Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones and giving thanks, but it's also known for indulging in hearty and often unhealthy meals. This year, why not break away from tradition and try a healthier approach to your Thanksgiving dinner? With a few simple substitutions and additions, you can create a delicious and nutritious feast that everyone will enjoy. In this article, we'll share a healthy Thanksgiving dinner recipe that will leave you feeling satisfied and guilt-free. So let's get cooking!
Main Ingredients: Sweet Potato, Onion, Celery, Medium Carrot, Garlic
Looking for a vegetarian option for your Thanksgiving feast? Look no further than this delicious meatless loaf. Packed with hearty lentils, flavorful mushrooms, and a variety of herbs and spices, this dish will satisfy even the most carnivorous guests. Serve with cranberry sauce and roasted vegetables for a complete and nutritious meal.
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a perfectly roasted turkey as the centerpiece. This recipe takes the traditional route with a simple herb and butter rub, resulting in a tender and juicy bird that will impress your guests. Don't forget to save the pan drippings for a delicious gravy to top off your meal.
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Vegan Thanksgiving Casserole
Main Ingredients: Lentils, Cashews, Whole Wheat Bread, Vegetable Broth
Vegans can still enjoy all the flavors of Thanksgiving with this tasty casserole. Layers of quinoa, sweet potatoes, and cranberries come together to create a hearty and nutritious dish that will please everyone at the table. Serve with a side of green beans for a well-rounded meal.
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Roast Turkey Breast
Main Ingredients: Boneless Turkey Breast, Olive Oil, Small Onion, Fresh
If you're not in the mood to cook a whole turkey, this recipe for roast turkey breast is the perfect alternative. The breast is marinated in a honey and apple cider mixture, resulting in a flavorful and moist meat that is perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving gathering. Serve with stuffing and cranberry sauce for a complete meal.
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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Lean Ground Turkey, Clove
This one-skillet dish is a great option for a quick and easy Thanksgiving meal. Ground turkey is cooked with sweet potatoes, spinach, and spices for a hearty and satisfying meal that can be ready in just 30 minutes. Serve with a side of cornbread for a delicious addition.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
Main Ingredients: Cooked Turkey, Mixed Vegetables, Turkey Gravy, Mashed
Make the most of your Thanksgiving leftovers with this creative casserole recipe. Layer mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, and turkey in a baking dish and top with gravy before baking until golden and bubbly. This dish is a great way to use up all the extra food from your Thanksgiving feast.
Why limit your Thanksgiving favorites to just one meal? This casserole combines all the classic Thanksgiving dishes into one delicious dish. Layers of mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and cranberry sauce are topped with shredded turkey and gravy for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Cooked Brown Rice, Onion, Garlic, Potato
If you still have leftovers after making the previous casserole, try out this recipe for a different twist. Layer mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and shredded turkey in a baking dish and top with crumbled cornbread before baking until golden and crispy. It's like a Thanksgiving pot pie!
Put a Thanksgiving spin on the classic shepherd's pie with this recipe. Instead of ground beef, use leftover turkey and vegetables for the filling and top with mashed sweet potatoes instead of regular mashed potatoes. Bake until golden and bubbly for a delicious and comforting meal.
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1-Dish Roasted Turkey Breast Dinner with Sweet Potatoes
Main Ingredients: Large Sweet Potatoes, Onions, Turkey Breast, Canola
If you're looking for a simple and easy Thanksgiving meal, this one-dish recipe is for you. Turkey breast, sweet potatoes, and green beans are all roasted together in one pan for a delicious and hassle-free meal. Plus, there's minimal cleanup involved!
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Paleo Thanksgiving for two
Main Ingredients: Acorn Squash, Celery Seed, Thyme, Rosemary, Allspice
For those following a paleo diet, this Thanksgiving recipe is a must-try. This recipe serves two and features stuffed acorn squash filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, apples, and pecans. It's a unique and delicious way to enjoy Thanksgiving flavors in a healthy and grain-free dish.
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Thanksgiving Veggie Roast (oil-free + vegan)
Main Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Button Mushrooms, Red
This veggie roast is a great option for vegetarians and vegans looking for a hearty and flavorful main dish. A mixture of lentils, quinoa, carrots, and walnuts are formed into a roast and flavored with rosemary and sage. Serve with vegan gravy for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Stuffed Acorn Squash
Main Ingredients: Squashes, Butter, Fine Sea Salt, Pepper, Turkey
Acorn squash makes a great vessel for Thanksgiving leftovers in this creative recipe. The squash is filled with a mixture of stuffing, green beans, and shredded turkey before being topped with cranberry sauce and gravy. It's a fun and delicious way to use up all those extra leftovers.
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Turkey Corn Chili (using Thanksgiving Leftovers)
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Bay Leaf, Cooked
This hearty and flavorful chili is the perfect way to use up any leftover turkey from your Thanksgiving feast. Packed with corn, black beans, and spices, this dish will warm you up on a cold fall day. Serve with cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.
If you're tired of traditional Thanksgiving dishes, try out these croquettes for a unique twist. Leftover stuffing is formed into balls and filled with a mixture of shredded turkey and cranberry sauce. They are then breaded and fried until crispy and golden. Serve with a side of gravy for dipping.
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Farro Thanksgiving Loaf with Mustard & Brown Sugar...
Main Ingredients: Farro, Onions, Celery Ribs, Garlic Cloves, Vegetable
For a different take on a Thanksgiving main dish, try out this farro loaf. Farro, a type of grain, is mixed with vegetables, nuts, and herbs and baked to perfection. A tangy mustard and brown sugar glaze adds a delicious and unique flavor to this dish.
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Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs with Cornbread &...
Main Ingredients: Flour, Corn Meal, Sugar, Baking Powder, Coarse Sea
This recipe is a fun and tasty way to use up any leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. The meatballs are made with a mixture of ground turkey, cornbread, and cranberry sauce and can be served as an appetizer or main dish. They are sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving gathering.
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Low Carb Turkey Hash - Thanksgiving Leftover Love
Main Ingredients: Spaghetti Squash, Cooked Turkey, Mushrooms, Salt
If you're watching your carb intake but still want to enjoy Thanksgiving flavors, this low-carb turkey hash is the perfect option. Leftover turkey is cooked with cauliflower rice, vegetables, and spices for a hearty and flavorful dish that is also keto-friendly.
Pot pie is a comforting and delicious way to use up any leftover turkey from your Thanksgiving feast. This recipe features a flaky pie crust filled with a mixture of vegetables, potatoes, and shredded turkey in a creamy gravy sauce. It's the ultimate comfort food.
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Thanksgiving Dinner for Two
Main Ingredients: Butter, Turkey Breast, Cranberries, Thyme, Salt
If you're celebrating Thanksgiving with just a few people this year, this recipe is the perfect option. It features a small turkey breast roasted with herbs and butter, alongside classic Thanksgiving sides like stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green beans. It's a complete and delicious meal for a smaller gathering.
The Main Course: Roasted Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
1 3-pound boneless turkey breast
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Turkey is the star of any Thanksgiving dinner, but it's often loaded with butter and other unhealthy ingredients. This recipe calls for a boneless turkey breast, which is leaner and easier to cook. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the turkey breast, making sure to evenly coat it. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and roast for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Healthy Side Dishes to Accompany the Turkey
Quinoa and Sweet Potato Stuffing
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 sweet potato, cubed
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instead of the traditional bread stuffing, try this healthier and gluten-free version made with quinoa and sweet potatoes. In a medium saucepan, bring the quinoa and broth to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until they are soft. Add in the sweet potato, cranberries, pecans, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sweet potato is tender. Mix in the cooked quinoa and let it all simmer for a few minutes. Serve as a delicious and nutritious side dish alongside the roasted turkey breast.
Balsamic Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
1 pound brussels sprouts, halved
2 carrots, sliced
2 parsnips, sliced
1 red onion, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Roasted vegetables are a staple at any Thanksgiving dinner, but they can often be loaded with butter and oil. This recipe uses a minimal amount of oil and adds a tangy flavor with balsamic vinegar. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, toss the brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, and red onion with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Place the vegetables on a baking tray and roast for about 30 minutes or until they are tender and slightly caramelized. Serve as a colorful and healthy side dish.
Healthier Dessert Options
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients:
4 apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this healthier twist on the classic apple crisp. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, mix together the apples, cranberries, honey, and lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, almond flour, coconut oil, almonds, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Place the apple mixture in a baking dish and top with the oat mixture. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apples are soft. Serve warm and enjoy!
With these simple and delicious recipes, you can create a healthy Thanksgiving dinner that will leave your taste buds and your body satisfied. By making small changes and incorporating more nutritious ingredients, you can still enjoy all the traditional flavors of the holiday without sacrificing your health. So this Thanksgiving, give thanks for good food and good health!