If you're following a keto diet—or any diet, really—the holidays can be a stressful time. But turkey and green beans don't have to be the only thing on your plate...there are plenty of keto-friendly Thanksgiving recipes to add to the table, from bacon-wrapped carrots to cauli stuffing to a keto-friendly pumpkin pie for dessert. And if you're in need of gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes, we've got those too!
Keto Pumpkin Muffins With Cream Cheese Filling:
The recipe name says it all. These are high in fat and low in carb, and even your kiddos will be licking their fingers after one of these for dessert. Are you drooling yet?
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons powdered erythritol
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pumpkin Muffins:
- 2 cups almond flour
- ½ cup erythritol
- ¼ cup unflavored whey protein powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Now for your veggie side dish inspo. This flavorful blend of Brussels sprouts, bacon, and onions is a guaranteed success for the holidays, and totally keto-compliant.
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 7 slices bacon
- 1/3 medium onion
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
You didn't think we'd send you off to your feast without a chocolate option, right? This dairy-free pie will melt in your mouth—and your family will have no clue it's (gasp!) low-carb.
- 2 (13.5-ounce) cans chilled coconut milk, liquid discarded
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated erythritol
- 4 ounces low-carb dark chocolate
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sweetener
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, to garnish
When you’re on the keto diet, the holidays can be tricky (pie, boozy punch, and stuffing, I'm looking at you). But going low-carb doesn't mean you can't feast. Keto Thanksgiving recipes are totally a thing.
Let’s get this out of the way first: If you’re going to a loved one’s house for Thanksgiving, you’ll probably only be able to eat the turkey. Womp, womp. Many seemingly low-carb dishes like green bean casserole or gravy are made with flour, which adds too many carbs for the keto diet (sorry, folks).
Your fix: BYO. Make a couple of side dishes (or keto dessert!) at home to take with you—or go all out and host a keto Thanksgiving on your own. You can make all the traditional dishes, but with keto-compliant ingredients, says Los Angeles-area dietitian Sarah Jadin, R.D., of Keto Consulting, LLC. (She’s even crafted a full keto Thanksgiving meal for under 20 grams of carbs!) “There’s a substitute for everything,” she says.
In fact, there are so many keto-friendly recipes you can try, as long as you’re willing to get a little creative. A few general tips for making your Thanksgiving keto-friendly: Swap out mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower, nix adding any flour to thicken recipes like green bean casserole or creamed spinach, and load up on the low-carb veggies like Brussels sprouts, spaghetti squash, and mushrooms.
Oh, and a word on booze: Jadin says if you do opt for an alcoholic drink, go for a pure distilled spirit (plain vodka, for instance) mixed with a splash of diet soda or tonic. A dry wine is another option. And, stick to a glass or two—max. “Alcohol tends to affect people on a keto diet sooner and harder compared to people eating a general diet,” she says.
And you didn't think you'd have to start from scratch, did you? Here are 3 keto Thanksgiving recipes to put on your menu.
IF YOU WANT MORE RECIPES