Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes Your Family Will Love!

Thanksgiving holiday is soon, so today’s post is about how to keep the holidays healthy while still enjoying yourself and connecting with loved ones. Of course that means I’m sharing some of my favorite vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes!

Sometimes people think the holidays have to be all or nothing: either letting go completely and putting their healthy habits on pause, or feeling restricted and frustrated.

You can absolutely eat delicious, satisfying food that doesn’t leave you feeling heavy, bloated, or uncomfortable afterward. You can enjoy your meal, feel amazing, and still be fully present with your loved ones!

I’ve put together a beautiful collection of plant-forward Thanksgiving recipes that are deeply nourishing, full of flavor, and designed to leave you feeling good from the inside out!

Healthy Non-Dairy Thanksgiving Main Entrees

Wholesome, flavorful, and completely dairy-free, these mains bring together the richness of the season with ingredients that love your body back!

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

My Sweet Potato Shepard’s Pie is a deliciously filling main dish that works well at any holiday party!

Sweet Potato Shepard's Pie

Kimberly Snyder

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings 11 -12

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• Coconut oil for greasing pan
• 3 large sweet potatoes chopped into thirds (peel the sweet potatoes, if you like)
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• High-quality sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons + 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth divided
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 1/4 cups peeled and diced carrots
• 1 cup fresh preferably or frozen peas
• Kernels from 2 ears of fresh organic corn
• 1 1/4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch
• 1/4 cup egg substitute mixed with 3/4 cut very hot water (like Ener-G egg replacer)
• Nutmeg optional

Instructions

 

• In a large saucepan, bring enough water to a boil to cover sweet potatoes completely, and add the sweet potatoes. Reduce the heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until softened.
• Drain sweet potatoes and place in a large mixing bowl; mash lightly. Add the almond milk. Blend the potato mixture with an electric hand mixer set to medium until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Set aside.
• Heat 2 Tbs. of vegetable broth in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onions over medium-low heat until translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the celery, carrots, peas, corn, thyme and rosemary. Increase the heat to medium-high.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the rest of the vegetable broth and arrowroot until smooth, and add to the skillet. When the mixture gets close to boiling, immediately reduce heat. Add sea salt and black pepper, and season to taste.
• Remove from heat. Stir in the egg replacer/water combination. Pour the veggie mixture into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Spoon the sweet potato mixture over the vegetables, spreading to cover all the way to the edges of the dish. Sprinkle the top with nutmeg, if desired. Bake in a preheated 375ºF oven until the top is slightly browned, about 40 minutes. Allow to rest 20 minutes or more before serving.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was on Instagram!

Thanksgiving Stuffed Acorn Squash

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and connection, and this Stuffed Acorn Squash embodies both. With its naturally sweet, earthy flavor and hearty filling, it’s the perfect dish to share with loved ones!

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Kimberly Snyder

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ½ Tbs. vegetable broth
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 2 medium carrots diced
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp. minced fresh sage
• 1 tsp. minced fresh oregano
• 1.5 tsp. raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup gluten-free bread crumbs keep reading for the recipe for those!
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Bread crumbs:
• 8-12 slices gluten-free and/or sprouted bread for millet bread, go with about 8 slices; for brown rice bread, stick with 12
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• High-quality sea salt to taste
• Pinch of dried oregano

Instructions

 

• Heat the vegetable broth in a sauté pan, then add the onions and cook for a few minutes until they become translucent. Add the garlic and then cook for another minute, then add the celery and carrots in. Sauté until they’re soft, add the herbs, then the raw apple cider vinegar.
• Add the bread crumbs and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in sea salt and black pepper, and adjust seasonings to taste. Remove the mixture from the heat.
• For the bread crumbs:
• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and bake the bread on a baking sheet for 5-6 minutes. Turn the slices over and bake it for another 5-6 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them cool for at least 30 minutes.
• Cut the slices into quarters and add them to the food processor with the garlic powder, sea salt, and oregano until you have fairly fine crumbs.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was on Instagram!

Gratitude Tahini Broccoli and Mushroom

This Gratitude Tahini Broccoli and Mushroom dish makes a beautiful addition to your Thanksgiving table. It’s grounding, nourishing, and full of flavor while still feeling light and energizing!

Gratitude Tahini Broccoli & Mushroom

Kimberly Snyder

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• Sauce:
• 3 Tbs. tahini raw if you can find it!
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp coconut nectar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp sea salt or more to taste
• Vegetables:
• 2 Tbs. tamari
• 1/4 chopped purple onion
• 3/4 cups of cubed mushrooms
• 5 cups of broccoli florets
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Mix the ingredients of the sauce together and place in a bowl. Set to the side.
• Meanwhile, in a pot, add the tamari and reduce until the tamari becomes a little thicker, using medium-high heat and watching it carefully. Add the purple onion and sauté for a few moments by adding a little water. Add the mushrooms and cook for a few more moments. Lastly, add the broccoli florets, and cook for a few minutes, but keep somewhat crisp.
• Turn off the heat, add the sauce and mix thoroughly. Place in a serving bowl and enjoy.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was on Instagram!

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes

These are the side dishes have earned a spot at my dinner table on Thanksgiving day!

Delish Yam Souffle

This traditional yam or sweet potato dish usually has butter and sugar which steals your beauty energy and leaves you feeling groggy and bloated. A lot of people find this sweet side irresistible, but you can make it just as irresistible only healthier (all that butter is really not necessary!). Here’s my favorite and much healthier version

Delish Yam Souffle

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• 5 medium sweet potatoes
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ¼ cup raw honey or coconut nectar

Instructions

 

• Begin by baking five medium sweet potatoes and scraping the insides out into a bowl.
• Mash everything up with the unsweetened almond or coconut milk to reach the consistency you want, then add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. 
• Put the mixture into a baking dish and smooth it out. 
• Warm the raw honey or coconut nectar and pour over the sweet potato. Serve!

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was on Instagram!

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

 Cauliflower mashed potatoes have been getting a lot of attention recently and for good reason. They can easily take the place of traditional mashed potatoes, and you don’t need butter to get that creamy, delicious texture!

My Raw Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes are easy to make, delicious and don’t require any butter (or the time spent boiling potatoes). The flavor and consistency are really similar, though, so maybe you and your guests won’t even feel like you’re missing out on comfort food!

Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Save room for dessert! With these healthy versions of your holiday favorites, you’ll want to save plenty of room for dessert.

Raw Pecan Pie

You’ll love my Raw Pecan Love Pie recipe. Who can resist a dessert after such a glorious holiday feast? The pecan pie recipe is perfect because it doesn’t contain fruit that will just sit on top of that mountain of food in your tummy and ferment. Plus, pecan pie is a must-have during the holiday season!

Heart Open Chocolate Mousse

Desserts can be heart-warming and satisfying…and don’t always have to leave you feeling bloated or sluggish!

I wanted to create a dessert recipe with the intention of nourishing both your body and your heart on all levels.

The essence behind my Heart-Opening Chocolate Mousse is more than just great taste! This recipe is crafted to be incredibly heart-healthy, with ingredients that uplift your spirit and help you connect with the love and energy within.

Supporting Your Body with Supplements (and Grace)

f you choose to indulge a little, that’s perfectly okay. It’s a holiday after all, and sharing delicious food with family and friends is part of the joy and gratitude of the season.

That said, if you do happen to go overboard (and we all do sometimes!), there are simple ways to support your body so you can continue to feel light and balanced.

I always take my Feel Good Digestive Enzymes before or right after my holiday meal to help break down heavier foods and reduce that heavy, bloated feeling that can creep in afterward. These enzymes work gently but effectively, supporting your digestion so you can enjoy your meal without discomfort.

Then, the next day, I love to take my Feel Good Detoxy to keep everything flowing and regular, helping the body naturally cleanse and release what it no longer needs. It’s a beautiful way to reset your system so you can feel clear, energized, and ready to enjoy the rest of the holiday season without slipping into that cycle of sluggishness or weight gain!

Enjoy These Thanksgiving Recipes and Remember to Give Thanks!

We’ve all had the experience of stressing about what you’re going to eat during the holidays and battling either the temptation to give in and stray from your diet — or the fear of being labeled “weird” because you’re bringing your own food.

I hope this roundup of some of my favorite holiday recipes proves that neither is necessary or worth worrying about! It’s fine to have a little traditional fare if that is important to you when connecting with family. However, you now also have several holiday-friendly recipes that taste amazing, even to those who aren’t accustomed to eating this way. So whether you’re hosting, or going to eat with friends or family, I recommend preparing one or more of these dishes and perhaps a salad, so that you’ll have plenty of healthy options.

Even if you’re not in total control of the menu and all the ingredients that go into each of the dishes, try not to worry or obsess over every little detail. Relax and enjoy the time with your family and friends. The holidays are a time to loosen up and just enjoy life. If you mess up, just forgive yourself and promise not to do it again the next day when there are leftovers.

The holidays are a time to show kindness, even to yourself. Remember that there will be many days over the next month and a half for you to try out these recipes and make this one of your healthiest, happiest holiday seasons ever.

Good luck — and don’t forget to leave a comment below if you try one (or more) of the recipes shared here and share photos of anything you make! :)

Love,