When you gather around the Thanksgiving table this year, you might notice there's a few unexpected guests: a few dietary or health concerns to cook around. Of course, Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, for “giving thanks” for everything from good health to a happy home, from great friends to family. And there's no better way to do this is to put on a lavish, decadent dinner, with all the traditional fixins like a big turkey, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, creamy mashed potatoes, and more. But if you or your loved ones are trying to eat healthier or are following a specific diet or lifestyle (like keto, vegan, or gluten-free), we've got tons of healthy Thanksgiving recipes that'll make sure no one feels left out or like they can’t indulge. Simply swap out a few Thanksgiving classics (or add them to your feast, the more, the merrier!) for these 60 healthier alternatives. You and yours might just discover some new favorites you’ll return to year after year.
We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for every diet, like keto, vegan, gluten-free, or low-oil. Looking for low-carb options for your Thanksgiving? Try our cauliflower stuffing, our , or our keto broccoli salad. We’ve even included a few lower carb desserts, like our crustless pumpkin pie and keto pumpkin cheesecake. Have a plant-based cousin or friend coming to your meal? Blow their minds with a vegan meatloaf, , vegan green bean casserole, or vegan mashed potatoes. They’ll be giving thanks to you all evening long. Trying to cook with less oil this year? Make your meal in your air fryer. Check out our air fryer tandoori turkey breast, our air fryer crispy potatoes, our air fryer Brussels sprouts, or our air fryer green beans. Looking to add some more veggies into your meal? We’ve got you too. Try swapping your mashed potatoes for our roasted garlic-parsnip puree, our mashed butternut squash, or our mashed sweet potatoes. You could also whip up one of our simple veggie sides, like our stir-fried snow peas, our holiday roasted vegetables, our smashed Brussels sprouts, or our kabocha squash. Bonus: They help add a ton of color to your otherwise very beige and brown plate.
Want more health-conscious Thanksgiving inspiration? Check out our top healthy party appetizers, our favorite non-alcoholic drinks, and our best healthy desserts too.
1
Whole Roasted Cabbage
This gorgeous, whole-roasted stunner is the perfect holiday substitute for vegetarians. It's savory, sweet, and salty on the outside and super-tender on the inside. Topped with lots of silky mushroom gravy, we doubt anyone at your table will be missing meat.
Get the Whole Roasted Cabbage recipe.
2
Air Fryer Tandoori Turkey Breast
Keeping the bone in and skin on the turkey breast helps to seal in moisture so the outside doesn’t dry out from the intense air fryer heat. Instead you get crispy skin and a super-moist, tandoori-spiced turkey breast, perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving meal.
Get the Air Fryer Tandoori Turkey Breast recipe.
3
Vegan Mac & Cheese
Delicious vegan mac & cheese might sound like an oxymoron, but trust us, this cheese sauce is good enough to satiate the strongest dairy craving. Don't skip the thyme-panko topping—the added crunch takes it over the top.
Get the .
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4
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
For those that can't have gluten or think the pie crust is just a vessel to get the best part of the pie, this pumpkin pie is for you. Made without the crust, this pie takes less than half the time and WAY less effort. No making pie crusts, no chilling, and no blind baking—It's a Thanksgiving miracle.
Get the Crustless Pumpkin Pie recipe.
5
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers' market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.
Get the .
6
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad
Making this salad might seem involved, but it doesn't actually require much prep. Tossed with a combo of toasted almonds, shaved Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds, Brussels make a great side for any variety of Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.
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7
Stuffed Butternut Squash
After baking brown-sugar-butter-slathered squash until perfectly tender, you'll top the squash with a hearty filling of quinoa, kale, and chickpeas. Flecked with dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds, the savory pilaf has the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and pops of color. It's sweet, savory, protein-packed, and filling—what more could you want for fall?
Get the Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
8
Air Fryer Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
Craving turkey, but don't want to go through the hassle of cooking a whole bird? Make turkey breast in the air fryer! It takes way less effort with far better results and you're guaranteed to get crispy skin and juicy meat.
Get the Air Fryer Garlic Herb Turkey Breast recipe.
9
Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots
This recipe made us wonder, Why don’t we roast carrots more often? When they roast, their flavor concentrates and sweetens. Pair that with copious amounts of umami-packed Parmesan and just a touch of lemon, and you’ve got a super-irresistible dish that you’ll come back to again and again.
Get the Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots recipe.
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10
Air Fryer Apple Pie Baked Apples
Individual apple pies complete with a lattice crust? Sign us up! This healthier interpretation of the fall fave is fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Get the Air Fryer Apple Pie Baked Apples recipe.
11
Keto Cranberry Sauce
We don't know about you, but when it comes to Thanksgiving, we think cranberry sauce is indispensable. This keto version allows everyone at the table to enjoy it without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Keto Cranberry Sauce recipe.
12
Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower
A whole roasted cauliflower makes for a fantastic vegetarian main dish. This one is roasted around extra veggies and has a slightly sweet balsamic glaze over it. It's easy to throw together and will leave you feeling full, not heavy. Win!
Get the Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
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13
Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy
Vegans and meat-eaters alike will be piling this flavor-packed gravy on top of all the Thanksgiving sides. This gravy comes together in minutes—and you won't miss roasting a whole turkey or chicken to make it.
Get the Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy recipe.
14
Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Plant-based eaters don't have to miss out on classic green bean casserole, thanks to this simple recipe. We're super into the onion topping on this casserole—it's SO much better than the fried ones that come in a can. Because this casserole is less heavy, you can also enjoy it all season long (and not just on Thanksgiving!).
Get the Vegan Green Bean Casserole recipe.
15
Air Fryer Moroccan-Spiced Carrots
A combo of spices adds a riot of flavor to those carrots that may or may not have been sitting in the crisper for too long. Serve alongside our air fryer tandoori turkey breast for a completely air-fried Thanksgiving meal.
Get the Air Fryer Moroccan-Spiced Carrots recipe.
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16
Roasted Garlic-Parsnip Puree
Parsnips are sweet like carrots and creamy like potatoes. Instead of mashed potatoes, give this puree a try. It's just as easy to make and, with some roasted garlic, might be even more delicious!
Get the Roasted Garlic-Parsnip Puree recipe.
17
Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes
The air fryer works some kind of magic on potatoes—they get extra crispy all over and stay perfectly soft on the inside. Toss them in just a little bit of oil so all of the seasonings stick to make these the most delicious potatoes ever.
Get the Air Fryer Potatoes recipe.
18
Polenta With Wild Mushroom Ragu
Make this showstopper with a custom blend of your favorite funghi! If wild mushrooms are not accessible, creminis or button mushrooms would also work perfectly. The ragú can be made up to three days in advance (perfect for a busy Thanksgiving!); just reheat gently on the stovetop while you make the polenta.
Get the Polenta With Wild Mushroom Ragú recipe.
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19
Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole
Never has there ever been a holiday table without green bean casserole. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point. It’s an American classic everyone knows but not everyone gets the opportunity to enjoy due to dietary restrictions or eating lifestyles. We love this gluten-free version because it gets more forks involved, but even more for its rich, punchy flavors.
Get the Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole recipe.
20
Air Fryer Green Beans
This quick and easy side comes with a treat: 8 cloves of creamy, buttery garlic that get air-fried alongside the green beans for the easiest roasted garlic ever. You can eat them alongside the beans or reserve them for another use, like smearing alongside butter and flaky sea salt on a slice of toasted Thanksgiving bread.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
