Our 19 Best Diabetes-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

These recipes are so tasty, you could pick out your whole Thanksgiving menu from this mix alone. Whether you’re looking for hearty main dishes, cozy sides or fall-flavored desserts, these recipes are ideal additions to your holiday lineup. Each recipe focuses on fiber-rich complex carbs, like whole grains, and sticks to heart-healthy levels of saturated fat and sodium for a diabetes-friendly dish. And you’ll also find ingredients like winter squash, green beans, carrots and spices that deliver protective anti-inflammatory benefits. Recipes like our Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes and Herb-Roasted Turkey will fit right in with any Thanksgiving feast and contribute to a health-conscious and delicious holiday season.

01 of 19

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

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The classic Thanksgiving side of creamy mashed potatoes brings comforting goodness to the table. Cooking a few garlic cloves alongside the potatoes makes this recipe extra flavorful, and just the right amount of browned butter and buttermilk keeps things creamy while still diabetes-friendly.

02 of 19

Persian-Style Butternut Squash Soup

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A drizzle of maple syrup and warm spices like cinnamon, cumin and coriander take this hearty soup to the next level. With the natural sweetness and fiber-rich qualities of butternut squash and sweet potato, you can savor each spoonful while keeping your blood sugar stable.

03 of 19

Herb-Roasted Turkey

Herb-Roasted Turkey

In just 30 minutes of no-fuss prep time, this roasted turkey will be a savored centerpiece to your Thanksgiving meal. By skipping a brine and instead using a fragrant blend of herbs, you can reduce the amount of salt used without sacrificing flavor.

04 of 19

Balsamic Roasted Carrots

Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Pictured Recipe: Balsamic Roasted Carrots.

Roasting carrots in the oven with balsamic vinegar creates the ultimate caramelized side dish. The antioxidant properties of carrots not only give them their vibrant color but may help protect you against diabetes-related complications.

05 of 19

Honey-Glazed Roasted Delicata Squash

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Gorgeous to look at and full of flavor, thanks to the combination of a light honey glaze and the caramelization that happens when roasted, this delicata squash is packed with anti-inflammatory properties. And with 12 servings per recipe, it’s great for serving a crowd.

06 of 19

Wilted Kale with Warm Shallot Dressing

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If sautéed spinach is one of your favorite veggie sides, you’ll love this riff with kale topped with a warm shallot dressing. This tangy and delicious recipe goes well with any main, plus it’s packed with anti-inflammatory nutrients, like vitamin K and folate from the kale.

07 of 19

Roasted Honeynut Squash

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Honeynut squash looks just like mini butternut squash, but on the inside, you'll find even sweeter, deeper orange flesh. And with 4 grams of fiber per serving, this smaller squash makes for a perfectly portioned, satisfying side.

08 of 19

Cranberry Crumble Bars

Cranberry Crumble Bars

If you’re looking for a delicious sweet treat to keep your blood sugar in check, look no further. These cranberry-orange bars are packed with delicious autumn flavors and made with just a little added sugar to balance the tartness of the cranberries. And since they freeze well, making a batch ahead means you can always have them on hand when company calls.

09 of 19

Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

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Nothing feels more fall-forward than these pumpkin-flavored cookies with cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg. The combination of those warm spices, plus the natural sweetness from the canned pumpkin and raisins, means just a little brown sugar and molasses is needed to reach the right level of sweetness without too much added sugar. We used canola oil rather than butter to cut down on saturated fat, but you can swap in a different neutral oil if you prefer, like grapeseed oil.

10 of 19

Melting Potatoes with Garlic, Prosciutto & Sage

a recipe photo of the Melting Potatoes with Garlic, Prosciutto & Sage
Photographer: Carson Downing, Food stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

As the name implies, these buttery potatoes will literally melt in your mouth. Leaving the skin on your potatoes gives them a great crispy texture, plus a boost of fiber! The combination of sage, marjoram and prosciutto is so delicious that we’re sure this dish will become your new go-to Thanksgiving side.

11 of 19

Spatchcock Turkey with Sage & Thyme

spatchcock turkey with thyme and sage on sheet pan on table

Looking for a way to evenly cook a whole turkey with a crispy skin while keeping it juicy? Spatchcocking it, also known as butterflying it, helps you achieve just that. Packed with flavorful herbs and satisfying protein, this turkey is equally mouthwatering and nutritious.

12 of 19

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onions
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

This delicious side dish combines the earthy goodness of Brussels sprouts with savory bacon and onions. Adding a little bacon to your veggies in place of some of the salt makes them irresistibly delicious. And yes! You can definitely enjoy bacon if you have diabetes; just be mindful of the portions and remember that a little bit goes a long way, flavor-wise

13 of 19

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole is a classic, though typically added-sugar-heavy, Thanksgiving side dish. In this diabetes-friendly version, we really let the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes shine through, and add flavor with cinnamon, vanilla extract and pecans, so only a little brown sugar and marshmallow topping is needed. Though sweet potatoes are higher in carbs than other vegetables, their fiber content helps keep your blood sugar stable.

14 of 19

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

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Oven space is limited on Thanksgiving Day, which is why this recipe for slow-cooker green bean casserole is a must-make. This comforting dish has all the flavors you love in a traditional green bean casserole, and since the creamy sauce is homemade rather than from a can of cream of mushroom soup, it’s more diabetes-friendly, as creamy canned soup, while delicious, tends to be high in sodium and saturated fat.

15 of 19

Cinnamon Streusel Fresh Apple Bars

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What better way to enjoy your morning coffee on Thanksgiving Day than with these cinnamon-flavored apple bars? They offer a balanced blend of fiber-rich apples and nutty whole-wheat flour that pairs perfectly with the comforting flavor of cinnamon.

16 of 19

Oven-Roasted Squash with Garlic & Parsley

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This recipe is surprisingly delicious for how simple it is, proving that you don’t need lots of fancy ingredients to make a delicious dish. Roasting winter squash brings out its natural sweetness without adding sugar or syrup.

17 of 19

Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dressing

Spinach Salad with Warm Maple Dressing

This vibrant and crunchy green salad is a fresh addition to hearty mains. Plus, it features high-fiber spinach, heart-healthy pecans and a light maple dressing for an absolute delight!

18 of 19

Cider Gravy

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Gravy might just be the best thing on the Thanksgiving table! This recipe uses both apple cider and cider vinegar to add deep, delicious flavor. And the nice part is that you can make it a day ahead of time, so there’s one less to make on Thanksgiving Day.

19 of 19

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

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This classic dish won't last long on your Thanksgiving table. In this diabetes-friendly version, fresh green beans take the place of canned green beans, and we opt for a homemade sauce rather than using canned soup to help keep the sodium in check. Topped off with toasted breadcrumbs, this dish is just the best.

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