Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (2024)

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving .

Just because Thanksgiving is commonly known as a day of eating, it does not mean that you have to break the carb bank doing it.

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (1)

I truly believe that followers of a low carb and/or sugar free diet can still enjoy Thanksgiving.
This is because there are plenty of great food ideas out there that do not call for consuming a lot of carbs. However, you can still wear the elastic waist sweats if you choose to! 🙂

By the way, you should know that the majority of carbohydrates that are consumed are not coming from the turkey itself.

When baked plain, turkey nets out at about zero, or close to zero, carbs.
It is the bread and the dessert that you probably be worried about however!

Here are some tips for anyone asking how do you make Thanksgiving dinner easier.

Obviously, most anything that you can do or make in advance to make your Thanksgiving day flow by easier helps. This mean making what you can make a head of time and freeze or store is so very helpful!

Here are some more helpful tips for you.

  1. Designate what you can. That is, if someone asks if they can bring an appetizer, let them. It will not only make your life easier with one less thing to have to think about, it will make that person feel useful and thus, good vibes will be known. By the way, you can always suggest or provide your own low carb or healthy appetizer to serve in addition to theirs.
  2. Planning is essential. That is, plan your menu in advance and then make a list of all of the ingredients that you will need for that menu. Shop for what you can a week ahead of time because, we all know what the grocery stores look like the week of Thanksgiving. uuugggg... I should also remind you that because low carb and sugar free diets often need special ingredients, you should get those ingredients in advance rather than at the last minute.
  3. Do just what you need to do and not necessarily to impress the masses. Seriously, those folks that you see on TV or in magazines with those amazing Thanksgiving dinners with everything that you have never made or even tried, have put that visual together for the op. Think more about the folks and the memories and not so much about having to spend the entire day in the kitchen.
  4. Think about clean up before you even make the mess. Moms know that you clean as you go when you are working in the kitchen. Those photos and memes that you see with the Thanksgiving dinner dishes stacked up all over the kitchen probably did not take place when a mom was in charge in the kitchen. To be honest, I am way to tired to clean up the kitchen after I have eaten my Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving Recipes that are Sugar Free or Keto Low Carb friendly.

Appetizers

Low Carb Cheddar Cheese Crackers

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (2)

These Low Carb Cheddar Crackers kind of remind me of the famous ones that come in the big box
However, these crackers do not have all of the carbs in them like the ones that come in that big box.
Also, you can make these tasty crackers yourself in your own kitchen. This means that you can add the ingredients that you want to add and know exactly what you are adding.

Low Carb Jalapeno Cheese Crisps.

I first discovered my love for crisp cheese snacks the first time that I went on a low carb diet.

This is such an easy recipe to make. What I also like about this recipe is that it can be personalized by adding seasonings and other ingredients to it!

Sugar Free Homemade Peanut Butter.

You may be wondering why I would add peanut butter here.

Peanut butter makes for a great spread on crackers or a dip for celery. Plus, kids, and my dogs, love peanut butter!

Bread

Keto Coconut Flour Bread

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (5)

This coconut bread recipe is one of the few bread recipes that are friendly to many kinds of diets.

Because we do not add any sugar to this recipe, this coconut bread is sugar free. However, this bread recipe is also friendly to other diets including low carbohydrate, keto, and gluten free diets.

Low Carb Bread Machine Bread

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (6)

I must say that owning that bread machine was not a bad thing for me to do.
What I mean is that placing all of the ingredients into something that I could set a timer on in order to wake up to warm bread was really nice. Especially nice was the smell of that baking bread on a weekend morning when I was getting out of bed.

Low Carb Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits

This recipe for Low Carb Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits has been a very popular recipe.

I like that this is the perfect biscuit to serve at dinner, especially a holiday or special occasion of dinner. Everyone seems to like this copycat biscuit that can also be made low in carbohydrates.

Sides

Low Carb Cauliflower Gratin

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (8)

A recipe for Low Carb Cauliflower Gratin that tastes good.

This recipe is a great alternative to the usual potato gratin side dish recipe as well.
I love all of the delicious alternative recipes that can be made with cauliflower.

Low Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (9)

Rice has a lot of carbohydrates in it which is why I prefer to make Low Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice.

Plus, I think this cauliflower fried rice is easier to make (yay for lazy!). I will also mention that I had a mom email me to tell me that her kids were all over this recipe!

Pies

Sugar Free Blueberry Pie

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (10)

This recipe does not feature a frozen blueberry pie filling nor is it a no bake blueberry pie.
Technically, this truly is a homemade blueberry pie recipe. Only, it has been modified to be both easy to follow and made without adding sugar to it.

Almost Sugar Free Sweet Potato Pie

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (11)

This Almost Sugar Free Sweet Potato Pie recipe is perfect for your holiday dining table.

I was surprised that this Sweet Potato Pie can be made without all of the added sugar.
This pie is probably not for the low carb diet folks however.

Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (12)

Technically speaking, pumpkins do not have a whole lot of sugar in them by nature.
Once cup of cubed pumpkin has about three grams of sugar in it.
We should also mention that pumpkin pie is really the standard (well, and pecan pie..) pie to seve on Thanksgiving.

No Sugar Added Pecan Pie

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (13)

Because, it is possible to make a pecan pie without adding a bunch of sugar to it.

This pie is by no means perfect when it comes to pecan pies. However, it contains pecans, is a pie, and has no added sugar. Regular pecan pie contains a lot of corn syrup and sugar in it. No added sugar pecan pie does not.

Cookies

Sugar Free Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (14)

We all know that Snickerdoodle cookies are so popular this time of the year!

However, pumpkins are also pretty popular during the season.
What I like about these cookies, other than the fact that they are cookies, is that pumpkin says fall like Snickerdoodles say holiday cookie baking. This cookie reminds me of a bridge from fall to the holidays (make a double batch?).

No Added Sugar Fruit and Oatmeal Cookies

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (15)

This is a great tasting oatmeal cookie that is made without adding sugar to it.

But, adding a bit of fruit does make this cookie both more colorful and more flavorful.
This is the kind of a cookie that does a good job at pleasing multiple age groups too!

Sugar Free Double Espresso Cookies

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (16)

I like that this cookie does not look or taste like other cookies.

That is, if you are looking for a different kind of cookie to serve, this is a good choice.
Plus, this double espresso cookie is popular with the coffee crowd.

3 ingredient peanut butter cookies

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (17)

This 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies says 'easy' like no other cookie.

When you only need three ingredients to make a cookie, you know that that it is a good day.
Plus, kids like this cookie too!

Sugar Free Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (18)

This Sugar Free Soft Pumpkin Cookie is like an old fashion cookie that grandma may have made.

It is a soft cookie that works well with crowds.
I like how this cookie is different from other pumpkin cookies which makes it an even more interesting cookie to serve up.

The Best Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (19)

This sugar free chocolate chip cookie has been a very popular cookie around here.

It is a recipe that is based upon a basic chocolate chip cookie only. However, my sugar free chocolate chip cookie has options for keto and low carb variations in addition to simply being sugar free.

By the way, I have many chocolate chip cookie recipes.

I like to prove that sugar free, keto, or low carb dies are not a reason to to skip chocolate chip cookies.
You can see my sugar free, keto low carb friendly, chocolate chip cookie recipes here.

Keep up to date with my recipes

You can check out my guide on baking with sugar alternatives on Amazon

I have some great tips on which alternatives may work in a recipe that you may be working on.

Be sure to follow me on facebook and subscribe to my recipes via email to keep up to date as well.

Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (20)
Low Carb and Sugar Free Recipes for Thanksgiving (2024)

FAQs

How do you survive Thanksgiving on keto? ›

Here are some easy tips and swaps to keep keto this Thanksgiving while still enjoying those traditional favorites:
  1. Consider time-restricted eating (TRE). ...
  2. Eat off a salad plate. ...
  3. Choose dark meat over white meat. ...
  4. Stuffing swap. ...
  5. Sugar-free cranberry sauce. ...
  6. Sweet potato casserole. ...
  7. Mashed potatoes and gravy.
Nov 22, 2021

What can I do instead of Thanksgiving dinner? ›

  • Roast chicken or cornish hens - A whole chicken or a few hens can feed a crowd for less cost than a turkey. ...
  • Lasagna - Make an oversized lasagna with a meat sauce or go meatless. ...
  • Chili or stew - Hearty chili or beef stew can be made in large batches. ...
  • Taco bar - Se.
Nov 5, 2023

What Thanksgiving food is low in calories? ›

Breast meat is generally the lowest in calories. But no matter which part of the bird you go with, consider ditching the skin. Not only is that where much of the natural fat sits, but also many people slather the outside of the bird with butter or oil before roasting.

What are the three meals for diabetics? ›

Eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast followed by a substantial lunch and a small dinner — the so-called "three-meal diet" (3Mdiet) — promotes weight loss and significantly improves glucose control in type 2 diabetes, a randomized, controlled trial suggests.

What foods are off limits for diabetics? ›

Here are 10 foods to avoid if you have diabetes, along with some healthier replacement options.
  • Processed meats. ...
  • Full-fat dairy products. ...
  • Packaged snacks and processed baked goods. ...
  • White carbohydrates. ...
  • Sweetened breakfast cereals. ...
  • Dried fruits. ...
  • French fries. ...
  • Higher-fat cuts of meat.
Apr 5, 2023

What happens when you quit keto? ›

Without carbohydrates to build up glycogen stores, or muscle fuel, muscles will run out of gas. And when you don't have the energy to work out, muscle loss can occur. This is especially true since carbs are necessary to renew and repair muscles.

Should I break keto for Thanksgiving? ›

There Are Plenty of Conscious Ways to Have a Keto Cheat Day

Or, if it's Thanksgiving, don't offer to cook green beans or turkey (which are already keto-compliant). Instead, bring a low-carb pumpkin pie or make mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.

What happens when you cut carbs cold turkey? ›

You Might Feel Dizzy and Have Headaches

It will switch to breaking down fat into ketones, an alternative to glucose. This puts the body into ketosis, or a state with elevated ketones, which have side effects such as dizziness, weakness, fatigue and headaches.

What is the popular alternative to turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals. This is collaborative content from Food & Wine's team of experts, including staff, recipe developers, chefs, and contributors.

What to do when you don't have family on Thanksgiving? ›

What to Do on Thanksgiving Without Family
  1. Book a night at a local hotel. Anything you can do out of the ordinary will make the holiday feel special and not blah. ...
  2. Stay in your PJs all day. 0 Guilt. ...
  3. Don't make any plans. ...
  4. Play charades over Zoom. ...
  5. Help a neighbor. ...
  6. Spend the day writing letters. ...
  7. Friendsgiving, duh.
Nov 20, 2020

What is the unhealthiest Thanksgiving food? ›

Worst: Sausage Stuffing

It's often made with fatty processed meat, butter or margarine, and refined bread or rice. It's a high-calorie food that packs a load of fat, carbs, and nitrates, which are cancer-causing. If you add dried cranberries, there's a good chance they're sweetened and add sugar to your stuffing.

What is the unhealthiest food at Thanksgiving? ›

14 Unhealthiest Thanksgiving Sides To Avoid This Year
  • Potatoes au gratin. ...
  • Macaroni and cheese. ...
  • Canned cranberry sauce. ...
  • Candied yams. sasazawa/Shutterstock. ...
  • Sausage stuffing. Alivemindphotography/Getty Images. ...
  • Turkey Gravy. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cornbread. Bhofack2/Getty Images. ...
  • Pecan Pie. Nicolasmccomber/Getty Images.
Nov 6, 2023

What is the healthiest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Both chicken and turkey are lean proteins, especially if you avoid dark meat. Turkey breast and chicken breast both have about 26 g of protein in each 3 oz serving, according to USDA data, making them an excellent source of protein. Chicken breast has only slightly more fat, with 3 g to turkey's 2 g per serving.

Can diabetics eat turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

A six-ounce serving of turkey has only six grams of carbohydrates and roughly 185 calories and 30 grams of protein, this will not cause a drastic spike in blood sugar by itself, the beverages, sides and desserts are the items we really want to focus on for optimal blood sugar control which brings us to our next topic.

Can a diabetic eat stuffing at Thanksgiving? ›

For diabetes-friendly stuffing:

Substitute fat-free chicken or veggie broth for some or most of the butter. 5. Use whole-grain bread. Add generous amounts of chopped vegetables (such as celery, carrots, onion, and cauliflower), nuts, and pumpkin, chia, or sunflower seeds.

Can diabetics eat turkey stuffing? ›

Do your best to limit white bread, creamy mashed potatoes, pies or other desserts, and store-bought stuffing. Instead, try to enjoy or bring whole-grain bread, veggie-filled sides, or mashed sweet potatoes without marshmallows. If you aren't sure what's “safe” to eat, you can reference the glycemic index.

Can you eat stuffing with diabetes? ›

Stuffing can pack a calorie, fat, and carbohydrate wallop. The main ingredients in dressing are bread and butter. Understandably, if it's your favorite side dish and you look forward to it all year, by all means, take some, but try to keep your portion in check (about 1/2 cup).

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