11 Healthy Recipes to Bring to Your Thanksgiving Dinner
Who says all Thanksgiving dishes need to be heavy and calorie-rich? Pack all the same flavor into these 11 healthy Thanksgiving recipes.
Photos via Robust Recipes / Smile Sandwich / Joy Food Sunshine / The Foodie and The Fix
In need of a last-minute dish for your Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving meal? Scrambling to think of something to bring to the real turkey day? Take the stress out of finding an appetizer, side dish, or dessert with this list of healthy Thanksgiving recipes!
Many of these dishes contain simple substitutes, such as cauliflower instead of potato, or just get creative by swapping out heavier ingredients for lighter ones. And while you’re at it, round up the family to participate in a local turkey trot or special Thanksgiving day fitness class.
1. Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Mash
Via The Fit Fork
Accommodate your sweet tooth and get plenty of fiber with this mash, loaded with sweet potatoes and cauliflower. The recipe is also thickened with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
2. Apple and Mushroom Stuffing
Via Asia Bradlee
For a sweet and savory stuffing, this recipe uses tart apples and mushrooms. If you don’t have stale bread, you can achieve the same texture by toasting the bread in the oven.
3. Clean Eating Green Bean Casserole
Via Smile Sandwich
To make this classic side dish a little bit lighter, whole wheat flour, cottage cheese, almond milk, and whole wheat breadcrumbs are used. If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cut and pre-washed green beans.
4. Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Seeds
Via Robust Recipes
For a simple side of veggies, this dish makes the most of fall vegetables. A simple orange glaze made of orange juice and honey adds some tangy flavor.
5. Balsamic Roasted Potatoes with Asparagus
Via Wallflower Kitchen
Only five ingredients are needed to make these potatoes: asparagus, potatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt. If you don’t have garlic-infused olive oil, just add a sprinkle of minced garlic or garlic powder.
6. Roasted Squash Kale Salad
Via Cooking Curries
For some lighter fare, this salad uses vegetables such as kale and delicata squash, along with some almonds for an extra crunch. If you’re not big on kale, try swapping it for arugula or a spring mix.
7. Skinny Scalloped Potatoes
Via Jennifer’s Kitchen
A blend of cashews gives these potatoes their rich taste and makes them suitable for vegans. A heavy-duty blender works best for this, but if you have a regular blender, try soaking the cashews overnight to make them soft and easy to blend.
8. Low-Sugar Apple-Cranberry Sauce
Via The Foodie and The Fix
With this cranberry sauce, you can use fresh or frozen cranberries. To keep the sugar content low, this recipe uses only five tablespoons and gets natural sweetness with the addition of apples.
9. Skinny White Gravy
Via Chocolate Salad
This easy gravy recipe uses almond milk as its base. To be sure the gravy has no lumps, you have to use cold milk and whisk thoroughly.
10. Healthy Skillet Cornbread
Via Joy Food Sunshine
For guests who are gluten-free, this cornbread works well with gluten-free flour. Light buttermilk can make the cornbread a little less heavy and all types of sugar—like raw, coconut, or organic—will work.
11. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Via The Cookie Rookie
For a smooth and creamy mash, this potato substitute uses a blender to get rid of lumps. Serve the mash with a sprig of rosemary or sprinkle of scallions for extra flavor.
