60 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes to Balance Out Your Family Feast
Good family, good friends, and good health!
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If you're grateful for good family, good friends, and good health, then this list of healthy Thanksgiving recipes is for you! While the holidays aren’t typically known for eating light, you can always add a few good-for-you options to your Thanksgiving menu. This way, those who are trying to keep up their healthy eating goals—or those who simply follow a specific diet (like vegetarian or paleo)—can still enjoy everything the holiday has to offer. It's actually easier than you might think. Simply swap green bean casserole for air fryer green beans or make portion-controlled version of pumpkin cheesecake.
But don't worry, you won't miss out on any traditional holiday flavors. There's plenty of fall vegetable recipes, like mashed sweet potatoes, butternut squash casserole, and maple bacon Brussels sprouts. Plus, tons of creative and fresh ideas like seasonal Thanksgiving salads and cranberry-orange relish. We've also included a slew of air fryer Thanksgiving recipes that are great for making lean turkey breast and crispy okra—a Southern Thanksgiving favorite!
Whether you're planning an entire menu of healthy Thanksgiving dishes or you just want to add in a few lighter options, you’ll find everything you need from the appetizers to the healthier Thanksgiving desserts. And, if baked apples weren’t on your Thanksgiving menu before, they will be now!
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Brussels sprouts are loaded with healthy nutrients so they're a great addition to your holiday table. Not to mention, they're a fall favorite and they taste delicious with toasted nuts and dried cranberries.
Get the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Here's a fun way to add more veggies to your meal—use the acorn squash as an edible bowl! It holds a filling of sausage, rice, and even more veggies.
Get the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.
Garlic Green Beans
Healthy doesn't need to be boring! These green beans are simple but they're packed with garlicky flavor.
Get the Garlic Green Beans recipe.
Cauliflower Steaks
You can serve these cauliflower steaks as a main course for vegetarians or a side dish to go with your turkey. Either way, they're a fun (and trendy) addition to the table.
Get the Cauliflower Steaks recipe.
Mushroom Gravy
Just think how delicious this vegetarian gravy would be over those cauliflower steaks or over a fluffy pile of mashed cauliflower. It's savory, saucy, and perfect for mushroom lovers.
Get the Mushroom Gravy recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
If you want to keep things easy, you can skip the turkey altogether and make chicken thighs instead! They get extra-crispy thanks to the air fryer.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe.
Maple-Glazed Carrots
Instead of sugar, these carrots are sweetened with natural maple syrup. Add fresh thyme and shallots to make them sweet and savory.
Get Ree's Maple-Glazed Carrots recipe.
Couscous Salad
This beautiful salad will add a pop of color to your Thanksgiving table. The fresh veggies, bright herbs, and pomegranate seeds are such a nice change of pace from the heavier dishes.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Spinach Dip
You don't want your family to fill up too much before the dinner so keep things light for the appetizers with this healthy spinach dip. You can serve it up with veggie sticks, like peppers, carrots, and celery.
Get the Spinach Dip recipe.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
These crispy sweet potato wedges are just as delicious during the week as they are on the holidays. Best of all, they won't take up any space in your oven!
Get the Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries recipe.
Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower is one of those veggies that's great to add into your diet if you're looking to eat healthier. It can easily be spiced up depending on your preferences, like this version made with seasoned salt, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley.
Get the Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
If you want to skip the marshmallow-topped dish this year, try these twice-baked sweet potatoes instead. They're still plenty sweet thanks to the maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutty oat topping.
Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Keep things simple by making this quick and easy green bean recipe. It's the perfect way to add something green to your plate.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a healthy alternative to regular potatoes because they're lower in carbs and packed with vitamins. But don't worry, they still get extra creamy and fluffy in this mashed sweet potato dish!
Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without turkey! Luckily, this one made in an air fryer is a lean, good source of protein.
Get the Air Fryer Turkey Breast recipe.
Carrot Salad
Just because you're serving salad, doesn't mean it needs to be boring. This fresh carrot salad has seasonal apples, crunchy pecans, and sweet raisins for a ton of flavor and texture.
Get the Carrot Salad recipe.
Mini Apple Pies
If apple pie is a must-have on your holiday menu, consider these miniature versions that are perfect for portion control. You can have a taste of the Thanksgiving favorite without going overboard.
Get the Mini Apple Pies recipe.
Air Fryer Okra
These cornmeal-crusted and Creole-seasoned okra will be a hit at any holiday party. Serve them up as a tasty (and healthy) snack to hold you over before the big meal.
Get the Air Fryer Okra recipe.
Green Bean Salad
Here’s a fresh new way to serve green beans. Instead of a heavy casserole, this green bean salad is light, bright, and easy to make ahead.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Baked Apples
This warm, comforting fall dessert is lightly sweetened and loaded with oats and dried cranberries. Plus, it’s a fun way to eat an apple.
Get the Baked Apples recipe.
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