16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

These paleo Thanksgiving dishes will allow you to eat healthier versions of the classics and not break tradition!

Thanksgiving is for feasting. I’ve no intentions of taking that tradition away from anyone because I love it too!

My family (like most families I assume) hasalways eaten the same list of classic dishes at Thanksgiving. They’re rich and sugary and full of carbs and DELICIOUS.

But what if Thanksgiving could be just as delicious without giving up any of your favorite dishes, except the food was much healthier? I know it’s possible, and that’s my goal with this post!

I’ve searched hard and put together a collection of 16 classic Thanksgiving dishes that are delicious but also entirely gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and clean eating.

This list of paleo Thanksgiving recipes is for anyone who just wants a healthier Thanksgiving, but it’s also for people (like me) who have food intolerances and sensitive digestive systems. Enjoy!

Turmeric and Honey Roast Turkey
(paleo-friendly, gluten-free)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

From Paleo Hacks

I love that this post shares all the step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the paleo Thanksgiving turkey, along with the recipes for both the turkey and the glaze. Turmeric is a delicious spice that is incredible for your body, as well! If you prefer not to eat dairy, you can try subbing coconut oil for the butter.

Paleo Cornbread Stuffing
(paleo, gluten-free)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

From Cook Eat Paleo

Ok, so it’s not actually cornbread stuffing. It’s a similar tasting, paleo version of cornbread, but without the corn. (Because corn isn’t paleo.) But I bet you won’t know the difference, because this dressing looks incredible.

5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (3)

From Running to the Kitchen

This cranberry sauce recipe is super simple, and by making it in the slow cooker you can save valuable stovetop space! It only has 5 ingredients and it’s refined sugar-free.

Healthy Vegan Green Bean Casserole
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

From Food Faith Fitness

Green bean casserole is Ryan’s favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner, and I’d have to say it’s close to the top of my favorites list as well. This recipe is lightened up using creamy coconut and almond milks.

Whole 30 Mashed Potatoes
(gluten-free)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (5)

From Perchance to Cook

White potatoes aren’t technically paleo, but this is somewhat debated so if you’re not a super strict paleo eater, these should be ok for you! With lots of spices and coconut cream, these are bound to be delicious.

Perfect Mashed Sweet Potatoes
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (6)

From Andie Mitchell

For those of you who don’t eat white potatoes or just love sweet potatoes more (like I do), this recipe is for you. This recipe is easily adapted to be vegan, too!

Easy Paleo Gravy
(paleo, gluten-free)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (7)

From Cook Eat Paleo

This recipe is easy and totally clean eating! FYI, you do need to blend it after cooking.

Healthy Paleo Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

From Life Made Sweeter

My family’s Thanksgiving meal would not be complete without sweet potato casserole (or sweet potato souffle as it’s sometimes called)! This lighter version is free of refined sugar and uses coconut oil instead of butter.

Holiday Kale Salad
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (9)

From Eating Bird Food

With kale, butternut squash, cranberries, and walnuts, I don’t know how any salad could be more perfect for fall!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (10)

From Julia’s Album

Another fall recipe that will convert perfectly as a Thanksgiving side, I’m pretty obsessed with brussels sprouts, so throwing them together with pecans and butternut squash sounds ideal to me!

Paleo Almond Flour Biscuits
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan-friendly)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (11)

From Wholesome Yum

Biscuits (Cracker Barrel anyone?) along with other bread products are probably the thing I miss most being gluten-free and avoiding carbohydrates. But no more! These biscuits have an almond flour base and only 5 simple ingredients.

3-Ingredient Crock Pot Applesauce
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

From Cook Eat Paleo

3 ingredients and no added sugar. Made in a crock pot so you save valuable stovetop space. Absolutely worth trying in my opinion!

Grain-Free Pumpkin Pie
(paleo, gluten-free)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (13)

From Paleo Hacks

The crust is made with dates and walnuts. Ryan is allergic to walnuts, so I usually sub almonds and it’s never failed me yet! You do need a blender or food processor for this one (unless you’re up for doing a bunch of fine chopping yourself). This paleo Thanksgiving pumpkin pie is sweetened with maple syrup and made creamy with coconut milk. Yum!

Clean Eating Pecan Pie
(paleo-friendly, gluten-free)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (14)

From Feel Great in 8

With an almond flour crust and sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar, this pie could be made paleo by subbing coconut oil for the butter. Gotta make this one for my dad. But I must say I love it too!

Paleo Apple Pie
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan-friendly)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (15)

From Bakerita

I’ve never attempted a lattice crust before, but maybe this year is my time! Because this pie looks amazing.

An almond and tapioca flour crust, free of refined sugar, and instructions that make the gorgeous and photogenic crust seem doable!

Crock Pot Fall Cider
(paleo, gluten-free, vegan)

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (16)

From Almost Super Mom

This apple cider looks amazing, I imagine it smells heavenly, and tastes even better! This would be perfect for the afternoon, a few hours after or before your big Thanksgiving meal.

Which paleo Thanksgiving dishes are you going to try this year? Tell us how it goes!

Are you onPinterest? If so,pin this postto save it for later!

Come follow ourClean Eating RecipesPinterest board for hundreds more recipes!

clean eatingfallgluten freeholidayspaleorefined sugar freeThanksgivingvegan

16 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you scale down Thanksgiving dinner? ›

6 Scaled-Down Thanksgiving Recipes for Smaller Groups
  1. Cranberry Orange Spritzers, Serves 8. ...
  2. Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin, Serves 4. ...
  3. Glazed Sweet Potatoes and Apples, Serves 4. ...
  4. Cornbread Stuffing, Serves 6. ...
  5. Blue Cheese-Walnut Green Beans, Serves 4. ...
  6. Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee, Serves 4.

What is a basic Thanksgiving dinner menu? ›

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing (or “dressing”), and some kind of pie for dessert, typically pumpkin, apple, or pecan. Common sides are green bean casserole, scalloped corn, and roasted sweet potatoes.

What is the most traditional Thanksgiving menu? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›

These tips, tricks and timesavers can be a Thanksgiving host's saving grace.
  1. Pick the menu early. Don't leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. ...
  2. Brine your bird. ...
  3. Start prep work a few days before Thanksgiving. ...
  4. Serve batched co*cktails. ...
  5. Create simple centerpieces.
Nov 1, 2023

How many pounds can you gain from Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Actually, studies show that most adults don't gain as much weight as you might think during the holidays. The average weight gain during this time period is anywhere from 0.8 pounds to just under 2 pounds, according to a research review published in the Journal of Obesity.

In what order do you cook Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Thanksgiving Day:
  1. Defrost premade bread. ...
  2. Chill wine and beer.
  3. Prepare the stuffing stuffing. ...
  4. Roast the turkey. ...
  5. Prepare other side dishes while the turkey roasts. ...
  6. Remove the fully cooked turkey from the oven and rest it for 1 hour. ...
  7. Make the gravy.
  8. Re-heat anything that needs to be warmed.
Oct 20, 2021

How do you cook a large group for Thanksgiving? ›

Plan Ahead:

Making and freezing a large batch of your favorite recipe ahead of time to have on hand will save you a bunch of time—and cleanup. Keep it simple (you'll have ample opportunity to impress your guests on Thanksgiving) and go for one-pot wonders you can easily reheat, like a hearty stew.

How much food do I need for Thanksgiving for 12 people? ›

For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey. For 10 people, buy a 15-pound turkey. For 12 people, buy an 18-pound turkey. For 14 people, buy a 20-pound turkey.

How many sides should a Thanksgiving dinner have? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5978

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.