Looking forward to holiday cooking but dreading the heavy feeling afterwards? Enjoy these delicious healthy Thanksgiving recipes!
Everyone saves their most special recipes (with lots of butter, sugar, cream!) to bring to Thanksgiving dinner (be sure to check out my list of favorite traditional and not-so-traditional Thanksgiving recipes!). Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same, it seems, without green bean casserole, the best stuffing, homemade baked mac and cheese, or those totally addicting pumpkin spice candied walnuts. Maybe your Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a fancy sweet potato casserole or cheesy potatoes. Those recipes taste great but your body isn’t so happy about it later.
And then dessert! We usually would have to wait an hour or two before anyone was ready for dessert. Pumpkin pie always had a starring role with lots of freshly whipped cream. Grandma always made her delicious apple crisp, too.
Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
I like to try to “lighten” up traditional Thanksgiving dishes with a little less butter, a little less sugar, but NOT a little less flavor. The goal is to make them a healthier but not any less tasty! I’ve also included a couple of recipes for low calorie, high protein turkey breast that are easy to make and perfect for smaller get-togethers.
Have a wonderful and healthy Thanksgiving – I hope you enjoy a few of these healthy Thanksgiving recipes!
Herb roasted turkey breast is a healthy and flavorful alternative for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s also great for smaller families or people who don’t like dark meat!
With lots of flavorful herbs, a quick-cooking Instant Pot turkey breast is always juicy, tender, and perfectly done. And the bonus? There’s no need to thaw it first!
Add this beautiful jewel toned side to your Thanksgiving menu! Cranberry sauce with roasted grapes, apples, and shallots provides a burst of flavor, both sweet and savory, that is unforgettable.
Flavorful cinnamon apple cranberry sauce is easy to make and can be made in advance. This traditional Thanksgiving relish is packed full of healthy antioxidants and vitamin C.
Oven roasted sweet potatoes are delicious just as they are, or they can be seasoned in a variety of ways. A healthy alternative to sweet potato casseroles loaded with sugar and butter but just as flavorful.
This sweet potato casserole copycat is gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free, and so, so delicious! It has a crunchy granola-like topping.
Vanilla bean mashed sweet potatoes are creamy and sweet. You can easily reduce the amount of butter and sugar in this recipe to make it even healthier.
A healthy substitute for green bean casserole on Thanksgiving. green beans almondine is a memorable side dish with toasted almonds, browned butter, shallots, and lemon zest.
Pleasantly sweet and spicy, honey glazed carrots with chili powder are easy to make and everyone loves them. Make them your own by using a different sweetener, spice, or herbs.
With crisp tart apples, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, this Brussels sprouts salad is a great Thanksgiving salad, easy to make and healthy, too.
Bursting with flavor, roasted cauliflower salad with sweet potato, arugula, and pomegranate is a feast for the eyes and full of healthy ingredients. It fits well on the Thanksgiving table.
Kale and pear salad combines tender kale, juicy ripe pears, briny feta cheese, and a sprinkling of savory granola, topped with a healthy yogurt dressing. This fall salad is sure to be a hit on Thanksgiving Day.
Sweet kale salad is a copycat of the popular bagged salad you find in grocery stores — but as always, homemade is way better, with a healthier poppy seed dressing made with yogurt.
A classy, stand-out side dish, sautéed parsnips are flavored with wine, butter, and thyme. They’re a healthy addition to any meal – especially Thanksgiving!
Simple yet flavorful, this spaghetti squash with Parmesan and herbs is a low-carb healthy Thanksgiving side dish that can take the place of mashed potatoes or stuffing.
Bite-sized pumpkin pie tarts are an easy no-bake treat and a lighter addition to a Thanksgiving dessert table!
Try a cranberry clafoutis, a classic custard-like pie that’s a cinch to make and only 158 calories per serving, a healthy alternative to rich Thanksgiving pies.
A rosé spritzer is a two ingredient cocktail that’s light and refreshing. Since it’s not too sweet, it’s a popular and lower calorie choice that goes perfectly with rich Thanksgiving food. There are many ways you can customize this simple cocktail, too!
