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!

Okay, U.S.-based Paleo procrastinators: It’s that time of year again, when you’re tasked with either:

Preparing an entire Thanksgiving feast
Bringing something to a Turkey Day potluck
Or figuring out what you’re going to eat at someone else’s decidedly non-Paleo-friendly Thanksgiving gathering

Well, it’s not too late to pick yourself up off the couch and plan your menu—and to that end, I’ve compiled a ton of nomtastic Thanksgiving ideas to help inspire you!

Free Nomtastic Paleo Thanksgiving E-Book

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 haven’t already subscribed, do it now, and you’ll get access to a complete Paleo Thanksgiving primer featuring step-by-step recipes, a shopping list, countdown planner, and more. And if you’re already a subscriber, check your emails (including your Promotions and Junk folders if you don’t see it right away) for a downloadable link to the e-book!

Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes in this free e-book include:

BUTTERFLIED BIG BIRD

What’s 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 you’ve cooked (and eaten) a Butterflied Big Bird, you’ll never go back.

Get the recipe here!

MAGIC CROWN ROAST OF PORK

Not a turkey fan? Make this meaty—and incredibly easy—Thanksgiving centerpiece. Combining my Magic Mushroom Powder seasoning and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s 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

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without the traditional sauces and gravies that accompany your feast, right? So don’t 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

Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t 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’ faces—guaranteed.

Get the recipe for Roasted Garlic Autumn Mash here!

Get the recipe for Instant Pot Autumn Mash here!

ASIAN CITRUS BRUSSELS SPROUTS SLAW

Best. Slaw. Ever. This Asian-inspired Brussels sprouts slaw isn’t exactly traditional, but its umami-packed punch will knock your socks off. In a good way.

Get the recipe here!

PUMPKIN + CARROT MUFFINS

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 won’t have any left over. (This recipe is not Whole30.)

Get the recipe here!

PUMPKIN, COCONUT + MAPLE CUSTARD CUPS

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, you’ll 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! Let’s say you want to cook up some other dishes instead. Or what if you’re 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, I’ve 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 meal—or if you’re planning to just bring something to a friend or relative’s potluck, pick your favorite dish and get cookin’!

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

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