Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes

Looking for fabulous and easy paleo Thanksgiving recipes? This roundup of grain-free, gluten-free, and Whole30-friendly Turkey day recipes are perfect for your holiday gatherings and everyone will feel great the next morning!

A shot of a Paleo Thanksgiving table with a spatchcock turkey and all the side dishes.

Okay, U.S.-based Paleo procrastinators: Its that time of year again, when youre tasked with either:

  • Preparing an entire Thanksgiving feast
  • Bringing something to a Turkey Day potluck
  • Or figuring out what youre going to eat at someone elses decidedly non-Paleo-friendly Thanksgiving gathering

Well, its not too late to pick yourself up off the couch and plan your menuand to that end, Ive compiled a ton of nomtastic Thanksgiving ideas to help inspire you!

Free Nomtastic Paleo Thanksgiving E-Book

The cover of A Very Nomtastic Paleo Thanksgiving e-book filled with foolproof Nom Nom Paleo recipes

Some of my festive favorites are featured in my newly updated (and 100% FREE) Nomtastic Thanksgiving e-book for subscribers to my weekly email newsletter. If you havent already subscribed, do it now, and youll get access to a complete Paleo Thanksgiving primer featuring step-by-step recipes, a shopping list, countdown planner, and more. And if youre already a subscriber, check your emails (including your Promotions and Junk folders if you dont see it right away) for a downloadable link to the e-book!

Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes in this free e-book include:

BUTTERFLIED BIG BIRD

A shot of a paleo spatchcock turkey that is on a cutting board surrounded by pomegranates.

Whats Turkey Day without a turkey? As you can see, I prefer to spatchcock (a.k.a. butterfly) my turkey to make sure the entire bird cooks evenly, resulting in tender, juicy meat rather than dry, overcooked white meat and raw, undercooked dark meat. I dry-brine my turkey with kosher salt, and flavor the meat with an herb-infused ghee mixture that melts under the crispy skin. Once youve cooked (and eaten) a Butterflied Big Bird, youll never go back.

Get the recipe here!


MAGIC CROWN ROAST OF PORK

Someone holding a crown rack of pork that is ready to be carved at the Thanksgiving table

Not a turkey fan? Make this meatyand incredibly easyThanksgiving centerpiece. Combining my Magic Mushroom Powder seasoning and J. Kenji Lopez-Alts reverse-sear technique, this pork roast will have you seriously re-thinking whether Turkey Day should be renamed Porky Day.

Get the recipe here!


CRAN-CHERRY SAUCE + UMAMI GRAVY

On the left is an overhead shot of paleo Cranberry and Cherry Sauce and on the right is Autumn Vegetable mash with a gluten-free umami gravy.

Thanksgiving wouldnt be the same without the traditional sauces and gravies that accompany your feast, right? So dont forget about my Cran-Cherry Sauce and Umami Gravy!

Get the recipe for Cran-Cherry Sauce here!

Get the recipe for Umami Gravy here!


ROASTED GARLIC AUTUMN MASH + INSTANT POT AUTUMN MASH

A closeup shot of paleo autumn root vegetable mash in a bowl with minced chives on top.

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldnt be complete without a generous serving of mashed root vegetables. You can make this Autumn Mash on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot, but either way, this comforting, colorful alternative to boring old mashed potatoes will put a smile on your guests facesguaranteed.

Get the recipe for Roasted Garlic Autumn Mash here!

Get the recipe for Instant Pot Autumn Mash here!


ASIAN CITRUS BRUSSELS SPROUTS SLAW

A closeup shot of a bowl filled with an Asian shaved brussels sprouts salad next to a wooden spoon and cloth napkin.

Best. Slaw. Ever. This Asian-inspired Brussels sprouts slaw isnt exactly traditional, but its umami-packed punch will knock your socks off. In a good way.

Get the recipe here!


PUMPKIN + CARROT MUFFINS

A shot of Paleo Pumpkin and Carrot Muffins cooling in the muffin tin.

My pal Chef Gregory Gourdet made these insanely delicious muffins for a Nom Nom Paleo brunch event at his restaurant a few years back, and they were an instant hit. If you make a batch for Thanksgiving, I bet you wont have any left over. (This recipe is not Whole30.)

Get the recipe here!


PUMPKIN, COCONUT + MAPLE CUSTARD CUPS

A tray filled with cups of paleo pumpkin and coconut custards topped with crispy coconut chips.

Pumpkin lovers have yet another dessert option on my Paleo Thankgiving menu: Pumpkin, Coconut + Maple Custard Cups. Like the other sides and sweets on this list, these sweet and creamy cups can be made ahead of time, freeing you up to watch football or just sleep in on Thanksgiving Day. (This recipe is not Whole30.)

Get the recipe here!


If you subscribe to my newsletter and download my Nomtastic Thanksgiving e-book, youll be able to take advantage of a comprehensive shopping list and countdown meal planner to take the guesswork out of Turkey Day meal prep.

But WAIT! Lets say you want to cook up some other dishes instead. Or what if youre only celebrating with a small group or just need to bring a DIY hostess gift? What then?

As luck would have it, over the years, Ive dreamed up a bunch of Thanksgiving-appropriate mains, sides, snacks, and treats that you can incorporate into your annual Turkey Day feast. Feel free to mix-and-match from these recipes to create your own Paleo Thanksgiving mealor if youre planning to just bring something to a friend or relatives potluck, pick your favorite dish and get cookin!

Even more Paleo Turkey Day Recipes!


CARROT + CARDAMOM SOUP

An overhead shot of a bowl of paleo and Whole30 carrot and cardamom soup in a white bowl.

Get the recipe here!


INSTANT POT CURRIED CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP

A bowl of paleo and Whole30 Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup topped with crispy Kalua Pig.

Get the recipe here!


ENDIVE, RADICCHIO, AND APPLE SALAD WITH PORKITOS AND HAZELNUTS

An overhead shot of two plates filled with endive, apple, hazelnut, and crispy prosciutto salad.

Get the recipe here!


CURRY TURKEY BITES + APRICOT-GINGER SAUCE

An overhead shot of Curried Turkey bites with Apricot Ginger sauce, a Whole30 portable meal

Get the recipe here!


SPATCHCOCKED CHICKEN WITH HERB BUTTER

A front shot of a spatchcock roast chicken with herb butter on a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet, ready to eat

Get the recipe here!


INSTANT POT (PRESSURE COOKER) CHICKEN + GRAVY

A shot of a plate filled with Instant Pot Chicken and Gravy, cut into slices.

Get the recipe here!


THE PERFECT STEAK

On the left, someone is salting some steaks on a cutting board. On the right, some steaks are cooking on a rimmed baking sheet in the oven.

Get the recipe here!


INSTANT POT YANKEE POT ROAST

An overhead shot of a plate with Instant Pot Yankee Pot Roast, roasted asparagus, and paleo cauliflower puree.

Get the recipe here!


WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

An overhead shot of a whole roasted cauliflower head in a cast iron skillet ready to eat.

Get the recipe here!


ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND BACON

An overhead shot of a tray of roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon fresh out of the oven.

Get the recipe here!


BRUSSELS SPROUTS CHIPS

A bowl of crispy Brussels sprouts chips with browned edges

Get the recipe here!


GARLIC CAULIFLOWER MASHED POTATOES

An overhead shot of a bowl filled with garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes, a great low carb Thanksgiving side dish.

Get the recipe here!


SWISS CHARD WITH RAISINS, PINE NUTS, AND PORKITOS

A shot of a white bowl filled with swiss chard, toasted pine nuts, raisins, and crispy prosciutto.

Get the recipe here!


ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH

A closeup shot of wedges of roasted kabocha squash on a white plate.

Get the recipe here!


BAKED YAMS (SWEET POTATOES)

A side shot of a baked sweet potato split open and topped with toasted almonds, pomegranates, and balsamic vinegar.

Get the recipe here!


PRESSURE COOKER BRAISED KALE + CARROTS

An overhead shot of braised kale and carrots, a simple Instant Pot vegetable side dish

Get the recipe here!


SWEET POTATO AND CASHEW DIP

An overhead shot of sweet potato and cashew dip surrounded by colorful vegetables.

Get the recipe here!


ROASTED ROSEMARY ALMONDS

A closeup shot of roasted rosemary almonds, a simple party appetizer.

Get the recipe here!


COCO-NUTTY DARK BARK

A closeup of paleo chocolate bark with coconuts, dried cranberries, and macadamia nuts on top.

Get the recipe here! (This recipe is not Whole30.)


NOM NOM CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

A closeup shot of paleo chocolate truffles, an easy Paleo Thanksgiving dessert.

Get the recipe here! (This recipe is not Whole30.)


Feeling inspired? Good! Now go plan your feast! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

(Originally posted: November 17, 2017; Updated: November 17, 2019)


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to myRecipe Index. Youll also find exclusive recipes onmy iPhone and iPad app,and in my cookbooks,Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans(Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) andReady or Not!(Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!

Recipe IndexNom Nom Paleo CookbooksNom Nom Paleo App

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