Thanksgiving preparation is hard enough, add in dietary restrictions and then the level of complications keeps rising. Holiday dinners can be stressful on their own without having to cook duplicate dishes, one regular, one low carb. Throw that thought in the trash and make delicious recipes that you and your non-keto guests will love. We’ve compiled some great ideas that range from intriguing appetizers to the perfect side dishes and even an outstanding turkey main course. Dive in and check out how you can throw an unforgettable, keto-friendly and tasty Thanksgiving dinner.
15. Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Mayo Dip
If you’ve volunteered (or were “voluntold”) to host Thanksgiving this year, then you’ll want to make sure you have delicious appetizers lined up for your dinner guests. Appetizers are great for fueling your guests while the final dinner preparations are being completed.
In the event that you need delicious keto-approved appetizers, you need to try making a plate of bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts. Tender Brussels sprouts wrapped with crispy bacon and paired with a balsamic mayo dip. Even if you don’t like Brussels sprouts, you’re bound to like this recipe.
14. Instant Pot Low-Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Soups are awesome because it’s an easy meal to throw together that is often budget-friendly and can feed a large group of people. Try making this low-carb unstuffed cabbage roll soup for Thanksgiving. You can serve it as an appetizer or have it be part of the main course, whichever way you present it, it’ll be delicious.
First of all, this recipe is created in the Instant Pot which makes it incredibly easy and quick to throw together, without taking up any space in the oven. Secondly, the flavors are warm and exciting and no one will even know it follows the keto diet!
13. Low-Carb Keto Tuna Pickles Boats
Tuna pickle boats are one of our most popular recipes and for good reason! These delicious boats are so easy to make and they are keto-approved. The appetizer menu is all about providing variety for all your guests, after all, we’re trying to satisfy multiple palates here!
This recipe begins by halving dill pickles followed by scooping out the seeds to create the perfect space to fill with tuna. Further, for the tuna mixture, you’ll want to mix tuna with light mayo, dill, and salt and pepper. This appetizer is light, delicious and would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.
12. Keto Cornbread Stuffing
If you love keeping meals traditional then you cannot forget stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner. This recipe is not only low carb but insanely easy to make too.
You won’t miss your beloved quick and easy box variety either and non-keto dieters will love it. In this stuffing, you can expect to find keto bread, celery, leeks, and loads of seasonings that make this dish come to life.
11. Creamy Cauliflower Mash & Keto Gravy
For me, there couldn’t be Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes. While it’s quite clear that potatoes or any other starchy vegetables are a big no-no while following the keto diet, this creamy cauliflower mash dish is certainly allowed.
When cooked and mashed, cauliflower can resemble a fairly similar texture to mashed potatoes. Then, by adding butter, garlic, and rosemary you won’t even notice this dish is starring cauliflower as the main ingredient. This recipe is a great replacement for those beloved taters!
10. Loaded Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
If you want to take your mashed cauliflower one step further then make sure to add this loaded mashed cauliflower recipe to your side dish menu. You’ll take the same approach as the previous recipe when cooking the cauliflower but once finished, the seasonings will be slightly different.
Throw everything in a food processor and let it do the mashing for you. Butter and sour cream will be added to help achieve the perfect creamy texture. Lastly, the best part about this side dish is the loaded toppings, some of these include bacon pieces, green onions and loads of shredded cheese.
9. Low Carb Green Bean Casserole
Along with other classics, green bean casserole is often a crowd-pleaser. It’s an easy way to mask a healthy ingredient with other delicious flavors to please the pickiest of eaters.
The secret ingredient in this recipe is xanthan gum. This is used as a thickening agent which will be used in the mushroom and onion gravy. Further, this casserole dish gets an easy makeover with a new topping. Instead of frying onions add a crunchy bite with crushed pork rinds! Your friends and family will love this version of a green bean casserole and they won’t even know it’s meant for the keto diet!
8. Keto Dinner Rolls
Almost every big meal I’ve attended has some sort of delicious soft dinner roll, they are delicious! Don’t set yourself up for failure and make this keto-approved dinner roll recipe for Thanksgiving.
These dinner rolls remain low carb thanks to coconut flour. Along with that, you’ll only need a few other ingredients and 10 minutes to prep. To finish, bake them in the oven for a delicious keto-approved dinner roll.
7. Bacon-Wrapped Turkey
It may be obvious that turkey is allowed and encouraged on the keto diet but do you want your turkey to stand out from the rest? You probably said yes, so you need to check out how to perfectly wrap your turkey in a bacon weave.
Not only is this keto-friendly but you’ll be providing your guests with an unforgettable dinner. This recipe will walk you through a step-by-step process on how to achieve the bacon-wrapped turkey. One of the secrets is to create a butter “glue” that will help hold the bacon in place.
6. Keto Cranberry Sauce
Some would argue that you can’t have Thanksgiving dinner or turkey for that matter without a delicious cranberry sauce. If that’s you and you also follow the keto diet then you need to try this recipe.
This cranberry sauce is nothing like the stuff you get out of a can. This recipe is healthy, sugar-free and super easy. In fact, it only requires 4 simple ingredients. Once you try it you may want to make the homemade version year after year.
5. Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries
Fries are always a crowd pleaser and while potato fries aren’t tolerated on the keto diet, these zucchini fries definitely are. This recipe isn’t any ordinary fries, they’re coated in a crispy breading of parmesan cheese and seasonings.
They will only require a 20 minute cook time making them incredibly quick to make. Serve these as an appetizer or for an exciting side dish to go alongside your big Thanksgiving meal.
4. Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
Spaghetti squash is awesome because firstly, it’s low carb and secondly it’s string-like texture is the perfect substitution for pasta. This recipe is cheesy and delicious and would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread.
To prepare you’ll want to start by cooking the spaghetti squash and chicken pieces first. Then, once cooked the flesh of the spaghetti squash will turn to a noodle-like texture. By combining the squash with chicken, onion, yogurt and a baked cheesy top layer you will have a delicious side dish that everyone will surely enjoy.
3. Low Carb Biscuits And Gravy
Don’t miss out on a southern classic like biscuits and gravy while following the keto diet, instead, try this recipe! These keto-friendly biscuits are extremely easy and are filled with savory sausage gravy.
The biscuits are fluffy and cheesy and most definitely low carb, thanks to coconut flour. The sausage gravy is easy to make too. All you’ll need is ground sausage, chicken broth, heavy cream, and xanthan gum to whip it into shape.
2. Keto Cobb Salad
Thanksgiving dinner does scream comfort food, however, it is nice to add variety and for that reason make sure to have a salad included on your dinner menu. Don’t serve just any salad, make sure to serve this keto cobb salad recipe.
You’ll hit all your dietary requirements and your non-keto friends and family will still love it. This salad is thriving in healthy fats such as avocado and has tons of flavors that make the idea of a salad, sound and taste exciting.
1. Healthy Cauliflower Rice Broccoli Casserole
Casseroles are awesome because it’s an easy way to feed a crowd. This is why you’ll want to include it on your side dish menu for Thanksgiving.
To ensure this side dish remains low carb, instead of rice, you’ll use cauliflower rice. To complement the cauliflower rice you’ll want to add in broccoli florets, chopped carrots, loads of cheese and the delicious seasonings that make this a crave-worthy and keto-friendly recipe.