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Low Carb Thanksgiving Menu

Modified: · Published: by · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Planning a Thanksgiving menu that's both festive and low carb doesn't have to be stressful. Whether you're fully committed to a keto lifestyle or just trying to lighten things up this holiday season, we've gathered 25+ delicious low carb Thanksgiving recipes to make your holiday meal feel complete-from appetizers and mains to sides and even dessert.

keto thanksgiving dinner recipes collage

Most of the recipes are from our own kitchen (tried, tested, and Whole Lotta Yum approved!), and we've also included a few favorites from other trusted low carb food bloggers. You'll find everything you need to build a holiday menu that fits your goals without missing out on the comfort food you love.Low Carb Thanksgiving Menu

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is one of my favorite family traditions. We usually stick to our core holiday favorites, but I love mixing in a few new low carb dishes each year to keep things interesting-and delicious!

If you're trying to serve a healthier holiday meal without sacrificing flavor, this sample low carb Thanksgiving menu is a great place to start. And if your guests can pitch in by bringing a dish? Even better!

One of my go-to holiday appetizers is a simple meat and cheese board with a few low carb veggies added in. No one ever guesses it's low carb, and it's always a hit.

Here's our suggested low carb Thanksgiving menu structure:

  • 2-3 appetizers
  • Roast turkey (or turkey breast if you want something easier!)
  • 2-4 hot side dishes (based on party size)
  • One salad
  • Bread or rolls (low carb for some, regular for others)
  • 1-2 desserts

Holiday Meal Planning Tips

Feeling overwhelmed by hosting a holiday meal? After cooking Thanksgiving dinner for over 20 years, here are my best tips to simplify the process and actually enjoy your day:

  • Skip the whole bird. Nervous about cooking a big turkey? Roast a few turkey breasts instead-it's easier, quicker, and just as tasty.
  • Let people help. Most guests want to contribute-whether it's bringing a side dish, helping prep, or cleaning up.
  • Prep in advance. Bake casseroles and desserts 2-3 days ahead whenever possible.
  • Set the table early. Do it the day before to save your sanity.
  • Use shortcuts when needed. Not everything has to be homemade-store-bought appetizers like olives or cheese trays are totally fine.
  • Free up oven space. Cook some dishes in the Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or air fryer.
  • Delegate. Put older kids or your spouse in charge of simple tasks so you're not doing it all alone.

Low Carb Main Dish Ideas

1
best roast turkey recipe 1 for holidays or a dinner just because
Oven Roasted Turkey
If you're cooking for a crowd, making a whole roasted turkey in the oven is the way to go. You'll love our easy, tender, and juicy turkey recipe stuffed with citrus.
Check out this recipe
2
roast half turkey breast
Roasted Split Turkey Breast Recipe
If you're cooking for a small group, our roast turkey breast recipe in the oven is the way to go. You'll love the herb butter that coats the entire breast while baking. Dare I say you won't even need gravy?
Check out this recipe
3
air fryer turkey breast cooked and surrounded with herbs
Easy Air Fryer Bone-In Turkey Breast Half
If you're cooking for just a few people and you have an air fryer, our popular and crispy air-fried turkey breast cooks in under an hour!
Check out this recipe
4
herb cornish hens air fryer recipe on a platter with fresh herbs and lemon
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
If you aren't a turkey lover, making air fryer Cornish game hens is a great alternative for Thanksgiving. Allow ½-1 hen per person. For a small group use your air fryer, otherwise, you can bake this entire recipe in the oven too.
Check out this recipe

More of Our Air Fryer Turkey Recipes

Low Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes (Hot)

5
low carb cauliflower potatoes
Loaded Keto Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
You have to have mashed potatoes at your Thanksgiving meal but don't want the carbs. You won't believe how creamy and addictive our keto cauliflower mashed potato recipe is, the consistency is similar to mashed potatoes since we mix in cream cheese, cheese, and garlic. Make ultimate potatoes or top with keto gravy.
Check out this recipe
6
low carb stuffing with sausage close up image after baking in the oven
Keto Stuffing Recipe with Sausage
Our keto stuffing recipe with sausage hits it out of the ballpark! No one will ever know this is a keto dish. We show you how to make your own dried bread cubes with keto bread. It takes a bit of time, but it's totally worth it and all of the steps are super easy.
Check out this recipe
7
fresh green bean casserole without mushroom soup after baking with a bite out of the casserole
Low Carb Green Bean Casserole
Casseroles were popular in my house growing up. But a low carb, gluten-free, keto green bean casserole?! Count me in.
It's rich, creamy, and perfect for the holidays, made with a cream cheese sauce instead of canned mushroom soup. Serve fried onions on the side or make our keto fried onions.
Check out this recipe
8
mashed butternut squash keto in a white bowl ready to serve
Pureed Butternut Squash
You'll seriously love our low carb mashed butternut squash. So creamy and flavorful, you won't even miss sweet potatoes. This is not a strict keto recipe, but is low carb. To reduce the carbs puree half squash and cauliflower together.
Check out this recipe
9
Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (Low Carb, GF)
In some parts of the country, having Mac N Cheese on the holiday table is the norm, if you're missing it from your Thanksgiving table this year, make a lower carb version with our keto friendly mac n cheese recipe using cauliflower. The cheese sauce is amazing!
Check out this recipe
10
roasted radishes keto
Cooked Radishes Recipe
Before you turn up your nose at the thought of roasted radishes, you'll be surprised to hear that radishes are actually the closest-tasting cooked vegetable to our dear old friend the potato! Even our kids loved these low carb baked radishes.
Check out this recipe
11
brussel sprouts keto recipe with a scoop of the cheesy brussel sprouts on a spoon
Keto Brussel Sprouts Casserole
This simple Brussel sprouts casserole is made with roasted Brussels sprouts combined with a creamy cheeese sauce and bacon. I promise, even Brussels sprouts haters will love this casserole.
Check out this recipe

More Hot Sides

Low Carb Holiday Salads

While the hot veggie dishes are often prominent during the holidays when you're looking for keto Thanksgiving recipes, we suggest serving a cold salad on the side too. Here's a handful of the best everyone will love and no one would ever guess they are low carb.

12
broccoli salad no sugar
Keto Broccoli Salad Recipe
Here's another keto take on the traditional raw broccoli salad, which is a holiday classic for many families. Don't be put off by the raw broccoli, it's seriously amazing. It's also the most popular salad on our website with over 500K reshares. One of the most popular recipes on our site!
Check out this recipe
13
spinach salad with bacon
Wilted Spinach Salad with Bacon
A spinach salad with hot bacon dressing was always one of our favorite holiday salads, we've adapted our family recipe to make it keto friendly.
Check out this recipe
14
shaved brussel sprouts salad easy and healthy recipe
Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad with Bacon
If you didn't realize you can eat Brussels sprouts raw, you can! The best way to serve them is thinly sliced and tossed with flavorful ingredients such as bacon, blue cheese, and our apple cider vinaigrette like we did in our shaved Brussel sprouts salad.
Check out this recipe

Sugar-Free Thanksgiving Sauces

The only two keto Thanksgiving recipes you need as far as holiday sauces go are cranberry sauce and gravy. We've included our two favorite recipes for both.

15
Keto Cranberry Sauce Recipe
If you thought you had to skip the cranberry sauce for a keto Thanksgiving, have no fear, keto friendly cranberry sauce is easy to make and cooks in just 15 minutes.
It's very yummy on turkey, chicken, keto biscuits, and more. This is definitely something you should add to your keto Thanksgiving menu.
Check out this recipe
16
keto gravy recipe 1 best recipe for gravy
Easy Keto Gravy
If you can't live without gravy, and I feel ya there, we created a fantastic easy keto gravy you can make ahead that just takes 10 minutes. It's rich and thick, just the way you'll like it. We show you how add a touch of drippings on turkey day if preferred.
Check out this recipe

Sugar-Free Thanksgiving Desserts

To plan an entire low carb holiday meal, don't forget the keto Thanksgiving recipes like a dessert or two that no one will even know is sugar free. While pumpkin is traditional, there's multiple other options if you want a variety.

17
keto pumpkin pie no crust on a serving dish
Crustless Pumpkin Pie (Keto)
If you're looking for an AMAZING keto pumpkin pie recipe, be sure to try our crustless recipe, it's highly rated. You can either bake it in a pie pan, bake it in individual muffin tins to make mini desserts, or bake them in ramekins.
Check out this recipe
18
keto pumpkin mousse 1 cute dessert that's tasty and easy
Keto Pumpkin Mousse
An easy 5 minute keto pumpkin mousse that tastes just like a no bake cheesecake. Serve the low carb pumpkin mousse in a jar or dessert dish as a pumpkin cheesecake or layered with whipped cream. Just 6 net carbs per serving!
Check out this recipe

More Dessert Ideas

Low Carb Holiday Appetizers

You'll just need a couple of keto Thanksgiving recipes that are appetizers for your low carb holiday. Two hot dishes and something simple like veggies and cheese are great options. You don't want to stuff the guests before dinner even starts.

19
hot artichoke dip recipe just coming out hot from the oven
Warm Green Chili Dip with Artichokes
4 ingredients, 15 minutes, and one happy chef. This mild artichoke green chili dip puts a kick in your guests' steps and a smile on their faces.
Check out this recipe
20
antipasto skewers recipe looking down on a white platter
Antipasto Kebabs
Make easy Italian antipasto skewers as an appetizer at your next get-together or as a game day snack. The healthy antipasto on a stick recipe is also gluten free, low carb, and keto friendly. Easy to customize!
Check out this recipe
21
keto appetizers like stuffed mini sweet peppers on a baking sheet after cooking with melted cheese
Boursin Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers
Cheese stuffed mini sweet peppers in a quick and easy appetizer recipe made with herb Boursin cheese. The stuffed baby peppers are gluten free, vegetarian, low carb, and keto friendly.
Check out this recipe
22
low carb stuffed mushrooms without breadcrumbs on a white plate
Stuffed Mushrooms with Bacon Cream Cheese & Green Onions
A baked stuffed mushrooms recipe with cream cheese and bacon that makes a terrific party appetizer or game-day snack. This is also a keto stuffed mushrooms recipe, plus its low carb and gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
23
healthy charcuterie board
Keto Friendly Charcuterie Board (Almost No Carb!)
Our favorite holiday appetizer is just putting together a meat and cheese board. All of the ingredient ideas for our low carb charcuterie board are keto friendly, other than the sliced apples (our son's favorites).
We love to shop at Trader Joe's when making a charcuterie board, they're hands-down the cheapest plus have a fantastic variety.
Check out this recipe

More Appetizer Ideas

Low Carb Breads

24
Easy Low Carb Rolls (Keto)
Easy Low Carb Rolls (Keto)
What's a holiday meal without the dinner rolls and butter? You don't have to skip out just because you're on a health mission for yourself. This recipe uses almond flour and the bread-like texture turns out beautifully.
Check out this recipe
25
Almond Flour Biscuits ~ Low Carb • Grain Free
Almond Flour Biscuits ~ Low Carb • Grain Free
Keep in mind this recipe is low carb, wheat and grain-free only.
Check out this recipe
26
Cheesy Cauliflower Muffins
Cheesy Cauliflower Muffins
These little cauliflower muffins are adorable and so tasty! You can alter the amount of cheese you use, depending on how much you love cheesy foods. They make for a great appetizer, snack, bread-like side dish, and anything else you can think of, really!
Check out this recipe

FAQ: Low Carb Thanksgiving Tips

Q: What do you eat on a low carb Thanksgiving?


A low carb Thanksgiving includes turkey or turkey breast, low carb side dishes like cauliflower mash or green bean casserole, a leafy salad, and sugar-free desserts. Many classic dishes can be made low carb with a few smart swaps.

Q: What is a good substitute for mashed potatoes on keto or low carb?


Cauliflower mash is the most popular substitute. You can also use pureed butternut squash, roasted radishes, or a cauliflower-squash mix for variety.

Q: Can I still have gravy on a low carb diet?


Yes! Traditional gravy thickened with flour or cornstarch isn't low carb, but you can make keto-friendly gravy using broth, butter, and xanthan gum or arrowroot powder.

Q: What low carb desserts are good for Thanksgiving?


Crustless pumpkin pie, sugar-free pecan pie bites, and pumpkin cheesecake mousse are all delicious options. Many of your favorites can be made low carb with almond flour and sugar alternatives.

Q: Can I serve bread on a low carb Thanksgiving menu?


Absolutely! Offer almond flour rolls or low carb biscuits for low carb guests, and have regular bread on the side for others if needed.

More Low Carb Holiday Recipes

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low carb thanksgiving dinner pinterest pin

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  1. Jillian says

    Your Thanksgiving menu looks delicious! I may use some of these recipes myself. Thanks for including my grain-free, wheat-free, gluten-free almond biscuit recipe! 🙂

    Reply

    • WholeLottaYum says

      Thank you, Jillian! You're welcome! And I can't wait to try your biscuits!!

      Reply