Holidays are a magical time of the year! You get to see all of your family members and your old friends, eat tons of delicious food and everything is pretty much perfect.
Right? No?
Well, let’s face it: although stuffing yourself with all that grease and sugar may feel good at the moment, it doesn’t exactly get you into a blissful state within an hour or so. That’s when the unpleasant feeling of being unbearably stuffed arrives (well, now I know how the turkey felt…) followed closely by bloating, guilt, and vowing that you’ll never eat and drink so much unhealthy stuff again.
Anyone feel that way?
But there’s no reason to! And you don’t have to give up on your favorite holiday meals either! Just revamp them a bit and turn them into something good for your body but equally delicious. It’s totally possible and a lot easier than you might think.
I put together this collection of healthy Thanksgiving recipes for those of you looking for some inspiration and ideas to lighten up your Thanksgiving dinner without sacrificing the taste and the holiday feeling of abundance :). All of the recipes below are vegetarian or vegan plus there’s a ton of gluten free and paleo options and some raw recipes as well!
Even if you’re not avoiding animal products, you’ll definitely find lots of inspiration for healthier accompaniments to your ham or turkey and a huge selection of mouthwatering but nutritious desserts.
LET’S DIG IN!
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING APPETIZERS
Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Elephantastic Vegan
Pumpkin Coconut Soup {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Quick Cranberry-Apple Compote {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from RickiHeller.com
Herbed Cashew Cheese Bites {vegan, gluten free} from my free e-book on WIN-WIN FOOD
Vegan Pumpkin Soup with Maple Pepita Brittle {vegan, gluten free} from Gluten-Free Doctor
No Bake Stuffed Mini Peppers {vegan, gluten free} from Vegan In The Freezer
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup with Cashew Cream {vegan, gluten free} from Gluten-Free Doctor
Raw Corn Chowder {vegan, raw, paleo, gluten free} from The Rawtarian
Creamy Potato Soup {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Vegan Cauliflower Soup {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Caramelized Onion and Tomato Soup {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from The Tomato Tart
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING DIPS
Creamy Cranberry Salsa Dip {vegan, paleo friendly, gluten free} from Veggie Inspired Journey
Spiced Carrot Hummus with Garlic Oil {vegan, gluten free} from Daily Bites
Vegan & Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Dip {vegan, gluten free} from Elephantastic Vegan
Beetroot Hummus {vegan, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
High Protein White Bean Dip {vegan, gluten free} from Hurry The Food Up
White Bean and Roasted Delicata Squash Dip {vegan, gluten free} from Cara’s Cravings
Paleo Hummus {vegan, raw, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING SALADS
Cranberry Orange Quinoa Salad {vegetarian (sub maple syrup for vegan), gluten free, paleo friendly} from Family Spice
Jerusalem Artichoke Salad {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from VegKitchen
Super-Healthful Ginger Beet Salad with Almond Butter Dressing {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Trinity’s Conscious Kitchen
Greens, Plums and Edamame Salad with a Pumpkin Seed Dressing {vegan, raw, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Creamy Cranberry Dressing {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Elana’s Pantry
Green Bean Shallot Salad {vegan, gluten free} from Cook IT Allergy Free
Sweet Potato Pomegranate Salad {vegetarian (sub maple syrup and vegan feta for vegan), gluten free} from Two Peas & Their Pod
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Spicy Dressing {vegan, gluten free} from Healthful Pursuit
Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad {vegetarian (sub maple syrup and vegan feta for vegan), gluten free} from Creme de la Crumb
Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Salad with Cumin Sumac Dressing {vegan, gluten free} from Crazy Vegan Kitchen
Maple Roasted Acorn Squash and Red Quinoa Salad with Baby Kale, and Cashew Cheese {vegan, gluten free} from Choosing Raw
Healthy Coleslaw {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Marinated Kale Salad {vegan, raw, paleo, gluten free} from Robins Key
Pumpkin Asparagus Salad with Hazelnut Cranberry Dressing {vegan, gluten free} from Crazy Vegan Kitchen
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING ENTREES – RISOTTOS, PASTAS & POTATOES
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese from {vegan, gluten free (using gf pasta)} Chocolate Covered Katie
Spelt Risotto with Oranges, Cranberries & Vegan Feta {vegan} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Kabocha Squash Stuffed with Curried Wild Rice, Kale, and Pomegranate Seeds {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Arielle Likes to Cook
Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf {vegan, gluten free} from Jeanette’s Healthy Living
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta {vegan, gluten free (using gf pasta)} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Spinach, Hummus and Feta {vegetarian (sub vegan feta for vegan), gluten free} from Cookin’ Canuck
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Cashew Cream {vegetarian (sub maple syrup for vegan), paleo, gluten free} from Running to the Kitchen
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING ENTREES – ROASTS, LOAFS & OTHER MAINS
Apple Cider Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash {vegan (using maple syrup), paleo friendly, gluten free} from Smile Sandwich
Lentil and Greens Casserole with Millet-Amaranth Crust {vegan, gluten free} from For the Love of Food
Meat-free Loaf Cupcakes with Butternut Squash Puree {vegan, gluten free} from My Darling Vegan
Stuffed Pumpkin {vegan, gluten free (using millet)} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Seasoned Stuffing Loaf {vegan, raw, gluten free} from Robins Key
Acorn Squash Veggie Burgers {vegan, gluten free} from My Whole Food Life
Maple Glazed Tempeh, Squash and Brussels Sprouts {vegan, gluten free} from Bite Me, I’m Vegan
Gluten-Free, Vegan Festive Roast {vegan, gluten free} from RickiHeller.com
Vegan Chili {vegan, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Oat-Free Spicy Barbecue Lentil Loaf {vegan, gluten free} from The Vegan 8
Creamy Butternut Squash Sauce with Caramelized Leeks + Penne {vegan (using coconut oil), gluten free} from With Food and Love
Sweet Stuffed Peppers with Beet & Sunflower Seeds {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Trinity’s Conscious Kitchen
Spaghetti Squash with Garlicky Kale Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoes {vegetarian (sub vegan Parmesan for vegan), gluten free} from Oh My Veggies
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING VEGGIE SIDE DISHES
Celeriac Fries {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Sugarless Cranberry Sauce {vegan (omit honey or sub maple syrup), paleo, gluten free} from Wellness Mama
Raw Stuffing {vegan, raw, paleo, gluten free} from The Rawtarian
Paleo Gravy {vegan (using Earth Balance and coconut milk & subbing veggie broth), paleo, gluten free} from Brittany Angell
Garlic Roasted Cauliflower {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Cooking from the Heart
Kale with Cranberries {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Elana’s Pantry
Baked Broccolini {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Taste of Home
Maple Glazed Carrots with Pistachios {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Roasted Vegetables with Fresh Herbs {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Food & Wine
3-Ingredient Paleo Cranberry Sauce {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Cook Eat Paleo
Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash {vegan, gluten free} from Apron Strings
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING GRAIN- AND POTATO-BASED SIDE DISHES
Gluten Free Quinoa Stuffing {vegetarian (sub maple syrup for vegan), paleo friendly, gluten free} from Anytime Fitness Blog
3 Minute Pumpkin English Muffins {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from The Big Man’s World
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Mash {vegan, paleo (subbing a paleo friendly sweetener), gluten free} from Six Sisters’ Stuff
Vegan and Gluten Free Stuffing Recipe {vegan, gluten free} from The Culinary Life
Quinoa Pilaf {vegan, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Creamy One Pot Pumpkin Curry Rice {vegan, gluten free} from The Big Man’s World
Healthy Garlic & Herb Smashed Potatoes {vegan (using olive oil), paleo, gluten free} from Linda Wagner
Honey Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes {vegetarian (sub maple syrup for vegan), gluten free, paleo} from Buns In My Oven
Creamy Potato & Veggies Casserole {vegan, paleo friendly, gluten free} from Veggies Don’t Bite
Steel Cut Oat Risotto {vegan, gluten free} from Healthy Slow Cooking
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING CAKES, CUPCAKES & MUFFINS
Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Persimmon Bundt Cake {vegan, gluten free} from Unconventional Baker
Poppy Seed Cake {vegan} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Mug Cake {vegan} from Connoisseurus Veg
Pumpkin Molasses Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting {vegan, gluten free} from Veggies Don’t Bite
Gluten-Free Vegan Glazed Pumpkin Muffin Cake {vegan, gluten free} from Unconventional Baker
Black Forest Cake {vegan} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Vegan Chocolate Pudding Cake {vegan, gluten free} from Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free
Cranberry Orange Muffins {vegan} from TheVegLife
Easy Vegan Apple Cake {vegan, gluten free} from Contentedness Cooking
Gingerbread Snack Cakes {vegan, gluten free} from Feasting on Fruit
HEALTHY THANKSGIVING PIES, TARTS & BARS
Clean No Bake Pumpkin Pie {vegan, gluten free} from iFOODreal
Chocolate Pumpkin Tart with Almond Crust {vegan, gluten free} from Vegan Richa
No Bake Peanut Butter Pie {vegan, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Raw Vegan Pecan Pie {vegan, raw, paleo, gluten free} from Food52 (Gena Hemshaw)
Pumpkin Pie {vegan, gluten free, oil free} from Lexie’s Kitchen
Vegan Lemon Pie on a Poppy Seed Crust {vegan, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Paleo Pumpkin Bars {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from Hummusapien
Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce {vegan, gluten free} from WIN-WIN FOOD
OTHER HEALTHY THANKSGIVING SWEETS
Baked Pears with Walnuts and Honey {vegetarian (sub maple syrup for vegan), paleo, gluten free} from Skinnytaste
5 Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Ice Cream {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from The Vegan 8
Baked Pumpkin-Cranberry Oatmeal Pudding {vegan, gluten free} from RickiHeller.com
Vegan Pumpkin Creme Brulee {vegan, gluten free} from Feasting on Fruit
Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies {vegan} from WIN-WIN FOOD
Pumpkin Pie Custards with Brulee Topping {vegan, gluten free} from Plant Powered Kitchen
Classic Chocolate Avocado Mousse with Fresh Raspberries {vegan, paleo, gluten free} from This American Bite
Pumpkin Truffles {vegan, gluten free} from My Whole Food Life
Plum Dumplings {vegan} from WIN-WIN FOOD
