I used to feel so much anxiety about Thanksgiving. I love the holiday, the family, and the feeling of gratitude, but the food always felt like a minefield for my keto lifestyle. I worried I’d have to miss out on all the best dishes. 🍂
I always wondered, “How can I enjoy a traditional, comforting Thanksgiving meal without all the sugar and carbs?” The biggest challenge was always the dessert table—saying no to pumpkin pie felt almost impossible!
So I made it my mission to create the ultimate keto Thanksgiving menu! Now, you can have a stunning, stress-free feast, from the turkey and sides to the most delicious pumpkin pie you’ve ever tasted. Get ready to enjoy every single bite, completely guilt-free. 🦃🥧
Our Top 3 Favorite Recipes
- Easiest to Make: No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse
- Most Unique Twist: Cauliflower & Sausage Keto Stuffing
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: Keto Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll
15 Keto Thanksgiving Recipes for a Delicious Holiday Feast
1. Cranberry & Brie Bites with Keto Crackers 🦃
I just love starting our Thanksgiving with these bites! They look so incredibly fancy and elegant, but believe me, they are one of the easiest appetizers you can possibly make. The warm, gooey cheese with that tart, sugar-free cranberry sauce is just heavenly and always gets rave reviews.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~15 mins
🎯 Best For: An elegant and super-easy appetizer to welcome your guests.
Image-1: A close-up on a wooden board showing the melted brie wheel topped with vibrant red cranberry sauce, with a cracker being dipped in.
2. Spiced Keto Apple Cider 🦃
There is nothing better than the smell of this cider simmering on the stove. It makes the entire house feel like Thanksgiving, and it’s so warm and comforting to hand a mug to guests as they walk in the door. No one will ever guess it’s completely sugar-free!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~20 mins
🎯 Best For: A warm and festive non-alcoholic drink that smells amazing.
Image-2: A clear glass mug filled with the warm cider, garnished with a cinnamon stick and an orange peel twist. Steam should be visible.
3. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles 🦃
This is a classic for a reason—it’s simple, savory, and everyone loves it! I love that it’s naturally keto-friendly. My favorite tip is to assemble these the day before and just pop them in the oven before guests arrive. It’s a huge time-saver!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~15 mins | Cook: ~25 mins
🎯 Best For: A crowd-pleasing, make-ahead appetizer that’s naturally low-carb.
Image-3: A platter of the golden-brown bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles, arranged neatly for serving.
4. Herb Butter Roasted Turkey 🦃
The star of the show! The secret to the most delicious turkey is this herb butter. I make a big batch and get it all under the skin and over the top. It guarantees incredibly juicy, flavorful meat and that perfectly crispy, golden-brown skin we all dream of.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: ~30 mins | Cook: ~3-4 hours
🎯 Best For: The perfect, juicy, and flavorful main course for your feast.
Image-4: A beautifully browned, whole roasted turkey on a carving board, garnished with fresh herbs.
5. Rich & Savory Keto Gravy 🦃
You simply can’t have Thanksgiving without gravy to pour over everything! This recipe is my secret weapon. Using the turkey drippings gives it so much flavor, and a tiny pinch of xanthan gum makes it thick and luxurious without any flour. Start with just 1/4 teaspoon—a little goes a long way!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~10 mins
🎯 Best For: A thick and flavorful gravy to complete your turkey dinner.
Image-5: A gravy boat filled with smooth, dark gravy, with a little bit being poured over sliced turkey.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the recipes we’ve covered so far, which one is making you hungriest? Let me know in the comments below!
6. Cauliflower & Sausage Keto Stuffing 🦃
I have to be honest, I was skeptical that a stuffing without bread could be good, but this recipe blew me away. I swear it tastes so much like the real thing that my carb-loving family couldn’t even tell the difference! All the savory flavors of sausage and herbs are there.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: ~20 mins | Cook: ~40 mins
🎯 Best For: A hearty and delicious side that tastes just like traditional stuffing.
Image-6: A casserole dish filled with the golden-brown stuffing, showing bits of sausage and herbs mixed with the cauliflower.
7. Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower 🦃
This is the ultimate substitute for mashed potatoes! My trick is to roast the garlic first, which adds a deep, sweet flavor that makes this dish truly special. Blending it with butter and cream cheese makes it so fluffy and creamy, you won’t miss the potatoes one bit.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~15 mins | Cook: ~20 mins
🎯 Best For: The perfect creamy and fluffy low-carb swap for mashed potatoes.
Image-7: A serving bowl filled with the creamy white mashed cauliflower, topped with a pat of melting butter and fresh chives.
8. Keto Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onion Topping 🦃
This isn’t your average green bean casserole. We use fresh green beans and a rich, homemade mushroom sauce. But the real game-changer is the homemade keto-friendly crispy onions. They add the perfect crunch and are so much better than any store-bought version!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: ~25 mins | Cook: ~30 mins
🎯 Best For: A classic holiday staple made fresh, creamy, and low-carb.
Image-8: An overhead shot of the baked casserole dish, highlighting the golden-brown crispy onion topping.
9. Maple-Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon 🦃
Even people who think they don’t like Brussels sprouts fall in love with this recipe! The key is to roast them at a high temperature (I do 400°F) to get those crispy, browned outer leaves. The sugar-free maple glaze and salty bacon create the most amazing sweet and savory flavor.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: ~30 mins
🎯 Best For: A sweet-and-savory vegetable side dish that will convert any skeptic.
Image-9: A close-up shot of the roasted Brussels sprouts in a bowl, glistening with glaze and speckled with bacon.
10. Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce 🦃
Once you see how easy this is, you’ll never buy canned cranberry sauce again. It takes just 15 minutes and a few simple ingredients to make a sauce that is bursting with fresh, tart flavor. It’s the perfect bright condiment to cut through the richness of the other dishes.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: ~15 mins
🎯 Best For: A quick, easy, and fresh condiment for your turkey.
Image-10: A small, elegant bowl of the vibrant, jewel-toned cranberry sauce with a serving spoon.
11. The Perfect Keto Pumpkin Pie 🦃
This recipe is my pride and joy because it solves the biggest keto holiday problem! This pie has a flaky almond flour crust and a rich, perfectly spiced pumpkin filling that has the exact texture of traditional pumpkin pie. It truly feels like you’re not missing out on a thing.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: ~25 mins | Cook: ~50 mins
🎯 Best For: The classic Thanksgiving dessert, made perfectly keto-friendly.
Image-11: A single slice of the pumpkin pie on a plate, topped with a generous dollop of sugar-free whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
12. Keto Pecan Pie with a Caramel Filling 🦃
For those who love a truly decadent dessert, this pecan pie is pure indulgence. My secret is using allulose for the filling; it caramelizes beautifully into a gooey, rich sauce without any of the cooling aftertaste some sweeteners have. It’s a real treat!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Medium | Prep: ~20 mins | Cook: ~45 mins
🎯 Best For: A decadent, gooey, and indulgent dessert for pecan pie lovers.
Image-12: An overhead shot of the entire pecan pie, showing the glossy, pecan-covered top.
13. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse 🦃
This is my go-to recipe when I’m short on time but still want an impressive dessert. It has all the wonderful flavor of a pumpkin cheesecake, but it’s light, airy, and requires no baking at all! Serving it in individual glasses makes it feel extra special.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~15 mins | Cook: 0 mins (plus chilling time)
🎯 Best For: A quick and elegant dessert when you don’t have time to bake.
Image-13: Layered mousse in a clear glass, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg.
14. Keto Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll 🦃
If you want a true showstopper dessert, this is it! It looks so impressive with its beautiful swirl, and it will wow everyone, keto or not. The soft, spiced pumpkin cake rolled around that sweet and tangy cream cheese filling is an unforgettable combination.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Hard | Prep: ~30 mins | Cook: ~15 mins (plus chilling)
🎯 Best For: The ultimate “wow” factor dessert to impress your guests.
Image-14: A shot of the finished pumpkin roll on a platter, with one slice cut to show the beautiful interior swirl.
15. Simple Sugar-Free Whipped Cream 🦃
No holiday dessert is complete without a big dollop of whipped cream! Making it at home takes only two minutes and is infinitely better than store-bought versions, which often have weird ingredients and hidden sugars. This is pure, fluffy, and delicious.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: 0 mins
🎯 Best For: The essential, easy-to-make topping for all your holiday desserts.
Image-15: A bowl of whipped cream with stiff peaks, with a whisk resting on the side.
My Top Tips for a Stress-Free Keto Thanksgiving
🍂 My Top Thanksgiving Tips
- Sweetener Savvy: For pies and custards, use a powdered erythritol/monk fruit blend. For a truly gooey, caramel-like filling in pecan pie, allulose is your best bet as it doesn’t recrystallize.
- Thicken Without Carbs: Ditch the cornstarch and flour. Use a tiny sprinkle of xanthan gum (start with 1/4 tsp per 2 cups of liquid) to thicken your gravy. Whisk it in thoroughly to avoid clumps.
- Plan and Prep: Keto cooking can involve more steps. Make your desserts, keto stuffing base, and cranberry sauce 1-2 days in advance. Chop all your veggies the day before. This will make Thanksgiving day much smoother.
- Read Your Labels: Watch out for hidden sugars in things like bacon, sausage, and broths. Always choose full-fat dairy products like heavy cream, butter, and cream cheese.
Your Keto Thanksgiving Prep Timeline
Stressing about timing? Here’s a simple keto prep schedule I use every year to stay sane.
One Week Out: Finalize your menu and make your full grocery list, checking for any specialty keto items you need to order online.
2-3 Days Out: Shop for all your ingredients. Thaw your turkey in the fridge. Bake your keto pies (they hold up well!).
1 Day Out: Make your sugar-free cranberry sauce and keto stuffing base. Prep and chop all vegetables for your side dishes. Assemble your green bean casserole (don’t bake it yet).
Thanksgiving Day: Roast the turkey, bake your side dishes, whip up your fresh gravy, and enjoy a stress-free, delicious keto feast!
Thanksgiving is all about gathering with the ones we love and sharing a meal made with gratitude. With this menu, you can fully embrace the joy and abundance of the day without compromising your health goals. It’s about celebrating tradition with a delicious, modern twist.
Which of these keto Thanksgiving recipes are you most excited to try first? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below
