Keto Thanksgiving Recipes

Try these easy, keto-friendly sides and desserts—just add turkey for a full Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving’s tough on a keto diet: dinner rolls, dessert, and flour-thickened gravies are out of the question, and even some sides that rely on breadcrumb toppings or starchy vegetables are off limits. But with a few crafty swaps, you can make a low-carb meal that satisfies even the most restrictive diet.

Short for “ketogenic,” the keto diet is a low-carb, moderate-protein, high-fat diet designed to put the body into ketosis—a metabolic state in which the liver produces compounds called ketones, which the body uses instead of sugar for energy. On most keto plans, carbs are restricted to 10 percent of daily calories, proteins make up 20 percent, and the remaining 70 percent comes from fats.

What does that mean for your Thanksgiving table? Low-carb vegetables, grain-free swaps, and lots (and lots) of butter and cream.

5 Keto Thanksgiving Recipes

• Garlicky Mashed “Potatoes”
• Mushroom-Shallot Gravy
• Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon with Hazelnuts
• Spinach au Gratin
• Pecan Pie Mini Cheesecakes

10 Easy Keto Treats

Try these easy, keto-friendly snacks and appetizers to get you through busy holidays (and surprise guests).

1. Beef jerky. Stand them up in rocks glasses, use them instead of crackers with keto-friendly dips, or serve on a cheese platter.
2. Eggs. Boil and halve them, then mash the yolks with avocado, smoked paprika, and MCT oil.
3. Coconut chips. Serve as-is instead of chips, or toss with roasted nuts and seeds for a more interesting app.
4. Olives. Toss them with whole garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, minced rosemary, and olive oil, and roast.
5. Nut butter. Go retro: stuff celery stalks with a variety of nut and seed butters, and top with roasted hazelnuts instead of raisins.
6. Cheese. Serve as-is, or dip cheese cubes in a batter of eggs and almond flour, and bake until crispy.
7. Sacha inchi seeds. Instead of peanuts: fry them in coconut oil, toss with coarse black pepper and sea salt, and serve warm.
8. Sardines. Broil them with lemons and garlic, or mash with minced onions, cucumbers, and parsley, and spread on cucumber slices.
9. Chocolate. Look for stevia-sweetened bars (such as Lily’s Chocolate), then break into chunks and serve as-is; or melt them, toss with nuts and seeds, let cool, and break into bark.
10. Nuts and seeds. Mix a wide variety, including pistachios, Brazil nuts, macadamias, and other interesting selections; toss with olive oil and garlic salt, and roast until golden.

Written by Lisa Turner for Better Nutrition and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.