Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Make this year your best Thanksgiving yet! Think roasted turkey, healthy green bean casserole and decadent pies that the holiday wouldn't be complete without. Following a special diet? We've got you covered with gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and diabetic-friendly recipes that will shine on your holiday table.

Most Popular

Herb-Roasted Turkey

Rating: Unrated
13
This easy method produces all the good looks and moist flavor you dream of in an oven-roasted turkey. Make sure you show this beauty off at the table before you carve it. Garnish your serving platter with fresh herb sprigs and citrus wedges for a show-stopping Thanksgiving turkey.
By Jessie Price

Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Rating: Unrated
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In this easy vegetable side dish recipe, sweet potatoes are tossed with maple syrup, butter and lemon juice and are roasted until tender and golden brown. The delicious glaze that forms on these maple-roasted sweet potatoes transform this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.
By Kathy Farrell-Kingsley

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Rating: Unrated
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The genius hack in this recipe: topping sweet potatoes with marshmallows while they're still piping hot from the slow cooker yields a baked marshmallow topping that's typical with baked sweet potato casseroles.
By Carolyn Casner

Light and Luscious Pumpkin Pie

If pumpkin pie is a must for the holidays, this version fulfills that holiday tradition without derailing your meal plan.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Rating: Unrated
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Typical green bean casseroles bathe ingredients in a heavy cream sauce and top them with buttered breadcrumbs or cheese. Our healthier version saves about 160 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat compared to a traditional recipe.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Roasted Fennel & Italian Sausage Stuffing

This homemade stuffing recipe is special because it comes complete with a sausage-making lesson from the Sausage King himself, author and famed business owner Bruce Aidells.
By Bruce Aidells

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Rating: Unrated
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Serve this rich vegan mushroom gravy with cauliflower steaks, over mashed potatoes or vegetables, with pan-fried tofu or--if you're not a vegetarian or vegan--with turkey or chicken.
By Hilary Meyer

No-Sugar-Added Cranberry Sauce

Rating: Unrated
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Most cranberry sauce recipes add tons of sugar to mask the tart taste of the cranberries. In this simple cranberry sauce, we lighten things up by skipping the sugar and opting for a healthier combination of dates and apple cider which adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the cranberry flavor.
By Carolyn Casner

Brown Butter Apple Pie

Rating: Unrated
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This homemade apple pie recipe has a simple and classic flavor, with fresh apples, spices and butter that's been sizzled until it's brown and nutty. The top crust is where you have the opportunity to add a touch of pizazz. Here we suggest cutting the dough into leaf shapes for an autumnal motif, but you could cut any shape you want.
By Hilary Meyer

Slow-Cooker Turkey Thighs with Herb Gravy

Those who love tender, moist dark meat will love these slow-cooker turkey thighs. If turkey thighs aren't available, ask your butcher to cut up a whole turkey and give you the bone-in thighs. Feel free to substitute an equal weight of chicken thighs for the turkey thighs, if desired. This pairs well with a simple side of steamed green beans.
By Cooking Light

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Rating: Unrated
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Garlic cloves, cooked along with the potatoes, give this puree extra body and lots of flavor.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Custard Pecan Pie

While every bit as delish as the classic pie, this one has less sugar. Cane syrup, a toasty alternative to corn syrup or molasses, sweetens the pie along with brown sugar. Because the filling for the pie is wet, we brush the crust with egg white and par-bake it to create a barrier to prevent sogginess.
By Virginia Willis

Inspiration and Ideas

How to Make a Delicious Thanksgiving Meal for Two—Recipes Included!

How to Make a Delicious Thanksgiving Meal for Two—Recipes Included!

With our recipes for turkey, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, pumpkin cheesecake and more you can have a wonderful meal without tons of work or too many leftovers.
The Biggest Thanksgiving Mistakes Everyone Makes at Least Once—and How to Fix Them

The Biggest Thanksgiving Mistakes Everyone Makes at Least Once—and How to Fix Them

Here's everything you need to know to avoid disaster when it comes to your turkey, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, pie and more Thanksgiving dinner staples.
Our 50 Best-Ever Thanksgiving Sides

Our 50 Best-Ever Thanksgiving Sides

29 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts

29 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts

26 One-Pot Thanksgiving Recipes That Won’t Leave You with a Sink Full of Dishes

26 One-Pot Thanksgiving Recipes That Won’t Leave You with a Sink Full of Dishes

50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes

50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes

Yukon Gold & Sweet Potato Mash

Rating: Unrated
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The addition of delicious sweet potatoes gives a nutrient boost to mashed potatoes. Double it: Cook the potatoes in a Dutch oven rather than a large saucepan.

All Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

29 Light Meals to Help You Reset After Thanksgiving

After Turkey Day, the last thing you want to do is eat *another* heavy meal. So when the hunger creeps in again—and, yes, it will happen—here are 25 dinner recipes for light meals to help get you back on track. From breakfast to dinner, these healthy recipes are under 500 calories and full of fiber-rich veggies and lean protein to keep you full and fueled all day long.

20 Turkey Soup Recipes That Are Perfect for Using Up Thanksgiving Leftovers

From our Cream of Turkey & Wild Rice Soup to our Leftover Turkey Gumbo, these easy leftover turkey soup recipes make the most of a mound of Thanksgiving turkey.

31 Genius Recipe Ideas to Use Up Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Move over, boring day-after turkey meals -- new Thanksgiving leftover recipes are here. Try our Cream of Turkey & Wild Rice Soup or the Ultimate Turkey Avocado Sandwich, or opt for a Leftover Turkey Salad if you're in the mood for something light. We have delicious ideas to use up all your leftovers: turkey, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, green beans and even the cranberry sauce!

26 One-Pot Thanksgiving Recipes That Won’t Leave You with a Sink Full of Dishes

While the best part of Thanksgiving is the food, the worst part is cleaning all of the dishes you used to make your delicious meal. To help minimize cleanup, these Thanksgiving recipes utilize just one pot or pan to cook in. Whether it’s Roasted Turkey Legs or Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potatoes, you’ll have a healthy and tasty meal but without all of the after-dinner hassle.

Delicious Low-Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Check out some of our favorite low-carb side dishes for Thanksgiving—all with 15 grams of carbohydrate or less—including savory Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Creamy Green Beans & Mushrooms.

Cranberry Crumble Bars

Rating: Unrated
1
These cranberry-orange bars freeze well. Make a batch on a free afternoon and pop them in the freezer so you'll always have a healthy dessert on hand when company calls.
By Summer Miller

30 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Side Dishes in 30 Minutes

Scrambling to get every dish on to the Thanksgiving table? These last-minute side dishes are a perfect addition to your holiday meal. Whether it’s mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts or green beans, you can get these tasty sides on to the table in 30 minutes or less. Recipes like Candied Carrots and Kale Salad with Balsamic & Parmesan are flavorful and easy to make.

Melting Sweet Potatoes with Maple Butter

Rating: Unrated
1
As the name implies, these sweet potatoes melt right in your mouth. After browning in a hot oven, thick slices of sweet potato simmer in broth and soak up the flavors of maple syrup and lemon. This simple dish is great alongside roasted chicken or pork and makes a great Thanksgiving side dish.
By Carolyn Casner

Roasted Honeynut Squash

Rating: Unrated
2
Honeynut squash looks just like mini butternut squash, but on the inside you'll find an even sweeter, deeper orange flesh. This winter squash has only been available at farmers' markets and in select grocery stores for a few years. If you see it, grab a few to try! This simple roasting method enhances the natural flavor of the squash with butter and spices.
By Carolyn Casner

Leftover Turkey Stew

Rating: Unrated
1
This hearty and healthy turkey stew recipe is just about the best use of Thanksgiving leftovers we can think of. And we don't just mean the turkey. The stew is packed with leftover roasted vegetables--use whatever vegetables you have on hand, such as Brussels sprouts, parsnips, sweet potatoes and green beans. And leftover gravy is used to add depth of flavor and body. Possibly the best part of this stew recipe? It comes together really quickly--because don't we all need a 20-minute dinner after the craziness of Thanksgiving? Add some leftover bread or rolls and dinner is done. This recipe is equally delicious with leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, and we've included instructions for making a quick gravy in case you don't have leftovers, so you can serve this Thanksgiving-in-a-pot year-round.
By Robin Bashinsky

21 Thanksgiving Sides for Two

These Thanksgiving side dish recipes will steal the attention from any turkey. Each recipe yields just the right amount for two people, so it’s easy to celebrate without worrying about endless leftovers. Whether it’s Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for Two or Skillet Green Bean Casserole for Two, these side dishes are classic, healthy and delicious.

27 Low-Carb, Diabetes-Friendly Thanksgiving Sides

Get ready for the holiday with these low-carb Thanksgiving side dish recipes. In addition to having no more than 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving, these side dishes are also appropriate for a diabetes-friendly diet. Each side dish is low in calories, saturated fat and sodium, so eating healthy on the holiday is easily doable. Recipes like Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese & Pomegranate are healthy and delicious.

Broccoli Casserole

Rating: Unrated
10
The lightened-up luscious sauce elevates this easy casserole recipe over standard broccoli and cheese side dishes.
By Breana Killeen

25 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

If hungry guests are on their way for Thanksgiving dinner, try one of our quick and easy Thanksgiving appetizer recipes to make at the last minute. In 15 minutes or less, you will have a delicious and healthy Thanksgiving appetizer ready to serve to your guests.

19 Thanksgiving Casseroles You Can Make Ahead of Time

Make cooking Thanksgiving a little easier with these make-ahead casserole recipes. You can easily prep parts of the casserole, if not the whole thing, a few days ahead of the big meal. Whether it’s riffs on the classic side dishes like Vegan Scalloped Potatoes or Cornbread & Oyster Mushroom Stuffing, these casseroles are healthy, seasonal and delicious.

Hasselback Potatoes with Cheese

Hasselback potatoes are the perfect side dish for people who love crispy potato-chip-like slices as well as the tender interior of a baked potato. Simple to prepare, these hasselback potatoes look impressive and decadent with melted Cheddar cheese and a spinkle of paprika on top.
By Carolyn Casner

26 Recipes to Make Thanksgiving Dinner Entirely on Your Grill

Whether you’re having an outdoor celebration or just want to get creative with your meal, these Thanksgiving recipes can all be made on the grill. You could grill turkey or try something different with grilled chicken or pork. As a bonus, the grill leaves little-to-no clean up. Recipes like Grilled Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Southwestern Grilled Spatchcock Turkey are full of flavor and will put you in the holiday spirit.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipes That Are Perfect for Thanksgiving

From Roasted Gnocchi & Brussels Sprouts with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette toRoasted Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese & Pomegranate, these are our favorite roasted Brussels sprouts recipes for Thanksgiving.

No-Sugar-Added Sweet Potato Casserole

Instead of loading up this comfort food side with tons of brown sugar and marshmallows, we have turned to sweet spices, vanilla and inherently sweet dried fruit to enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. A topping of pecans and pepitas replaces traditional marshmallow topping to keep it healthy and add texture and color for a beautiful casserole.
By Carolyn Casner

Apple, Onion & Cranberry Stuffing

Rating: Unrated
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Apples and fresh cranberries add a unique twist to this variation on the classic stuffing. Use fresh sage or rubbed sage in this recipe; the ground version is too bitter.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

22 Easy Thanksgiving Recipes with 5 Ingredients

Simplify your Thanksgiving meal with these healthy and delicious recipes. These main and side dishes have just five ingredients or less so your cooking is easier and faster (i.e. more time to eat!). Whether you make Green Beans with Parmesan-Garlic Breadcrumbs or Hasselback Potatoes with Cheese, your Thanksgiving meal will be flavorful and filling.

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

Rating: Unrated
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Thanks to fresh green beans, an easy homemade cream sauce and crispy onion topping, this green bean casserole recipe is healthier and more delicious than traditional recipes that use canned soup, beans and onions. Plus, the slow cooker saves you time cooking at the stove. Make sure to use fresh green beans, as frozen green beans will become mushy.
By Carolyn Casner

Sauteed Broccoli & Kale with Toasted Garlic Butter

Rating: Unrated
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In this easy vegetable side dish, broccoli and kale are drizzled with a butter, garlic and crushed red pepper sauce. Serve this healthy recipe alongside roasted chicken, turkey or ham--or on top of your favorite whole grain, such as quinoa or farro.
By Lia Huber

Candied Carrots

Rating: Unrated
1
A combination of brown sugar and apple juice makes these easy candied carrots sweet but not cloying. Chopped fresh thyme brightens the flavor in this classic side dish, but feel free to omit it if you want an even simpler dish. Serve with chicken, pork or your Thanksgiving dinner.
By Julia Levy
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