25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (2024)

By Taylor Kiser

Need some Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes? Here are 25 healthy, easy and gluten free side dishes for your table that everyone will love!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (1)

PIN 25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (2)

Well, Halloween is officially over, which means it’s time to move onto my THIRD favorite holiday: Thanksgiving!

I’m a “Halloween, then Christmas, then Thanksgiving” kinda gal.

Truth be told, I still find it SUPER weird to celebrate Thanksgiving in November. As a Canadian, I am still so used to doing it in October. It seems so odd to have a major holiday ONE month before another major holiday.

It’s also super weird to share it with MY BIRTHDAY. Thatsss right, my 27th birthday falls RIGHT on Thanksgiving this year. I’m one of those “birthday obsessed” people, so I am not a fan of sharing the spotlight with the turkey and stuffing 😉

Regardless, I won’t complain about having to eat more stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes and all the other good stuff. Any time we get to gobble (get it?!) those up is a good day in my books. I am HUGE fan of stuffing. it’s my favorite and I could eat it every single day forever. Fun fact about me: I actually hate gravy. I don’t eat it on my stuffing, turkey, ANYTHING. You are about to judge me for saying this…

I eat ketchup on my turkey. Started when I was little and just NEVER GREW UP.

Anyway. Thanksgiving also comes with A LOT of food that isn’t typically SUPER good for us.

Moderation is key, so I believe you should still partake in the food you LOVE! But, there is a way to make some healthy Thanksgiving food and still actually, liiiike, taste’s REALLY good! There is no point in eating healthy food that tastes like cardboard am I right?

I’ve done a LOT of testing of various healthy, gluten free Thanksgiving side dish recipes over the almost 5 years FFF has been around, and now I’ve compiled them all in one easy place for you! So, here’s all the easy healthy thanksgiving recipes:

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (3)

Vegan Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash Noodles

Vegan, Paleo, Whole30, Dairy Free

So creamy you will never guess it’s a healthy, vegan mac and cheese! Use butternut squash noodles to keep it gluten and grain free and only 6 ingredients!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (4)

Cauliflower Alfredo Vegan Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Vegan, Paleo, Whole30, Dairy Free

These whole30 compliant cauliflower Alfredo vegan scalloped sweet potatoes are so rich and creamy you’ll never know that they’re under 200 calories, dairy free, paleo friendly and have hidden veggies! Healthy comfort food at its best!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (5)

Paleo Easy Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Paleo, Grain Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Whole30, Vegan

Paleo Easy Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Toppingis the best side dish for Thanksgiving! Whole30/vegan friendly and gluten/grain/dairy/egg/sugar free!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (6)

Curried Savory Vegan Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Whole30, Paleo, Vegan, Dairy Free, Grain Free

TheseCurried Savory Vegan Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoesare a sweet and spicy spin on a holiday classic! So creamy you will never believe they are dairy, grain and gluten free and paleo/whole30 compliant!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (7)

Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole in the Slow Cooker

Paleo, Dairy Free, Grain Free

Let the slow cooker do all the work for you this Thanksgiving with this quick and easy paleo sweet potato casserole! You won’t even miss the marshmallows!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (8)

Apple Raisin Easy Gluten Free Stuffing

Gluten Free, Dairy Free

This apple raisin easy gluten free stuffing is made from a mixture of bread and cinnamon raisin bagels! It’s the perfect simple, healthy Thanksgiving side dish!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (9)

Healthy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Vegan, Paleo,Whole30, Dairy Free

You’ll never believe this rich, creamy vegan green bean casserole is dairy and gluten free, paleo friendly and whole30 compliant! Perfect for a healthy Thanksgiving!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (10)

Superfood Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Paleo, Dairy Free, Grain Free

These salty-sweet superfood roasted Brussels sprouts are tender, crispy and have a surprise pomegranate crunch! They’re the perfect, paleo-friendly healthy Thanksgiving side!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (11)

Pecan Pie Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Paleo, Vegan, Dairy Free, Grain Free

These healthy twice baked sweet potatoes have a pecan pie filling and only require 6 ingredients! They’re the perfect sweet and savory, gluten free Thanksgiving side dish that’s paleo and vegan friendly!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (12)

Balsamic Butternut Squash Salad with Bacon

Paleo, Dairy Free, Grain Free

This balsamic butternut squash salad features crispy bacon and a sweet and tangy maple glaze! It’s a healthy, paleo friendly side dish with only 5 ingredients!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (13)

Paleo Maple Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes in Coconut Oil

Paleo, Vegan, Dairy Free, Grain Free

These quickPaleo Maple Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes in Coconut Oilare sweet, spicy and so easy to make! A light and healthy Fall side that your family will love!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (14)

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with 5 Ingredients

Gluten Free, Low Carb, Grain Free, Low Calorie

These quick and easy,low carb cauliflower mashed potatoesonly have 5 ingredients, 62 calories, 1 SmartPoint and use a secret ingredient to pack them with protein! They’re perfect for a healthy Thanksgiving!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (15)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction, Goat Cheese and Almonds

Gluten Free, Grain Free

TheseRoasted Brussels Sproutsare tossed with balsamic reduction, goat cheese and almonds for a quick, easy and healthy side dish! My husband declared these addictive!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (16)

Cauliflower Bake with Goat Cheese

Grain Free, Low Carb, Gluten Free

ThisGoat Cheese Cauliflower Bakeis super creamy and extra delicious with a little bit of bacon. You would never guess it’s super easy, healthy and low carb!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (17)

Sage Kale Pesto with Parmesan Roasted Acorn Squash

Gluten Free, Grain Free

Kale pesto is mixed with sage and nuts and then tossed with Parmesan roasted acorn squash for a quick, healthy side dish that is sure to please a crowd!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (18)

Curried Butternut Squash Salad with Apples, Dates and Pecans

Paleo, Vegan, Dairy Free, Grain Free

This spiralized butternut squash salad is full of apples, dates and pecans. It has a spicy-sweet flavor and is a healthy, paleo and vegan friendly side dish!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (19)

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Paleo, Vegan, Whole30, Grain Free, Dairy Free

These easy scalloped sweet potatoes are SO creamy and flavorful, you’ll have a hard time believing they’re secretly healthy and paleo and vegan friendly!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (20)

Easy Gluten Free Stuffing

Gluten Free, Dairy Free

This gluten free stuffing is moist and so packed with flavor, you would never know how easy it is to make! Perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (21)

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes and Bacon

Gluten Free, Grain Free, Paleo, Dairy Free

Just wanted you to know that my friends atPompeianare sponsoring this recipe, and packing it with a big ol’ flavor PUNCH!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (22)

Easy Blanched Asparagus Recipe with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

Paleo, Vegan, Dairy Free, Grain Free

This quick and easy blanched asparagus recipe is marinated in a maple Dijon vinaigrette to make a perfect, healthy side dish that the whole family will love! Only 60 calories and 2 SmartPoints too!

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (23)

Roasted Carrots with Coconut and Cumin

Paleo, Vegan, Whole30, Grain Free, Dairy Free

These Roasted Carrots with Coconut and Cumin make a simple, easy, healthy and delicious side dish!

I hope you enjoy these recipes this Holiday Season! <3

25 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes | Food Faith Fitness (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest food to eat on Thanksgiving? ›

Go for small amounts of cooked squash, sweet potato, white potato, beans and carrots. Try to use whole-grain breads and cereals whenever possible; they are rich in fiber and the B vitamins that are not so abundant in simple carbohydrates (white and refined grains, cereals, flours and starches).

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving foods? ›

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes
  1. Turkey.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing.
  3. Pumpkin Pie.
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Ham.
  7. Green Bean Casserole.
  8. Cranberry Jelly.
Nov 22, 2023

What are the top 20 Thanksgiving foods in America? ›

Top 20 Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Apple Stuffing.
  • Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread.
  • Asparagus Bake.
  • Creamy Green Bean Casserole.
  • Cranberry Sauce.
  • Creamy Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes.
  • Turkey Gravy.
  • Apple Pie.

What is the unhealthiest food at Thanksgiving? ›

14 Unhealthiest Thanksgiving Sides To Avoid This Year
  • Potatoes au gratin. ...
  • Macaroni and cheese. ...
  • Canned cranberry sauce. ...
  • Candied yams. sasazawa/Shutterstock. ...
  • Sausage stuffing. Alivemindphotography/Getty Images. ...
  • Turkey Gravy. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cornbread. Bhofack2/Getty Images. ...
  • Pecan Pie. Nicolasmccomber/Getty Images.
Nov 6, 2023

What should I eat on Thanksgiving to not gain weight? ›

5 Healthy Food Swaps to Avoid Weight Gain This Thanksgiving
  • Eat Pumpkin Pie Instead of Pecan Pie. ...
  • Grill Instead of Frying. ...
  • Swap Mashed Potatoes for Mashed Cauliflower. ...
  • Serve Brussels Sprouts Instead of Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Use Wild Rice Instead of Pilaf.

What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Scroll through to take a look at our most popular Thanksgiving recipes.
  • 01 of 24. Perfect Turkey. ...
  • 02 of 24. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 03 of 24. Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 24. Homemade Mac and Cheese. ...
  • 05 of 24. Sweet Potato Pie. ...
  • 06 of 24. Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll. ...
  • 07 of 24. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast. ...
  • 08 of 24. Cream Corn Like No Other.
Oct 26, 2023

What are the 3 most popular food dishes served on Thanksgiving? ›

The 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes
  • Roast turkey. We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. ...
  • Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Green bean casserole. ...
  • Corn casserole. ...
  • Sweet potato casserole. ...
  • Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Cranberry sauce.
Nov 2, 2022

What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

The traditional roasted turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are on almost every modern Thanksgiving menu, in some form or variation. This menu has evolved over time and continues to evolve today.

What do Californians eat for Thanksgiving? ›

7 Signs You're Having a California Thanksgiving
  • GRILLED TURKEY IS THE CENTERPIECE. ...
  • SOURDOUGH SNEAKS IN SOMEWHERE. ...
  • VEGETABLE SIDES AREN'T GLOPPED IN MAYO. ...
  • GARLIC BREAD IS THE CARB OF CHOICE. ...
  • BRUSSELS SPROUTS PREVAIL OVER GREEN BEANS. ...
  • MAYBE YOU'LL SEE PECAN PIE, MAYBE YOU WON'T. ...
  • PINOT NOIR NEVER STOPS FLOWIN'.
Nov 18, 2015

What is the most eaten meat on Thanksgiving? ›

No surprise here, turkey is the number 1 for the most popular foods served at thanksgiving with about 88% of Americans eating it on the holiday.

What is everyone's favorite Thanksgiving food? ›

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and though the turkey (or ham) might take top billing, everyone knows the sides are the true stars of the table. What would our national holiday be without stuffing and sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, green beans and rolls?

What is a healthier alternative to turkey? ›

Roasted Whole Chicken

“Each of these can be seasoned to your taste and roasted in the oven, resulting in wonderful aroma and delicious meat,” says Palumbo. Both chicken and turkey are lean proteins, especially if you avoid dark meat.

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 do you say instead of Happy Thanksgiving? ›

Short Thanksgiving greetings

May the chairs around your table be filled with those you love. May this day and every day be filled with love, joy and happiness. Wishing you every blessing of this bountiful season. May the blessings of Thanksgiving fill your heart and home with joy.

How to have a healthy Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Try using fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy. Use sugar substitutes in place of sugar and/or fruit purees instead of oil in baked goods. You can also try plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in creamy dips, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.

How can I make Thanksgiving more healthy? ›

Boiled shrimp with lemon or co*cktail sauce is a healthier pick than fried hors d'oeuvres. Try having a pot of a roasted vegetable soup, such as carrot or butternut squash, on offer for guests to enjoy. Other healthful starters include stuffed mushrooms, raw veggies with hummus, and seasonal fruit.

How healthy is Thanksgiving dinner? ›

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.

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