Thanksgiving

67 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes That Are Actually Delicious

Appetizers, salads, turkey, and dessert: We have an entire healthy Thanksgiving menu covered.

November 5, 2019

Butternut Squash Vegducken with MushroomCranberry Stuffing

Looking for healthy Thanksgiving recipes? (Or healthier ones, at least?) Here, you'll find our very best recipes that are big on flavor and nutrition, including appetizers, salads, soups, desserts, and, of course, the turkey, too.

Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell
1/67
Creamy Cauliflower Dip
Earthy and rich without being heavy or filling, this creamy vegetable dip is just the thing to whet the appetite without ruining it before a big holiday meal.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
2/67
Warmed Spiced Olives
A warm, richly spiced oil turns a bowl of mixed olives into elegant party fare. This recipe is easy to make, but fancy-feeling enough to feel like the right start to a party.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Mariana Velasquez
3/67
Vegan "Tofurkey" With Mushroom Stuffing and Gravy
Set aside store-bought faux turkey roasts and place this stunner on your holiday table instead. The vegan loaf is packed with tons of flavor, thanks to miso-infused tofu, a pecan-mushroom stuffing, and a soy-maple glaze.
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Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell
4/67
Green Bean Salad With Fennel and Toasted Pecan Dukkah
Dukkah (a flavorful nut and spice blend) is easy to make and lends a zesty kick to this gorgeous, crisp green bean salad that's right at home next to a roast turkey.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
5/67
Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
Butternut squash is a sweet foil to the bitter kale and tart pomegranate in this refreshing salad. Worth mentioning: Both the salad and the dressing can be made ahead, saving you time on Thanksgiving day.
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Photo by Peden & Munk
6/67
Caramelized Shallot Yogurt
This flavorful Greek yogurt-based dip (filled with shallots, salt, chives, and more) just might make you pause before making a sour cream–based onion dip ever again.
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Katie Stoop
7/67
Ember-Roasted Squash Hummus
Kick up the flavor and nutrients of traditional hummus by stirring in hearty roasted squash. Any type of thick-skinned autumn squash will do, including kabocha, butternut, Hubbard, and regular old pumpkin. Serve it with baguette slices, toasted pita bread triangles, or carrot and celery sticks.
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Photo by Gentl & Hyers
8/67
Extra-Green Green Goddess Dip
This colorful dip is ready in under 15 minutes. It's the watercress that makes this new riff on a classic greener—and a bit zestier, too.
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Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
9/67
Rye, Kale, Mushroom, and Pumpkin Seed Stuffing
This Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is loaded with vegetables. We love its mix of greens and mushrooms, and the extra flavor you get from using rye bread.
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Photo by Linda Xiao
10/67
Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts Slaw
This is one of our go-to healthy vegetable sides for Thanksgiving. Crunchy raw broccoli and Brussels sprouts meet their match in a punchy triumvirate of olives, anchovies, and lemon juice.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
11/67
Endive, Apple, and Celery Salad With Smoked Almonds and Cheddar
A mix of sweet, smoky, and pleasingly bitter notes gives this crisp, bright salad a modern flair that will really liven up your Thanksgiving menu.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
12/67
Kale Salad With Persimmons, Feta, and Crisp Prosciutto
Kale salad gets a holiday update with sweet persimmons, salty prosciutto, and just a hint of richness from the feta. Top it all off with pecans and mint.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
13/67
Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad With Herbs and Pumpkin Seeds
This gorgeous tumble of carrot ribbons and mixed herbs—including parsley, dill, cilantro, mint, tarragon, and basil—provides a crunchy, fresh counterpoint to a rich Thanksgiving turkey and other hearty sides.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
14/67
Escarole, Pear, Parmesan, and Basil Leaf Salad
Fragrant basil leaves and tender pears are a winning combo of fresh and sweet. This bright, crisp salad is a lovely break from the heavier dishes on the Thanksgiving table.
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