If you’re currently living that keto lifestyle, Thanksgiving might feel a little torturous. Like, a holiday without carbs — is that even a thing? In a word, yes. You can absolutely have your holiday cake and eat it, too. It just requires a bit more forethought on your part, but it’s well worth to end up with a very merry (low-carb) belly.
If the thought of going without your Grandma’s famous pecan pie is still bringing you down, let us help. We’ve compiled a bevy of keto Thanksgiving recipes perfect for your health-conscious holiday feast.
Keto eggnog
OK, so technically this isn’t a “dish.” Although you can serve it in a dish (hello, punch bowl!), which means it counts. And what’s a holiday without eggnog, really? This keto version utilizes a combination of coconut milk and cashew milk to make the base, along with stevia and monk fruit sweeteners in the place of sugar.
MORE: 11 Unique Thanksgiving side dishes to add to your menu
Keto bread
If you ask us, there are few things more depressing than the thought of coming together with family and not breaking bread. Well, no need for a long face this keto Thanksgiving — this grain-free bread is made with that most wonderful of cruciferous veggies, cauliflower. Bonus? You can mix the batter in one bowl. Bonus bonus? Pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds add little nibbles of crunch (and nutrition!).
Keto cheesecake
There are two particularly brilliant things about this recipe. First, to state the obvious, it’s low-carb cheesecake — and since any cheesecake is heaven-sent, a slightly healthier version is downright holy. And number two, they’re mini, so you’ve got built-in portion control. And if you want to keep it holiday-themed, you could always swap the blueberries for raspberries.
Maple bacon roasted brussels sprouts
If there are still people in your social sphere who think brussels sprouts are gross, now’s your chance to change their mind for good. True, if you use the standard maple syrup that the recipe calls for, they aren’t clean keto-friendly. Fortunately, there are plenty of keto-friendly syrup swaps you can make to achieve the original recipe’s delicious trifecta of nutty brussels sprouts, sweet syrup, and savory bacon.
MORE: Holiday foods to avoid — and what to eat instead
Keto pumpkin spice churros
Because dreams do come true, keto pumpkin spice churros exist. And, even better, they’re totally doable and only take 30 minutes to whip up a batch. The secret lies in smart substitutions like mozzarella cheese (yes, really) and almond flour for the batter, and Sola sweetener with no-sugar-added white chocolate chips for the dipping sauce.
Keto stuffing
We can’t be certain, but we’re fairly positive that the Thanksgiving fairies will descend from on high and bop you right on the nose if you don’t have stuffing on this holiday. You can still be keto and totally avoid that fate with this tasty dish.
Keto apple cobbler ice cream & waffle cones
If pumpkin isn’t your thing, carve out some room on the family dessert table for keto apple cobbler ice cream and waffle cones. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, buttery shortbread crumbs, roasted “faux” apples — there’s a lot to be grateful for here. What are faux apples, you ask? Well, say hello to the sneaky chayote squash. Trust us on this one.
Balsamic and parmesan roasted cauliflower
When in doubt, break the cauliflower out! Not only is this side dish rich in vitamins and minerals, but it’s also conveniently low-carb. And it looks pretty on a platter, especially drizzled with tangy balsamic.
MORE: Our truffle bacon recipe is a keto dream
Mini keto pecan pies with brandy butter
Oh yes, friends, this is a real thing that tastes even better than it sounds. Like the mini cheesecakes, these bite-sized beauties make it easy to keep yourself in check… and they taste indulgent, to boot. Buttery, flaky crust filled with ooey, gooey pecan filling? Best present ever.
Looking for more keto Thanksgiving recipes? Check out our keto coffee cake below to get your Thanksgiving morning started right.