60 Classic Thanksgiving Recipes For Every Diet, From Vegan To Keto
Your health-conscious family, friends, and holiday guests will be SO grateful.
At the Thanksgiving table this year, you might notice there's a few unexpected guests: a few dietary or health concerns to cook around. Of course, Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, for “giving thanks” for everything from good health to a happy home, from great friends to family. And there's no better way to do this is to put on a lavish, decadent dinner, with all the traditional fixins like a big turkey, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, creamy mashed potatoes, and more. But if you or your loved ones are trying to eat healthier or are following a specific diet or lifestyle (like keto, vegan, or gluten-free), we've got tons of healthy Thanksgiving recipes that'll make sure no one feels left out or like they can’t indulge. Simply swap out a few Thanksgiving classics (or add them to your feast, the more, the merrier!) for these 60 healthier alternatives. You and yours might just discover some new favorites you’ll return to year after year.
We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for every diet, like keto, vegan, gluten-free, or low-oil. Looking for low-carb options for your Thanksgiving? Try our cauliflower stuffing, our keto mac & cheese, or our keto broccoli salad. We’ve even included a few lower carb desserts, like our crustless pumpkin pie and keto pumpkin cheesecake. Have a plant-based cousin or friend coming to your meal? Blow their minds with a vegan meatloaf, vegan mac & cheese, or vegan green bean casserole. They’ll be giving thanks to you all evening long. Trying to cook with less oil this year? Make your meal in your air fryer. Check out our air fryer tandoori turkey breast, our air fryer crispy potatoes, our air fryer Brussels sprouts, or our air fryer green beans. Looking to add some more veggies into your meal? We’ve got you too. Try swapping your mashed potatoes for our roasted garlic-parsnip puree, our mashed butternut squash, or our mashed sweet potatoes. You could also whip up one of our simple veggie sides, like our stir-fried snow peas, our smashed Brussels sprouts, or our kabocha squash. Bonus: They help add a ton of color to your otherwise very beige and brown plate.
Want more health-conscious Thanksgiving inspiration? Check out our top healthy party appetizers, our favorite non-alcoholic drinks, and our best healthy desserts too.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Tossed in a honey and vinegar dressing and roasted until glazed and crisp, these sweet and tangy sprouts will steal the (side) show wherever they go. Roasting at high heat on a bare metal sheet pan is key to getting gorgeously browned, crackling-crisp sprouts.
Get the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Air Fryer Tandoori Turkey Breast
Keeping the bone in and skin on the turkey breast helps to seal in moisture so the outside doesn’t dry out from the intense air fryer heat. Instead you get crispy skin and a super-moist, tandoori-spiced turkey breast, perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving meal.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys
Forget plain ol' pumpkin pie—these adorable Thanksgiving turkeys have us on cuteness overload. Made popular on TikTok, these chocolate-dipped strawberries are shaped like a plump roasted bird (though perhaps a tad on the burnt side...😉), thanks to a clever combination of marshmallows, pretzel rods, and melted chocolate.
Get the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys recipe.
Thanksgiving Cauliflower
Forget turkey—this impressive whole roasted cauliflower is the only centerpiece you'll need this Thanksgiving. We've included a mushroom gravy recipe here as well. It's so good, no one will miss the meat.
Get the Thanksgiving Cauliflower recipe.
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
For those that can't have gluten or think the pie crust is just a vessel to get the best part of the pie, this pumpkin pie is for you. Made without the crust, this pie takes less than half the time and WAY less effort. No making pie crusts, no chilling, and no blind baking—It's a Thanksgiving miracle.
Get the Crustless Pumpkin Pie recipe.
Harvest Caesar Salad
If you thought kale Caesar was over, you’ve clearly never topped it with crispy frico squash croutons. Featuring butternut squash and crispy baked Parmesan frico, this autumn spin on the classic Caesar salad will have you wishing it was fall all year round.
Get the Harvest Caesar Salad recipe.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
If weeknight cooking were a rom-com, roasted sweet potatoes would be the best friend. Whether you’re prepping a quick salad, building an epic burrito bowl, or simply looking for an easy side for Thanksgiving, they’re always there for you and will never let you down. Learn the ultimate technique for making them, and you’ll call on their support at least once a week.
Get the Roasted Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Gluten-Free Apple Pie
We hope you're not batting your eyes at “gluten-free.” So often is the word associated with negative connotations because there’s just nothing quite like a gluten-filled treat—bread, pasta, pie, cakes, cookies, you name it… or so you think. Stop there: Gluten-free apple pie can be just as good as all the others.
Get the Gluten-Free Apple Pie recipe.
Brussels Sprouts Salad
Making this salad might seem involved, but it doesn't actually require much prep. Tossed with a combo of toasted almonds, shaved Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds, Brussels make a great side for any variety of Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy
Vegans and meat-eaters alike will be piling this flavor-packed gravy on top of all the Thanksgiving sides. This gravy comes together in minutes—and you won't miss roasting a whole turkey or chicken to make it.
Get the Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy recipe.
Vegan Mac & Cheese
Delicious vegan mac & cheese might sound like an oxymoron, but trust us, this cheese sauce is good enough to satiate the strongest dairy craving. Don't skip the thyme-panko topping—the added crunch takes it over the top.
Get the Vegan Mac & Cheese recipe.
Easy Vegan Stuffing
Because of the butter, eggs and chicken broth that usually go into classic stuffing, it's a dish that vegans can't always enjoy—until now! For the best results, use a quality, hearty loaf of bread and a nice olive oil.
Get the Easy Vegan Stuffing recipe.
Whole Roasted Cabbage
This gorgeous, whole-roasted stunner is the perfect holiday substitute for vegetarians. It's savory, sweet, and salty on the outside and super-tender on the inside. Topped with lots of silky mushroom gravy, we doubt anyone at your table will be missing meat.
Get the Whole Roasted Cabbage recipe.
One-Pot Creamy Vegan Greens
Creamed spinach without the dairy? Yes, please. Not only is it a bit more nutritious, but it’s also just as delicious. This recipe is packed full of iron-rich spinach, which becomes tender as it cooks in the flavorful sauce. To make this one-pot side dish, we use a few simple ingredients to make these greens something truly special.
Get the One-Pot Creamy Vegan Greens recipe.
Sweet Potato Salad
This sweet potato salad is the perfect way to lighten up any autumnal dinner, especially Thanksgiving. Feta, dried cranberries, and red onions pair really nicely with the earthy sweetness of the orange super food. Did we mention it's great warm or cold (meaning you can prep it ahead of the big day)?
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers' market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.
Get the Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.
Air Fryer Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
Craving turkey, but don't want to go through the hassle of cooking a whole bird? Make turkey breast in the air fryer! It takes way less effort with far better results and you're guaranteed to get crispy skin and juicy meat.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
This side is like if green beans dressed up as cheesy garlic bread. 😍 Tossed in garlic and black pepper and showered with cheese, this simple yet irresistible side will steal the spotlight at every holiday table.
Get the Parmesan Roasted Green Beans recipe.
Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes
When you're looking for a side dish that tastes extremely fresh even in the depth of winter, look no further than fennel salad. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and perfectly light and refreshing, especially if you serve it alongside heavier cold weather comfort foods.
Get the Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes recipe.
Air Fryer Apple Pie Baked Apples
Individual apple pies complete with a lattice crust? Sign us up! This healthier interpretation of the fall fave is fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
