When we think of an indulgent holiday like Thanksgiving, we're not typically thinking of food that goes hand-in-hand with a low-carb lifestyle. Sure, there's the turkey breast — that's definitely on the fine-to-eat list — but what about all the delicious sides? When choosing a low-carb diet, or for those with diabetes, it's actually surprisingly easy to prepare an incredibly delicious, indulgent-tasting Thanksgiving dinner full of all the flavors we have come to love and expect. Sure, we may not have mashed potatoes, but here, we found some of the best recipes out there for low-carb variations that don't just replace starches, they elevate them. We may not have standard Parker House rolls anymore, but instead, we can make low-carb bread that's still impossibly fluffy and warm (and delicious low-carb gravy to get mopped up with it).
Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. There's really nothing better than gathering everyone around the table to enjoy our wonderful families — and an excellent excuse to eat as much food as we can possibly stuff into our faces. We're also huge fans of having a fridge packed with delicious leftovers, which we enjoy for days to come — and after all that cooking, all we want to do for the next few days is reheat some plates, right? For anyone who is hosting Thanksgiving themselves for the first time this year and taking over the reins from an older relative, check out what really happens when you take over the Thanksgiving feast. And know that something will definitely go wrong, too. Then we can all do ourselves a favor by checking out some Thanksgiving hacks, which can cut down on a lot of the pain!
Low-Carb Cauliflower Mac & Cheese With Keto Cheese Sauce
This low-carb cauliflower mac and cheese recipe with keto cheese sauce is going to be absolutely perfect for anyone who's following a keto diet during the holidays — but it's definitely delicious enough to tempt the rest of the table, too.
Keto Broccoli Cheese
Yes, a potato gratin may be more traditional for Thanksgiving, but this keto broccoli cheese – low carb broccoli gratin is an excellent low-carb alternative, and tastes absolutely delicious. (But what doesn't when it's smothered in cheese?).
Low-Carb Cauliflower Breadsticks
For anyone who totally misses the bread parts of Thanksgiving — Parker House rolls, biscuits, and pull-apart breads — these low-carb cauliflower breadsticks are the next best thing. (And honestly, even better, since they're covered in melted cheese!).
Keto Creamed Spinach
If Thanksgiving isn't really Thanksgiving without creamed spinach, no worries — there's the best keto creamed spinach to the rescue. Creamy, indulgent, and delicious, topped with pork cracklings, this is even better than the non-keto version, in our opinion.
Parmesan-Roasted Green Beans
Sure, the traditional green bean casserole may not be low-carb, but this Parmesan-roasted green beans is a great substitute for any Thanksgiving table — and it's way healthier, whether we're doing a low-carb diet or not.
(Actually Good!) Mashed Cauliflower
Yes, it's not exactly the same as mashed potatoes, but this recipe for mashed cauliflower is our absolute favorite we've ever found — it has a great texture and consistency, which is the hardest part of a good mash. This one is both gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
This easy Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe is incredibly easy to make — and they taste so good — we end up reaching for this recipe all winter long, but it's also a stunning side dish for the Thanksgiving table.
Keto Spinach Pie
This recipe for keto spinach pie is hefty enough that it could work as a lunch or even a dinner with a side salad, but it's also ahearty side dish for the Thanksgiving table. Plus, it reheats well, so it's excellent to have in the house for someone who's doing keto.
Mushroom Side Dish With Bacon
This mushroom side dish with bacon is impossibly easy to make, and it looks so festive on the Thanksgiving table. Add the onions if the carb count allows it, but it's frankly tasty without — just mushrooms and bacon on their own would be delicious, really!
Low-Carb Stuffing Made With Keto Cornbread
This low-carb stuffing made with keto cornbread is a little intense in terms of the work it requires — there's the making of low-carb cornbread involved, after all — but we swear, the flavor is totally worth it if cornbread stuffing is dear to someone's heart.
Low-Carb Sage Stuffing
For anyone who doesn't feel like making a low-carb bread first — or who just prefers the classic flavors of a sage stuffing — this recipe for low-carb sage stuffing is a lot easier, and tastes so savory — although its texture is less traditional.
Low Carb Buttery Bacon & Cabbage Stir Fry
This low carb buttery bacon and cabbage stir fry is a great choice for a side since it doesn't take up any room in the oven, and even people who aren't on a low-carb diet will enjoy it, since who doesn't love bacon?
Low-Carb Spinach & Cheese Squares
These low carb spinach and cheese squares are an elegant side dish — and could even double as a vegetarian main, they're so hearty. Healthy, warm, and delicious, this dish could also be served just warmed, so it doesn't have to be the last thing in the oven.
Keto Bread Rolls
Keto bread rolls are a great alternative to regular bread rolls for anyone who's on a low-carb diet at the Thanksgiving table. And since they rely only on baking powder instead of yeast to rise, they're more foolproof, too.
Cranberry Eggplant Bread Pudding
Somewhere between a side dish and a dessert, this cranberry eggplant bread pudding is an unusual and lightly sweet side that would fit right in on the Thanksgiving table. Using eggplant instead of bread is such a neat idea!
Low-Carb Roasted Pumpkin Salad
Even those who aren't on a diet should consider eating something green on Thanksgiving, and this low-carb roasted pumpkin salad is the perfect seasonal ticket. Low-carb croutons can even be made to go with!
Spicy Stir-Fried Kale With Pancetta & Onions
This recipe for spicy stir-fried kale with pancetta and onions is an excellent side dish throughout the winter, but is also a perfect accompaniment to a Thanksgiving table. And of course, it's OK to adjust the spiciness to meet the family's preferences.
Delicious Low-Carb Gravy
While traditional gravy is made with a flour-based roux as a thickener, it's just as easy to whip up a delicious low-carb gravy. There are multiple methods one could use, but this is one of the best guides out there.
Low-Carb Pumpkin Cauliflower Mash
This recipe for low-carb pumpkin cauliflower mash is full of fall flavors and it's a great twist on the traditional mashed potatoes. This will be an unusual but tasty treat, even for people who aren't on a low-carb diet.
Low-Carb Candied 'Yams' With Marshmallows
For some of us, it just isn't Thanksgiving without traditional candied yams topped with marshmallows. While this may seem like something someone on a low-carb diet would have to give up, this recipe for low-carb candied "yams" with marshmallows does a pretty great imitation with just over 5 grams of net carbs per serving.
