When you’re on the keto diet, the holidays can be rough (pie, boozy punch, and stuffing, I’m looking at you). But going low-carb doesn’t mean you can’t feast…after all, keto Thanksgiving recipes are totally a thing.
Let’s get this out of the way first: If you’re going to a loved one’s house for Thanksgiving, you’ll probably only be able to eat the turkey. Womp, womp. Many seemingly low-carb dishes like green bean casserole or gravy are made with flour, which adds too many carbs for the keto diet (sorry, folks).
Your fix: BYO. Make a couple of side dishes (or keto dessert!) at home to take with you–or go all out and host a keto Thanksgiving on your own. You can make all the traditional dishes, but with keto-compliant ingredients, says Los Angeles-area dietitian Sarah Jadin, R.D., of Keto Consulting, LLC. (She’s even crafted a full keto Thanksgiving meal for under 20 grams of carbs!) “There’s a substitute for everything,” she says.
In fact, there are so many keto-friendly recipes you can try, as long as you’re willing to get a little creative. A few general tips for making your Thanksgiving keto-friendly: Swap out mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower, nix adding any flour to thicken recipes like green bean casserole or creamed spinach, and load up on the low-carb veggies like Brussels sprouts, spaghetti squash, and mushrooms.
Oh, and a word on booze: Jadin says if you do opt for an alcoholic drink, go for a pure distilled spirit (plain vodka, for instance) mixed with a splash of diet soda or tonic. A dry wine is another And, stick to a glass or two–max. “Alcohol tends to affect people on a keto diet sooner and to people eating a general diet,” she says.
And you didn’t think you’d have to start from scratch, did you? Here are 29 keto Thanksgiving recipes to put on your menu.
It isn’t Thanksgiving without some buttery cornbread, and this keto uses only a handful of ingredients. It’s the of guilt-free indulgence.
Per serving: 220 calories, 20 g fat, 56 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 2.1 g fiber, 8 g protein
A cinnamon crust and mousse-like filling gives you all your of pumpkin pie without the excess carbs and sugar. Keto maple syrup adds sweetness without totally derailing your diet.
Per serving: 134 calories, 10 g fat, 134 mg sodium, 9 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 3 g protein
Zucchini in apple pie? Don’t knock it until you try it. This keto apple pie is super healthy, with a flakey crust that’ll leave you doubling up on slices.
Per serving: 361 calories, 30 g fat (15 g sat), 56 mg sodium, 12 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 6.5 g protein
The ultimate grain-free treat, this pumpkin roll screams fall flavors. A delicately sweetened coffee filling provides a fun contrast, too.
Per serving: 207 calories, 18.08 g fat (8.18 g sat), 56 mg sodium, 5.17 g carbs, 2.1 g fiber, 5.87 g protein
Pretty much everything is better with bacon…and yes, that includes brussels sprouts.
Per serving: 87 calories, 4 g fat, 9.5 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 3.5 g protein
Need an appetizer or side that looks fancy enough to knock the socks off your mother-in-law (but will only take you a few minutes to throw together)? You’re
Per serving: 50 calories, 2.5 g fat, 3.5 g carbs, 1.5 g fiber, 4 g protein
For some families, artichokes are a must-have item at Thanksgiving dinner. This recipe–dripping in flavorful miso butter–will be a hit with keto dieters and non-dieters alike.
Per serving: 147 calories, 11 g fat, 9 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 3 g protein
This apple tart is made with just the basics, meaning it can be whipped up a few hours before Thanksgiving dinner and set aside to cool (or not, because we all know fall desserts are better served warm).
Per serving: 302 calories, 26 g fat, 7 g carbs, 7 g protein
Start dinner off on the right note with this simple but decadent appetizer loaded with bacon, roasted red peppers, and three different kinds of cheese.
Per serving: 43 calories, 3 g fat, 1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 2 g protein
Cauliflower rice and mashed squash stand in for grains in this perfectly fall–and perfectly –risotto recipe just begging to be included on your Thanksgiving table.
Per serving: 337 calories, 25 g fat, 9 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 8 g protein
It’s cauliflower and a whole lot of butter–what could be bad about that? A whole lot of nothing.
Per serving: 151 calories, 14 g fat (9 g saturated), 6 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 418 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein.
With an almond flour crust and a pumpkin cream cheese filling, it’s almost like eating the original.
Per serving: 460 calories, 44 g fat (19 g saturated), 9 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 301 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 10 g protein.
Put this out on any T-giving table, and your loved ones will happily dig in–and they won’t be mad about the creamy cheese sauce one bit.
Per serving: 300 calories, 25 g fat (12 g saturated), 6 g carbs, 776 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 12 g protein.
Yes, even cranberry sauce can have a place next to your turkey. In this keto-friendly recipe, cranberries are sweetened with the sugar alcohol erythritol.
Per serving: 20 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated), 6 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 0 mg sodium, 2 g fiber.
Turkey broth and butter and seasonings make this something you’ll want to douse your meat in.
Per serving: 99 calories, 9 g fat, 4 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 116 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 2 g protein.
An almond and coconut flour crust and ooey gooey pecan caramel center makes this a satisfying keto dessert. Don’t forget to add a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream on top.
Per serving: 430 calories, 39 g fat (8 g saturated), 13 g carbs, 198 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 7 g protein.
You can cook a whole bird, but when you’re keto, you’ll want to focus on the dark meat, which is higher in fat.
Per serving: 382 calories, 22.5 g fat, 1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 44 g protein.
Cauliflower wins again–this time it’s transformed with all the flavors of stuffing.
Per serving: 95 calories, 7 g fat, 7 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein.
Need to bring an app? Look no further. These have 12 to choose from, including avocado and bacon and cheese.
Per serving: 135 calories, 10 g fat (3 g saturated), 1 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 461 mg sodium, 7 g protein.
Bacon makes everything taste better. Bacon on green beans with mushrooms, sage, and thyme is straight up next-level.
Per serving: 119 calories, 7 g fat, 11 g carbs, 6 g protein.
After this, you’ll want to wrap your turkey in bacon every year.
Per serving: 728 calories, 38 g fat, 2 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 87 g protein.
No, Italian food (er, faux-Italian food) isn’t necessarily a Thanksgiving staple, but with pine nuts and sage, it definitely deserves a place on the table.
Per serving: 305 calories, 26 g fat, 11 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein.
Grab some of those cranberry extras from your cranberry sauce and add them to these quick and easy corn bread muffins.
Per serving: 102 calories, 9 g fat, 4 g carbs, 7 g protein.
Sure, you could have creamed spinach–or you could have this super-healthy, keto-friendly take and opt for creamed kale. Bonus: You still get a crunchy, crumbly topping from almond flour.
Per serving: 227 calories, 21 g fat, 6 g carbs, 23 g fiber, 5 g protein.
This stuffing is made from low-carb cheesy skillet bread and sausage–and it’s about to a keto staple on every holiday menu.
Per serving: 311 calories, 26 g fat, 6 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 11 g protein.
Once upon a time, Brussels sprouts were veggies that doubled as a form of edible torture. Now, they’re a tasty savory side dish thanks to recipes like this one.
Per serving: 110 calories, 9 g fat, 4 g carbs, 3 g protein.
Honestly, the macaroni in macaroni and cheese is just a vehicle for the cheesy goodness itself–go ahead and swap cauliflower in for a keto-friendly dish.
Per serving: 294 calories, 25 g fat, 8 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 11 g protein.
Stevia gives these bars sweetness, while almond meal helps add a little crunch.
Per serving: 132 calories, 10 g fat, 5 g carbs, 3 g protein.
Every Thanksgiving dinner needs a sweet side dish–and these pumpkin muffins with cranberries and pecans fit the bill.
Per serving: 237 calories, 21 g fat (10 g sat), 87 mg sodium, 10 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 5 g protein.
