30 Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes Your Family Will Love
This roundup features the best paleo Thanksgiving recipes from Pure and Simple Nourishment — a curated collection of gluten-free, dairy-free and grain-free recipes perfect for the holiday. Inside you’ll find appetizers, side dishes, main courses and desserts that are wholesome, flavorful and easy to prepare.
Thanksgiving is near and you don’t have to compromise taste when following a paleo approach. After more than a decade of eating paleo I tested and refined many recipes to make traditional holiday favorites paleo-friendly. Below are my top picks for appetizers, sides, mains and desserts — all gluten-free, dairy-free and designed to keep the familiar holiday flavors you love. I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do; many guests won’t even realize they’re paleo.
Paleo Thanksgiving appetizers:
Dairy-free Spinach and Artichoke Dip
A creamy, dairy-free spinach and artichoke dip that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for the holidays — also vegan, plant-based and Whole30 friendly.
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Roasted Red Pepper Dip
A thick, creamy roasted red pepper dip with bold flavor. Great with vegetables, chips or crackers — dairy-free and vegan.
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Roasted Honey Dijon Pecans
Sweet-and-savory roasted pecans with honey and Dijon — easy to make and addictive. They work as an appetizer or crunchy snack.
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Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
An easy, flavorful appetizer that bakes in 15 minutes. These turkey meatballs include cranberry sauce for a holiday twist and are gluten- and dairy-free.
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Dairy-free Carrot Dip
A bright, slightly spicy carrot dip that balances sweetness and chili heat. Easy to prepare and great for holiday entertaining; dairy-free and vegan.
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Paleo Thanksgiving main dishes and side dishes:
Maple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with tart cranberries and maple for a sweet-tart side with beautiful color and deep flavor.
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Paleo Scalloped Potatoes
Rich and creamy scalloped potatoes made without dairy. They deliver the comforting, “cheesy” flavor of the classic side using paleo-friendly ingredients.
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Healthy Cranberry Sauce
A naturally sweetened cranberry sauce made with orange juice, grated apple and vanilla instead of refined sugar — perfect for holiday tables and compatible with paleo and Whole30.
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Kale Apple Salad
A favorite kale and apple salad with a tangy dressing, crunchy almonds and fresh apple pieces — a bright accompaniment to heavier holiday dishes.
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Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup
A rich, dairy-free fall soup that’s silky and comforting — a lovely starter or side for Thanksgiving.
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Paleo Stuffing
A stuffing that captures classic flavors and moisture using paleo-friendly ingredients — the must-have side for a turkey dinner.
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Dairy-free Cream of Mushroom Soup
A savory, creamy mushroom soup made without dairy — full flavor and ideal as a side or starter.
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Paleo Cornbread Muffins
Grain-free cornbread-style muffins that are crumbly and slightly sweet — a great pairing for roast meals and sides.
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Curried Butternut Squash Soup
A warm curried squash soup with aromatic spices — rich, comforting and dairy-free.
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Cranberry Maple Chicken
A one-pan chicken dish with cranberries and maple — gorgeous on the plate and a simpler alternative to turkey for holiday dinners.
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Healthy Broccoli Salad
A crunchy broccoli salad with a creamy paleo dressing — easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Almond Flour Biscuits
Light, crumbly almond flour biscuits — an ideal paleo bread substitute to serve warm alongside your holiday meal.
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Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup
A creamy, dairy-free combination of roasted squash and red pepper — comforting and elegant for the holidays.
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Paleo Thanksgiving desserts:
Gluten-free Apple Pie Bars
Caramel-apple flavor in an easy bar format — gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and paleo-friendly. One of the author’s favorites.
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Gluten-free Cranberry Lemon Bars
A tart cranberry topping on a sweet lemon crust — refined-sugar free, gluten-free and dairy-free for a bright holiday dessert.
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Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, chewy pumpkin cookies studded with chocolate chips — quick to make and perfect for fall. Gluten-free and vegan options included.
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Gluten-free Apple Crumble Bars
Crumble-topped apple bars with a tender filling — dairy-free and refined sugar free for a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving dessert.
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Gluten-free Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Bars
Pumpkin bars loaded with chocolate chips — gooey, easy and a new fall favorite for many families.
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Gluten-free Carrot Cake Donuts
Carrot cake in donut form — moist, spiced and topped with a glaze. A cozy, paleo-friendly dessert option.
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Edible Pumpkin Cookie Dough
Quick edible cookie dough made with pumpkin and dark chocolate chips — ready in minutes and perfect for dipping or spooning straight from the bowl. Gluten-free, vegan and egg-free.
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If you try any of these paleo Thanksgiving recipes, I’d love to hear how they turned out!
Paleo Thanksgiving recipes FAQs:
Is butter paleo?
No — traditional butter isn’t considered paleo. Ghee, which removes milk solids, is often accepted by many who follow a paleo approach.
Is brown sugar paleo?
No. For a paleo-friendly substitute, coconut sugar is a common option that provides sweetness with a lower degree of processing.
Is turkey paleo friendly?
Yes — turkey itself is paleo-friendly. Avoid basting or roasting with butter if you want to keep it strictly paleo, and use a paleo-style stuffing if stuffing the bird.
Other paleo recipes you will love:
Dairy-Free Shepherd’s Pie (Whole30, Gluten-Free & Paleo)
Whole30 Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli
Healthy Sloppy Joes with Ground Beef
Dairy Free Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken with Spinach
Thanks for reading! If you want more recipe ideas and healthy living tips, follow Pure and Simple Nourishment on social media and consider leaving star ratings on recipes you try.
