Thanksgiving is a time of year where we come together with family and friends and celebrate the things that we are grateful for. But it is also, of course, about the food that we eat, and if you’re following a Paleo diet, holidays may feel extra restricting. But I’ve rounded up 65 of the best Paleo Thanksgiving recipes that exist, and frankly, are every bit as delicious as their gluten and dairy-filled counterparts.
I hosted an all-Paleo Thanksgiving a few years back, and while I eat Paleo as a necessity for several food allergies and autoimmune disorders, many of them aren’t Paleo eaters and are, in fact, very choosy about their holiday food. But to this day, I still get compliments on that meal, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice taste at all even if you’re on an allergy-friendly, Paleo diet.
I’ve broken the recipes down into categories so that you can easily sift through the list and find that perfect one you’re looking for to make your Paleo Thanksgiving a smashing success. I know that the turkey, and the mashed potatoes, and the gravy, and the pumpkin stuff are the collective stars of Thanksgiving day. But really, this list contains so many classic (and delicious!) dishes that will add color and extra pops of flavor to your feast, and with Paleo options for all of them, why not take your Thanksgiving meal to the next level? I don’t know about you, but I’m going to have a hard time choosing just a few of these.
Paleo Turkey Recipes
Whole Citrus Roasted Turkey
Recipe from PaleoPlan
If you want a fresh twist on the Thanksgiving bird, then throwing in the zesty, juicy surprise of citrus is an excellent option. While most wouldn’t pair citrus flavors with savory turkey, the results of this recipe yield an extra juicy, extra bold turkey flavor that will have your Thanksgiving guests coming back for seconds (and thirds).
Free-Range Pastured Whole Turkey
Recipe from PaleoPlan
The turkey is always the “big deal” of the Thanksgiving feast, yet many worry that it’s too hard to roast their own whole turkey. This Free-Range Pastured Whole Turkey recipe yields delicious, juicy results without a ton of headache. Pastured turkeys are generally smaller in size, but this whole turkey recipe also works with free-range, organic, or conventional turkey just as well. You’ll be sure to delight the palates of your guests with this exceptionally mouth-watering bird that is anything but dry. You may want to brine your turkey overnight or for a few hours before popping it in the oven, to help retain moisture in the meat during cooking.
Maple Glazed Spicy Apple Roasted Turkey
Recipe from The Healthy Foodie
If you want a turkey that’s going to have some extra kick to it (after all, turkey can tend to be a little on the tame side), this recipe pairs star anise with cinnamon and maple syrup to bring out whole new levels of flavor that will be anything but bland, dry, or boring.
Turmeric and Honey Roast Turkey
Recipe from PaleoHacks
Up your turkey game by adding turmeric, everyone’s favorite anti-inflammatory superfood. Not only will you be indulging in Thanksgiving’s most famous dish, but you’ll be partaking of a dish with nourishing benefits that keep on giving. Plus, you won’t have to worry about a bland or boring turkey. This one is sweet and spicy, and juicy in all the right places.
Dry-Brined Turkey
Recipe from Food52
If you’re not a fan of going through the process of brining a turkey, try this dry brining method that will yield some insanely flavorful results. You can totally customize it with your own herb and seasoning preferences, too. Frankly, I am a fan of the orange zest.
Bacon Wrapped Turkey
Recipe from Kitchn
A bacon-wrapped turkey? Does it get more Paleo than that? The recipe includes a super helpful tutorial slideshow in case it’s your first time making a bacon sweater for the Thanksgiving bird. The results of this show-stealing turkey? You’ll probably be asked to bring it every year.
Turkey Brine
Recipe from PaleoPlan
Turkey brine adds flavor and moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey, making you less likely to end up with dry turkey meat. This Paleo turkey brine recipe makes enough to brine up to an 18 pound turkey. If you have a very large turkey, add ½ cup sea salt for every additional gallon of water needed to fully submerge your bird. To save room in your refrigerator, you can brine your turkey in doubled up turkey size oven bags or brining bags. You’ll probably require less brine for this as tying the bags tightly around the turkey brings less brine in contact with more bird.
Paleo Gravy Recipes
Garlic Apple Turkey Gravy
Recipe from PaleoPlan
This Garlic Apple Turkey Gravy recipe is a delicious topping for mashed potatoes, Thanksgiving turkey, or just about any other food that would taste better smothered in gravy! Unlike traditional gravy recipes, this Paleo Garlic Apple Turkey Gravy is actually healthy with good fats that come from the turkey drippings. This gluten-free gravy is thickened with arrowroot or tapioca powder (flour), but potato starch or cassava flour and other Paleo-friendly thickeners would work just as well.
How to Make the Best Gravy
Recipe from PaleoHacks
This Paleo, grain-free, gluten-free gravy is as simple as it is delish! With just a few simple ingredients, you can be on your way to the savoriest Thanksgiving gravy you’ve ever had. And no, you don’t need turkey drippings, any stock will do!
Paleo Turkey Gravy
Recipe from PaleoPlan
You just can’t have turkey without gravy! Well you can, but why would you when you can have this delicious, creamy, slightly sweet and very savory Paleo turkey gravy? It’s painless to make, and tastes delicious with the turkey and the rolls, and pretty much everything else on your Thanksgiving plate.
Paleo Cranberry Sauce Recipes
Tart Cranberry Sauce
Recipe from PrimalPalate
This beloved Thanksgiving staple is jazzed up in this recipe with the addition of orange juice, making it more palatable for those who aren’t a fan of cranberries on their own.
Cranberry Sauce Two Ways
Recipe from Predominantly Paleo
Whether you prefer jellied cranberry sauce, or whole cranberries, you can have your sauce and eat it too with this double whammy of cranberry goodness. Make the one that suits your preferences, or make both to appeal to both cranberry sauce camps.
SCD and Paleo Cranberry Sauce
Recipe from Against All Grain
This twist on traditional cranberry sauce includes warming nutmeg and cinnamon, with some orange zest and honey.
Paleo Mashed Potato Recipes
Traditional Paleo Mashed Potatoes
Recipe from PaleoPlan
Since real potatoes are Paleo, why not enjoy this traditional Thanksgiving staple? This Traditional Mashed Potatoes recipe prepares them without milk, yet still gives them a creamy texture that will have dinner guests going back for seconds (and thirds!). Top them with gravy, or enjoy them on their own for a rich, filling comfort food that you’ll want to enjoy all winter long!
Garlic Mashed Parsnips
Recipe from Paleoaholic
Need to avoid nightshades or potatoes for different reasons? Try parsnips! Their mild taste is easily mistaken for the real thing, and when combined with garlic and creamy coconut milk, you’ll have trouble making sure there’s enough to go around for everyone.
Cauliflower Mashers
Recipe from PaleoPlan
Can’t do potatoes or other nightshades? Cauliflower to the rescue! And the way that this dish is prepped will fool even your pickiest of potato fans into believing that it’s a spud-worthy dish. For another twist, try combining half cauliflower with half potatoes.
Duck Fat Roasted Garlic Sweet Potatoes
Recipe from Sarah Fragoso
This dish uses white sweet potatoes to achieve the classic look of mashed potatoes but it has a hidden, gold-star ingredient: duck fat. Okay, it’s not really hidden when it’s in the title of the recipe, but when your guests see this dish, they’ll think “delicious mashed potatoes.” When they taste it, however, their mouths will explode with a symphony of rich, savory, and melt-in-the-mouth perfection. It doesn’t get more Thanksgiving than that.
Pureed Parsnips
Recipe from Martha Stewart
Four ingredients and 10 minutes is all that stands between you and these creamy, Paleo-friendly parsnips. With fewer carbs than potatoes, they’re the perfect low-carb Thanksgiving menu item.
Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk and Vanilla Bean
Recipe from Kitchn
If you’re used to eating sweet potatoes with marshmallows, then this dish will give you the same decadent flavors in a Paleo-friendly way. Swap the brown sugar in this recipe for coconut sugar to have a completely Paleo dish.
Mashed Cauliflower
Recipe from Elana’s Pantry
It doesn’t get easier than three-ingredient mashed cauliflower. This classic recipe has been around for years. If you want to add some pizzazz, customize it with your favorite herbs or seasonings!
Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Celery Root Mash
Recipe by Cook Eat Paleo
Not a fan of plain mashed cauliflower? This recipe pairs it with garlic, celery root, and ghee to produce an over the top creamy dish that will make you say, “Potatoes who?”
Coconut Cardamom Sweet Potatoes
Recipe from Clean Eating Magazine
If you’re straying from white potatoes this year, or you want a sweet potato dish in addition, this fresh take on mashed, savory, and warming sweet potatoes is sure to be a winner.
Paleo Thanksgiving Side Recipes
Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash
Recipe from PaleoHacks
Dessert or side dish—or both? This perfect autumnal dish pairs fall ingredients with favorite warming spices that will be sure to please both seasoned and picky palates.
Green Bean Casserole
Recipe from PaleoPlan
Some would argue (me!) that it isn’t Thanksgiving unless you have the green bean casserole. Frankly, I can go back for seconds and thirds of this just as much as I can for potatoes and turkey. While the Paleo diet doesn’t allow for the use of traditional canned cream of mushroom soup, this does not mean that you have to miss out on this classic dish during the holidays! Every element of the classic green bean casserole is here, Paleo-styled, since I know your meal wouldn’t be complete without the creamy, comforting goodness of this casserole dish.
Roasted Green Beans
Recipe from PaleoPlan
Maybe green bean casserole isn’t your thing, but you want to include the traditional element of green beans anyway. This simple, three-ingredient roasted dish is the perfect compromise, and it might even have your guests asking, “what casserole?”
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate
Recipe from PaleoPlan
This is, hands down, one of my favorite holiday-themed dishes. The red and green play nicely off each other, but more importantly, the delightful bitterness of the Brussels sprouts soars to new heights with the addition of pomegranate. Not only does it look pretty, it’s also a superfood dish—why not give your Thanksgiving meal a hefty boost of antioxidants and vitamins?
Apple Coleslaw
Recipe from PaleoPlan
Coleslaw brings about reminiscent feelings of Grandma’s kitchen and that perfect home cooked meal. This apple slaw has the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, and pairs perfectly with the classic turkey day dishes. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, cutting down on your cook time for the big day.
Brown Butter and Herb Skillet Potatoes
Recipe from PaleOMG
Juli Bauer has outdone herself with this recipe, and I’m pretty sure this is going to become my go to potato recipe, Thanksgiving or not. Not quite Hasselback, and super easy, these potatoes are thinly sliced and roasted to buttery perfection. You might actually cry if you don’t try this recipe.
Maple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts
Recipe from Autoimmune Paleo
Brighten up your Thanksgiving spread with this beautiful, colorful dish that gives you a secondary use for cranberries. Even if you’re not a fan of the cranberry sauce, you’re not going to want to miss this tart and savory side dish. Bonus: it’s AIP.
Honey Maple Glazed Carrots
Recipe from PaleoHacks
If you’re all about keeping things simple for the holidays, you really can’t get simpler or more elegant than this. Carrots pair naturally with turkey, potatoes, and stuffing, and complement pumpkin pie well, too. Plus, their stunning presence on your dinner table will probably send your dinner guests into a pre-meal Instagram frenzy. Hashtag awesome.
Creamed Collard Greens
Recipe from PaleoHacks
Win anyone’s grandma over with this nod to the green vegetable that many Millenials have long forgotten. It’s creamy (and still dairy free!), and with the added bacon, no one will realize they’re eating a nutritional superfood. If you’re not a fan of green bean casserole, or simply want an alternative, then this green dish will easily take the cake.
Vegetable Trinity
Recipe from PaleoPlan
No potatoes here! Our Vegetable Trinity recipe is an elegant and impressive side dish to serve your guests when you need to impress. This winter-root inspired dish is a stunning accompaniment to any holiday meal. Dazzle your guests with this festive medley of seasonal vegetables—including cauliflower, celeriac, yam, and beets—each imparting a unique flavor that perfectly complements one another. Serve this beautiful side dish in a martini glass or get creative with the presentation to accentuate the delicious trinity of colors.
Roasted Radishes with Fresh Herbs
Recipe by Healthful Pursuit
While radishes may not be a typical Thanksgiving side, these are roasted with sea salt, tallow, and herbs, and their colorful presentation will look right at home amid the other meal favorites.
Rosemary Delicata Squash with Maple Cream Drizzle
Recipe from Autoimmune Paleo
Dazzle your guests with this unique, gorgeous side dish that pairs the mild flavor of squash with the sweet and creamy blend of coconut and maple.
Herbed New Potatoes
Recipe from Clean Eating Magazine
Who says you can’t have potatoes two ways for Thanksgiving? Throw these out for a side along with the more traditional mashed potatoes, and I am fairy certain no one will complain. Or, if you’re feeling especially trend setting, do these instead of the mash.
Caramelized Baked Butternut Squash
Recipe from PaleoHacks
If you want a unique Thanksgiving side dish that still melds well with the autumnal flavors, then give squash a try. But this isn’t just any old squash—it’s baked with chili flakes, giving a punch of warmth and spice to the earthy texture.
Paleo Stuffing Recipes
Coconut Bread Stuffing
Recipe from PaleoPlan
What is a Thanksgiving meal without stuffing? Have no fear, devoted grain-free eaters. You can still enjoy delicious bread stuffing on the holidays (or anytime of year that you want!) by using this easy Paleo Coconut Bread Stuffing recipe.
Paleo Bread Stuffing
Recipe from Predominantly Paleo
This sage and thyme flavored Paleo stuffing just might become your new favorite way to eat bread, Thanksgiving or not!
Grain Free Traditional Stuffing
Recipe from Plaid and Paleo
Butter, celery, onion, stock—and Paleo bread, of course. This stuffing recipe is simple and delicious, and can be cooked by stuffing it in the actual bird, or by baking in a casserole dish.
Apple-Cranberry Holiday Stuffing
Recipe from Autoimmune Paleo
Need an AIP stuffing recipe? This one is not only pro gut health and anti-inflammatory, but it includes bacon and bone broth—two popular Paleo ingredients that are sure to convert even stuffing haters.
Paleo Bread and Roll Recipes
Plantain Bread
Recipe from PaleoHacks
One of the things I love the most about Paleo eating is that it can be inclusive for almost everyone. This bread recipe is not only grain free, but is also free from almonds and other nuts that can sometimes be problematic. With only five ingredients, this bread recipe is tasty and friendly for even the most food-allergy plagued diners at your Thanksgiving meal.
Baked Paleo Dinner Rolls
Recipe from PaleoHacks
These rolls can be prepped and baked from start to finish in just 30 minutes, meaning it’s truly possible to have fresh from the oven rolls on your Thanksgiving table! Utilizing coconut flour and tapioca, they have that real bread texture that is easy to miss on a grain-free diet.
Paleo Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Recipe from Ultimate Paleo Guide
These soft and moist dinner rolls pair the comfort of dinner rolls with the subtle pumpkin flavor that we all associate with Thanksgiving.
Paleo Dinner Rolls
Recipe from Paleo Spirit
Crusty on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside—these rolls are everything you would want (and more!) for your Thanksgiving bread.
Paleo Pumpkin Cornbread
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