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's an alternative to Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Alternatives could be:
  • Baked Stuffed Shrimp dinner or any seafood, saffron herbed rice, seasonal vegetables.
  • Beef Crown Rib Roast dinner with Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise and asparagus.
  • Roast Leg of Lamb with wine, lemon, garlic, and rosemary, Brussel sprouts, wild rice.
Nov 5, 2023

Can you eat gravy on a keto diet? ›

Keto Gravy Options:

If you want to have keto-friendly gravy this Thanksgiving, you have a few main options: you can mix in a vegetable gum – we use xanthan gum, or you can use egg yolks, cream cheese, half-and-half, 'Au Jus,' or unflavored gelatin powder, whichever floats your gravy boat.

Should I break keto for Thanksgiving? ›

If you're unfamiliar with a keto diet, here's the quick explanation: It's extremely low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Meat, including turkey with skin, is fine to consume, but other Thanksgiving staples aren't. Mashed potatoes are off limits, along with bread stuffing, rolls, sugary cranberry sauce and desserts.

What are the golden rules of keto? ›

Cut out the carbs.

Consume under 25 net carbs per day (total carbs minus fiber). This is going to equate to 5% of your daily food intake. Avoid any type of food that is high in carbs. This includes any sort of bean or grain as well as the more obvious starchy foods like bread and pasta.

What happens when you quit keto? ›

Going off keto may lead to gains in muscle mass. And that's especially good news if you're over 30 years; as we age, muscle synthesis begins to decrease. Less overall muscle mass means we burn fewer calories at rest and can eventually lose strength and mobility.

How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›

These tips, tricks and timesavers can be a Thanksgiving host's saving grace.
  1. Pick the menu early. Don't leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. ...
  2. Brine your bird. ...
  3. Start prep work a few days before Thanksgiving. ...
  4. Serve batched co*cktails. ...
  5. Create simple centerpieces.
Nov 1, 2023

How can I enjoy Thanksgiving without gaining weight? ›

Enjoy the holiday feast without the guilt – or the weight gain.
  1. Workout when you can. ...
  2. Eat breakfast. ...
  3. Bring a healthy dish to pass (and eat). ...
  4. Pick and choose your indulgences. ...
  5. Slow it down. ...
  6. Go easy on the adult beverages. ...
  7. Get active. ...
  8. Shift your focus.
Oct 29, 2018

Can you eat applesauce on the keto diet? ›

A traditional apple sauce is high in carbs and not allowed on the Keto diet. However, this recipe is made with low-carb zucchini and some apple extract, making it an excellent replacement for your regular apple sauce recipe.

What condiments are not keto? ›

While there are low-carb condiments that you can definitely consume on keto, there are certain ones that you should completely avoid. The main condiments that do not fit well into the keto diet regime because of their high sugar content are full-sugar ketchup, maple syrup, jam, tomato paste, and premade sauces.

What is the hardest day of keto? ›

1.The First 10 Days May Be The Toughest

Before starting, you should be aware that if you drop carbs cold-turkey, the first few days you will most likely experience symptoms of your body adjusting to lack of glucose. Many people starting off keto will go through this and it's often referred to as the “Keto Flu”.

Will one slice of pizza leave ketosis? ›

Regular Crust

This type of pizza crust can have up to 33g of carbs without any added sauce or cheese. If you're limiting your carbs to 20-50 grams per day, one slice of this type of crust will likely kick you out of ketosis.

Can you do keto 5 days on 2 days off? ›

Some people choose to have five or six days on keto followed by a day or two off. Others will do keto for 10 to 12 days followed by three to four days off. Devine typically doesn't recommend taking more than two days off keto.

What is keto on Thanksgiving? ›

A few general tips for making your Thanksgiving keto-friendly: Swap out mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower, nix adding any flour to thicken recipes like green bean casserole or creamed spinach, and load up on the low-carb veggies like Brussels sprouts, spaghetti squash, and mushrooms.

What to do if you have a cheat day on keto? ›

Avoid sugar entirely and opt for keto-friendly sweeteners instead. Exercise right after a cheat day: Soon after your cheat day, make it a point to exercise. Studies show that exercise increases your body's ability to process carbs, helping you get back to ketosis faster.

What do people miss most on keto? ›

What foods do people miss most on low carb? So much that they'd like low-carb replacements for them? As you can see, bread is by far the food people miss the most, followed by dessert/sweets and beer. Below are our best suggestions for low-carb versions of these foods.

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.

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