A Collection of Healthy, Easy and Make-Ahead Recipes for the Holidays
This collection of healthy, make-ahead options for a complete Thanksgiving menu of traditional favorites makes cooking on that day much easier! You want to be relaxed and enjoy the day with loved ones.
Appetizers
Grandma’s Stuffed Celery Make the day before putting the cream cheese spread on the celery before refrigerating as it will firm up as it gets cold.
Here is a crowd pleasing Healthy White Bean Dip that can be served with raw veggies, crackers, chips. Cut up carrots, cauliflower, broccoli…and store in the refrigerator in water, an airtight container or ziplock bag lined with damp paper towels.
Main Event
Want to skip cooking a whole turkey? Assemble these ingredients in a crock pot and slow cook for 4 hours. Great for a smaller Thanksgiving: Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey
Cooking a whole turkey? Here’s a turkey calculator to know how much to buy--make sure it is completely thawed (24 hours per 5 lbs. and have it thawed 2 days early). Plan on it taking about 14 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. Easy No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Here's a make-ahead Cranberry & Apple Sauce that uses maple syrup as a sweetener.
- Tip: Add some of the zest and juice of an orange, along with dashes of cinnamon, ground cloves, and ½ tsp. of vanilla.
Sides
Want a more nutritious, lower-carb side dish than bread stuffing? Try this gluten-free Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf. You can make the Wild Rice ahead of time (Step 1), and cook the rest in a skillet before the feast (taking about 15 minutes).
- Tip: If you are serving another dish of cranberries, substitute the cranberries in this recipe with raisins.
Here’s a no canned soup Homemade Healthy Green Bean Casserole in a creamy parmesan sauce and topped with crispy onions. This can be made ahead of time, with gluten-free directions, and takes 30 minutes to bake at 350 degrees.
- Want a shortcut? Buy gluten-free crispy onions instead.
This not too sweet Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with an irresistible crunchy pecan topping can be made ahead of time up to Step 5. It is both gluten- and dairy-free. You can adjust it to 30 minutes to cook at 350 degrees.
Here is a colorful Squash and Lentil Salad. You can roast the squash and cook the lentils and make the dressing ahead of time, only needing to toss with arugula just before serving. It is both colorful and packed with flavor.
- Tip: To make more of a salad, add chopped green cabbage and/or spinach
Dessert
This refined sugar-free, gluten-free, 8-ingredient Crustless Pumpkin Pie can be up to 4 days ahead. You may want to top with Healthy Whipped Cream (made with nonfat Greek yogurt) that can also be made ahead of time.
- Want a shortcut? Buy truwhip extra creamy for a ready-made topping.
Here is The Best Gluten Free Apple Crisp that can be assembled in the morning (squeeze some lemon juice over the apples so they do not brown), and cooking while you are eating dinner. You can substitute coconut brown sugar (lower glycemic index and more minerals) for the brown sugar. It will take 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Want a shortcut? Substitute your favorite granola as the topping. Adjust recipe by baking apple filling for 35 minutes. Melt a couple tablespoons of butter and stir in 2 cups of granola. Spread a layer of unbuttered granola on top, then sprinkle the buttered granola evenly to coat. Return to the oven for 15 minutes.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. — Colossians 3:15-17
