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 to eat on Thanksgiving? ›

Eat white turkey meat rather than the dark stuff, which contains twice as much fat. If you're preparing the meal, cut back on salt and butter in the side dishes. Go for small amounts of cooked squash, sweet potato, white potato, beans and carrots.

What to eat instead of traditional Thanksgiving dinner? ›

  • Roast chicken or cornish hens - A whole chicken or a few hens can feed a crowd for less cost than a turkey. ...
  • Lasagna - Make an oversized lasagna with a meat sauce or go meatless. ...
  • Chili or stew - Hearty chili or beef stew can be made in large batches. ...
  • Taco bar - Se.
Nov 5, 2023

What is the most popular alternative to turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals. This is collaborative content from Food & Wine's team of experts, including staff, recipe developers, chefs, and contributors.

How to switch up Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Think: pumpkin risotto, crab-stuffed mushrooms, sweet potato curry, and cauliflower gratin. Looking to skip the roasted turkey? No problem! Try a tender roast beef or an easy slow cooker pork chop recipe instead!

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 least favorite dish for Thanksgiving? ›

Among the many side dishes enjoyed by Americans during Thanksgiving, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole made the list of least-liked side dishes.

How can I enjoy Thanksgiving without gaining weight? ›

Enjoy the holiday feast without the guilt – or the weight gain.
  1. Workout when you can. ...
  2. Eat breakfast. ...
  3. Bring a healthy dish to pass (and eat). ...
  4. Pick and choose your indulgences. ...
  5. Slow it down. ...
  6. Go easy on the adult beverages. ...
  7. Get active. ...
  8. Shift your focus.
Oct 29, 2018

What should you not forget for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Use this list to make sure you're prepared to have the feast you planned for.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk. A number of tasty desserts rely on this often forgotten item. ...
  • Cranberries or Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • Chicken Stock or Broth. ...
  • Simply Done Containers. ...
  • Foil, Parchment Paper, Pastic Wrap. ...
  • Centerpiece. ...
  • Nuts or Dried Fruit. ...
  • Dinner Rolls.
Nov 25, 2019

What do you say instead of "Happy Thanksgiving"? ›

May your heart be filled with happiness and gratitude this holiday. May your day be filled with lots of love, laughter, and delicious food as you celebrate with your family and friends. Let's give thanks for all the blessings in our lives and cherish the memories we make today.

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish? ›

These are the most popular Thanksgiving sides across the U.S.: Mashed potatoes: The top spot goes to mashed potatoes! While this may be unsurprising (especially with how downright delicious mashed potatoes are), last year the side dish was in second place.

What is an adult female turkey called? ›

Adult female turkeys are called hens. Juvenile females are called jennies.

Why is Thanksgiving dinner at 2? ›

Why Is Thanksgiving Dinner So Early? There are many reasons, but primarily: Historically, dinner became before supper; it makes for a more relaxed day; it's simply tradition; it's more convenient for traveling guests; and, of course, to watch football.

What order should I start cooking Thanksgiving dinner? ›

For the big day, we've figured out just the right order to pull together the rest of the feast.
  1. Defrost premade bread. ...
  2. Chill wine and beer.
  3. Prepare the stuffing stuffing. ...
  4. Roast the turkey. ...
  5. Prepare other side dishes while the turkey roasts. ...
  6. Remove the fully cooked turkey from the oven and rest it for 1 hour.
Oct 20, 2021

How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›

These tips, tricks and timesavers can be a Thanksgiving host's saving grace.
  1. Pick the menu early. Don't leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. ...
  2. Brine your bird. ...
  3. Start prep work a few days before Thanksgiving. ...
  4. Serve batched co*cktails. ...
  5. Create simple centerpieces.
Nov 1, 2023

Is Thanksgiving dinner healthy? ›

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 has many nutritional benefits.

And as a rich source of quality protein, you'll help to balance out the macronutrients on your plate.” Indeed, turkey is a lean source of protein, and it's also quite versatile, tasting great with a variety of accouterments.

What is the number 1 Thanksgiving side dish? ›

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

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