Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes: Easy Ingredient Swaps for a Cleaner Holiday Meal

The holiday season is filled with our favorite comfort foods—but it’s also the time many of us start feeling run-down. A big part of that is the extra processed ingredients sneaking into our meals. So for this post, I’m sharing a full list of classic Thanksgiving recipes along with simple, better-for-you ingredient swaps for each one.

If reading labels overwhelms you (or you’re just short on mental bandwidth this time of year), you’re in the right place. I’ve done the work for you—so you can enjoy your holiday meal with ingredients that truly support your health. Happy Holidays!

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas + Changes to Make

How to Make Healthier Turkey Gravy for Thanksgiving

I really liked this recipe from Simple Yums by Me. In order to make it as healthy as possible, I’d recommend these ingredients instead:

• 4 cups turkey drippings or turkey broth (from roasted turkey pan drippings)

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (make sure it’s organic flour or freshly milled- avoid glyphosate)

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (make sure to make it grass fed butter- we use Kerrygold)

• 1/2 cup dry white wine or additional turkey broth (optional) I’d add maybe 1/3 cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar if you wanted the acidity this recipe mentions

• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (we use a mineral salt by Redmond’s)

How to Make Healthy Stuffing for Thanksgiving

I had no idea that stuffing and dressing were different? How, you may ask? Stuffing is literally supposed to be stuffed up the turkey’s rear. My parents never did this with their recipe, but apparently it’s a thing. I liked this recipe by Mom’s Dinner. Here’s how I’d improve the ingredients a little to make it healthier:

• 12 cups (a full bread loaf) of stale white bread organic sourdough bread

• 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp butter (make sure to make it grass fed butter- we use Kerrygold)

• 1 large yellow onion

• 2 cup celery chopped

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp poultry seasoning

• 1/2 tsp marjoram

• 2 tbsp fresh sage chopped

• 1/3 cup fresh parsley

• 2 pasture raised, organic eggs

• 1 cup chicken broth (get organic chicken bone broth)

How to Make a Healthy Homemade Dressing for Thanksgiving

So, since the only thing that really makes stuffing and dressing different is where ya cook it- their ingredient lists are super similar. This recipe by It is a Keeper is super simple and has basically the same ingredients as the recipe above, so just follow that for guidance on how to make it as healthy as possible!

How to Make a Healthy Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving

Personally, I have never liked green bean casserole- don’t judge me. But I understand it is a staple for most. I never liked it because it just tasted unhealthy to me- especially with how my family made it. This recipe by Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons is a good, classic recipe. Here’s better ingredients:

• 2- 10.5 ounce cans cream of mushroom soup (skip Campbell’s and get Pacific Organic brand instead- better ingredients and less additives/thickening agents)

• 1 cup milk (organic or raw)

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce organic coconut aminos + 2 tsp salt

• black pepper to taste

• 5- 14.5 ounce cans of green beans drained

• 2-3 cups french fried onions I wouldn’t top it with anything unless you’re going to make your own fried onions… These have junk in them.

How to Make a Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole for Thanksgiving

Sweet potatoes are always a favorite for me, but this can be loaded with a ton of sugar and other junk. This recipe by The Pioneer Woman is good (it is not a marshmallow topped one). Here’s how I’d make the ingredients better:

• 4 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes (opt for organic)

• 2 large pasture raised, organic eggs, beaten

• ½ cup white coconut sugar (this makes it refined sugar free)

• ½ cup milk (organic or raw)

• 4 tablespoons butter, softened (grass fed- we use Kerrygold)

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (homemade is best or get organic from the store)

• ½ teaspoon salt (mineral salt)

For the topping:

Honestly, I hated most of the ingredients she uses as a topping. So, I’d just make “sugared” pecans. It’s easy to do- just get organic, raw pecans and toss them in organic maple syrup. Roast them in the oven for about 5 minutes on 400 degrees! It’s so good and refined sugar free!

How to Make Healthy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

TBH I have never tried cranberry sauce with my Thanksgiving meal so I really don’t get the hype but I know people love it so here we are. This recipe by Molly’s Home Guide is a great recipe! Here’s how to make the ingredients the best:

• 1/2 cup water (filtered, of course)

• 12 oz fresh cranberries (rinsed and picked over)

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1/2 cup orange juice (make sure it is made of JUST oranges)

• small pinch salt (mineral salt)

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (sub it out with coconut sugar)

• 1 strip orange peel (not a necessity but get an organic orange if you decide to do this)

How to Make Dinner Rolls from Scratch for Thanksgiving

It’s hard to make dinner rolls “healthy” because they have added sugar regardless. But you can clean up the ingredients from this Modern Meal Makeover recipe a little bit! Here’s how:

• 1 1/4 cups warm water (make it filtered)

• 1/4 cup sugar (go for pure organic cane sugar)

• 2 Tbsp. active dry yeast (again, organic will help avoid glyphosate)

• 1/3 cup vegetable organic olive oil

• 1 tsp. salt (mineral salt as I’ve mentioned before)

• 1 pasture raised, organic egg

• 3 3/4 cup all purpose flour (organic, again, to avoid glyphosate)

How to Make Healthier Macaroni for Thanksgiving

Let’s be honest: macaroni is always a hit. Who doesn’t love a gallon of cheese with a bunch of carbs? This recipe by Modern Honey looks yummy and the ingredients can be fixed up a little like this:

• 1 lb Cavatappi Ancient Harvest Brand Elbow Pasta (it’s organic and simple ingredients)

• 4 Tablespoons Butter (grass fed and organic if you can- we use Kerrygold)

• 1/4 cup Flour (organic is best)

• 1 1/2 cups Whole Milk (organic or raw)

• 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream (organic)

• 8 ounces freshly grated Sharp Cheddar (I try to find a grass fed cheese- they have it at Aldi)

• 8 ounces American Cheese * (same as above)

• 4 ounces Medium Cheddar Cheese (same as above)

• 1 teaspoon Salt (mineral salt)

• 1 teaspoon Pepper

• 1 1/2 teaspoons Paprika (always try to use organic spices)

• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

• 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

The Key to a Healthy, Happy Thanksgiving

As you head into Thanksgiving, I hope these recipe ideas and simple ingredient upgrades help you create a holiday meal that feels both nourishing and delicious. You don’t have to overhaul tradition to make better choices—small swaps truly add up. Whether you're hosting or bringing a dish to share, choosing higher-quality ingredients is one of the easiest ways to support your family’s health without sacrificing flavor. I’m grateful you’re here, and I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with good food, meaningful moments, and the people you love most.

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