10 min). Pour over bread mixture.
- Add chicken stock, salt & pepper and optional seasonings mixing well and tasting.
- Add eggs and mix well.
- Optional - reserve 2 heaping tablespoons of this mixture to add to your gravy.
- Pour mixture into a greased pan and bake until dressing is done to likeness, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
MAPLE-ROASTED SWEET POTATOES
(Vegan, Paleo-Friendly)
Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and packed with beta-carotene, making them a nutritious and vibrant addition to any Thanksgiving table. This recipe skips the traditional marshmallows in favor of a more natural sweetness with maple syrup.
Ingredients:
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil, melted
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
sea salt to taste
Optional: fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F
- In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt.
- Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes or until tender, stirring halfway through. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme if desired.
VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE
(Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Optional Sugar-Free)
Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving classic, but it doesn’t have to be loaded with sugar and dairy. This vegan version is creamy and flavorful, with a rich texture and all the cozy spices of traditional pumpkin pie.
Ingredients for Crust:
1 ½ cups almond flour
3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp maple syrup
pinch of sea salt
Ingredients for Filling:
1 ½ cups canned pumpkin puree
½ cup coconut milk (full-fat for creaminess)
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ginger
¼ tsp cloves
1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder (for thickening)
Optional Sugar-Free: swap out maple syrup with monk fruit (or preferred sugar-free sweetener) and make sure your coconut milk is unsweetened
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- In a bowl, mix almond flour, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and salt for the crust. Press the mixture into a pie dish.
- In another bowl, whisk together all filling ingredients until smooth. Pour the filling into the crust.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the filling is set. Allow the pie to cool completely before serving.
APPLE CRIP
(Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)
I don’t know about your Thanksgiving, but I always serve up more than just pumpkin pie. At a minimum I also do a pecan pie, and many times I’ve added a third option with either an apple pie or French Silk.
Filling Ingredients:
6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored and sliced
juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping Ingredients:
1 ½ cups almond flour
1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
3 tbls maple syrup (or sugar-free alternative like monk fruit syrup)
½ tsp ground cinnamon pinch of salt
Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish with coconut oil
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract, then transfer to the baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix almond flour, oats, nuts (if using), melted coconut oil, maple syrup (or substitute), cinnamon, and salt until crumbly.
- Spread the topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
GREEN BEAN ALMONDINE
(Paleo, Vegan)
A light and flavorful twist on traditional green bean casserole, green bean almondine features tender green beans topped with toasted almonds for added crunch.
Ingredients:
1 lb green beans, trimmed
2 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt & pepper to taste
Optional: zest of 1 lemon for a fresh touch & pop of color
Instructions:
- Steam green beans until tender-crisp, about 3-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add almonds and garlic, sautéing until almonds are golden.
- Add green beans to the skillet, tossing to coat. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest if desired.
These healthy twists on Thanksgiving favorites bring together the flavors of the season with nutritious, satisfying ingredients that everyone can enjoy. From vegan and gluten-free options to low-carb dishes, this holiday menu caters to diverse dietary needs, ensuring all guests can join in the festivities without compromising on taste or tradition. Give thanks for good food and good health this holiday season!
xoDanette