How to Eat Keto at Thanksgiving
Holiday gatherings with a heavy focus on food tend to be one of the times when keto dieters fall off the wagon and into the mashed potatoes and mac ‘n’ cheese. Staying on the keto track during Thanksgiving can seem especially challenging as you envision the usual mouthwatering parade of special dishes, many of which are loaded with carbs.
If you don’t want to impede ketosis and step back onto the blood sugar rollercoaster this Thanksgiving, stay keto with the following satisfying recipes and low-carb alternatives to your typical carb-heavy favorites.
Keto Thanksgiving Appetizers and First Courses
Start your Thanksgiving dinner the right way with these keto appetizers from Ketogenic.com:
Soups
A warm soup is an excellent way to start a holiday three-course meal with your loved ones, like this creamy keto butternut squash soup with coconut milk.
Antipasto Salad
An antipasto salad looks colorful and is a refreshing way to begin your dinner. This antipasto and pepperoncini salad only takes ten minutes to make.
Mozzarella Sticks
Bring the melty goodness of mozzarella sticks to Thanksgiving dinner with these keto mozzarella sticks. Ditch the high-carb bread crumbs and use almond and coconut flour instead. When you’re hankering after something cheesy, you might also enjoy these homemade keto cheez-its!
Dips, Chips, and Veggie Sticks
Spread a spoonful of low-carb chicken salad or spinach and artichoke dip onto these crunchy keto multi-seed crackers while you wait for the main course. Or dip cucumber slices or carrot sticks into this tasty lemon dill yogurt dip.
Roll-ups
Roll-ups are easy and simple to prepare, and they look gourmet in the center of your table. Try these easy prosciutto and mozzarella cheese roll-ups or smoked salmon lettuce roll-ups.
Your family and friends will also love these goat cheese and cucumber bites as an appetizing pre-dinner snack.
Sausage Rolls
As a keto dieter, you might think sausage rolls are in the past, but you’re in luck. These keto breakfast sausage rolls made from almond flour, eggs, cheese, and sausage have 8 grams of carbs per serving. These keto pigs in a blanket are another hearty low-carb starter.
Deviled Eggs
From Thanksgiving to summer gatherings, deviled eggs are a beloved snack or appetizer all year round. Level up with these bacon crumble keto deviled eggs.
Low-Carb Bread, Biscuits, Breadsticks, and Rolls
You don’t have to say goodbye to bread and breaded goodies just because you’re on a low-carb diet. Choose from a selection of mouthwatering keto options, from dinner rolls to Red Lobster-inspired cheddar bay biscuits and Thanksgiving keto cornbread. Ketogenic.com has low-carb bread recipes using keto-approved ingredients like almond and coconut flour that will have you in disbelief about the carb count.
Keto Thanksgiving Casseroles
This Thanksgiving, you might be reminiscing about those rich and filling casseroles your grandmother used to make when you were a kid. You can still enjoy a comforting and low-carb casserole recipe from Ketogenic.com:
Keto Thanksgiving Mains and Meats
The star of the Thanksgiving show is usually the turkey. Fortunately, most meat and seafood, including this roasted turkey with herb butter, are keto-approved. Bring on the festive feel with these cranberry sauce meatballs, or try something fun and new with these mini turkey meatloaves.
Keto Stuffing and Gravy
Making your own keto gravy and stuffing gives you the peace of mind that you’re still reaping the benefits of ketosis this holiday. Gravy and turkey are like hand in glove on Thanksgiving. Head to your keto kitchen and whip up this homemade keto gravy and keto stuffing made with almond flour. If your family traditionally makes cornbread dressing (or stuffing) you’ll love this keto cornbread dressing.
Keto Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Lots of traditional Thanksgiving side dishes are way too high in carbs for anyone following a ketogenic diet, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on food or flavor. There are plenty of gratifying low-carb alternatives that’ll make you forget it’s not carb-loaded, like these low-carb mashed turnips, this cauliflower mash, or keto mac ‘n’ cheese made with low-carb elbow macaroni pasta.
Add one of these low-carb side dishes to your impressive Thanksgiving dinner table:
- Keto coleslaw
- Keto broccoli slaw
- Creamed kale
- Creamed spinach
- Bacon-wrapped asparagus
- Keto cauliflower and brussels sprouts au gratin
- Keto brussels sprouts and bacon
- Roasted low-carb veggies
- Parmesan roasted cabbage
Keto Thanksgiving Desserts
Hopefully, you made room for dessert, and you and your family and friends can nibble on low-carb desserts that deliver all of the sweetness and flavor without the carbs:
Keto Thanksgiving Drinks
When your belly and heart are full, there’s nothing quite like a keto homemade eggnog to continue the holiday spirit. Some drinks taste as delicious as desserts! Why not go for an after-dinner pick-me-up like this butter coffee, this keto pumpkin spice latte, or a keto mocha protein frappuccino with all the trimmings? A sweet taste and a little energy boost doesn’t have to be synonymous with sugar.
