Preparing Thanksgiving dinner for the family can be a stressful task, especially when you want to make sure your kids actually like and are going to eat what you’re putting on the table. Plus, if you’re trying to keep your Thanksgiving dinner a healthy one, finding the right recipes that the whole family will enjoy without loading everyone up with added fat and calories can seem impossible.
Thankfully, most Thanksgiving dishes, from appetizers to desserts, can be transformed into healthier versions without too much added effort. From mashed sweet potatoes and cauliflower and no bake desserts to an entire Thanksgiving dinner that can be prepared in your crock pot, our list of 14 healthy Thanksgiving recipes is guaranteed to make this holiday meal a delicious and nutritious one that the whole family will love.
Fruit and Veggie Turkey
Credit: www.findingzest.com
Load your kids up with nutrients in a fun and festive way on Thanksgiving with a turkey snack made entirely of fresh fruit, veggies, and a few sweet additions.
15 minutes
75 calories
Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Fruit and Veggie Turkey.
Thanksgiving Snack Mix
Credit: lifemadesimplebakes.com
If your kids need something to snack on during Thanksgiving day while you prepare dishes for dinner, this is what you need. Sweet and salty, this snack mix is easy to throw together and will keep your kids satisfied all afternoon until dinner time.
10 minutes 200 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Thanksgiving Snack Mix.
Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Credit: www.acouplecooks.com
Mashed sweet potatoes are a delicious twist on the traditional mashed potatoes served at the Thanksgiving table, and these ones have a secret ingredient that really kicks them up a notch.
30 minutes 250 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
Butter and Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Credit: happyhealthymama.com
These whole-roasted turkey breasts come out moist and flavorful from a buttery paste underneath the skin and a low and slow roast in the oven, and make for an easy main course for Thanksgiving that the whole family will enjoy.
2h 10m 175 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Butter and Herb Roasted Turkey Breast.
No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bites
Credit: www.laurafuentes.com
A pumpkin dessert is crucial to complete the Thanksgiving meal, but it doesn’t have to be an unhealthy one. These no bake pumpkin pie bites are more nutritious than a traditional pumpkin pie, and easy for kids to pop in their mouths after dinner is done.
10 minutes 60 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bites.
Crockpot Thanksgiving Dinner
Credit: www.mostlyhomemademom.com
Getting all of the dishes made at the same time for Thanksgiving may seem like an impossible thought, but with your crockpot at the helm it’s a breeze. Cook your bird, stuffing, and veggies all together, giving you plenty of time to focus on the dessert table.
4h 20m 450 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Crockpot Thanksgiving Dinner.
Easy Cheesy Stove Top Butternut Squash
Credit: www.healthyseasonalrecipes.com
Kids will love the melty, cheesy topping on this butternut squash, and you’ll love a Thanksgiving side dish that can be made on the stove top in less than an hour.
40 minutes 175 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Easy Cheesy Stove Top Butternut Squash.
Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
Credit: joyfoodsunshine.com
Swapping out the sugar and marshmallows for applesauce, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this sweet potato casserole still has the same comforting flavors of the traditional casserole without the unnecessary sugar bombs.
1h 40m 165 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole.
No Bake Peanut Butter Pumpkins
Credit: yummiestfood.com
Get the kids in the kitchen to help you make these peanut butter pumpkins that use just a few simple ingredients for a fun and festive sweet treat that’s ready in no time.
20 minutes 185 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: No Bake Peanut Butter Pumpkins.
Corn Pudding
Credit: sunnysideupnutrition.com
If corn pudding isn’t a part of your regular Thanksgiving menu, it’s about to be. Made with just a few pantry ingredients, this corn pudding is rich and comforting and a great way to get a vegetable on your kids plate.
1h 05m 300 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Corn Pudding.
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Credit: togetherasafamily.com
Sweet potatoes are roasted with maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a healthy side dish that has all your favorite sweet potato casserole flavors.
35 minutes 120 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Maple Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
Savory Keto Cauliflower Mash
Credit: 5minutelife.me
Cauliflower mashed with milk, butter, and light sour cream results in a creamy, nutritious mash ideal for the Thanksgiving table without the added carbs and heaviness of traditional mashed potatoes.
40 minutes 200 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Savory Keto Cauliflower Mash.
Baked Broccoli Bites
Credit: www.mygorgeousrecipes.com
Getting your kids to eat broccoli can be a tough task, but dressing it up as something else can means your kids may actually enjoy eating it without knowing they’re eating it. These easy cheesy broccoli bites are simple to make and are great for the Thanksgiving table and in your kid’s school lunch boxes the next day.
45 minutes 40 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Baked Broccoli Bites.
Apricot-Apple Cranberry Sauce
Credit: www.tasteofhome.com
Cranberry sauce can sometimes sit untouched on the Thanksgiving table, but this version is sure to go pretty quickly. Adding dried apricots and apples to the mix make it slightly less tart than the traditional version, but still the perfect sweet bite to go on top of your savory turkey.
35 minutes 150 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Apricot-Apple Cranberry Sauce.
