Fall is a time for feasting. It’s just the way the world works. Lately, I’ve been on this Whole30 recipe development kick. Although I’m not currently participating in the 30-day challenge, I still like to keep my diet clean and implement some of the same Whole30 principles in my daily eating habits. Since the biggest ‘eating’ holiday is fast approaching, I thought I’d throw some squeaky clean Whole30 Thanksgiving side dishes at you.
Here’s the thing, it doesn’t matter if you are doing Whole30, follow a Paleo diet, are a vegan /vegetarian, or just want to enjoy the holiday but not sabotage your healthy eating habits. The point is, you don’t have to sacrifice indulging in comfort-style foods during the holidays with these healthy Thanksgiving alternatives. #win #boomshakalaka #iloveexpressivehashtags
Most sane people who try The Whole30 program typically try to plan it around big events (like the holidays), but there are those super-committed, motivated, crazies that think, “Thanksgiving’s got nothing on my healthy eating streak!” So this one’s for you my friend. Major pat on the back.
Here are twelve Whole30 Thanksgiving side dishes to try this year. Even if you aren’t doing the Whole30 (even if you never want to try it), these recipes are not to be missed!!
Crockpot Rosemary Carrot Parsnip Mash by Cotter Crunch
Creamy, sweet parsnips with nutrient-dense roasted carrots? That you can set and forget in a crockpot? Ummm yes please. Pass on the loaded mashed potatoes and try this healthier alternative instead!
Apple Cranberry Sweet Potato Bake by Stupid Easy Paleo
Need a sweet fix dish? You gotta try this dish! As a bonus, your house will smell like fall heaven when cooking cinnamon sweet potatoes with apples. Just think of what it will taste like in your mouth!
Sautéed Green Beans with Mushrooms and Caramelized Leeks by Tasty Yummies
Have you had caramelized leeks before? It’s like onion candy. Seriously. Skip the traditional “condensed soup” green bean casserole and make this instead.
Whole30 Scalloped Sweet Potatoes by Physical Kitchness
Yup I had to share my scalloped sweet potatoes with you all. If you grew up on dessert-like sweet potato dishes (hello marshmallows and brown sugar??) you will love this super healthy version with a decadent coconut milk/cashew/cinnamon/date cream.
Butternut Squash, Cranberries and Celery with Pecans, Rosemary and Lime by Kevin is Cooking
Am I weird if I admit I love the canned cranberry sauce? Even though I now know how terrible it is! When you still crave a little cranberry flavor in your life, try this. Bursts of juicy cranberries with roasted butternut squash and crunchy pecans will make you kiss the canned craving goodbye.
Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts and Pecans with Balsamic Drizzle by Pastured Kitchen
The name says it all. Caramelized brussels sprouts are the bomb, but combined with sweet potatoes, crunchy pecans, and a sweet and tangy balsamic drizzle?! BOOM.
Raw Balsamic Tahini Beet Noodles by Strength and Sunshine
Call me cray cray but I love beets. Especially combined with balsamic and tahini. Try this recipe for your salad starter this Thanksgiving.
Paleo Pumpkin Biscuits by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
MUST EAT BREAD. Is that your Thanksgiving mantra? Does the smell of fresh biscuits right out of the oven make you weak in the knees? These paleo pumpkin biscuits are calling your name.
Sweet Celeriac Mash by Healthy Helper
Feeling like you wanna get a little exotic this holiday? In the mood to bring a dish that will make everyone say, “whaaaa?!” Here’s a fun mashed potato alternative made with celery root and quince.
Rosemary Sweet Potatoes and Onions by In It 4 The Long Run
Here’s a savory sweet potato side dish with onions and fresh rosemary. Your Thanksgiving plate will be perfection with a heaping helping of this and a big ‘ol slice a turkey.
Parsnip, Leek, Butternut Squash Soup by Physical Kitchness
Parsnips and leeks team up to give traditional butternut squash soup a whole new twist. This easy-to-make soup is amazing on it’s own, garnished with bacon, OR grab a bowl and DIP your turkey in this creamy goodness.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Almond Dressing by Fit Mitten Kitchen
Are you more of a Brussels traditionalist? Just want to enjoy your green goodies without other veggie or squash elements raining on your parade? The balsamic almond dressing on these roasted sprouts will satisfy traditionalists AND foodie risk takers.
Cauliflower Rice Stuffing by The Healthy Maven
If stuffing is what Thanksgiving is all about for you, then you gotta try this lightened and low-carb version. An herby mix of cauliflower rice, celery, onions, and mushrooms garnished with pecans? See ya later calorie-loaded stuffing.
Go ahead, make one (or all twelve) of these side dishes to serve at you next turkey day celebration. And don’t forget to get your FREE 7-day Whole30 Meal Planning Guide by signing up below!
Yummy, yummy round-up Chrissa!!! There are so many great options, you just have to think outside the box!
(Thanks for including my beet noodles!!) xoxo
You are so welcome Rebecca! I know right?! So many great dishes!
What an AWESOME round-up of recipes.
Thanks Jamie! I’m wondering how I’m gonna find the time on Thanksgiving to make ALL of these!
my goodness this all looks so so good! What an awesome group of recipes. I’ve gotta get my family to give me the thumbs up on at LEAST one of these!
Shhhh don’t tell them you are making a healthy dish. It will ruin it. Just show up, bring something amazing from this list and then tell them AFTERWARDS 😉
These are some great recipe ideas to try for thanksgiving!
Thanks Amber! Enjoy and happy (early) Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the list! These are great healthier options.
You are welcome! Definitely a ton of healthy alternatives out there in lieu of the loaded casseroles that seem to prevail during the Thanksgiving holiday!
What a great list, it’s making me hungry!
I know the feeling! #foodbloggerproblems
Thanks so much Chrissa for including my Butternut Squash, Cranberries and Celery with Pecans, Rosemary and Lime here. What a fantastic round up of incredible dishes for the holidays. Fresh cranberries are the best!
You are very welcome Kevin. Thank YOU for the awesome dish. I agree, cranberries = thanksgiving STAPLE!
Great round up! Thank you so much for featuring my recipe!
Thanks for the inspiration Kaila!!
Thank you SO MUCH for rounding these up!! It’s the worst time of the year to be on a healthy eating lifestyle kick! It helps when you have a plan ahead of time and can be contro of your own kitchen 😉
YAY! Love helping others eat and live healthy. You are so welcome Hannah! This time of hear is so tough to stick to healthy eating habits. So many temptations!!!
So pinning this. I asked in another comment about whether you think the Sweet potato dish would be okay to make the day before. Also the rest of these look fabulous, can’t wait to try them!
YAY! Thanks Heather. I thought I answered your question about the Whole30 scalloped sweet potatoes – did I not?! I’ll double check. Yes you can absolutely make it the day before. Then when you are ready to serve again, I would place it in the oven at 250 degrees for half hour or so, just until it’s warmed throughout. Enjoy!!
Great round-up!! It’s nice to have these options laid out for someone who is doing the Whole 30.
Thanks lady! Whole30 is such a great program, but without planning it’s REALLY hard. Hopefully this will help make others’ holiday a little easier 🙂
There are so many amazing recipes here! I can’t wait to try the paleo pumpkin biscuits.
ME TOO! I love everything pumpkin and I crave biscuits on Thanksgiving!
These all look amazing!!! So glad I stumbled on your post and blog. I would try all of these but save the biscuits for when I’m not on whole30!
Glad you stopped by Miriam! The biscuits are Whole30 compliant too!
Wow! This is one beautiful roundup!! You really found some gems. Those brussels and the scallops sweet potatoes stood out to me.
Thanks so much Julie! A ton of amazing, healthy options this Thanksgiving!
What a great round up!! All of those sweet potato dishes look absolutely fantastic!! Thanks for sharing – I can’t wait to try a few of them during the holidays!
xx, Emily | Something Gold, Something Blue
I hope you do Emily! Sweet potatoes are my ‘Thanksgiving sides’ weakness for sure. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
These sides look amazing! I’ll definitely be adding some of these to my list <3
So many great ideas, right?! Thanks for your awesome rosemary sweet potatoes!
Sooo…what time should I come over on Thanksgiving?? Let me know 😉 These all look delish! Great roundup.