Thanksgiving dinner might feel intimidating if you are on the ketogenic diet! But don’t let that scare you, enjoy these keto Thanksgiving recipes this holiday season.
There are hundreds of tasty keto recipes out there. Low carb and high fat leave much room to create delicious holiday food!
I’ve collected forty-one best keto thanksgiving recipes to help you pick what you want on your Thanksgiving table.
Table of Contents
What Do You Eat on Keto Thanksgiving?
The keto diet is all about low-carb and high-fat foods. That means no bread or carbs at the table. This can make things like stuffing tough to craft unless you get creative with keto bread.
Thankfully, all kinds of Thanksgiving family favorites work well for this diet. Keto stuffing, keto gravy, vegetable casseroles, and tasty salads appear on the list!
Low-carb veggies are a great place to start. You can also find low-carb substitutes for things like bread that will make your life much easier.
Keto Thanksgiving Appetizers
Kick things off with a bang, thanks to our first category! Starters are meant to get the appetite going without filling your guests up too much. They’re also meant to be as tasty as possible.
All the delicious keto recipes on this list fits the bill!
1. Keto Zucchini Fritters
Source: allnutritious.com
First on our list is one of my favorite keto-friendly recipes. Full of cheese and so comforting, this easy recipe is an awesome vegetarian option for a low-carb diet. They’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s the perfect combination.
You can use these any time you need a hashbrown substitute for keto dieters. They’re great in an eggs benedict!
2. Squash Feta and Arugula Salad
Source: lowcarbsimplified.com
A good salad is an ideal appetizer. It’s light, refreshing, and full of flavor to wake up the appetite. This roast squash salad is delicious! The arugula and red onion are super refreshing.
Then the roast squash and crunchy pumpkin seeds add an earthy touch. Sprinkle some feta on top for a creamy element.
3. Broccoli Bacon Salad
Source: thismamacooks.com
Broccoli and bacon are an unlikely combo. But they’re delicious together! The freshness of the broccoli is a perfect counter to the salty bacon.
Top it off with a light, creamy dressing and a speckling of red onions. Even the pickiest eaters will dig into this plate with gusto.
4. Boursin and Prosciutto Stuffed Mushrooms
Source: lowcarbsimplified.com
Mushrooms soak up any flavor they’re near. That’s what makes these stuffed mushrooms so great. Packed with a creamy keto Boursin sauce and salty prosciutto, every bite is a rollercoaster.
This recipe only requires four ingredients too! It’s so simple that you can make it fifteen minutes before dinner.
Have leftover mushrooms? Make these keto mushroom egg cups.
5. Pumpkin Spice Keto Truffles
Source: how2doketo.com
Love pumpkin pie but want to avoid the crust? These pumpkin spice keto truffles are a delicious solution! You can make them ahead of time and serve each guest their little portion.
These look so refined and delicate. It makes them the ideal choice for a high-class Thanksgiving dinner.
Keto Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Once the party is over, there’s one big question we have to answer. What do we do with all the leftovers? These favorite keto thanksgiving recipes have low net carbs to help you use all that leftover Thanksgiving food in a tasty keto way.
6. Keto Chicken Salad
Source: allnutritious.com
Use your leftover chicken or turkey to create little lettuce cups filled with delicious chicken salad. The crispy lettuce is the perfect shell to house the creamy chicken.
Shredded chicken or turkey can get quite dry. This salad recipe is a great way to wake it back up with a tasty dressing.
7. Cheesy Brussel Sprout Bake
Source: how2doketo.com
Brussel sprouts have a bad reputation for being bland. But they’re a great vehicle for flavor! Cover your brussels sprouts in cheese and bacon for an addictive leftover dinner.
No matter how picky your kids are, they’ll love these sprouts! Bacon fixes everything, I’ll tell you that much.
8. Cauliflower Au Gratin
Source: stylishcravings.com
While you can’t eat potatoes on a keto diet, you can eat cauliflower! It’s a great potato substitute thanks to its texture and flavor.
Get all the taste of a potato gratin without any of the carbs. This gratin is a simple and delicious way to use leftover roast cauliflower.
9. Green Bean Casserole
Source: twosleevers.com
I don’t know anyone who wants to eat leftover Thanksgiving green beans just as they are. But what if you made them into this delicious casserole?
Enjoy the healthy keto-friendly casserole in just fifteen minutes! The green beans are already cooked. So you just need to assemble and bake the dish. So simple!
10. Mashed Cauliflower
Source: theforkedspoon.com
Our final leftover recipe is another great way to use up cauliflower. This is super good if you use roasted cauliflower with plenty of spices.
Have a smooth and flavorful mash on the table in less than five minutes. Simply chuck the cauliflower, milk, butter, and seasonings into a blender. Blitz and you’re done!
Keto Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
The main event at the dinner table might be the turkey. But I believe Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes. You can find a lot of delicious keto Thanksgiving side dishes. I’ve just chosen a few for you to test out as a great addition to your main course.
11. Broccoli Casserole
Source: allnutritious.com
Give broccoli a makeover with my delicious 5-ingredient broccoli casserole. This is a super healthy vegetarian dish that your whole family will enjoy.
It’s also easy to make alongside other Thanksgiving dishes, which is great for putting up a varied spread on the big day!
Love broccoli casseroles? Try this keto egg casserole with bacon and broccoli!
12. Green Beans
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
Smothered green beans are a holiday classic. Plus, they’re keto-friendly by nature! This smothered green beans recipe features plenty of crispy bacon to draw the whole family in.
Try using mushrooms instead of bacon in this recipe if you’re serving a vegetarian crowd. The flavor is just as good!
13. Cheesy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Source: baking-ginger.com
This one-pan wonder is a great way to give brussel sprouts a makeover. Douse them in cheese and plenty of herbs to give these underappreciated sprouts a new lease on life.
The best thing about this recipe is that it only creates one dish! Anyone who’s had to wash the dishes after Thanksgiving knows what a blessing that is.
Looking for more tasty low carb sides? Check out these best keto side dishes.
14. Stove Top Stuffing
Source: homemadeheather.com
That’s right; you can still have stuffing even if you’re keto! This stovetop keto thanksgiving stuffing uses a keto-friendly mug bread. The bread only takes 90 seconds in the microwave!
From there, you can use it to create your favorite kind of stuffing. This stovetop version has all the classics and fresh herbs that make stuffing delicious.
15. Loaded Mashed Cauliflower
Source: consumerqueen.com
You’ve heard of mashed cauliflower… but have you heard of the loaded version? This scrumptious dish will make you forget all about mashed potatoes.
You can have this dish ready in a matter of minutes. Cauliflower cooks quickly and mashes easily in a blender. That’s why it’s so great to use as a potato substitute!
16. Turmeric Spice Cauliflower Rice
Source: familyspice.com
Do you love having rice at the table on Thanksgiving? Then I’ve got the recipe for you. This vibrant, light cauliflower rice recipe comes together in mere minutes.
Many people are scared of trying to make their cauliflower rice. But there’s no need to be! All you need is quality time with your grater and plenty of seasoning.
17. Spaghetti Squash with Onion Garlic and Parmesan
Source: bellyfull.net
This might be one of the easiest dishes on the list! Spaghetti squash is one of those vegetables you can leave as-is. A slight drizzle of oil and some salt bring it to life instantly.
Once roasted, you can scrape the strands out of the squash. The result is a plate of beautiful yellow strands ready to be enjoyed!
18. Smothered Cabbage
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
You’ve heard of smothered green beans. But have you ever tried doing the same thing to cabbage?
Cabbage is well-known for absorbing flavor quickly. So when you drizzle it with bacon and butter, you’re bound to get something good. Discover how fast your family will demolish this plate!
19. Cranberry Sauce
Source: lowcarbspark.com
Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without a good cranberry sauce. Most store-bought ones contain some kind of carbs, but not this recipe!
This is a simple cranberry sauce you can whip up before dinner. It’s excellent on all dishes, not just Thanksgiving!
Try making a big batch and storing it in the fridge for casual weeknight dinners.
Keto Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
Now we’ve reached the main event! Are you looking for a unique take on Thanksgiving dinner? Do you want something classic? Either way, I’ve got a keto-friendly dinner recipe for you to try.
20. Zucchini Boats
Source: allnutritious.com
This recipe is perfect if you’re looking for something a little different this Thanksgiving! My pork-stuffed zucchini boats are a riot of flavor and texture.
These are great for serving defined portions to large crowds. That way, you know everyone gets enough. Plus, you don’t have to fight over who carves the turkey!
Try this yummy take on keto zucchini boats!
21. Air Fryer Chicken
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
Lucky enough to have an air fryer? Why not try cooking your Thanksgiving poultry in it this year? This air fryer roast chicken has a crispy skin and juicy, tender meat inside.
This option is great for you if you’re serving a smaller family. You won’t have to deal with too many leftovers. Plus, the bird will cook so much faster than a whole turkey.
22. Dry Brine Turkey
Source: pinchandswirl.com
Dry brining a turkey means coating it in your seasoning of choice before cooking. You can leave it like that for days before you roast it. This helps it soak up all that fantastic flavor.
You’ll find plenty of herbs and spices in this dry brine turkey recipe. Experiment with your seasoning to pump up the flavor even more!
23. Lemon Garlic Chicken
Source: nourishplate.com
Did somebody say Instant Pot? This tool is every home cook’s dream companion on Thanksgiving day. You can leave your main element bubbling away quietly while you get on with other things.
This lemon garlic chicken is bursting with flavor. You can use any cut you like. Although dark meat will probably work best to soak up all that juice.
24. Butter Herb Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Source: ketocookingwins.com
Rather than roasting an entire turkey, why not just fry the breast? This butter herb turkey breast is so packed with flavor you won’t miss the rest of the bird.
I’d recommend this approach if you want a more refined Thanksgiving. Wine, breadsticks, and one perfectly-cooked breast apiece is the way to go.
25. Instant Pot Stuffed Squash
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
This super simple squash is full of fall flavor. It’s a great dinner recipe for Thanksgiving, offering each guest their portion. Think how cute it would be for everyone to eat out of their squash!
You can sprinkle every squash with plenty of pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds. The result is a crunchy, slightly sweet squash for which your guests will go crazy.
26. Roasted Turkey Breast
Source: nourishplate.com
Is your guest list too small to justify a whole turkey? Prepare this much smaller substitute in just an hour and a half. This breast has all the flavor you know and love from a Thanksgiving turkey.
This meal goes beautifully with stovetop stuffing. Try saving the juices from the roasting pan to make a light gravy or mix it into the stuffing.
27. Spatchcock Turkey
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
You’ve heard of a spatchcock chicken, but have you ever tried that technique on a turkey? A spatchcocked bird means one that has been cut to lie flat.
This helps it cook faster and more evenly in the oven. It also gives you more skin surface area to enjoy even more crispy skin.
28. Cheese Tomato Quiche
Source: allnutritious.com
Never fear if you’re not in the mood for turkey this year! This cheese and tomato quiche is a super simple Thanksgiving meal you can enjoy in under an hour.
There’s no crust on this quiche, so you don’t have to worry about the carbs there. Make this extra luxurious with a delicious sauce to pour over your quiche.
Can’t get enough of a good quiche? You’ll love this keto quiche with zucchini and pepperoni!
Keto Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Dessert is also known as the best part of any holiday meal! I think keto desserts are some of the best in the game. They’re lovely and rich and don’t have any carbs to weigh you down. A delicious keto dessert is a win-win!
29. Almond Cake
Source: lazy-girl.tips
The first of our desserts is a showstopper. Before you even bite into this almond cake, you can see how much fantastic texture it has to offer.
The crunchy almonds on top are the perfect counter for the creamy filling. If you’ve never had a keto cake before, this is the place to start.
30. Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Source: how2doketo.com
Think of these pumpkin cookies as little whoopie pies. They’re light and soft with a generous dollop of frosting. The frosting, by the way, is just sweet enough to elevate the dish without taking it over.
Pair that with the crumbled walnuts over the top; you’ve got a winning dessert.
31. Cinnamon Pecans
Source: consumerqueen.com
Pecans are the most iconic Thanksgiving nut. You can use this recipe to make them even better! You can even wrap these up in little bags and give them out as party favors at the night’s end.
These nuts’ deep, dark, sweet flavor is easy to achieve. Just toss in sugar and spice, bake, and serve!
32. Pumpkin Cheesecake
Source: simplystacie.net
This next recipe also doesn’t have a crust, but that doesn’t take away from its taste. Humming with warm autumn flavors, this pumpkin cheesecake is a Thanksgiving triumph.
Plus, unlike many cheesecakes, this recipe is super easy to make. You can make it on the day rather than the night before!
33. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Source: stylishcravings.com
If cheesecake bars are more your style, this recipe has you covered. Each bar is like a pie with cream in every bite. Perfectly balanced with plenty of crunch, this is a recipe you need to try!
Be generous with your cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg! Cold mixtures often taste bland, so inject as much flavor as possible.
34. Keto Pumpkin Pie
Source: kimandkalee.com
This is for you if you’re after a classic pumpkin pie with a crust and a dollop of cream. This recipe uses an almond flour crust with a delicious crunch.
The best part of the pie is the filling. Packed with pumpkin flavor and spices, every bite is like breathing in the autumn air.
35. Keto Pumpkin Mousse
Source: thismamacooks.com
Get all the flavor of pumpkin pie with none of the hassles. Prepare this pumpkin mousse the day before. Then whip it out after dinner when everyone wants something sweet.
Not only is this keto, but it’s also vegan, low sugar, and paleo. Don’t worry; it still tastes fantastic!
36. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Source: how2doketo.com
That’s right; there are keto cookies! These fantastic cookies are so soft and chewy, with plenty of flavors. Every bite is laden with enough chocolate chips to put a smile on your face.
The best part is that these cookies are easy to make and guilt-free!
37. Chocolate Nut Clusters
Source: artofnaturalliving.com
Our final recipe is one of my favorites. It’s super simple and celebrates whole, healthy ingredients. These nut clusters coated in dark chocolate and coconut burst with flavor.
I defy you to stop at just one with these addictive little clusters.
Which keto recipes are you busting out this Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments below so we can try them! Happy Thanksgiving!