Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

A twist on traditional cannelloni, this vegetarian and gluten-free dish is made with blanched sweet potato slices. They're filled with a cottage cheese, sweet potato, and apple filling, then topping with shaved Parmesan and toasted walnuts. The remarkably rich taste and vibrant appearance make it a worthy and healthy addition to any dinner.

This simple cracker-crumb squash dish comes from reader Joanne Dotson of Dallas.

This Thanksgiving-inspired quick bread recipe comes from Jane Kraemer of Manchester, Connecticut. The mixture of tart cranberry and salty nuts will have everyone reaching for a second slice. 

Whole peeled chestnuts add structure to this pumpkin soup, texture that's important if the squash is too watery. 

This side is ideal for Thanksgiving but is also easy enough for dinner any night. It goes well with roasted chicken, lamb chops, or broiled fish.

This soup with lots of shredded kale makes great use of leftover turkey. If you've already frozen the carcass, there's no need to thaw it out before using it in this recipe.

In this simple Thanksgiving side dish, green beans are sauteed with butter, shallots, and white wine. A finishing touch of aromatic fresh tarragon sets it apart.

Served in a roasted pumpkin, this hearty dip can be eaten on crackers, bread, or baby carrots.

Anna Lappe, cofounder of the Small Planet Institute, developed this vegan gravy recipe to be served with her Dried Fruit and Toasted Nut Stuffing, a Thanksgiving dish from her childhood.

This dish is great served at room temperature, which means more space in the oven for turkey and other sides come Thanksgiving.

You can either extract your own pomegranate juice with a juicer or buy pomegranate juice at your local grocery store.

Serve this simple side of sauteed radicchio with grilled steak, chicken, or Italian sausages.

Roast a combination of carrots and potatoes for a simple holiday side dish. The high heat concentrates the sweetness of the carrots and makes the potatoes crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. A flourish of brightly flavored fresh dill lifts the finished dish.

Roasted pears and red onions are a unique holiday side dish that's a bit sweet and a touch savory. A splash of sherry vinegar adds a slight tang and the rosemary lends a woodsy note.

This tasty salad can marinate for up to a day, which lets the cauliflower soak up the dressing. It's delicious chilled or at room temperature.

Chewy farro—an Italian whole grain—is tossed with mixed greens in this colorful salad. It's flavored by two kinds of grapes that have been baked in a low oven to concentrate their sweetness and release their juices. The Concord grapes aren't seedless, but they make a beautiful garnish.

A warm, golden dip always tempts guests to dig in. This one uses Parmesan cheese to season caramelized fennel and garlic.

A puree of sweet potatoes, apple, and leeks gets an earthy spiciness from a chipotle chile coated in adobo sauce—which can be omited for spice-free eaters. The silky Sweet-Potato Soup relies on its fresh ingredients, not heavy cream or butter, to achieve its rich flavor.

This twist on a standard green bean casserole is elevated to creamy, delicious heights, thanks to thick low-fat Greek yogurt.

You can use any assortment of firm vegetables, such as a mix of brussels sprouts, turnips, cabbages, and shallots, for this recipe.

This cream of celery soup is garnished with toasted baguette and celery leaf.

Delicata squash is tossed with kale, cranberry beans, and a tangy balsamic dressing in this delicious recipe. Compounds in kale prompt the liver to release enzymes that may fight cancer.

Glazing carrots with orange juice enhances their natural sweetness.

In this simple side dish for Thanksgiving, adding fresh dill, lemon and butter to brussels sprouts adds extra layers of delicious flavor.