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Holidays are a time to honor traditions, get away our greatest recipes, and have fun in excessive type. Nonetheless, it could actually’t be denied that the standard Thanksgiving menu is tough on these with dietary restrictions, and usually leaves most of us feeling as overstuffed because the turkey!
Years in the past I made a decision to take our Thanksgiving dinner in a more healthy course. I can now say with confidence that it actually is feasible to host a scrumptious and wholesome Thanksgiving meal.
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None of us miss the standard variations of traditional Thanksgiving recipes and like the style and high quality of those straightforward however home made dishes. You possibly can host your greatest Thanksgiving ever with just a little pre-planning with a few of these scrumptious recipes. Or in case you’re bringing a dish over to the household Thanksgiving for a potluck-style occasion, there are many choices to select from!
Our Favourite (Wholesome) Thanksgiving Recipes + Menu Plan
Listed below are our favourite Thanksgiving Day recipes, from our household to yours! I tailored them again after I was fully grain-free and (principally) paleo, so that they’re positively wholesome. Whereas our household does embrace some dairy and some grains in our weekly menu, you’ll discover loads of allergen-friendly choices right here.
Should you’d like to do that menu, I’ve included my full purchasing checklist under.
Mother disclaimer: No, I do not make all of those recipes from scratch yearly! That is only a checklist of our favorites we’ve compiled over time. Some years we’re extra motivated than others (learn: when it’s not a child yr or the yr of a worldwide pandemic).
Often, I prioritize making the primary portion of the meal from scratch and maintain dessert easy. Even some recent fruit or grain-free chocolate chip cookies from Thrive Market maintain my crew blissful. And as my children have gotten older they’ve taken cost of lots of our meals and household dishes which helps issues go even smoother!
Sufficient from me, let’s dive into all of the yummy recipes!
Appetizers
I wish to have these round whereas I’m cooking/baking… together with a great glass of wine in fact! Additionally they assist when you might have little ones with huge tummies who’ve a tough time ready for the primary meal to make its look. One other straightforward choice so as to add is a plate stuffed with chopped uncooked veggies with some dipping sauce, like high-protein ranch dressing or home made French onion dip made with shallots.
Deviled Eggs (Conventional or Japanese)
For a number of years I prevented eggs due to a meals sensitivity, however my children would by no means let me overlook the deviled eggs! We have now them yearly they usually’re at all times successful.
Whereas I used to be taking a break from consuming eggs, my children took over making this Thanksgiving recipe, due to the talents they discovered from my favourite on-line cooking class for youths.
Should you’re uninterested in conventional deviled eggs (not that there’s something mistaken with them!), do that superb Japanese twist on the traditional. We at all times add some dried herbs to those for a burst of taste, however recent herbs additionally make a tasty garnish.
Charcuterie Board
Completely my go-to vacation or get together appetizer. Little or no chopping or prep is required and you may load it up with colourful veggies and fruits with out anybody suspecting it’s truly wholesome! Serve with home made aioli or dip for wholesome fat to take the diet even additional. You possibly can even add some buttery brie or different cheese for filling and engaging fat.
Right here’s the best way to put collectively a stunning charcuterie board… no inventive expertise required.
Tip: Make some easy bulk nuts higher by toasting them for a couple of minutes in a pan with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of sea salt.
The Thanksgiving Meal Turkey (of Course!)
No Thanksgiving feast is full and not using a Thanksgiving turkey on the vacation meal! First, I extremely advocate brining your turkey just a few days to every week earlier than the vacation. It helps the drier turkey breast meat particularly to have a lot extra moisture and taste. I quarter an onion and a lemon and place them contained in the cavity earlier than tying. Then, I rub butter on the surface and sprinkle it with salt, pepper, garlic, and basil.
You’ll find my turkey recipe for brined and roasted turkey right here. You can even use the drippings to make your individual turkey gravy. Simply add just a little arrowroot or natural cornstarch to the drippings and prepare dinner on the range till thickened.
Aspect Dishes
Grain Free Veggie Stuffing Recipe
Stuffing (or dressing in case you’re Southern) is likely one of the hottest Thanksgiving facet dishes. As a substitute of the everyday cornbread dressing or from a field stuffing, although our household loves this grain-free model.
Roasted turnips and candy potatoes are flavored with apples, celery, and onions. It is a smart way so as to add some further veggies to the meal and check out some scrumptious root greens. Hints of sage and thyme give it the standard style of stuffing with out gluten or synthetic elements.
Get my stuffing recipe right here.
Inexperienced Bean Casserole
Inexperienced beans topped with a home made (actual) cream sauce and topped with crispy pan-fried onions in a coconut flour batter. This recipe has all the flavour (and extra) of the standard model with out the thriller soup in a can. You should use canned French-style inexperienced beans, however recent or frozen work very well right here.
Get the recipe for inexperienced bean casserole right here.
Candy Potato Casserole
At our home, we choose candy potatoes baked and topped with actual butter and sea salt. Should you just like the marshmallow-topped model, it is a good different. It’s topped with a home made egg and honey-based “marshmallow” meringue that’s very related in style and texture. (It’s simply lacking that prime fructose corn syrup aftertaste…).
Get the recipe for candy potato casserole right here.
Mashed “Fauxtatoes”
Many people are used to a potato recipe of some form at Thanksgiving dinner, whether or not that’s potato gratin or creamy mashed potatoes. Should you love potatoes, by all means indulge, however we love this low-carb cauliflower model. It makes use of pureed cauliflower and all of the seasonings of standard mashed potatoes for a scrumptious substitute. Don’t fear, I left within the butter, bitter cream, and cheese so this qualifies as a Thanksgiving recipe!
Get the recipe for creamy garlic mashed cauliflower “potatoes” right here.
Cranberry Sauce
A barely candy recipe that leaves out the “equal components sugar” in conventional recipes. Hints of orange and pineapple sweeten it naturally. It tastes nice with the primary even, or as a garnish on leftover turkey sandwiches.
Get the recipe for lower-sugar cranberry sauce right here.
Maple Tarragon Carrots
My dad’s facet of the household at all times has some form of carrot facet dish annually. Some time in the past I made a decision to offer them a tasty twist and make some with maple syrup and tarragon. You possibly can simmer them on the range till smooth or make roasted carrots for much more complicated flavors.
Get the recipe for maple tarragon carrots right here.
Apple Kale Salad
Whereas this will not be a traditional Thanksgiving dish for many, it provides a crisp and refreshing facet to assist steadiness out the heartier dishes. It makes use of tender, massaged kale leaves paired with tangy apples and an apple cider French dressing. You possibly can high it with recent pomegranate seeds, goat cheese, and onions for much more taste.
Get the recipe for apple kale salad right here.
Bacon and Sea Salt Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Who says children (or adults) must dislike Brussels sprouts? When roasted till caramelized and topped with bacon and sea salt, Brussels sprouts can grow to be a facet to struggle over! The balsamic vinegar provides a pleasant tang to essentially complement the bacon.
Get the recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts right here.
Butternut Squash Soup
If you wish to serve a soup course, I like to recommend this one. We love this barely candy soup that tastes like Fall in a bowl! It makes use of coconut milk so it’s additionally dairy-free.
Get the recipe for butternut squash soup right here.
Contemporary Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
A scrumptious facet that’s equally scrumptious in omelets the following morning. Even the children like asparagus this manner, and we normally serve it with Hollandaise sauce. It’s tremendous easy to throw along with only a few elements and the oven actually brings out the flavors. If it’s worthwhile to make it dairy-free, attempt it with out the parmesan.
Get the recipe for roasted asparagus with parmesan right here.
For grain-free dinner rolls, bake a batch or two of coconut flour biscuits. We love them for making sandwiches with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce the day after Thanksgiving!
Present-Stopping Thanksgiving Desserts
Though I usually wish to maintain dessert easy with some fruit and recent whipped cream, pies are a must have at our Thanksgiving desk. Listed below are just a few totally different choices to attempt (or attempt all of them!).
Pumpkin Pie
The much-loved Thanksgiving dessert will get a makeover with out the added sugar or dairy and a grain-free almond and pecan pie crust. (It’s additionally equally good for breakfast the following day!). And don’t overlook the whipped cream!
Get the recipe for pumpkin pie right here.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Should you aren’t a lot of a pumpkin fan or must feed an even bigger group, this recipe has a refined pumpkin style in cheesecake type. It’s rapidly grow to be one in all my all-time favourite desserts! And it’s not solely gluten-free but it surely’s grain-free and naturally sweetened. It’s virtually like having pumpkin pie and whipped cream (however with a cheesecake tang) all rolled into one.
Get the recipe for pumpkin cheesecake right here.
Carrot Cake
A wholesome model made with coconut flour, a lot of eggs (protein!), and spices. You possibly can add the non-obligatory cream cheese frosting in case you like. Carrot cake is a bit more concerned to make, but it surely works very well to make this even a number of days earlier than the massive occasion. For a extra crowd-friendly model, attempt making them into cupcakes!
Get the recipe for gluten-free carrot cake right here.
Pecan Pie
That is one in all my favourite grain-free dessert recipes. With no refined sugar and many eggs for protein, it’s a comparatively wholesome dessert for particular events. Plus this model doesn’t have any of the corn syrup that offers many variations a bizarre style.
Get the recipe for pecan pie right here.
Tips on how to Put It All Collectively (Step by Step)
Do the phrases “menu plan” ship chills down your backbone? Right here’s the best way to get a wholesome and stress-free Thanksgiving menu on the desk in 5 manageable steps:
Step 1: Write Out a Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Plan (or Borrow Mine!)
About two weeks earlier than Thanksgiving, I pull up my vacation recipes in Actual Plans (the software that makes all my menu goals come true) and determine what I’m going to make. I additionally verify the pantry and ensure I’ve my staples that aren’t obtainable regionally. This manner I’ve time to order from my favourite on-line sources.
Doing this properly forward of time saves a lot stress. I can store earlier than the shops get actually insane and make a lot of the dishes forward. Then, on Thanksgiving, I simply must prepare dinner the turkey, roast some veggies, and reheat the dishes I’ve made.
Free Printable Procuring Checklist
Right here is my full printable purchasing checklist for a wholesome Thanksgiving menu.
Step 2: Store, Prep, and Chop
I head to the shop with my checklist about 5 days earlier than Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, purchasing is fairly simple (and reasonably priced) when you may spend most of your time within the produce part of the shop. Many of the objects on the checklist (brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and many others.) maintain properly for days.
We plan for a day at house after purchasing and I put my youthful children’ knife expertise to work serving to me peel and chop the recent veggies. The older child’s cooking expertise imply they’re in a position to take over on a few of the dishes. I additionally precook any veggies that shall be blended into soups or casseroles. (The On the spot Pot is helpful for this!)
I save an additional bowl of chopped veggies for a simple turkey vegetable soup to simmer the day after the massive feast.
Step 3: Brine That Turkey!
I don’t imply to be pushy, however actually … don’t skip this step! Brining is my favourite solution to obtain juicy, superb turkey each time. Grocery shops do their very own brining with overly salty options with questionable elements (that you find yourself paying for because it provides to the burden).
If you may get your palms on an area natural turkey it’s value the additional planning and expense. A pastured turkey brined at house simply can’t be overwhelmed for superb taste and texture. Should you don’t have a spot native to you, locations like Butcher Field will ship one to your door.
A frozen turkey may even gradual defrost in a brine. By the point it’s defrosted, you might have an incredible juicy turkey prepared for roasting! I clarify the best way to brine step-by-step on this publish.
Step 4: Bake a Dessert (or Three)
Pumpkin and pecan pies are a Thanksgiving requirement in our home. Fortunately we’ve mastered grain-free variations of all of the desserts we love (and I’ve included just a few extras under for good measure). Many individuals additionally welcome a traditional apple pie or candy potato pie at their Thanksgiving desk.
I normally plan a while within the kitchen about 2 days earlier than Thanksgiving to make a number of of those from begin to end so they’re prepared for the massive day. As my children become old, most of them are in a position to take cost of this … something within the title of dessert!
Step 5: Put It All Collectively
The day earlier than Thanksgiving, we assemble casseroles, soups, stuffing, and mainly something that retains properly in a single day. I actually simply save the turkey and the asparagus for cooking on the massive day and reheat the remainder of the meals in batches within the oven.
On the finish of at the present time, the chopping board, blender, and some bowls want washing, however not a lot else!
Get pleasure from, and Comfortable Thanksgiving!
What are your favourite Thanksgiving traditions? Will you utilize my purchasing checklist or recipes? Share under!
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