18+ Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes by Occasion Thanksgiving

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 11/06/2023

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Looking forward to holiday cooking but dreading the heavy feeling afterwards? Enjoy these delicious healthy Thanksgiving recipes!

18+ Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

Everyone saves their most special recipes (with lots of butter, sugar, cream!) to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. 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, or maybe your Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without a fancy sweet potato casserole or cheesy potatoes.

And then there’s dessert! We usually have to wait an hour or two after dinner before anyone is ready for dessert. Pumpkin pie always has a starring role with lots of freshly whipped cream. My grandma always makes her delicious apple crisp, too.

If you’re still looking for that perfect Thanksgiving recipe, be sure to check out my list of favorite traditional and not-so-traditional Thanksgiving recipes!

Unfortunately, while those special occasion recipes taste great, your body isn’t so happy about it later.

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

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!

Check out this recipe

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Instant Pot Turkey Breast

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!

Check out this recipe

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Apple Stuffing

Tangy, bright flavors take this apple stuffing up a notch, with sourdough bread, Granny Smith apples, and tart dried cranberries. It's wonderfully delicious homemade stuffing!

Check out this recipe

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Cranberry Sauce with Roasted Grapes, Apples, and Shallots

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.

Check out this recipe

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Easy Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce

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.

Check out this recipe

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Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes

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.

Check out this recipe

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Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

This sweet potato casserole copycat is gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free, and so, so delicious! It has a crunchy granola-like topping.

Check out this recipe

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Vanilla Bean Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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.

Check out this recipe

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Green Beans Almondine

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.

Check out this recipe

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Honey Glazed Carrots with Chili Powder

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.

Check out this recipe

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Mashed Butternut Squash (sweet or savory)

Whether you make it sweet or savory, mashed butternut squash will be a standout on your Thanksgiving table, or as a healthy side dish any day of the week!

Check out this recipe

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Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples, Cranberries, and Walnuts

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.

Check out this recipe

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Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Arugula & Sweet Potato

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.

Check out this recipe

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Kale and Pear Salad with Yogurt Dressing

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.

Check out this recipe

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Sweet Kale Salad with Dried Cranberries and Poppy Seed Dressing

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.

Check out this recipe

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Sautéed Parsnips With White Wine And Thyme

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!

Check out this recipe

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Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan and Herbs

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.

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Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts

Bite-sized pumpkin pie tarts are an easy no-bake treat and a lighter addition to a Thanksgiving dessert table!

Check out this recipe

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Cranberry Clafoutis

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.

Check out this recipe

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Rosé Spritzer

Arosé spritzer is a two ingredient co*cktail 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 co*cktail, too!

Check out this recipe

18+ Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes (21)

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  1. denise says

    those are some tasty ideas

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Thanks Denise!

      Reply

18+ Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)
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