Let's Make Healthier Happen: Thanksgiving Entertaining

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to come together with family and friends to share a meal. Many around the table this year may be working to be healthier.

Enjoying food together during the holidays doesn’t have to mean giving up on being healthy. We’ve pulled together some healthy recipes that can help you and your loved ones stay healthy together.

Let’s make healthier happen this Thanksgiving by sharing these healthful recipes with one another!

Thanksgiving Menu Made Healthier

Garlic Whipped Potatoes

This recipe ditches the fatty milk and butter for low-fat sour cream, but you won’t miss the calories!

Updated Macaroni and Cheese

This lower-fat version of classic mac-n-cheese is so full of cheesy goodness that no one will know it’s healthier and lower in calories.

Enlightened Sausage Stuffing

Swapping in whole-grain bread and turkey sausage makes this flavorful stuffing the perfect sidekick for your turkey.

Brussels Sprouts with Mushroom Sauce

This recipe is full of flavor and will add a beautiful pop of green to your table.

Roasted Vegetables

This recipe is gluten free and includes a delicious mix of seasonal vegetables with lovely fall flavors.

Pumpkin Pie

This recipe is gout-friendly, made with a sugar-free crust, and contains no eggs.

Crunchy Pumpkin Pie

This recipe is designed to be heart healthy with a whole-wheat, oat, and ground almond crust.

Chai Apple Crumble

This recipe is a great alternative to an apple pie and it’s a lot easier to make!

Breakfasts for Visiting Guests

Spanish Omelet

This tasty dish provides a healthy array of veggies. Serve it with fresh fruit and whole-grain or sprouted grain bread toast or rolls.

Fruited Buckwheat Pancakes

These pancakes are low in fat and sodium. Add fresh, canned, or frozen fruit to sweeten without the need for sugary syrup.

Carrot-Oatmeal Muffins

This recipe is gout-friendly and contains lots of wholesome ingredients including oats and walnuts.

Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins

The combination of warm, sweet pumpkin and tart, delicious cranberries will be a winner every time.

French Toast Sandwiches

This recipe is gout-friendly and is sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Meals to Share with Visiting Guests

Mains

Pork Chops with Savory Apples

This gluten-free recipe takes advantage of the wonderful fall flavors of apples.

Classic Beef Stew

This hearty meal is always a favorite and contains lots of vegetables. This is a great meal to use your Instant Pot to cook (make sure to follow instructions for your device).

Roasted Winter Squash Soup

Gluten-free, taking advantage of seasonal ingredients, and full of warm flavors, your guests will love this soup. Bonus – your home will smell delicious from the roasting squash and simmering broth.

Stuffed Cabbage Soup

All the deliciousness of cabbage rolls with a lot less work. Your family will love this warm soup that is packed with protein and vegetables.

Sides

Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms with Rosemary

This gluten-free recipe is also great for those with diabetes or who are looking to lower cholesterol.

Fruity Nutty Spinach

This diabetes-friendly recipe is great for those who are trying to lower cholesterol levels, reduce risk for heart disease and stroke, control weight, or lower insulin.

Curried Butternut Squash

This dish is a wonderful side that pairs well with pork and takes advantage of seasonal squash.  

Desserts

Apple Coffee Cake

This recipe is low in calories and fat.

Healthy Host/Hostess Gifts

Pumpkin-Cranberry Gift Loaves

These adorable loaves make a great healthy gift for friends and family.

Hummus Base Seasoning

This is the perfect gift for your hummus-loving friends. It provides a base seasoning to which they just need to add a few ingredients (including canned chickpeas). Then they can add their favorite toppings. It can also be made gluten-free really easily.

Red Rosemary Vinegar

This rosemary infused vinegar makes a beautiful gift that can promote healthy cooking for your friends and loved ones long after the party is over.

Vegetable Dip Mix

This recipe is the perfect gift for veggie-loving friends. It can be easily made gluten-free. The recipient will be able to mix the mix with fat-free sour cream for an easy snack or party dish. The mix will look great in small jars with a ribbon.

How to Use Leftover Turkey

Turkey Divine

This recipe has lots of yummy veggies and will help feed the family and use up all that leftover turkey.

Turkey Ratatouille Chili

This chili calls for ground turkey but there’s no reason not to use finely chopped leftover turkey.

Turkey Macaroni Chili

The same goes for this chili. You can easily substitute chopped leftover turkey for the ground turkey the recipe calls for.  

Multigrain Chicken (Or Turkey) Soup

This delicious, filling chicken soup recipe can easily be modified to use up that leftover turkey and feed a crowd. Instead of adding chopped chicken breast, just add turkey instead! You can also sub low-sodium turkey broth for some of the water the recipe calls for.