11 Tasty Low-Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving favorites like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and stuffing are crowd-pleasers, but they can be tricky for anyone trying to stick to a low-carb diet. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to enjoy a healthy and satisfying holiday meal.

Discover a variety of low-carb-friendly side dishes that will complement your turkey and leave you feeling satisfied without compromising your health goals. From savory vegetables to creamy casseroles, these options offer a delicious and nutritious way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Low-Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Indulge in a delicious Thanksgiving feast without sacrificing your low-carb goals!

Enjoy these flavorful side dishes to complement your turkey. From creamy cauliflower gratin to cheesy spinach casserole, these options offer a guilt-free way to celebrate the holiday

1. Cauliflower Stuffing

This classic Thanksgiving side dish is made with cauliflower instead of bread. It’s low in carbs and calories. (From Food Faith Fitness)

• Yields: 6 servings
• Calories: 150 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 5g per serving
• Protein: 5g per serving
• Fat: 10g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, florets only
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Steam cauliflower florets until tender.
3. Sauté onion and celery in a skillet until softened.
4. Combine cauliflower, onion, celery, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sage, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
5. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

2. Bacon Parmesan Green Beans

A simple yet delicious side dish featuring bacon, Parmesan cheese, and tender green beans. (From Six Sisters Stuff)

• Yields: 6 servings
• Calories: 120 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 3g per serving
• Protein: 5g per serving
• Fat: 9g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans
• 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Steam green beans until tender-crisp.
2. In a bowl, combine green beans, bacon, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss to coat and serve.

3. Garlic and Parmesan Mushrooms

(From Jo Cooks)

• Yields: 4 servings
• Calories: 100 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 2g per serving
• Protein: 3g per serving
• Fat: 7g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until browned.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

4. Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

A creamy and satisfying risotto made with cauliflower instead of rice. (From All Day I Dream About Food)

• Yields: 4 servings
• Calories: 150 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 5g per serving
• Protein: 5g per serving
• Fat: 10g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, riced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened.
3. Stir in cauliflower rice and chicken broth.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook until cauliflower is tender.
5. Stir in Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.

5. Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus

A healthy and delicious side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. (From Cafe Delites)

• Yields: 4 servings
• Calories: 100 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 3g per serving
• Protein: 3g per serving
• Fat: 7g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss asparagus with garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender-crisp.

6. Mashed Cauliflower

A low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes that’s still creamy and satisfying. (From Fat For Weight Loss)

• Yields: 4 servings
• Calories: 100 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 3g per serving
• Protein: 3g per serving
• Fat: 7g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, florets only
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Steam cauliflower florets until tender.
2. Mash cauliflower with a potato masher.
3. Stir in butter, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

7. Easy Low-Carb Pumpkin Cheesecake

A delicious and indulgent dessert that’s perfect for the holidays. (From Low Carb Yum)

• Yields: 8 servings
• Calories: 250 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 9g per serving
• Protein: 10g per serving
• Fat: 20g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/4 cup erythritol
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine almond flour, erythritol, and salt.
3. Stir in melted butter.
4. Press the crust into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
5. Bake for 10 minutes.
6. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
7. Add pumpkin puree, maple syrup, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice.
8. Pour filling over the crust.
9. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until set.

8. Supreme Green Bean Casserole

A classic Thanksgiving side dish made with green beans, onions, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese. (From Low Carb Maven)

• Yields: 6 servings
• Calories: 150 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 5g per serving
• Protein: 5g per serving
• Fat: 10g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Steam green beans until tender-crisp.
2. Sauté onion until softened.
3. In a bowl, combine green beans, onion, cream of mushroom soup, Parmesan cheese, parsley, panko bread crumbs, and melted butter.
4. Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly.

9. Creamy Kale

A healthy and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. (From Ruled.me)

• Yields: 4 servings
• Calories: 100 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 3g per serving
• Protein: 3g per serving
• Fat: 7g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of kale, stems removed and chopped
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Steam kale until tender.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add kale and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, salt, and pepper.

10. Low-Carb Sausage Stuffing

It is a classic Thanksgiving side dish made with sausage, onions, celery, and cheese. (From All Day I Dream About Food)

• Yields: 6 servings
• Calories: 200 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 5g per serving
• Protein: 10g per serving
• Fat: 15g per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 pound sausage meat
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook sausage in a skillet until browned.
2. Add onion and celery and cook until softened.
3. Stir in chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sage, panko bread crumbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

11. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

A creamy and cheesy mac and cheese made with cauliflower instead of pasta. From Ruled.me)

Calories:

Yields: 4 servings