16 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes That You’ll Want to Make Every Year
Lighter fare to balance out the decadence of the traditional Thanksgiving feast.
Between the turkey and gravy, the stuffing and potatoes, and the many desserts, Thanksgiving can be a very heavy meal. But it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of recipes for those looking to make Thanksgiving not only taste good but be a bit healthier too.
You can directly target the biggest sources of sugar by changing out some of the deserts. Sauvignon-blanc-poached pears bring tang and sweetness together in a delightful way along with a lovely pumpkin seed crunch, and a green apple sorbet offers a wonderfully refreshing palate cleanser at the end of such a big meal.
Side dishes are also a great place to add some healthier components to the big meal. There are great sides built from the start as healthy dishes, or you can modify some of the classics. You can improve the mashed potatoes by making them with greek yogurt or adding roasted cauliflower, or replace them outright with a golden cauliflower risotto.
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And, if you wanted to go all the way and replace the turkey, there are some vegan main dishes to really shake up the menu, like a dish of spiced red lentils with caramelized onions and spinach.
However you choose to do it, there are all kinds of options to make Thanksgiving a little bit more different and interesting and a little bit healthier.
Kale and Apple Salad with Walnut Dressing
Kale is perfect with apples and walnuts. This salad is a surefire hit at a potluck Thanksgiving.
Chicory Salad with Persimmons, Pomegranates, and Walnuts
Fuyu persimmons and pomegranates add autumn color and a sweet-tart punch to bitter chicories (frisée and radicchio).
Recipe: Chicory Salad with Persimmons, Pomegranates, and Walnuts
Brussels Sprouts and Wheat Berry Slaw with Smoked Paprika
Vegetarians or vegans will love this hearty salad with smoky flavor.
Recipe: Brussels Sprouts and Wheat Berry Slaw with Smoked Paprika
Roasted Kabocha Squash with Farro and Mustard Greens
Healthy whole grains paired with squash and greens makes for a satisfying alternative to turkey and potatoes.
Recipe: Roasted Kabocha Squash with Farro and Mustard Greens
Black Rice Salad with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Seeds
This colorful salad combines autumn ingredients with an unusual-for-Thanksgiving grain. The result is as eye-catching as it is delicious.
Recipe: Black Rice Salad with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Seeds
Roasted Cauliflower and Shallots with Chard and Dukkah
Dukkah, olive oil mixed with toasted spices and nuts, elevates roasted veggies to a standout side dish.
Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower and Shallots with Chard and Dukkah
Spiced Red Lentils with Caramelized Onions and Spinach
Though the Indian seasonings are a departure from traditional Thanksgiving flavors, the bright vegetables in this vegan main dish are right in keeping with the holiday’s harvest theme. You can easily double it to serve a bigger group.
Recipe: Spiced Red Lentils with Caramelized Onions and Spinach
Mashed Potatoes with Herbed Greek Yogurt
As a stand-in for some of the milk and butter, Greek yogurt gives mashed potatoes a tangier, healthier twist.
Roasted Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Adding in roasted cauliflower creates a lower-carb version of mashed potatoes, with a surprising depth of flavor.
Golden Cauliflower “Risotto”
A low-carb, gluten-free “pasta” that also gives guests who are watching what they’re eating an alternative to mashed potatoes.
Recipe: Golden Cauliflower “Risotto”
Warm Brussels Sprout Leaves with Toasted Garlic and Lemon
These Brussels sprouts are just 34 calories per serving, making them a healthy addition to your meal. You need only a splash of oil on the leaves because you cook them quickly, like a warm salad, and they stay crisp.
Recipe: Warm Brussels Sprout Leaves with Toasted Garlic and Lemon
Broccoli Romanesco with Green Herb Sauce
Whorled broccoli romanesco is an exotic treat, yet it’s very easy to prepare—just steam until tender. If you can’t find small heads, just break a full-grown head into florets (cauliflower works too). This recipe is adapted from one in Vegetable Literacy (Ten Speed Press, 2013), by Deborah Madison.
Sauvignon Blanc–Poached Pears with Spicy Pepitas
Poach pears in a syrup made with white wine, vanilla bean, and cinnamon; then serve them with dollops of creamy mascarpone cheese and a sprinkle of crunchy pumpkin seeds.
Green Apple Sorbet
Light and refreshing, this sorbet is the perfect final dish on a day of feasting.
Recipe: Green Apple Sorbet
Spiced Orange and Date Salad
Freshly squeezed orange juice with a little cinnamon dresses this simple salad.
Recipe: Spiced Orange and Date Salad
Gingered Fruit with Honey Yogurt
When you need a dessert in a hurry, try this healthy one—it comes together in 15 minutes. Go ahead and experiment with different fruit too. For example, kiwi and banana pair well with ginger.
Recipe: Gingered Fruit with Honey Yogurt
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