Hi Everyone,
It’s that time of year again! You know the day I’m talking about? The one where you spend the whole day cooking, eating yourself till you can’t move and then stare at the mess in the kitchen and hope that when you wake up in the morning it will be gone? Good times! Actually I have never been a big Thanksgiving person. As a kid, I always seemed to be sick on Thanksgiving with a bad cold or flu, as an adult it was pretty much just me, since my family lived on the opposite coast. Now that I am married, we still don’t have family near us, so it’s always just the two of us. But every year, my Husband always wants me to make the big Thanksgiving dinner and I dread it because it’s a lot of work and a lot of food. I honestly would be happy with a nice steak or chicken and some side dishes, but nope he wants the 20lbs. bird with mashed potatoes and gravy. Sigh…. Now one thing I do LOVE about Thanksgiving is the side dishes. Give me some stuffing, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes and I’m a happy camper. But this year I decided to do it different. Since there are so many side dishes that I do love and enjoy making, I started to make them early this year and serving them with whatever protein I make that night. I found it easier because I get to share a holiday recipe with you and I get my fill with out over-filling myself. I even made turkey this year! Not the big bird, but Trader Joe’s has already cooked turkey that needs to be heated in the oven for 30 minutes. It’s darn good and my Husband loves it. I have been making that and the side dishes that I have shared with you the past couple of weeks. I’m hoping that by Thanksgiving my Husband will be sick of turkey and I won’t have to make the bird. So what’s on the agenda today instead of my blabbering? I thought I would share with you 50 SKINNY Thanksgiving recipes.
Here are some tasty Thanksgiving side dishes that will be sure to please all and not hurt your waistline.
Apple Walnut Cranberry Stuffing
Asparagus and Basmati Rice (Vegan)
Baked Delicata Squash with Pomegranates and Goat Cheese (Gluten Free)
Cornbread, Apple and Sage Stuffing (Gluten Free, omit the egg and it’s Vegan)
Cranberry Apple Sauce (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Cranberry, Cherry and Pear Chutney (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Delicata Squash and Cranberry Quinoa Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Fall Harvest Brussels Sprouts (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Gluten Free)
Grilled Asparagus and Green Beans (Gluten Free)
Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots (Gluten Free)
Maple Glazed Roasted Carrots (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Orange Brussels Sprouts (Gluten Free)
Roasted Butternut Squash (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Roasted Root Vegetables (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Sauteed Brussels Sprouts and Apples (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Wild Rice Pilaf (Vegan)
Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Baked Acorn Squash with Apple & Sausage Stuffing
Here are a few appetizers that I think are light and won’t fill you before you have your Thanksgiving feast. After all we don’t everyone to fill up on appetizers.
Baked Brie with Cherries (Gluten Free)
Candied Nuts (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Chocolate Covered Almonds (Gluten Free)
Pear and Cream Cheese Fillo Cups
Here are a few dips and spreads that can be served with dinner or even as an appetizer. Just add some crackers, vegetables or even fruit, pending on what dip you make.
Cranberry Apple Butter (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Cranberry Cherry Sauce (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Garlicky Feta White Bean Dip (Gluten Free)
Jalapeno and Artichoke Hummus (Gluten Free)
Maple Pumpkin Butter (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Maple Spice Apple Butter (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip (You know I had to throw in Peanut Butter somewhere, he he)
Pumpkin Pie Hummus (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Smoked Paprika Edamame Dip(Vegan, Gluten Free)
Here are just a few desserts. It looks like I need to start adding more, like apple and pumpkin pie! 🙂
Caramelized Apples in Crockpot (Vegan, Gluten Free) (let this cook all day and you won’t have to worry about it after dinner, just scoop some ice cream on it and serve)
Fall Crisp (Can be easily made to be Vegan & Gluten Free)
Mini Apple Galettes (These could also be a nice appetizer)
Sugar Plum White Chocolate Cake Bites
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Bites
Here are a few side salads and soups that can be served as a 1st course. Just make them as tastings, a little goes a long way.
Apple and Cranberry Quinoa Salad (Gluten Free)
Chicken and Apple Sweet Potato Salad (Omit the chicken in this dish for a light 1st course)
Fall Harvest Butternut Squash and Chicken Salad with Maple Dressing (Again omit the chicken for a light 1st course)
Pumpkin Soup (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Roasted Fennel, Carrot and Apple Soup (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Well that is it for today! Lots of recipes, lots of choices. Check out my sidebar for other recipes that I posted this week and there will be more to come. Stay tuned tomorrow for more holiday goodness.
Have a wonderful weekend! Remember if you are grocery shopping this weekend, go early! You will beat the crowds and get the freshest produce.
Toodles,
Jennifer
20 lb. turkey for just two?! Now you have me freaking about the 14-pounder I just ordered for four people! Love all these lighter dishes!
Yah! 20lbs, but trust me it was way to much!!! My Husband gets a free turkey form work and he says he picks out the smallest one, but I some how don’t think that’s true.
I definitely find holidays different now that my family has moved mostly away and my husband’s family isn’t big into the family dinner thing – we try to get together with 3 of us sisters who live close by and it’s always chaotic with our little kids but the food is always worth it 🙂 Love this list of healthier options – SO many great choices! The white chocolate raspberry cheesecakes sound amazing! Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful – love your strategy to get out of the big turkey 🙂
I hope you and your beautiful family have a wonderful holiday!!!
ABSOLUTELY LOVE this list!!! You have come up with quite a few amazing lowfat recipes for T-Day! Sooooo glad to have them all here!!
Ahhh your too sweet!