20+ Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

These Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes include all your holiday faves. Enjoy the delicious flavours you crave without all the extra calories!

Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or just cooking a cozy dinner at home, these recipes prove that you don’t have to sacrifice taste to enjoy a healthier holiday meal.

Why you’ll love these recipes

• Crowd-pleasing flavours: Even picky eaters will enjoy these healthier options! There’s something for everyone.
• Make-ahead friendly: Several dishes can be prepped in advance, so you can spend less time in the kitchen on the big day.
  

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Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

The holidays are all about good food and special treats, but that doesn’t mean you have to load up on calorie-packed dishes. You can still enjoy all the flavours you love while keeping things a little lighter.

Thanksgiving can definitely be a tricky holiday to balance with healthy eating, so I’ve rounded up some of my favourite better-for-you recipes. From juicy roast turkey to lighter mashed potatoes and even a healthier spin on pumpkin pie, there’s something here for every table. These dishes are perfect whether you’re hosting the big dinner or just need a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance can I prepare dishes for Thanksgiving?

You can prep many sides and desserts 1–2 days ahead; store them refrigerated and reheat or finish them the day of for fresh flavour and texture.

How can I make classic Thanksgiving sides lighter without sacrificing taste?

Use low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives, reduce sugar in recipes, add more herbs and citrus for flavour, and swap in more vegetables or whole grains.

What are good substitutes for expensive or hard-to-find seasonal ingredients?

Swap out seasonal veggies with similarly textured ones (e.g. use carrots instead of parsnips), use citrus zest instead of fresh herbs when needed, or choose frozen produce if fresh isn’t in season.

Healthy Thanksgiving Appetizers

Pair any of these healthy appetizers with a holiday cocktail or family-friendly Thanksgiving drinks. Don’t fill up on them though, the best is yet to come!

Healthy Sweet Potato Skins via Pinch of Yum

These healthy sweet potato skins! They’re baaaaack! These little guys were my first “viral” recipe originally published in October of 2011 – and today,

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Carrot Ginger Soup via Skinnytaste

This healthy Carrot Ginger Soup is made with fresh carrots, a hint of fresh ginger and a touch of sour cream blended together until creamy, perfect for lunch or dinner. You can make it vegan or dairy-free by swapping the cream for coconut milk.

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Pumpkin Chutney via Eatwell 101

Pumpkin chutney recipe is a perfect addition to any festive table for the holidays. Plus, a big jar of homemade chutney makes an amazing gift!

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Thanksgiving Side Dishes

These healthy Thanksgiving sides really do cover it all. From lighter mashed potatoes to gluten-free stuffing and dinner rolls, plus plenty of fresh salads and veggie dishes, you’ll find all your favourites here. And if you’re still looking for inspiration, don’t miss my full collection of easy, healthy Thanksgiving side dish recipes!

Sausage & Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash

This Sausage & Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash is going to become your new favourite Thanksgiving main – it’s the perfect comfort food!

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto

This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto is a delicious and flavourful take on fall risotto with crispy sage and butternut squash.

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Crispy Green Bean Fries {Air Fryer or Oven}

These Crispy Green Bean Fries are a delicious and healthy way to satisfy your french fry cravings – make them in the Air Fryer or the oven!

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Crispiest Garlic Parm Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Learn the secret to the crispiest Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – say hello to the perfect fall side dish with garlic, parmesan and balsamic

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Fall Quinoa Salad via A Mind Full Mom

Fall Quinoa Salad is a show-stopping quinoa salad featuring roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, protein-rich quinoa, and a pumpkin vinaigrette. It is incredibly healthy and outrageously delicious!

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Healthy Waldorf Salad via The Adventure Bite

This healthy Waldorf salad with cranberries and jicama is a bright and colorful twist on a classic! Perfect for the holidays!

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate via The View from Great Island

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate is a super easy fall and holiday side dish that dresses up any table and will make Brussels sprout fans out of everyone!

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Green Beans with Brown Butter and Toasted Almonds via A Cedar Spoon

Green Beans with Brown Butter and Toasted Almonds is a nice twist on traditional green beans. The nutty flavor of the brown butter coats the freshly cooked green beans and is tossed with crunchy toasted almonds. This is a nice addition to a holiday table.

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Scalloped Sweet Potatoes via Food Faith Fitness

These tender and delicious Scalloped Sweet Potatoes are so creamy, you won’t believe they’re dairy-free.

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Garlic Mashed Cauliflower via The Cookie Rookie

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower may be a lighter and healthier alternative to mashed potatoes, but I promise it tastes just as good! Rich, creamy, and full of flavor, you skip the calories without compromising on taste. This healthy side dish is bound to become your new favorite recipe.

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Gluten-free Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls {dairy-free option} via My Gluten-Free Kitchen

Gluten-free Dinner Rolls that taste like grandma’s holiday rolls! We enjoy these gluten-free rolls at the holidays and year-round! Be sure to read through the post for my tips! I think you’ll be adding these gluten-free buns to your go-to list of gluten-free bread recipes!

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4 Ingredient Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cranberry Sauce via Sugar-Free Mom

This easy keto, low carb sugar free cranberry sauce has a hint of orange, and is perfectly sweet, but made without adding sugar and has just 4 ingredients!

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Healthy Main Recipes

When you want to keep things healthier for your holiday bird, white meat is always your best bet. It’s lower in fat and calories than the dark meat. You can also try ground turkey to make an easy main dish.

Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

This Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is a comfort food classic, made with ground turkey and topped with carrot and rutabaga mash.

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The Juiciest Instant Pot Turkey Breast via Eating Instantly

This is the JUICIEST Instant Pot Turkey Breast, and you can make gravy from the drippings right in the same pot within 30 minutes.

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Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe via Crunchy Creamy Sweet

This Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe makes juicy turkey breast in the pressure cooker in just 35 minutes! It’s the best way to save time preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

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Sriracha Lime Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin via Cupcakes and Kale Chips

This mouthwatering and juicy Sriracha Lime Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Tenderloin recipe is an easy way to infuse bold flavors into a meal. And since it is cooked in the crockpot, you can kick up the sweet heat without heating up the kitchen.

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Healthy Thanksgiving Desserts

A holiday dinner just isn’t complete without a little something sweet. Take the guesswork out of deciding what to serve by offering any (or all!) of these healthier dessert options.

Skinny Pumpkin Pie via Skinnytaste

A Thanksgiving dessert table is never complete without the pumpkin pie. To lighten this up, I use less sugar and a thinner crust, but you can’t tell!

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The Ultimate Healthy Apple Crisp {Video Included!} via Amy’s Healthy Baking

A SUPER easy from-scratch recipe for the BEST EVER classic apple crumble! Cozy, comforting, & absolutely irresistible. My family loves this recipe!

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