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    Make It Skinny Please » Recipes » Holidays » Thanksgiving » Low Calorie Thanksgiving Recipes

    Published: Nov 11, 2022 · Modified: Nov 18, 2022 by Toni Dash · 10 Comments

    Low Calorie Thanksgiving Recipes

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    low calorie thanksgiving recipes

    Don't miss out on your Thanksgiving dinner classics because you need lower calorie options: we've got them ALL! All the classic dishes with the same great flavor just lightened up....and probably some new favorites too!

    low calorie thanksgiving recipes

    Forget Halloween: Thanksgiving can be the scary holiday of the year if you are following a lower calorie eating plan or you just don't want to make it a 5,000 calorie day! We have some delicious recipes that are full of flavor and normal portions too, just fewer calories.

    We think your Thanksgiving menu should still be a favorite holiday meal without the worry of over indulging in unwanted extra calories or settling for tasteless calorie-free food. There is a middle ground and a way to have a guilt-free Thanksgiving feast.

    Need some extra support or motivation to be successful during the holiday? Sign up for our Holiday edition Skinny Swaps and Tips free email course. You'll get daily success strategies (for free).

    Jump to:
    • Starters
    • Seasonal Soups and Salad recipes
    • Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
    • Low Calorie Cranberry Sauce recipes
    • Turkey Gravy
    • Thanksgiving Main Course recipes
    • Low Calorie Thanksgiving Dessert recipes

    Starters

    Holiday celebrations don't have to have starters but if you are in the mood we have some great options with simple ingredients. Our Skinny Charcuterie Board is a great way to stave off hungry diners until Thanksgiving dinner is served. And if entertaining adults we have some fun skinny cocktails too!

    skinny charcuterie platter
    Skinny Easy Charcuterie Board
    Popular as an appetizer platter for gatherings or for a dinner time sampler Charcuterie Boards are fun to make and serve. Making it skinny is easy too!
    Check out this recipe
    pomegranate moscow mules with christmas trees crop.
    Skinny Pomegranate Moscow Mule cocktail
    This calorie reduced Moscow Mule cocktail has all the traditional fizzy ginger flavor with some pomegranate juice and without the calories! It's a perfect holiday skinny cocktail recipe.
    Check out this recipe
    red wine sangria in glass from side square
    Sparkling Fruit Sangria
    This classic Spanish wine punch is a delicious cocktail of red wine, fresh fruits and sparkling wine to cap it off. Great any time of the year especially for entertaining.
    Check out this recipe
    skinny champagne punch with title
    Sparkling Champagne Punch (skinny recipe)
    Sparkling Champagne Punch is a perfect cocktail to celebrate any occasion. This skinny version it full of refreshing fizzy flavor but not the same calories in other cocktail punch recipes!
    Check out this recipe
    skinny moscow mule crop.
    Skinny Moscow Mule cocktail
    This calorie reduced Moscow Mule cocktail has all the traditional fizzy ginger flavor just without the calories! Lots of ways to change it up too!
    Check out this recipe

    Seasonal Soups and Salad recipes

    Whether a starter or a side salad, these add some leafy greens and healthier options for a satisfying meal. Our Pumpkin Curry Soup adds a warming touch with seasonal flavors too.

    shaved brussels sprouts salad from above cropped.
    Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
    Crunchy, peppery, sweet and tart flavors make this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad exciting and unique! It's a delicious and a beautiful salad perfect for weeknight meals or holiday dinners!
    Check out this recipe
    red cabbage slaw square
    Red Cabbage Slaw
    This tangy red cabbage slaw has apples and raisins for sweetness (no added sugar) in a creamy light dressing. It's a perfect side dish any time of the year or topping on tacos or sandwiches.
    Check out this recipe
    french carrot salad in blue plate with fork.
    French Carrot Salad
    This well loved French Carrot Salad is simple and full of great flavor. It's a refreshing side salad for any main dish especially in the hotter months of the year. The light lemon mustard vinaigrette is just enough to add to the fresh flavor keeping the salad low calorie and low fat.
    Check out this recipe
    Pumpkin Curry Soup
    Creamy soul-warming Pumpkin Curry Soup is fast and easy to make. Full of classic fall flavor this version is slimmed down for guilt-free healthy sipping on the coldest of days.
    Check out this recipe

    Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    We are ditching the green bean casserole and marshmallow sweet potato casserole for some healthy Thanksgiving sides.

    Lots of simple recipes including classic vegetables like green beans, Brussels sprouts, mixed roast vegetables and most are made in the air fryer too! This makes them fast, healthy and keeps the stove top and oven free for other dishes. Veggie side dishes are nutrient-rich foods

    We did not forget the stuffing either. Individual portion size stuffing 'muffins' are perfect to support your healthy eating goals. And we love a starchy side and a great way to scratch that itch is with Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes!

    air fryer green beans with lemon zest
    Air Fryer Green Beans
    Air Fryer Green Beans are easy, fast and delicious! Only 8 minutes cooking time for perfectly cooked green beans with a little crunch and delicious spices.
    Check out this recipe
    air fryer roast vegetables in large bowl.
    Air Fryer Roast Vegetables with Pecans and Pomegranate
    This fast and easy recipe for Air Fryer Roast Vegetables combines butternut squash, sweet parsnips, and crisp Brussels sprouts with nutty pecans and sweet pomegranate. The fast cooking time makes them great during the busy week and for Thanksgiving!
    Check out this recipe
    air fryer brussels sprouts in a bowl side cropped.
    Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
    Fast and easy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are done in 10 minutes using only simple ingredients! They are a perfect side dish for dinner or holiday meals.
    Check out this recipe
    air fryer carrots sq
    Maple Roasted Air Fryer Carrots (+ oven method)
    Easy Air Fryer Carrots are roasting with maple syrup and seasonings for a delicious side dish in 10 mintues cooking time! Oven method included too.
    Check out this recipe
    Air Fryer Baby Carrots
    Air Fryer Baby Carrots are fast and easy to make with almost no prep time. Use regular or rainbow baby carrots. Lots of ways to change up the seasonings for any holiday meal or dinner.
    Check out this recipe
    Air Fryer Delicata Squash
    Sweet nutty Delicata Squash is a fast, easy, delicious low calorie air fryer side dish. Perfect for winter holiday meals or any night with your favorite main dish.
    Check out this recipe
    air fryer roasted vegetables closeup on spatula
    Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
    Air Fryer roasted vegetables are cooked perfectly in less than 20 minutes. Change up this colorful mixture to include your favorite vegetables or what's seasonally available. The possibilities are endless.
    Check out this recipe
    stuffing muffins with sliced turkey
    Cornbread Stuffing Muffins
    Moist, flavorful Cornbread Stuffing Muffins are full of turkey Italian sausage, dried cranberries, apples and more. The perfect portion size servings and a welcome surprise.
    Check out this recipe
    cauliflower mashed potatoes with thanksgiving foods.
    Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
    Creamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes are the perfect blend of cauliflower and potatoes to create a comfort food classic dish just with less calories!
    Check out this recipe

    Low Calorie Cranberry Sauce recipes

    The Thanksgiving table isn't complete without cranberry sauce. Spoiler alert: it's the easiest and fastest Thanksgiving recipe. Pass on the high calorie canned sauce and opt for one of these two lower sugar recipes made with fresh cranberries.

    It's one of the Thanksgiving classics you don't have to miss. These lighter options are great not just for a Thanksgiving meal but also the holiday season. They go with roast meats, in sandwiches or wraps, on yogurt and so much more. One of these recipes can be made in the slow cooker too to free up the stove top.

    Cranberry sauce is best chilled after cooking so it can thicken making it a great make ahead dish.

    pear cranberry sauce on silver tray crop.
    Cranberry Pear Sauce
    Cranberry Pear Sauce is full of natural sweetness from sweet ripe pear and orange juice with just a little bit of sugar. It's a low calorie cranberry sauce recipe everyone loves.
    Check out this recipe
    Cranberry Pineapple Sauce
    Easy Cranberry Pineapple Sauce uses only 4 ingredients and cooks in 15 minutes. It has a naturally sweet flavor versus the heavy sugar versions. A perfect lower sugar lower calorie cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, turkey burgers and so much more!
    Check out this recipe

    Turkey Gravy

    Having gravy is non-negotiable for die hard gravy fans but can rack up the calories too. Our Apple Cider Gravy is delicious and can be made in a roasting pan after making a turkey, in a saucepan without turkey pan drippings or even using cooking liquid from our Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe. Very flexible and very delicious.

    apple cider gravy in a white gravy boat.
    Apple Cider Gravy (low calorie turkey gravy)
    This delicious lightly sweet and savory Apple Cider Gravy is very easy to make with lots of ways to change it up. It's a great option for a lower calorie eating plan and can be made without a Thanksgiving turkey.
    Check out this recipe

    Thanksgiving Main Course recipes

    Making a whole turkey may be traditional but it's not for everyone. Especially if having smaller gatherings, a turkey breast roast is great.

    Or change it up with Air Fryer Cornish Hens; everyone gets their own! You can change it up with a vegetarian main dish too for guests who prefer to pass on the meat or for healthy dinner recipes.

    Our stuffed acorn squash recipe is a beautiful, delicious great way to change it up on Thanksgiving day!

    sliced turkey breast roast
    Instant Pot Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
    This juicy, flavor-packed boneless turkey breast roast is fast and easy in the Instant Pot! It's a white meat only roast with no skin so skinny on calories and big on flavor. You'll never have dry turkey breast again.
    Check out this recipe
    air fryer cornish hen on platter
    Air Fryer Cornish Hens
    Air Fryer Cornish Hens are an easy, exciting main dish. These delicious tiny chickens are cooked to perfection in the air fryer with juicy meat and crispy skin. Serve them halved or whole as an easy main dish on weeknights or when entertaining company.
    Check out this recipe
    stuffed acorn squash
    Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Lentils
    Stuffed Acorn Squash is roasted and stuffed with quinoa, lentils, pomegranate seeds, fresh herbs, onion and more for a colorful delicious vegetarian main dish.
    Check out this recipe

    Low Calorie Thanksgiving Dessert recipes

    Yes you can have pumpkin pie; we just made it without the pie crust. And guess what? You won't miss it. We have a couple other fall-themed desserts that are healthier recipes but you'd never know from tasting them. They are a like apple crisp and pear crumble made with mostly fruit.

    skinny crustless pumpkin pie slice sq
    Skinny Crustless Pumpkin Pie
    Easy skinny Crustless Pumpkin Pie is an easy custard pie with traditional pumpkin pie flavor and richness without the crust and all the calories (but you'll never know from the flavor).
    Check out this recipe
    baked apple with crumble topping from above.
    Baked Apples with Crumble Topping
    These healthy baked apples are piled high with low sugar crumble topping. A great shortcut combines time saving and perfectly blended spices for a nutty crisp topping.
    Check out this recipe
    baked pears on a plate with toppings cropped.
    Baked Pears with Crumble Topping
    Naturally sweet Baked Pears are piled with crunchy crumble topping full of pecans, oats, honey and cinnamon. It's an easy festive simple dessert recipe.
    Check out this recipe
    apple cranberry crisp serving close up.
    Apple Cranberry Crisp (low calorie recipe)
    Loads of sweet apples, tart cranberries, warm spices with a crispy oat topping. This lower calorie version is full of fruit goodness, less sugar and butter. A perfect holiday and fall dessert.
    Check out this recipe
    cinnamon meringue cookies in gray bowl
    Cinnamon Spice Meringue Cookies
    Light, airy Cinnamon Spice Meringue Cookies are a perfect slim dessert option. They classic cookies are full of flavor and a great low calorie dessert option.
    Check out this recipe

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutritional Coach and certified Weight Loss Specialist, writer/blogger, photographer, chief recipe developer and creator of Make It Skinny Please. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her slimmed down recipes using real food ingredients bring excitement to the dining table and never taste like 'diet food'. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    1. Natasha says

      November 15, 2022 at 5:36 am

      I love the healthy options that you have provided in this recipe! Tried the turkey roast and it was amazing, I'm sure the others on this list are all great, can't wait to try them all!

      Reply
    2. jess says

      November 11, 2022 at 12:12 pm

      thank you for expanding my holiday recipe collection! There were some recipes that I would have never thought of making for the holidays

      Reply
    3. Kim says

      November 11, 2022 at 11:55 am

      I love all your recipes but the cornbread stuffing muffins are my absolute fave! Trying the turkey roast next, it looks incredible.

      Reply
    4. Kristyn says

      November 11, 2022 at 9:05 am

      Thanks for sharing these low calorie ideas!! We all know, that it's all about the food & we eat so much, but I don't have to feel too guilty with these recipes!!

      Reply
    5. Tara G says

      November 11, 2022 at 8:24 am

      What a fantastic collection! Thank you so much for this. I made the stuffing muffins and everyone loved them!

      Reply
    6. Kerri says

      November 11, 2022 at 7:45 am

      I love these recipes! I'm always looking for low calorie options to bring to the thankgiving table so I'm definitely going to save this post! Those cornbread muffins are calling my name!

      Reply
    7. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says

      November 11, 2022 at 7:44 am

      So many great ways to eat healthy during the holidays! I can’t wait to try some of these!

      Reply
    8. Dannii says

      November 11, 2022 at 7:38 am

      So much delicious choice. The air fryer vegetables sound amazing.

      Reply
    9. Tara says

      November 11, 2022 at 7:35 am

      Such a wonderful collection of recipes for Thanksgiving! I especially love the Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkin Curry Soup.

      Reply
    10. Angela says

      November 11, 2022 at 7:33 am

      Such a great list of low cal recipes! Can't wait to make them. Love the Brussels sprouts salad!

      Reply

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