My Top Ten Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

November 15, 2023 by Kalyn Denny29 comments »

This round-up has My Top Ten Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes, and I’m also including ten more honorable mentions! These are the Thanksgiving recipes I make over and over!

Click here to PIN My Top Ten Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes!

Thanksgiving is coming right up, and I’m noticing people are checking out the Thanksgiving ideas in the Holiday Recipes! So before you get your menu completely set, I want to make sure you see this collection of My Top Ten Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes.

These are my personal favorites, and some of these are recipes I make every single year for Thanksgiving. And there are also some very delicious honorable mention Thanksgiving Recipes listed after the top ten picks; be sure to check those out as well.

There are some carb splurges among my Thanksgiving favorites!

Since this is mostly once-a-year holiday food for me, not every recipe here is low-carb or gluten-free, although quite a few of them are. I promise you’ll find some very tasty options here, whether you’re keeping it strictly low-carb for Thanksgiving or indulging a bit more for the holiday meal.

Want strictly low-carb and gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes?

If strictly low-carb and gluten-free is what you’re looking for, check these recipes in these round-ups:

How do you get the complete recipe?

Just click the recipe title to see any recipe; then you can use the diet-type icons to see which diet types that recipe is suitable for. And if you’ve tried one of these favorites in years gone by, recipe ratings are always appreciated or leave a comment letting me know how you liked it!

Let’s start with Stuffing Muffins with Sausage and Parmesan. I’ve made these the last few years, and this is something everyone in my family asks for. (EDIT 2021: My niece Kara tested this recipe with Franz Bakery Seven Grain Gluten-Free bread and they worked perfectly so they can be great for a gluten-free option if you use gluten-free bread!)

Sweet Potato Gratin was something we couldn’t stop eating when we tested the recipe, and when I made it for some food blogging friends they loved it too. And when I go to my sister Pam’s house for Thanksgiving, her kids always request that I bring this!

Sugar-Free Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake is a pumpkin treat that I’ve been making for Thanksgiving for years, and I was happy when I got a better photo to show how good this is!

Another recipe I’ve swooned over for a few years is this amazing Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Almonds, and Parmesan. If you’ve never tried raw Brussels Sprouts, they’re really delicious; toss in some dried cranberries if you don’t mind a few more carbs.

I can tell when it’s getting close to Thanksgiving by the visits to this recipe for Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms, Balsamic, and Parmesan; this recipe has been Pinned and viewed on the blog millions and millions of times!

For years I made Low-Sugar Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie in a graham cracker crust, and you can still find that recipe if you’re a fan. But in 2021 I had the brainstorm to skip the crust and bake it in a springform pan, and I loved this new idea for Sugar-Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie.

I could never skip this Broccoli Gratinwithout protests from some of my family members, who think this is a must-have vegetable dish for Thanksgiving.

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan and Pine Nuts is the first Brussels Sprouts recipe I made for the blog and I still love this recipe. Many people have raved about this one through the years!

Another recipe that quickly became a Thanksgiving favorite was these absolutely amazing Sweet Potato Bites with Feta.

And finally, this Easy Brussels Sprouts Gratin is so good it just might win over some Brussels Sprouts avoiders!

More Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes from Kalyn:

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Categories: Holiday Recipes, Recipe Round-Ups, Recipes, Side Dishes, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, South Beach Diet

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe!

Hazel Avery —November 22, 2023 @ 12:29 pm Reply
This is my favorite time of the year! I can’t wait for my family to be around. I love these recipes! It's always a challenge to eat healthy around Thanksgiving and not compromise taste! I think this will be perfect. Thank you.
Suzanne Pierce —November 9, 2018 @ 11:56 am Reply
Kalyn, thanks for your great recipes. I see several I would like to make for Thanksgiving, and since we’re having a BIG potluck (30 people) my problem is deciding which ones to make. I often use your recipes and they are my favorites.
Thanks again for the wonderful service you provide. I sincerely appreciate it.
Suzanne
- Kalyn Denny —November 9, 2018 @ 12:25 pm Reply
  Suzanne, so kind of you to leave that nice feedback! I am so glad you have been enjoying the recipes!
Kirsten —November 11, 2015 @ 12:43 pm Reply
Kalyn,
Thanks for allowing me to share your round up in my Best Thanksgiving Round Ups post! I appreciate your contribution to the cornucopia of recipes. With your help, we’ve got hundreds of recipes for all sorts of Thanksgiving needs, from setting the table, to making ahead, to vegetarian dishes, to more desserts than my brain can comprehend.
Happy Thanksgiving!
- Kalyn Denny —November 11, 2015 @ 1:29 pm Reply
  Kirsten, my pleasure and I think doing a round-up of all the round-ups is a brilliant idea. Off to find your post so I can share it!
CiaoFlorentina —October 12, 2015 @ 3:39 am Reply
P.S. CONGRATS on 11 Years ! 11 on the 11 that's my favorite number. Auguri !!
CiaoFlorentina —October 12, 2015 @ 3:38 am Reply
I am so ready for the holidays this year. I am ready for rusty leaves and lots of sweet potatoes, soups and stews.. fabulous delicious list 🙂
- Kalyn Denny —October 12, 2015 @ 11:58 am Reply
  Thanks, so glad you like it. I love fall foods as well!
  See Also
  101 Healthy Low-Carb Recipes That Taste Incredible
Kalyn Denny —November 21, 2013 @ 12:25 pm Reply
Bambi, I know just what you mean. In my family everyone still wants the same dishes we had 20 years ago! Good for you for trying some new things; hope you enjoy!
bambi —November 21, 2013 @ 12:21 pm Reply
I have so many coming from the little gran kids to the 80 year olds and heavens change traditions. Although this I'm adding your Roasted Green Bean & Mushroom dish plus the Green Bean blue cheese salad. Roasted Brussel Sprouts and as a kicker your Cranberry Salsa with Jalapeno's next along with my traditional but certainly labeled.
Kalyn Denny —November 20, 2013 @ 11:58 pm Reply
Katerina, come on over! So glad you like the recipes.
Diethood.com —November 20, 2013 @ 11:49 pm Reply
You know, Kalyn, I've always wanted to visit Utah… what was your address again? And will you be serving all of the above next week?! 😉
Everything sounds wonderful! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving Day!! xo
Kalyn Denny —November 22, 2011 @ 7:15 pm Reply
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. I don't make or eat desserts all that often either, but there is just something about that pumpkin cheesecake that keeps me interested!
bewitchingkitchen.com —November 22, 2011 @ 7:09 pm Reply
Kalyn, I absolutely loved this whole post, but my two favorites are the stuffing in the muffin tin format, and the low sugar pumpkin cheesecake.
I rarely make desserts, and my husband doesn't care for cheesecake, BUT something tells me I should not care about either of these "issues' and try that recipe.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones!
Kalyn Denny —November 21, 2011 @ 10:12 pm Reply
Becky I am making those stuffing muffins again this year. I was noticing all the good food on the Utah blogs; we should have our own Thanksgiving after party sometime and try each other's food!
Becky at VintageMixer —November 21, 2011 @ 9:40 pm Reply
I love the stuffing muffin cup ideas and all of your side dishes sounds amazing. Between you, Dara and I's blogs today we have a very delicious spread for a Thanksgiving table!
Kalyn Denny —November 20, 2011 @ 3:04 pm Reply
Thanks Pam!
Barbara, hope you enjoy the stuffing "muffins." Not many people here (at least where I live) have a big Christmas feast, more likely a nice brunch of just a lunch buffet in the afternoon so it's not so bad.
Barbara —November 20, 2011 @ 11:31 am Reply
We don't do Thanksgiving here. Thankfully. I cannot imagine cooking and eating a Thanksgiving and a Christmas Feast so close together. I love the green bean recipe.And I'm going to try the stuffing in muffin pans. Great idea Kalyn.
Pam —November 20, 2011 @ 3:38 am Reply
Drool, drool!! All looks yummy!
Kalyn Denny —November 19, 2011 @ 6:32 pm Reply
Shirley, I love the idea of having a bloggers' Thanksgiving get together! What a job organizing it, but it would sure be fun.
gfe--gluten free easily —November 19, 2011 @ 6:29 pm Reply
Amazing round-up as usual, Kalyn! So many of those appeal to me! As much as I already have on my menu, I wish I could have more. Just have a bite of each thing, you know? One year we need to have a bloggers' Thanksgiving gathering. We could do it several days before or after Thanksiving or maybe mid-way between Thankgiving and Christmas. 😉 That might seem like too much, but we had our Thanksgiving luncheon at work this past week and I don't think anyone will mind having the real Thanksgiving meal–with many of the same dishes–on Thursday.
Shirley
Kalyn Denny —November 19, 2011 @ 3:18 pm Reply
Hi Dave. Glad you like the round-up. I usually don't have time to go back and find photos to submit to eRecipecards, but since I just saved this photo for this the post, just submitted it!
Just a Fan of the Show —November 19, 2011 @ 3:01 pm Reply
I am in love with…
Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Cups with Sour Cream, Chipotle, and Lime
They look beautiful, perfect size for a big dinner and just sound delicious! Hint: Would love to see that one added to your recipe file on eRecipecards!
What a wonderful roundup!
Dave
Kalyn Denny —November 19, 2011 @ 1:39 pm Reply
Katie, I do agree completely that the side dishes are the best part. Happy Thanksgiving even if you're not officially celebrating.
Katie —November 19, 2011 @ 7:21 am Reply
They all look wonderful – makes me want to do Thanksgiving. Maybe I will, not the turkey, can't get those until Christmas, just the sides. They're the best part anyway. LOL
Kalyn Denny —November 19, 2011 @ 5:02 am Reply
Thanks Pam. I hate winter but I love winter squash!
Lydia, you must make the cranberry salsa!
Jeanette, would love to have you come; any time. (As if your family would let you leave at Thanksgiving, ha!)
Jeanette —November 19, 2011 @ 4:27 am Reply
I would love to be invited to your house for Thanksgiving! Everything looks fabulous, such a nice spread.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) —November 19, 2011 @ 4:07 am Reply
Great selection of recipes — I'm reconsidering my menu now and might have to make a swap or two with something from this list.
Pam —November 19, 2011 @ 2:54 am Reply
They all look good, especially the squash.