Doing a Whole30 Thanksgiving is…ambitious to say the least — and actually not encouraged. But if you’re just bound and determined, we’ve got some tools and resources to make your life a litlte easier.
Holidays can present some challenges, especially Thanksgiving. With no sugar, grains or — *gasp* — green beans, it can be hard to come up with dishes that are healthy, Whole30-approved and something that your sister’s kids will actually eat. We’ve scoured the Internet — and made a few tweaks here and there — to score some of the best Whole30 Thanksgiving recipes so you can start making your grocery lists.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Whole30 program, you can learn about The Ins and Outs of the Whole30 Diet here.
20 Recipes for a Whole30 Thanksgiving
1. Crockpot Paleo Chicken with Butternut Squash, Cranberries and Pears
This recipe can be thrown in a crockpot and forgotten about until meal time and it’s still cosmopolitan enough to serve as the center piece of your meal.
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash (1.5 pounds), cubed
- 1 sweet onion, sliced
- 1 bosc pear, sliced
- 1 cup raw cranberries
- 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into halves or quarters)
- 1 cup veggie or chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon of Sea salt
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- 2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon of cinnamon
2. Bacon-Seared Brussel Sprouts
Per usual, bacon saves the day! However, be sure that your bacon is Whole30-friendly — this means no nitrates and no added sugar!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds brussels sprouts – washed, cleaned and halved
- 8 pieces of nitrate-free bacon (I like Applegate Uncured Sunday Bacon)
- 1 small onion, chopped
3. Low-Carb Pecan Stuffing
Dressing could be considered SWYPO or basically trying to recreate an unhealthy food. However, we took it to the experts — Melissa Hartwig herself — and based on her previous comments, we’ve decided that this healthy stuffing recipe (as well as a couple of others included in this list) do not qualify as cheating on your Whole30. Hartwig says,
Am I trying to exactly duplicate or recreate the poor food choice with “approved” ingredients, or am I merely looking for a healthier, more nutritious substitution for that food?
You can visit the Whole30 website for more clarification on what counts as SWYPO and what doesn’t. However, you have to make decisions that fit in with what you’re trying to accomplish.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter, ghee or coconut oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 ribs celery, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon of dried rubbed sage
- 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt
- 8 ounces of pecans, whole or pieces
- 2 tablespoons of fresh sage, leaves stacked and sliced thinly
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of parsley
4. The Easiest Turkey Paleo Chili
This quick and easy chili packs all the flavor of everyone’s favorite fall recipe, but without all the legumes! It also adds in a hearty punch of vegetables and yields large amounts, making it perfect for Thanksgiving!
- 1 pound of turkey
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1/2 white onion
- 1 large can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of tomato paste
- 1 cup of water
- 3 tablespoons of chili seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
- 1 large zucchini
- 1 large green pepper
5. Cranberry Chicken Stuffed Squash
Want to really change it up this Thanksgiving? Check out these fun stuffed squash as a main course meal for your family.
Ingredients
- 2 small butternut squash
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, plus more as needed
- 4 (boneless, skinless) chicken thighs
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 large parsnips
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)
6. Maple Bacon Meatballs
Bring on the appetizers because you need something to keep Grandma Marge out of your hair as you put the finishing touches on the main meal. This recipe is a FitnessHQ original and it’s very popular around the holidays!
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds of ground pork (or ground beef)
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1/2 pound of sugar free bacon
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon of rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 teaspoons of salt
7. Cauliflower Alfredo Vegan Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
This recipe is so good, your family won’t even know they’re eating healthy!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of reduced-sodium vegetable broth
- 4 cups of water
- 10 cups of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 2 cups of onion, chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons of garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
- 2 teaspoons of Sea salt, to taste*
- Pepper, to taste
- 2 pounds of sweet potato, peeled and sliced about 1/8 inch thin
- Parsley, for garnish
8. Easy Garlic Herb Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash, seeded, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (2.75 to 3 pounds)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup chopped mixed herbs, such as parsley, thyme and rosemary
- ¾ teaspoon of salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
9. Spicy Crockpot Pumpkin Soup
Looking for a way to shake up your usual Thanksgiving routine? This spicy pumpkin soup is easy to make and a real crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 10 heaping cups diced pumpkin (about 3 pounds)
- 2 cups diced onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 red jalapeños*, roughly chopped
- 8 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup raw cashews
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional garnishes: olive oil, red pepper flakes, cilantro, red jalapeños
10. One Pan Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken
This dish is about this close to being Whole30-compliant on its own, but there are a couple of changes you’ll need to make in order to make it 100 percent good to go for a Whole30 Thanksgiving. Replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos and skip the maple syrup altogether. If you’re worried about the taste, substitute with a little all-natural fruit juice instead.
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds of chicken thighs or breasts with skin on (around 4 to 6 chicken thighs or breast)
- Fresh thyme
- A sprinkle of dried Italian herbs (optional)
- 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (or previously frozen)
- 1 tbsp each maple syrup and balsamic vinegar mixed together to coat chicken during roasting
For the Marinade
- 1/3 cup cranberries
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tamari sauce or gluten free soy sauce
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black peppers
- 2 garlic cloves (or 1 tsp minced)
11. Baby Quiche Poppers
Ingredients
- 3 ounces nitrate-free bacon (again, I like Applegate Uncured Sunday Bacon)
- 10 ounces of chopped white mushrooms
- 2 cups of baby spinach
- 4 large eggs
- 4 egg whites
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- salt and pepper
12. Cauliflower Rice Stuffing
Ingredients
- 2 medium heads of cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 4 stalks of celery, sliced thinly
- 3 cups of mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 2 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13. Mushroom, Bacon and Cauliflower Casserole
Since your usual green bean casserole is not going to cut it, try this healthy, vegetable packed casserole instead on your friends and family.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bacon, chopped
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 12 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
- 4 ounces sliced shiitake mushrooms
- 4 cups cauliflower crumbles (~1 head cauliflower)
- 1/4 cup beef or chicken bone broth
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 2 teaspoons coconut aminos
14. Slow-Cooker Herbed Turkey Breast
There’s something to be said for keeping it classic and luckily, the most classic Thanksgiving dish of all is totally Whole30-able. Just make sure to replace your butter with ghee and you’ll be on your way to a gobblin’ wobblin’ good time.
Ingredients
- 1 (5-7 pounds) bone-in, whole turkey breast
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh sage
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
15. Sweet Potato Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing
Remember to omit the sherry in this recipe as alcohol is not technically Whole30-compliant.
Ingredients
- 2 large (8 to 10 ounce) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, ghee, or duck fat (divided)
- 2 pounds ground pork
- 1 cup diced yellow onion (from 1/2 medium onion)
- 1 cup diced carrots (from 1 large carrot or 2 small carrots)
- 1 cup diced celery (from 2 to 3 celery stalks)
- 1/2 cup port or sweet sherry
- 2 large pears, peeled and diced
- 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries
- 1 cup chopped fresh herbs
- 3 large eggs
16. Apple Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork tenderloin
- Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 2 onions cut into wedges
- 2 apples cut into wedges
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 2 tablespoons STAR Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon whole grain dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon chopped sage
17. Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Fries
Want another super easy appetizer for any guests you may have to keep waiting?
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes, cut into fries
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 18 slices bacon (1 slice per fry)
18. Turkey Avocado BLT Salad
Who says all Thanksgiving foods have to be super rich and hearty? Change it up a little bit and start off your Thanksigiving with a lighter, healthier salad option.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup turkey breast
- 1 small Roma tomato, chopped
- Mixed green salad leaves
- 1 small avocado, sliced
- 2 pieces of center cut bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 teaspoon of cilantro
19. Spiced Pumpkin Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice
- 2-3 tablespoons of chili powder, depending on your preference
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- 1 teaspoon of oregano
- 3 c. chicken broth
- 28-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 29-ounce can pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon of salt, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, plus more to taste
20. Cranberry Beef-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Ingredients
- 1 large acorn squash
- 1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, plus some for brushing
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus some for sprinkling
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway