This heathy thanksgiving menu includes lighter versions of all the classic Thanksgiving foods, so that you can enjoy the holiday without overindulging.
Each year a create a new and different Thanksgiving menu. This year I decided to focus on creating a healthy Thanksgiving menu that focused on incorporating fresh vegetables while making some easy swaps to lighten the amount of carbs and calories in traditional Thanksgiving recipes. The end result is a collection of recipes that are big on taste but a little lighter on a calories and fat!
My Healthy Thanksgiving Menu:
Mushroom Spinach Stuffed Turkey Breast
Cooking a turkey breast is so much easier than roasting a whole turkey. This recipe adds a creamy mushroom spinach stuffing to the center of the turkey breast for added flavor and another dose of veggies.
Cauliflower Mashed Potato Recipe
This recipe uses a ratio of 1 part cauliflower to 2 parts mashed potatoes to create mashed potatoes that are lower in carbs and calories. Reduced fat cream cheese and sour cream make these mashed potatoes high on taste and free of guilt.
Sugar Snap Pea Casserole
Sugar snap peas replace green beans in this casserole recipe. The sugar snap peas retain more of their crispness and I think this casserole is even better than the traditional green bean casserole.
Creamy Parmesan Lime Corn with Shishito Peppers
Inspired by my favorite side dish at a Chicago steakhouse, steamed corn is served in a creamy parmesan lime sauce and topped with blistered shishito peppers and paprika. The secret is that the sauce is made with fat free half and half, so it is creamy but lower in fat!
How to Make Cranberry Sauce from Scratch
It is time to say goodbye to the can. This easy from-scratch cranberry sauce is delicious with Thanksgiving dinner and even better on sandwiches the next day.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
I ditched the marshmallows and instead roasted these sweet potatoes in maple syrup and a touch of brown sugar to bring out their natural sweetness.
Corn Bread Muffins
These corn bread muffins are the perfect size to serve along with Thanksgiving dinner. Kernels of fresh corn give these muffins a fresh taste and crisp texture.
Butternut Squash and Kale Stuffing
I took a basic stuffing recipe and loaded it with fresh vegetables. This butternut squash and kale stuffing has lots of mushrooms, onion, celery, squash, and kale seasoned with fresh sage.
Sugar Snap Pea and Corn Salad
Crispy lightly cooked sugar snap peas come together with fresh kernels of corn and sautéed shallots in a light yogurt dressing. This is a fresh and different addition to a Thanksgiving menu, and I love the bright bold flavors.
Roasted Carrots with a Ginger Yogurt Sauce and Pepitas
Simple roasted carrots get a flavor boost thanks to a slightly spicy and creamy ginger yogurt sauce and crunchy pepitas.
Apple Moscow Mule Mocktail
This fall version of a moscow mule takes just minutes to prepare and it can be served as a cocktail or mocktail.
Reduced Fat Pumpkin Cheesecake
A layer of pumpkin is topped with a creamy yogurt cheesecake. This is a dessert that doesn’t take like it is reduced fat.
Past Thanksgiving Menus:
Global Thanksgiving Menu
Last year I created a Thanksgiving menu inspired by travel. It includes Moroccan Spice Turkey with Gravy, Irish Mashed Potatoes, Mississippi Comeback Sauce Corn, and more recipes from around the world.
My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
And here is a complete collection of Thanksgiving recipes. This list has everything from appetizers to recipes for using up your leftovers.
Want to save this healthy Thanksgiving menu for later? Here is an image for you to save on Pinterest:
