Sure, on a keto diet you can bypass the stuffing, cranberry sauce, and whipped-cream-topped sweet treats like pumpkin cheesecake and focus on turkey and whatever carb-free greens are on the table. But why sacrifice when you can indulge in all the traditional Thanksgiving goodness and stay keto?

Here, we share exactly how to have the ultimate keto Thanksgiving, whether you’re hosting the affair or are a guest. If you’re wondering just how great it can be, consider this: even stuffing and pie are back on the menu with our low-carb Thanksgiving recipes. 

How to Host a Keto Thanksgiving

If you’re on a ketogenic diet, hosting and cooking keto Thanksgiving recipes for Thanksgiving is the easiest way to ensure you get to fully partake in the feast and stay in ketosis. The best part? The food is so delicious, even non-keto diners will be delighted with your spread.

Following are recommended keto Thanksgiving-feast recipes for everything from keto turkey and gravy to keto stuffing and mashed “fauxtatoes.” Just add friends, and you’re good to go! You can also make some of this menu and embellish with family favorites. That way there’ll be enough at the table to allow you to fast and skip the “carbage” without affecting your family’s food traditions. 

Keto Thanksgiving Drink Recipes

Keto Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

Thanksgiving Appetizers

These low-carb keto recipes for easy finger foods will delight everyone. Serve them as tray-passed hor d’oeuvres or offer them at the buffet. Either way, they’re festive and delicious.

Keto Thanksgiving Main Course Recipes

Thanksgiving Main Course

Even carb-loading foodies will be delighted with your entree if you serve any of the following keto main courses for your Thanksgiving meal.

Keto Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Paleo, dairy-free, grain-free, keto … with a keto stuffing recipe, a sugar-free cranberry sauce, veggies, and more, this collection of fantastic low-carb keto sides are so good, you won’t even miss the cornbread stuffing or mashed potatoes!

Keto Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

Thanksgiving Salads

Keto Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Thanksgiving Desserts

 

Whether you crave keto desserts seasoned with pumpkin pie spice, a delicious no-bake cream-cheese based cream pie, or something chocolatey or nutty, we’ve got you covered. If you have almond flour, coconut flour, an alternative sweetener like erythritol (they’re available on Amazon, if you can’t find them locally), you’ve got the foundation ingredients to make epic, gluten-free, low-carb recipes, including the best keto pie crusts to use for other desserts, including keto pumpkin pie (though the mousse tart below is way better). You can even use a little pumpkin puree (a little goes a long way and has carbs, so follow be sure to count net carbs as you decide on your desserts).

How to Enjoy a Keto Thanksgiving as a Guest

Obviously, hosting Thanksgiving dinner gives you far greater control over the menu and more knowledge of what’s in each dish so you can monitor your consumption of what’s keto-friendly and what’s not. But you can still feast like a champion if you’re a guest at someone else’s table. Here’s how:

  • Ask what’s on the menu.

    It’s a lot easier to ensure keto success if you know what you’re walking into and can plan accordingly. If you’re comfortable speaking openly with your host, tell him or her that you’re keto and ask what’s on the menu, including ingredients, so you can know what contains sugar, flour, and other unfriendly ingredients. 

  • Offer to bring a dish or two.

    If the host is serving turkey, you should be in good shape for the entree, but the side dishes and desserts are another story. Maybe there will be a salad you can enjoy, and if you’re lucky, some green beans or other vegetable dishes. But you can ensure you’re covered if you offer to bring a side dish and a dessert. Choose from any of the above recipes, which easily feed crowds.

  • If all else fails: strategize.

    If you aren’t in a position to work with the host or bring a dish, and you still want to attend the dinner, a little strategy goes a long way. You can eat beforehand to ensure you’re not seriously hungry, then search for keto-friendly foods upon arrival (nuts, deviled eggs, meat and cheese platters, turkey, sugar-free and carb-free vegetable dishes) and tuck away a snack and a small, low-carb dessert for yourself (Hello, Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs); it’s much easier to stay on track amid the pressures of aromas and mouthwatering food landscapes if you have treats for yourself.

However you spend Thanksgiving, remember that you don’t have to abandon your weight-loss goals and dive into the sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or sugary pumpkin pie to enjoy yourself. A keto meal, complete with gravy, low-carb stuffing, and all the fixings can be yours! Also, alcohol can lower your resolve, so be mindful of how much you drink and focus on the company. The most satisfying meal is one spent with people you love. 

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