5 Thanksgiving Recipes for a Healthy Holiday
Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table, spending time with the people you love, and enjoying the foods that make the holiday feel special. But if you're navigating living a healthier lifestyle, food allergies, intolerances, or simply looking for ways to make your favorite recipes at home, planning a holiday menu can sometimes feel overwhelming.
The good news? You don't have to give up the classics to make a few simple ingredient swaps.
These five Thanksgiving recipes bring together the traditional flavors of the holiday, from homemade cranberry sauce to creamy mashed potatoes and warm apple pie. They're made with simple ingredients and include gluten-free and dairy-free options so you can create a holiday spread that works for your needs.
Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a dish to share, these recipes are easy additions to your holiday menu.
1. Homemade Cranberry Blueberry Sauce
Skip the canned cranberry sauce this year and make your own! This cranberry blueberry sauce combines tart cranberries with sweet blueberries, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a festive side dish that pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving turkey or ham.
The blueberries add a naturally sweet, fruity flavor, while the warm spices make this recipe feel extra cozy. It's simple to prepare ahead of time, which is always a win when you're juggling multiple dishes on Thanksgiving Day.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: Approximately 8
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 bag fresh or frozen cranberries (12 oz)
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Add the water, cranberries, and sugar to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
Once the cranberries begin to burst, use a spoon to gently mash some of them against the side of the pot.
After 5–10 minutes, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and blueberries.
Continue cooking for another 3–5 minutes, gently stirring and lightly mashing a few blueberries while leaving some whole for texture.
Remove from the heat and allow the sauce to cool. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until chilled.
Coach Kylie tip: Make this recipe a day or two before Thanksgiving to save time on the big day. The sauce will thicken as it cools, and the flavors will continue to develop in the refrigerator.
2. Easy Honey Dijon Glazed Ham
A flavorful glaze can make a holiday ham feel extra special without requiring a long list of ingredients. This honey-style Dijon glaze combines brown sugar, tangy mustard, and apple cider vinegar for a sweet and savory finish.
It's an easy way to add plenty of flavor to your main dish with ingredients you may already have in your pantry.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: Follow your ham's package instructions
Servings: Depends on the size of your ham
Ingredients
- ¼ cup water
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 fully cooked ham, with weight and type selected according to your needs
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together the water, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Prepare your ham according to the package instructions, taking into account whether it is fully cooked, partially cooked, or uncooked.
During the final portion of cooking (last 15-30 minutes), brush the glaze over the ham. If the package directions allow, reserve some glaze to apply in additional layers for extra flavor.
Continue cooking according to the package instructions until the ham reaches the appropriate serving temperature. Avoid letting the sugary glaze burn.
Allow the ham to rest as directed before slicing and serving.
Coach Kylie Tip: Despite the traditional name, this particular glaze contains no honey. For a true honey Dijon glaze, you can replace some of the brown sugar with honey to taste.
3. Creamy High Protein Mashed Potatoes
No Thanksgiving table feels complete without mashed potatoes! This simple version uses chicken bone broth and dairy-free butter to create a creamy, savory side dish without milk or heavy cream.
It's a great option if you're avoiding dairy but still want that classic mashed potato texture, and it also increases protein. You can also adjust the broth to achieve your preferred consistency.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15–20 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into evenly sized chunks
- ¼–⅓ cup chicken bone broth, plus more as needed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot.
Add the dairy-free butter and begin mashing until the potatoes are broken down.
Pour in ¼ cup of chicken bone broth and season with salt and pepper.
Whisk or mash until the potatoes reach your desired consistency, adding more broth a little at a time as needed.
Taste and adjust the seasonings before serving.
Coach Kylie tip: For the creamiest texture, avoid overmixing the potatoes, especially if you're using a starchy variety like russets. If you need a fully plant-based version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken bone broth.
4. Classic Gluten Free Apple Pie
Apple pie is a Thanksgiving staple, and making it at home doesn't have to be complicated. This version uses tart Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg for a warm, spiced filling tucked into a gluten-free pie crust.
Using a premade crust makes this recipe easier to prepare, leaving you more time to enjoy the holiday with family and friends.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: Follow the crust instructions, allowing additional time if needed
Servings: Approximately 8
Ingredients
- 1 premade gluten-free pie crust, such as Wholly Wholesome
- 10 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thickly sliced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1–2 cups water, as needed
Instructions
In a medium to large saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and 1 cup of water until smooth.
Add the sliced apples and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently to coat the apples evenly.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring often, until the apples begin to soften and the filling thickens. Add additional water a little at a time if the mixture becomes too thick before the apples soften.
Remove from the heat and allow the filling to cool for approximately 30 minutes.
Transfer the filling to your premade pie crust. If using a top crust, lattice, or other crust design, assemble according to the package directions.
Bake according to the crust manufacturer's instructions, adjusting as needed for the volume of filling. Because this recipe uses a generous amount of apples, make sure the center of the filling is bubbling and the apples are tender before removing the pie from the oven. Cover the edges with foil if they begin browning too quickly.
Allow the pie to cool before slicing so the filling has time to set.
Coach Kylie Tip: Ten apples make a generous amount of filling, so check the capacity of your pie crust before assembling. You may need to reduce the apples or divide the filling between two crusts to avoid overflow. If your crust package provides instructions for a single-crust pie, follow those directions and adjust the filling quantity accordingly.
5. Gluten-Free, High Protein Thanksgiving Stuffing with Fresh Herbs
Is it really Thanksgiving without stuffing? This gluten-free stuffing has all the classic holiday flavors, with savory vegetables, fresh herbs, and crusty bread baked together in a flavorful chicken bone broth.
Celery, carrots, onion, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage create that traditional stuffing flavor, while the bone broth helps keep everything moist and delicious. It's a comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Whether you're making a gluten-free Thanksgiving menu or simply looking for a homemade stuffing recipe, this one is an easy addition to your holiday table.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: Approximately 8
Ingredients
- 2 loaves gluten-free bread, cut into cubes
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
- 3 fresh sage leaves, chopped
- 2 cups chicken bone broth
- Olive oil, as needed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
Preheat to 400°F. Spread the cubed gluten-free bread across a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, add the minced garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
Bake bread for approximately 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the bread is lightly golden and toasted. If your bread is already very dry, check it early to prevent over-browning.
While the bread toasts, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots, and onion. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
Stir in the thyme, rosemary, sage, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
Lightly grease a baking dish. Add the toasted bread cubes and sautéed vegetable mixture, then toss to combine. If using walnuts, stir them in now.
Pour the chicken bone broth evenly over the mixture, tossing gently to distribute the liquid. The bread should be moistened but not completely soggy. Add a little extra broth if needed, depending on how dry your bread is.
Bake uncovered at 400°F for approximately 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp and the center is heated through. If the stuffing begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.
Allow the stuffing to rest for a few minutes before serving alongside your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
Coach Kylie tips:
- Gluten-free bread can vary quite a bit in texture and absorbency. If your bread is fresh and soft, you may need less broth; if it's very dry, you may need a little more. Add the broth gradually to get the perfect texture.
How to Make Thanksgiving Feel Less Overwhelming
One of the easiest ways to make Thanksgiving more enjoyable is to spread out the preparation instead of trying to do everything on the same day.
Here are a few ways to simplify your holiday cooking:
- Make the cranberry sauce ahead of time. It can be refrigerated in an airtight container for several days.
- Prepare your vegetables in advance. Peel and chop ingredients ahead of time.