12 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Are So Good, Your Guests Won't Care That They're Low-Carb

Updated on 11/24/2019 at 8:35 AM

If you're following a low-carb diet, you may already be dreading the holiday season, a notoriously difficult time to avoid gaining weight, let alone try to lose it. This November, try swapping out some of the more traditional Thanksgiving recipes for these flavorful, low-carb side dishes. They are simple to make but still feel festive; in fact, some even take the place of staples like mashed potatoes and stuffing, only with small adjustments that help keep them aligned with your goals. They're so healthy that you might even be able to go back for seconds. As for that slice of pie? You're on your own.

Roasted Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed potatoes can quickly eat up your daily budget for carbs, but you won't feel like you're missing out when you replace them with mashed cauliflower.

Get the recipe: roasted mashed cauliflower

Roasted Caprese Tomatoes With Basil Dressing

Take your traditional caprese up a notch. You simply cut the tomatoes in half, drizzle on olive oil and balsamic, fill them with mozzarella and basil leaves, and roast them in the oven.

Get the recipe: roasted caprese tomatoes with basil dressing

Spicy Green Beans

You only need six ingredients and 20 minutes to make these delicious green beans, flavored with garlic, red pepper flakes, and capers.

Get the recipe: spicy green beans

Fig and Sausage Cauliflower Stuffing

You can't have Thanksgiving without stuffing, but if this low-carb version proves anything, it's that you can have stuffing without breadcrumbs.

Get the recipe: fig and sausage cauliflower stuffing

Pumpkin Soup With Fried Sage

Wouldn't this soup look lovely on your table? Roast the pumpkin ahead of time to save precious minutes on Thanksgiving.

Get the recipe: pumpkin soup with fried sage

Grilled Brussels Sprouts With Garlic Butter

Even loved ones who claim not to like brussels sprouts will find this recipe hard to resist. The sprouts are brushed with butter that's been seasoned with garlic, salt, and smoked paprika.

Get the recipe: grilled brussels sprouts with garlic butter

Lemon Garlic Cauliflower Rice

When rice doesn't fit into your meal plan (even on holidays), rice some cauliflower in the food processor, then cook it on the stove for just three to five minutes. You can even make this recipe ahead of time!

Get the recipe: lemon garlic cauliflower rice

Jalapeño Popper Zucchini Boats

It takes just 15 minutes to bake these zucchini boats — topped with jalapeño, cream cheese, bacon, pepper jack, and cheddar — so you won't have to worry about them taking up space in your oven for long.

Get the recipe: jalapeño popper zucchini boats

Steamed Artichokes With Mediterranean Aioli

The Instant Pot will cook up artichokes in just 10 minutes. In the meantime, you can combine the ingredients for the flavorful Mediterranean aioli.

Get the recipe: steamed artichokes with Mediterranean aioli

Glazed Carrots

Holidays can be stressful, but recipes like this one — which takes just 20 minutes and serves eight people — make it so much easier. The carrots are sweetened with a bit of sugar, though, so watch your portions.

Get the recipe: glazed carrots

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Bacon makes everything better — even if it isn't a healthy fat — and there's no better time to treat yourself to it than at Thanksgiving.

Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped asparagus

Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese

If mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple for your family, try swapping the pasta for virtuous cauliflower. (You'll still get that creamy texture!)

Get the recipe: cauliflower "mac" and cheese