15 Diet-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes That Even Your Most Restrictive Cousin Can Enjoy
While we do still love all the classic Thanksgiving dishes like stuffing, turkey, or mashed potatoes, we’re also not trying to force them as the be-all and end-all. It’s 2024, after all, so rather than let people who are following different diets or just trying to eat more mindfully this season go without, we’re making sure there are recipes for EVERYONE on our table. Whether you’re hosting a big family Thanksgiving or are just hitting a few Friendsgivings this year, you know there’s going to be someone there who’s trying to avoid carbs, doesn’t eat meat, or just wants to get some more veggies into their life. We’ve rounded up our top 15 health-conscious recipes here just for them. Make or bring these for an extra-inclusive Thanksgiving—we know your keto aunt, vegan sister, sober friend, and everyone else at your table will be so thankful.
Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole
Never has there ever been a holiday table without green bean casserole. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point. It’s an American classic everyone knows but not everyone gets the opportunity to enjoy due to dietary restrictions or eating lifestyles. We love this gluten-free version because it gets more forks involved, but even more for its rich, punchy flavors.
Get the Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Vegetarian Gravy
Everyone in the Delish Test Kitchen agrees: we’d stack this vegetarian gravy up against any traditional recipe. Serve this mushroom-packed version at your Thanksgiving dinner, and watch your guests be blown away at just how formidable this umami-filled recipe is.
Get the Vegetarian Gravy recipe.
Cauliflower Stuffing
This cauliflower side proves that you don’t necessarily need bread to make an amazing stuffing. If the group you're feeding on Thanksgiving Day is low-carb or gluten-free, they're going to be obsessed. You'll love it because it’s assembled entirely on the stovetop (more room in the oven for turkey and pie!).
Get the Cauliflower Stuffing recipe.
Mini Pumpkin Pies
These adorable mini pumpkin pies that rethink the ratio of crust to filling in the most adorable, snack-able package. These little pies are perfect for people who want just a little treat after the big meal.
Get the Mini Pumpkin Pies recipe.
Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer
Alcohol-free cocktails should never be an afterthought! This blood orange and ginger spritzer hits all the right notes: a little sweet, a little sour, and a little spiced. Finished off with a bouquet of fresh garnishes, it’s the perfect winter cocktail to toast with all season long.
Get the Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer recipe.
Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts are great, but this year, we thought we’d take things up a notch in this recipe by adding two things: smashing, and plenty of cheese. Just like smashed potatoes, but without the carbs, smashing these sprouts turns them deliciously crispy and golden in the oven—plus, plenty of cheese always helps.
Get the Smashed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Thanksgiving Cauliflower
Forget turkey—this impressive whole roasted cauliflower is THE centerpiece vegetarians will swoon over this Thanksgiving. We've included a mushroom gravy recipe here as well. They're both so good, no one will miss the meat.
Get the Thanksgiving Cauliflower recipe.
Sweet Potato Salad
Looking for a new staple fall side? This is IT. Filled with the perfect balance of textures and sweet-tangy flavors, this superfood salad has everything you could ever want in a sweet potato dish. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is not only an ideal last-minute Thanksgiving side, but makes for great leftovers too.
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
Keto Cranberry Sauce
We don't know about you, but when it comes to Thanksgiving, we think cranberry sauce is indispensable. This keto version allows everyone at the table to enjoy it without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Keto Cranberry Sauce recipe.
Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes
Vegan mashed potatoes that are just as creamy and delicious as the real thing? You betcha! Toasted sesame oil adds tons of flavor and creaminess. Green onions and extra sesame seeds round them out for some of the best mashed potatoes we've ever made.
Get the Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Pecan Pie Bites
The stress of baking (and wanting to fully devour) a fresh pecan pie on Thanksgiving is unnecessary—these bites are here to save the day. Skip the hassle of making a pie crust, and use refrigerated crescent dough to make these adorable bite-sized treats.
Get the Pecan Pie Bites recipe.
Whole Roasted Cabbage
Expecting a vegetarian at your table this holiday? This roasted cabbage is the way to go! 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.
Roasted Garlic-Parsnip Puree
Instead of mashed potatoes this year, give this puree a try. Parsnips are sweet like carrots and creamy like potatoes, making this a Thanksgiving side everyone will want more of. It's just as easy to make and, with some roasted garlic, might be even more delicious than the classic!
Get the Roasted Garlic-Parsnip Puree recipe.
Homemade Sorbet
Sweet, creamy, and so smooth, homemade fruit sorbet is also just as easy as making homemade ice cream. The best part? You can use any kind of fruit you like! Cranberry sorbet would be a particularly lovely way to end a Thanksgiving meal, but anything goes.
Get the Homemade Sorbet recipe.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine
When the weather outside gets frightful, we can all agree that there’s nothing nicer than curling our hands around a piping hot mug of some mulled wine…that is, unless you’re not drinking alcohol. Rather than simply skip that sip of pure coziness, make this non-alcoholic mulled wine instead!
Get the Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine recipe.
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