Thanksgiving is almost here! The one day of the year where we’re all but encouraged to throw portion control out the window and dive into an ocean of carbs, butter, and all things indulgent. But if you’re on a keto diet like me, that spread of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie can feel like a landmine of temptation. 💣💣💥
My First Thanksgiving On Keto
I remember awkwardly pushing turkey around my plate while everyone else dove into their second serving of cranberry sauce. It was rough. But guess what? Keto Thanksgiving recipes do exist, and they’re so good, even your carb-loving relatives will come back for seconds.
In fact, this year, I’ve made it my mission to prove that Thanksgiving can be just as delicious and festive without the carb overload. These keto Thanksgiving recipes are the perfect balance of indulgence and low-carb brilliance, and you won’t miss the traditional sugar and starch-laden dishes. Let’s dive in and make this Thanksgiving one to remember, keto style!
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Recipe 1: Keto Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”
Let’s start with a classic that screams Thanksgiving comfort—mashed potatoes. Or in our case, mashed cauliflower. Now before you roll your eyes and think, “Cauliflower? Really?”—just hear me out. When you steam it just right, blend it with butter and cream, and sprinkle in some herbs, you’ll barely miss the potatoes. Trust me, this recipe will leave even the biggest carb-lovers in awe.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 3g
Ingredients:
- 1 large head of cauliflower
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- 1. Steam the cauliflower florets in a large pot until soft (about 10-12 minutes).
- 2. Drain and place the steamed cauliflower into a food processor.
- 3. Add the butter, heavy cream, and garlic, and blend until smooth and creamy.
- 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 5. Garnish with chopped chives and serve hot.
Not only is this cauliflower mash smooth and buttery, but it’s also guilt-free. You’ll be basking in the joy of a creamy side dish that won’t kick you out of ketosis. 🙋🏽♀️🙋🙋♀️
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Recipe 2: Keto Turkey Stuffing
Stuffing is one of those dishes that immediately screams “Thanksgiving,” but traditional stuffing is basically a loaf of bread dressed up with a little sage and onion. This keto-friendly version uses a combination of almond flour and sausage to deliver that same savory, herby goodness without the carb overload. Bonus: it’s even more flavorful than the original.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Net Carbs: 3g
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground sausage (sugar-free)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- ½ tsp sage
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2. In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- 3. In the same skillet, sauté the onion and celery until softened.
- 4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sausage, onion, celery, almond flour, eggs, poultry seasoning, sage, and salt and pepper.
- 5. Add the chicken broth slowly until the mixture is moist but not too wet.
- 6. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- 7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Who knew you could make a stuffing that’s rich, savory, and keto-friendly? This dish will have everyone at the table asking for the recipe—and no one will believe it’s low-carb! 😲😲😲
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Recipe 3: Keto Pumpkin Pie
Now for the grand finale—the dessert. I’m not saying Thanksgiving is all about the pie, but I’ll go ahead and say that Thanksgiving is mostly about the pie. And on keto, there’s no reason to miss out on that. This keto pumpkin pie is creamy, spicy, and everything you love about the classic dessert—but without the sugar bomb.
OR… try Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 4g
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp allulose or another keto-friendly sweetener
Filling:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup allusol
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
Instructions:
- 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2. In a bowl, mix all the crust ingredients until a dough forms. Press it evenly into a 9-inch pie pan.
- 3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set it aside.
- 4. In another bowl, whisk together the filling ingredients until smooth.
- 5. Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is just set.
- 6. Let the pie cool before serving, and top with whipped cream if desired.
This pie is the showstopper. The filling is perfectly spiced, the crust is crumbly and buttery, and no one will believe that it’s keto-friendly. Plus, your carb-loving friends won’t even notice the difference, making this the perfect dessert to share. 😋😋😋
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Keto Tips for a Healthy and Delicious Thanksgiving
Stay Full and Satisfied with Healthy Fats
One of the secrets to surviving (and thriving) on keto during Thanksgiving is to make sure your meals are packed with healthy fats. Luckily, Thanksgiving dishes are a goldmine for that. Between the butter in the mashed cauliflower, the creamy pumpkin pie, and even the roasted turkey, you’ll be filling up on the good stuff without any of the carb-heavy sides.
| Ingredient | Healthy Fat Content |
|---|---|
| Turkey (dark meat) | High in healthy fats |
| Butter | Full of healthy fats |
| Heavy cream | Great source of fat |
| Sausage (sugar-free) | Rich in fats |
| Almond flour | High-fat alternative |
By keeping your fat intake high, you’ll stay full longer, and it becomes much easier to resist those high-carb temptations on the table.
Sharing Keto Dishes with Family and Friends
If you’ve ever been the lone keto dieter at a family holiday, you know how awkward it can feel to turn down every dish that comes your way. But instead of isolating yourself, use it as an opportunity to share your delicious keto creations with everyone! After all, good food is good food, keto or not. When your family sees how amazing these dishes taste, they might just ask you to bring them every year.
Here’s a little secret: when I made the keto pumpkin pie last year, no one even realized it wasn’t packed with sugar. It was a game-changer. Don’t be shy—your keto dishes will not only fit right in but may even steal the spotlight.
Plan Ahead and Stick to Your Goals
The key to any successful holiday meal on keto is preparation. That means having your keto-friendly dishes ready to go, so you’re never stuck looking at a table full of high-carb foods with nothing for yourself. Plan ahead, make enough to share, and you’ll feel proud when you stick to your goals and enjoy the feast without missing out.
Navigating Social Situations with Ease
Let’s be honest, the hardest part about keto on Thanksgiving isn’t just the food—it’s dealing with the constant questions from Aunt Betty about why you’re skipping her famous rolls. My advice? Keep it simple. You can say you’re trying to eat healthier, or simply that you’ve found you feel better eating this way. No need for a lengthy explanation—just enjoy the food, the company, and the holiday spirit.
A Keto Thanksgiving to Remember
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, family, and yes—good food. And with these keto Thanksgiving recipes, you won’t have to sacrifice any of those things just to stick to your goals. From creamy mashed cauliflower to savory sausage stuffing and a perfectly spiced pumpkin pie, this low-carb feast is sure to impress both you and your guests.
So this year, let’s skip the carb coma and dive into a Thanksgiving filled with delicious keto-friendly recipes. Trust me, you won’t feel like you’re missing out—in fact, you might just start a new tradition that’s healthier, tastier, and just as festive as ever!
A Word About Breaking The Diet
One year, I decided to take a break from low-carb just for the holidays (From Thanksgiving to New Years). I had every intention of returning to the full diet after the holidays, but for this season, I wanted to see what results would come from eating regular food, conservatively, over the holidays. What I was tackling was the issue of feeling deprived and how to combat it.
My Results
I did gain weight, but not a lot, because I limited the carb loads of the foods I chose. I ate the turkey with minimal gravy, had a spoonful of dressing instead of the usual half a plateful (pre-keto). As for side dishes, I chose healthier veggie options and avoided added sugar dishes. Not getting to eat Waldorf Salad was sad, but I was fine with keto pumpkin pie.
I did the same for the rest of the holiday season, and ended up with an 11-pound weight gain. I was okay with that. Dropping 11 pounds on keto is easy. The roughest part was getting back into ketosis. I had to drop my carb load to 10 grams for two weeks, but that was a small price to pay, at least to me.
What I learned is that those “standard holiday recipes” were, of course, tasty, but I have plenty of recipes that are just as tasty… just not as “traditional.” If I’m feeling “traditional,” then I know I can always pause my diet (as I did that holiday season), and work back to lower weight after the holidays. If I’m feeling not so inclined to go thru that, then I focus on creating delicious replacements for my holiday meals.
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I hope this helps you understand that nothing is written in stone, as long as you have the right tools and the right mindset.
Remember, You Got This!!
