31 Healthy and Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes Your Whole Family Will Love!

If you are looking for new healthy and creative recipes to serve this year at Thanksgiving look no further! From festive salads to creative easy desserts, in this post, you'll find a variety of options including allergy-friendly, vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free side dishes. Something to please every guest at your celebration. 

The Thanksgiving menu at my house has remained pretty consistent for the last 30+ years. My mom has her tried and true favorites and every member of the family insists on at least one of her recipes. Swapping new recipes in for some of the old favorites is a challenge, but every year I try to gently introduce one new dish. 

Whether your family is rooted in tradition or always open to trying something new I love to gently encourage the addition of one dish that may be just a little bit healthier. It's the holidays, enjoy your traditions, stay mindful and eat with intention, but it doesn't hurt to also shake things up with a new recipe that can help to balance out the heavier foods of the season. 

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING APPETIZER RECIPES

I love having a little something for my guests as they arrive. My family has been known to have an epic appetizer/cocktail hour which, as delicious as it is, tends to get everyone a bit too full before the meal. I think serving a little something takes the pressure off the host, your guests fill their bellies with a few bites of something yummy so you (the hostess with the most-ess) have time to finish the main meal.

Here are some of my favorite ideas.

Healthy Kabocha Squash Soup

Silky-smooth and full or warming goodness, this Instant Pot Kabocha Squash Soup is the perfect meal for the crisp days ahead. Apple, onion, rosemary and squash come together in a soup that is done in under thirty minutes and BONUS, full of plant-powered nutrition!

Check out this recipe

Vegan Pumpkin Peanut Butter Soup 

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Soup

Rich and creamy pumpkin soup with a winning secret ingredient, peanut butter! This pumpkin peanut butter soup is made completely from scratch and will be the star on any holiday table or cozy fall supper. 

Check out this recipe

Spiced Winter Squash Seeds

Spiced Winter Squash Seeds

Perfectly roasted and spiced winter squash seeds from butternut, acorn, or spaghetti squash. Salty, spicy, and addictive. 

Check out this recipe

The Ultimate Fall Mezze Platter

Ultimate Fall Mezze Platter

Roasted acorn squash, beets with mint yogurt sauce, spiced pumpkin seeds, goat cheese and thyme crostini with honey drizzle, and more and more and more! This ultimate fall mezze platter literally has it all, including dips inside baby pumpkins. Yes, this must be on your holiday party table!

Check out this recipe

This is my favorite Thanksgiving appetizer, I can switch it up a little bit every year and everyone loves it! Use a variety of raw and roasted veggies, several yummy dips (like this beet sumac hummus), cheese, and nuts. It's the ultimate grazing platter and light enough that you save room for the main event. 

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING SIDE DISH RECIPES

My favorite part of the meal BY FAR! Try some of these healthier side dish recipes this Thanksgiving!

Creamy Miso Butter Mashed Cauliflower

Creamy, buttery mashed cauliflower bursting with flavor. Mashed cauliflower is typically billed as a low carbohydrate side dish, keto-friendly dish, or “mock” mashed potatoes, while these titles may be accurate mashed cauliflower is a delicious side dish worthy of just being known for that – delicious. The addition of miso and scallions makes this a side dish worthy of a five-star restaurant – facts. 

Check out this recipe

Herb Sourdough Stuffing with Wild Mushrooms

Look no further friends, I have THE BEST sourdough stuffing recipe for you. Filled with fresh herbs, wild mushrooms, and fennel. Delicious, easy, vegetarian, and can be made in advance. 

Check out this recipe

Fall Harvest Salad with Pumpkin Garlic Vinaigrette

A delicious simple salad with your favorite fall flavors dressed with a super yummy garlic pumpkin vinaigrette!

Check out this recipe

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

This easy recipe for simple roasted butternut squash will quickly become a staple recipe in your healthy cooking repertoire.  Plus ideas for different seasonings and ways to use butternut squash in a variety of ways. 

Check out this recipe

Creamy Kale and Mushroom Stuffed Delicata Squash 

Creamy Kale and Mushroom Stuffed Delicata Squash

Delicata squash perfectly roasted and stuffed with coconut creamed kale and hearty mushrooms. A delicious side dish or main entree, a healthy easy way to eat your veggies!

Check out this recipe

Instant Pot Creamy Herb Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes

Instant Pot Creamy Herb Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes

Creamy herbed mashed parsnips and potatoes made quick and easy in the instant pot. The perfect decadent side dish for your holiday table or an easy side dish any night of the week.

Check out this recipe

Herb Roasted Honeynut Squash with Miso Tahini Sauce

Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms with a Vegan Creamy Onion Sauce

Tender roasted green beans, and earthy mushrooms topped with a vegan creamy onion sauce. A healthier, vegan, take on a traditional green bean casserole. 

Check out this recipe

Updated Sweet Potato Casserole, savory(ish) – Paleo 

Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole

Creamy sweet potatoes with a hint of spice baked to perfection and topped with a crunchy pecan streusel. Perfect for your holiday table or for a special weeknight side dish. 

Check out this recipe

Roasted Butternut Squash and Kale Farro Salad with Dried Cherries and Pecans

The perfect hearty warm salad, creamy and sweet butternut squash, paired with tender kale, nutty farro, sweet dried cherries, and rich pecans, tossed with the BEST sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

Check out this recipe

Healthier Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

A healthier mac and cheese recipe using antioxidant-rich butternut squash, super creamy and delicious! The ultimate comfort food, upgraded with good for you ingredients. Ready in 30 minutes!

Check out this recipe

Escarole Citrus Salad with Avocado

I am always looking for something bright, citrusy, and crunchy on Thanksgiving. All the other side dishes, as delicious as they are, tend to be a bit heavier. A light citrus salad is the perfect compliment. 

Escarole Citrus Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

This winter escarole citrus salad is officially the star salad of the season! Featuring a variety of bright citrus like grapefruit, tangerine, and blood orange, fennel, radish, and creamy avocado. Lightly dressed with a robust and rich extra virgin olive oil Meyer lemon vinaigrette. 

Check out this recipe

Slow Cooker Maple Cranberry Applesauce

Slow Cooker Maple Cranberry Applesauce

Perfectly sweet and tart, and supremely easy slow cooker maple cranberry applesauce. Refined sugar-free, paleo friendly, and the ideal seasonal treat!

Check out this recipe

Pecan Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts with a Spiced Tahini Glaze

Move over boring Brussels sprouts, there is a new kid in town! Create a nutty brown butter sauce and then add pecans, top with a maple tahini glaze. Stop the delicious madness!!

Pecan Brown Butter Roasted Brussels Sprouts with a Spiced Tahini Glaze

Gorgeous roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with crunchy pecans in a brown butter sauce and drizzled with a spiced maple tahini glaze.  

Check out this recipe

Rosemary Parmesan Butternut Squash Gratin

Rosemary Parmesan Butternut Squash Gratin

Roasted butternut squash coated with a shallot garlic butter and then topped with crunchy parmesan rosemary breadcrumbs. 

Check out this recipe

Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with Feta and Pomegranate

Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with Feta, Buckwheat and Pomegranate Seeds

This festive (gluten-free) Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with warm Buckwheat, Five-Spice Roasted Acorn Squash, Feta Cheese, and Pomegranate Seeds is full of healthy seasonal ingredients and a sweet tangy maple dijon dressing. |Abraskitchen.com

Check out this recipe

Slow Cooker Apple Pear Sauce

Slow Cooker Apple Pear Sauce

Homemade applesauce is a breeze to make in the slow cooker. This recipe adds seasonal pears, lots of cinnamon, and is refined sugar free!

Check out this recipe

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING ENTREE RECIPES

Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto

Creamy pumpkin risotto with crispy bacon and nutty parmesan cheese, made in the instant pot for a quick, easy, and delicious dinner!

Check out this recipe

Creamy Pumpkin Parmesan Chicken with Wild Mushrooms

Thanksgiving for two? Forget the turkey, make this chicken and you will love me forever. 

Creamy Pumpkin Parmesan Chicken with Wild Mushrooms

Crispy seasoned chicken nestled in a silky creamy pumpkin parmesan sauce with rosemary sautéed wild mushrooms. All cooked in one skillet. An easy weeknight supper or the perfect festive holiday meal for two!

Check out this recipe

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING DESSERT RECIPES

Pumpkin Caramel Sauce

Do you have a lot of kids that come to your Thanksgiving celebration? Create a DIY caramel apple and pear station and make this heavenly vegan pumpkin caramel sauce.

Vegan Pumpkin Caramel Sauce

A silky smooth delicious vegan pumpkin caramel sauce, the perfect fall treat!

Check out this recipe

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie in a Jar

Single-serve, super easy, make in advance, all the things. Heavenly pumpkin mousse layered with gluten-free gingerbread cookies and coconut whipped cream. Vegan, gluten-free and so delicious!

No Bake Healthy Gingerbread Pumpkin Pie in a Jar

Creamy pumpkin mousse layered with spicy gingerbread cookies and whipped coconut cream. No-bake pumpkin pie in a jar. Refined sugar-free, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo and so delicious you will want to make a triple batch and then keep it all for yourself!

Check out this recipe

Earl Grey Roasted Pears with Warm Chocolate Sauce

A more refined dessert, not your traditional pie, but oh man no one will complain! Roast pears in earl grey tea and then drizzle with chocolate sauce. 

Earl Grey Roasted Pears with Warm Chocolate Sauce

Earl Grey Roasted Pears with Warm Chocolate Sauce and a coconut cream drizzle is an insanely delicious, quick and easy, healthy dessert. Perfect for the holidays. Paleo, gluten-free, and vegan.

Check out this recipe

Apple Pear Crisp

A simple gluten-free dessert, fresh seasonal apples topped with a crispy oat and nut crumble. Serve with vanilla ice cream. 

Apple Pear Crisp

Ooey gooey sweet goodness, this apple pear crisp is insanely delicious, so easy to make, and the perfect introduction to fall. Gluten Free. Healthy. Yummy.

Check out this recipe

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING DRINK RECIPES

Warm Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider

I keep this warm all day in my Instant Pot and let my guests serve themselves. A small bottle of good quality bourbon is near by for those that want a little extra “warmth”.

Warm Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider

Curl up with a warm mug of this perfectly sweet and spicy mulled cranberry apple cider. One sip and you will see why this should be the official beverage of the season.

Check out this recipe

Apple Cider Immunity Sparkler

A refreshing mocktail or cocktail, perfect for the holiday, with only 3 simple ingredients! Added bonus, one special ingredient is a supportie immune tonic!

Check out this recipe

Festive Kombucha Cocktail

I have been on a serious kombucha cocktail kick, they are low in alcohol and have the added benefit of a little bit of gut support. Woop! Woop! This festive kombucha cocktail is absolutely delicious!

The Best Kombucha Cocktail

Ring in the holidays with a refreshing and delicious low alcohol cocktail. A twist on a traditional Americana Cocktail using kombucha for a little extra gut health love. The perfect light, tasty, fresh cocktail for a holiday party!

Check out this recipe

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte

Make a batch of vegan pumpkin spice creamer and leave it at your coffee bar to gain some serious hostess points!

Homemade (Vegan) Pumpkin Spice Latte

A creamy delicious fall treat, homemade pumpkin spice latte! Using maple syrup, real pumpkin, oat milk, and spices. Homemade is a million times better than store bought, and takes about 2 minutes to whip up!

Check out this recipe

Vegan Turmeric Eggnog

You know what Thanksgiving really means right? It heralds in EGGNOG SEASON!!! My favorite time of the year! You can make a batch of this ahead of time and heat as needed. 

Vegan Turmeric Eggnog

This easy recipe for Vegan Turmeric Eggnog reinvents a holiday classic with functional healthy ingredients and a special anti-inflammatory spice twist.

Check out this recipe

Wishing you the most glorious holiday celebration ever!!!!

xxxxx

Abra