Mix-and-Match Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

By: Healthy Eats

Related To:

turkey roulade

Thanksgiving isn't exactly the time to obsess over calories. That said, if you're watching what you eat, don't feel like you have to sit on the culinary sidelines of everyone's favorite food holiday. This lineup includes healthy options for all of the traditional highlights of the feast: turkey, green vegetable, orange vegetable, stuffing, potatoes -- even dessert.

The Turkey

Stuff a butterflied skinless turkey breast with a whole-wheat cranberry stuffing for a Thanksgiving main that's just under 400 calories (gravy included!).

herb-roasted

Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast; Ina Garten

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Make a garlicky mustard-herb paste to give turkey-breast meat delicious flavor.

  The Green Vegetable
brussels sprouts

Barefoot Contessa's Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Photo by: Tara Donne ©Food Network

Tara Donne, Food Network

There are only four ingredients -- including salt and pepper -- in this beyond-simple roast vegetable side dish.

green bean casserole

KO_FN_03GrnBnCasserole1_08.tif

Photo by: Kana Okada ©2011, Kana Okada

Kana Okada, 2011, Kana Okada

If you're hankering for this retro favorite, try a healthier rendition made with one-percent milk and just enough flavorful Parmesan cheese to make it irresistible.

The Orange Vegetable
glazed carrots

Photo by: Tara Donne ©2009

Tara Donne, 2009

Use small amounts of butter and honey to give cooked carrots a simple but delectable glaze. (Bonus: The side dish is ready to serve in 15 minutes.)

spiced squash

04_SuperFood_SpicedSquash_012.tif

Food Stylist: Susan Spungen Prop Stylist: Pamela Duncan Silver

Photo by: Con Poulos

Con Poulos

Pick your favorite winter squash to star in this flavor-forward side dish sprinkled with spices, pomegranate seeds, cilantro and a lime-spiked yogurt dressing.

The Stuffing
herb stuffing

Herb and Apple Stuffing; Ina Garten

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

For even more fiber, make this green-apple-filled stuffing with whole-wheat bread.

cranberry stuffing

Whole-grain baguette is the bread of choice for this stuffing that's studded with Granny Smiths and dried cranberries.

The Potatoes
scalloped potatoes

-100901_0171.tif

Made with part whole milk and part low-fat milk -- in addition to a smattering of Gruyère cheese -- this take on scalloped potatoes has fewer calories than the classic but just as much tastiness.

sweet potatoes

ABrown3.tif

Forgo the usual cream overload and make a flavorful mash with just a touch of butter and the smoky goodness of a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.

The Dessert!
pumpkin cheesecake

FN_FN Kitchens Pumpkin Cheesecake.tif

FN_FN Kitchens Pumpkin Cheesecake.tif

©2012, Television Food NEtwork, G.P. All Rights Reserved

2012, Television Food NEtwork, G.P. All Rights Reserved

The secret to this 225-calorie a slice cheesecake is a mix of one-third-less-fat cream cheese and 2-percent Greek yogurt.

apple crisp

Photo by: Tara Donne ©2009

Tara Donne, 2009

Sprinkle a mix of sweetened pecans over chopped green apples flavored with sugar and maple syrup -- then bake until crisp and delish.

Next Up

Everything You Need to Know About America's Favorite Canned Pumpkin

There's a reason everyone grabs Libby's for the holidays.

How to Make a Lattice Pie Crust

Follow this step-by-step guide the next time you need an impressive pie crust and lattice top.

The Best Wines to Pair with Thanksgiving Turkey

Our expert sommelier provides several affordable picks that’ll highlight your bird's beautiful roasted flavors.

6 Ways to Turn Your Favorite Thanksgiving Pie into Cake

Now you can have your cake and eat pie too!

Our Test Kitchen Staffers' Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

Food Network Kitchen chefs, stylists and recipe developers share their go-to dishes for Turkey Day.

Humor Is How This Cartoonist Is Celebrating Thanksgiving This Year

It’s OK to laugh at your Zoom Thanksgiving set-up.

All the Ingredient Substitutions You Need for Thanksgiving

Don’t stop the celebration: We've got a substitution guide for nearly every traditional Thanksgiving ingredient so you can keep cooking.