Planning Your Low-Carb Thanksgiving Dinner

How to Put Together a Big Low-Carb Feast

Many people seem to think that "Thanksgiving is all about the carbs." But it really doesn't have to be that way. You can decide to have a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal with any carb level you want. These Thanksgiving tips work well for any large holiday meal:

1) Choose current favorites which are lower in carbs.

Turkey is obviously the low-carb star of the meal. There might be vegetables or relishes which are family favorites and don't have a lot of starch or added sugars. Think back through holidays past and resurrect the least carby side dishes.

2) Consider scaling back some of the traditional side dishes.

Did you know that plain roasted yams with salt, pepper and butter are really delicious even without a pile of marshmallows on top? Instead of a rich vegetable casserole, how about a simpler vegetable side dish, such as green beans with almonds? Have a simple sauteed mushrooms and pepper dish, or a salad with a cranberry vinaigrette dressing.

3) Serve low-carb high-flavor nibbles first.

If you decide to eat more carbohydrates than usual, consider holding off until you get to the table. Use vegetables with dip, cucumber rounds instead of crackers for spreads, and peanuts or other nuts for instead of chips. For an easy holiday favorite, try these Five Minute Sweet and Spicy Pecans.

More Low-Carb Appetizers

4) Prepare a low-carb relish tray for the table.

The following are good choices: dill pickle spears or chips, sugar-free gherkins or bread and butter pickles (Mt. Olive is one brand), olives, marinated artichokes, Italian hot peppers (make it sweeter by adding some artificial sweetener to the brine), roasted red peppers, radish blossoms, baby carrots, and celery sticks.

5) Make a list of "must haves" for your Thanksgiving table.

Make a list of the foods you simply cannot do without. Now, can you "de-carb" any of them? Here are some lower-carb versions of traditional favorites. All my recipes are gluten-free as well as being low-carb, so are safe for people who can't eat wheat or gluten. I've noted steps which can be made ahead of time to lighten the load on Thanksgiving Day.

Beverages

How to Make Low-Carb Egg Nog

Alcoholic Beverages on a Low-Carb Diet

More Low Carb Beverages

Soups

Creamy and Spicy Pumpkin Soup - Can be made up to three days ahead.

New World Pumpkin Soup - Can be made up to two days ahead.

The Main Course

Jim Dolson's Turkey Rub - Make as far ahead as you want.

Low-Carb Stuffing - Can be made the day before.

Low-Carb Stuffing Bread - Make up to three days ahead of time, or freeze for several months.

How To Make Low-Carb Gravy

Side Dishes

Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce - Takes 10 minutes to make, and can be made up to a week ahead of time, or even can be frozen for at least six months.

Sugar-Free Cranberry Chutney - Make up to three days ahead.

Mashed Cauliflower - Surprisingly good substitute for potatoes. Even my husband likes it. Can cut up the cauliflower up to two days before.

Low-Carb Green Bean Casserole with Onion Topping - Can make the topping up to two days ahead.

Easy Spinach Casserole - You can put it together the day before, or just have some onions fried and put it together quickly.

Reduced-Carb Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping - The casserole and topping can be made separately the day before, and then put together and baked. If refrigerated, allow more time for baking.

Sugar-Free Cranberry Jello Salad

Desserts

Low-Carb Pumpkin Pie - Can make the day before. Whipped cream should be made fresh.

Low-Carb Pumpkin Cheesecake - A popular alternative to pumpkin pie. Can be made the day before.

Low-Carb Spice Cake - Can be made the day before.

Wondering What to Do with Leftover Turkey?

Try these ideas!