Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes for the Whole Feast (Including Desserts!)

Planning a paleo Thanksgiving? Here are my favorite gluten-free recipes for the whole feast, from a juicy spatchcock turkey and umami-packed gravy to make-ahead sides and plenty of pumpkin and apple desserts (with some chocolate ones thrown in, too). Lots of them are Whole30-friendly, so everyone at the table can dig in.

Thanksgiving help is here!

Thanksgiving for my family is usually a potluck hosted by someone on Henry’s side, and I almost always show up with a side dish, a dessert, or both. (Trust me, it’s the easiest way to do the holiday.) But if you’re the one cooking the whole shebang this year, don’t panic. I’ve rounded up the paleo Thanksgiving recipes I trust most, whether you’re hosting the feast or bringing a dish to someone else’s table.

(Not up for a whole feast but still want Thanksgiving in a bite? Make my Cranberry Turkey Meatballs with Maple-Mustard Glaze. They make a fab appetizer or a casual weeknight supper.)

Free Nomtastic Paleo Thanksgiving E-Book

If you’re hosting, my free Nomtastic Paleo Thanksgiving e-book will walk you through the whole feast. It comes with step-by-step recipes, a shopping list, and a countdown planner, and it takes the guesswork out of feeding 8 to 12 hungry Nomsters. Thousands of Nomsters have used it to pull off their Thanksgiving dinners, and I’m so grateful to be a small part of their holiday traditions.

The e-book is free for subscribers to my email newsletter, so sign up here to get your copy. Already a subscriber? Keep an eye on your inbox, because I include a download link in my November emails.

Recipes in my free Thanksgiving e-book

Don’t need the planning guide or shopping list, but still want the recipes? Here’s what’s on the menu.

Spatchcock Turkey

What’s Thanksgiving without a turkey? I spatchcock (a.k.a. butterfly) mine so the whole bird cooks evenly, which means juicy white meat and fully cooked dark meat instead of dry breasts and underdone thighs. I dry-brine the turkey with kosher salt for 1 to 3 days, then tuck herb butter (or ghee) under the skin before it goes into a hot oven. Once you’ve cooked (and eaten) a Butterflied Big Bird, you’ll never go back.

Spatchcock Turkey (Butterflied Big Bird)

4.93 from 14 votes

Time to make Spatchcock Turkey a.k.a. Butterflied Big Bird! This foolproof method for cooking Thanksgiving turkey will please everyone at your holiday gatherings and it’s so easy to make! Plus, it’s Paleo-friendly!

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Magic Crown Roast of Pork

Not a turkey fan? This fancy-looking centerpiece is seasoned with my Magic Mushroom Powder and roasted low and slow before a quick blast under the broiler, so it’s way easier than it looks. You can even season it up to 3 days ahead.

Magic Crown Roast of Pork

5 from 5 votes

Tired of turkey? This fancy-looking meaty centerpiece will elicit oohs and aahs when you bring it to the Thanksgiving table—and you won’t even need to tell your guests how easy it is to make! The two secret weapons: my Magic Mushroom Powder seasoning and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s reverse-sear technique to cook your pork to the perfect temperature!

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Paleo Cranberry Sauce with Cherries

My cranberry sauce gets a sweet boost from cherries and apple juice plus a little fresh ginger, and you only add honey if it needs it. Make it up to 5 days ahead so you have one less thing to do on Turkey Day. Fair warning: you’ll want to spoon the leftovers on everything.

Paleo Cranberry Sauce with Cherries

4.95 from 19 votes

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Umami Gravy

The best gravy, hands down. It gets its rich, savory flavor from dried porcini and fresh cremini mushrooms (plus a smidge of fish sauce, which I promise doesn’t make it taste fishy), and it’s thickened by simmering and blending, so you don’t need any flour.

Umami Gravy: The Best Gluten Free Gravy

4.87 from 15 votes

This gluten-free gravy is pure, unadulterated umami. I recommend freezing some in an ice cube tray so you’ll always have individual servings of gravy at the ready. Perfect for your Whole30 Thanksgiving!

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Instant Pot Autumn Mash

This veggie-packed mash of parsnips, carrots, cauliflower, and roasted garlic is a family fave, and it only needs 5 minutes under pressure in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Autumn Mash

4.86 from 7 votes

One of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dishes is Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash. Why? ’Cause it’s a feast for both the eyes and tastebuds. My original stovetop version is crazy delicious, but now that I’m a certified Instant Pothead, I was determined to create a shortcut to veggie mash nirvana using my Instant Pot. After some tinkering, I’ve come up with a simpler way to make my Autumn Mash in an electric pressure cooker!

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Roasted Asian Brussels Sprouts Salad

This isn’t exactly a traditional Thanksgiving side, but the umami-packed orange and ginger dressing on these roasted shredded Brussels sprouts will knock your socks off (in a good way). If your oven’s already at 450°F for the turkey, just leave it on for the sprouts. You can also make the whole dish up to 4 days ahead.

Roasted Asian Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus and Ginger Dressing

5 from 9 votes

A tangy Asian inspired orange and ginger dressing gives this roasted Brussels sprouts salad a zesty zing that’ll liven up your Thanksgiving table!

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Pumpkin and 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. A little five-spice powder gives them a pleasantly unexpected kick, and if you make a batch for Thanksgiving, I bet you won’t have any left over. (These muffins aren’t Whole30.)

Paleo Pumpkin and Carrot Muffins

4.91 from 20 votes

These paleo pumpkin and carrot muffins are dangerously addictive. With a tender crumb, just the right amount of sweetness, and a pleasantly unexpected hit of exotic spice, it’s no wonder that everyone loves these muffins.

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Pumpkin Custard

Pumpkin lovers, this one’s for you. These creamy, maple-sweetened custards taste great chilled, so you can bake them up to 4 days ahead and free yourself up to watch football (or sleep in) on Thanksgiving Day. (This dessert isn’t Whole30.)

Pumpkin Custard

4.84 from 24 votes

This Paleo pumpkin and coconut custard is the perfect dessert for your Halloween and Thanksgiving parties! You can make them ahead, too!

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More Paleo and Whole30 Thanksgiving Side Dishes

The side dishes are the best part of any Thanksgiving feast, am I right? My Thanksgiving side dishes roundup covers all my favorite veggie sides. They’re paleo and Whole30-friendly, and since they’re naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, no one at your table will miss a thing.

Where’s the Paleo Stuffing Recipe?

I still don’t have a stuffing recipe of my own, but here are four great ones from my blogger pals:

• Zenbelly’s Best Ever Paleo Stuffing (Dressing)
• Against All Grain’s Grain-Free Thanksgiving Stuffing
• PaleOMG’s Thanksgiving Caramelized Onion & Sausage Stuffing
• Paleo Running Momma’s “Cornbread” Paleo Thanksgiving Stuffing

More Paleo Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Need more gluten-free desserts for your Thanksgiving table? Here are more of my favorites, and plenty of them can be made ahead. (For even more ideas, check out my roundup of 20 Gluten-Free Fall Desserts Everyone Will Love.)

Apple Crisp

My oat-free apple crisp is topped with a crunchy, cinnamon-infused crumble made with almond flour, nuts, and coconut, and it’s vegan if you use coconut oil. Your house will smell amazing while it bakes.

Gluten-Free & Oat-Free Apple Crisp: Easy and Delicious!

4.71 from 27 votes

Topped with a nutty, cinnamon-infused, oat-free crunchy crust, this gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and grain-free apple crisp will knock your socks off. You’ll be proud to serve this apple crisp to your friends and family—and as it bakes, it’ll will make your house smell amazing, too!

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Baked Apples

These baked apples are stuffed with a sweet and crunchy filling made with pecans, almonds, and coconut (no oats!) and baked in a splash of orange juice. Top them with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert that feels fancy.

Baked Apples (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free)

4.88 from 16 votes

Packed with a cinnamon-infused sweet and crunchy filling made with pecans, almonds, and coconut (no oats!), these baked apples are the perfect paleo, vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free fall dessert!

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Apple Bundt Cake

This showstopper of a cake is made with almond and cassava flour, but even your pickiest eaters won’t suspect it’s grain-free. It keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, so you can bake it well before the big day.

Apple Bundt Cake (Paleo, Gluten Free, Grain Free)

4.81 from 56 votes

This tender and delicious apple bundt cake is made with almond and cassava flour, but even your pickiest eaters won’t ever suspect that it’s totally grain free, gluten free, and paleo-friendly!

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Apple Muffins with Paleo Streusel Topping

These tender almond flour apple muffins are fab, but the crunchy streusel on top is my favorite part. They freeze beautifully, so bake a batch ahead and warm them up for Thanksgiving breakfast.

Gluten-Free Apple Muffins with Paleo Streusel Topping

4.87 from 15 votes

These tender and moist gluten-free apple muffins are made with almond flour and shredded apple, and the crunchy paleo streusel on top is my favorite part.

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Pumpkin Muffins

My simple almond flour pumpkin muffins have a moist crumb and call for just a few easy-to-find ingredients.

Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

4.77 from 103 votes

These gluten-free pumpkin muffins are an amazing autumn paleo treat. My simple and delicious almond flour pumpkin muffin recipe has a moist crumb and calls for just a few easy-to-find ingredients!

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you love chocolate and pumpkin together, these honey-sweetened muffins are for you. They keep in the freezer for up to 4 months, so you can stash a batch now and pull them out for the holiday.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Paleo, Gluten Free, Grain Free)

4.84 from 31 votes

These honey-sweetened almond flour pumpkin chocolate muffins can be made ahead and kept in the freezer so you can easily heat one up when pumpkin spice blend season hits!

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Pumpkin Cookies

Who doesn’t love a soft and cakey pumpkin cookie? These have all the cozy spices of fall without being too sweet, and you can slather on my dairy-free cream cheese frosting if you’re feeling fancy.

Pumpkin Cookies (Paleo, Gluten Free, Grain Free)

4.65 from 14 votes

These soft, cakey pumpkin cookies perfectly balance the comforting spices of fall and just the right amount of sweetness! No one will notice that they're also paleo, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and grain-free!

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Pumpkin Bars

These almond flour pumpkin bars are topped with my dairy-free cream cheese frosting, and my mom insists I make them as soon as fall rolls around. They’re easy to make ahead because they freeze well with or without the frosting.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars with Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

4.69 from 64 votes

These gluten-free pumpkin bars are made with almond flour, real pumpkin, and honey, then topped with my dairy-free cream cheese frosting. They’re tender, packed with pumpkin spice, and not too sweet!

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Pumpkin Pie Bars

Who has time to roll out a pie crust? Not me! These bars give you everything you love about pumpkin pie with an easy press-in crust made from grain-free cookies.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Bars

4.80 from 5 votes

Everything you love about pumpkin pie, baked into bars that are easy to share. A press-in crust made from grain-free cookies holds a creamy pumpkin filling made with coconut milk and maple syrup, so the bars are gluten-free and dairy-free.

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Pumpkin Mug Cake

Hosting a small Thanksgiving? This single-serve pumpkin mug cake cooks in the microwave in about 2 minutes, and it’s a tasty way to use up leftover pumpkin purée.

Pumpkin Mug Cake (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

4.71 from 57 votes

This two-minute gluten-free paleo pumpkin mug cake is a quick and delicious way to use up your leftover pumpkin puree!

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Chocolate Lava Cake

Molten lava cake is way easier to make than you think, and you can mix the batter up to a day ahead. Set the ramekins on the counter before dinner, then bake them when everyone’s done eating.

Chocolate Lava Cake (Paleo, Gluten-Free)

4.87 from 52 votes

This decadent paleo molten chocolate lava cake is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion with your favorite gluten-free or nut-free loved one!

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Torta Caprese (Almond Flour Chocolate Cake)

This classic Italian flourless chocolate cake is rich and decadent, and it’s made with almond flour and dark chocolate. Even better? You can make it up to 4 days ahead and no one will notice.

Torta Caprese (Almond Flour Chocolate Cake)

4.82 from 22 votes

Torta Caprese, a classic Italian flourless chocolate cake, is a decadent and rich dessert made with almond flour, dark chocolate, and eggs. This refined sugar-free and dairy-free version is just as delicious and easy to make as the original!

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Coconut Cream Bars

Every year, my in-laws host an epic Thanksgiving potluck, and whenever I bring these dreamy, not-too-sweet bars, they’re a hit. They’re no-bake, but they do need at least 6 hours to set in the freezer, so plan ahead.

Coconut Cream Bars (Vegan, No-Bake, Gluten-Free)

4.89 from 18 votes

These vegan Coconut Cream Bars are creamy, decadent, and a dream to make! Made with nine simple and wholesome ingredients, these no-bake healthy treats are amazing!

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Raspberry Financiers

Everyone will love these adorable mini almond cakes, each one crowned with a tangy raspberry. The recipe comes from my cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go!

Raspberry Financiers (Paleo, Gluten Free, Grain Free)

4.90 from 28 votes

These adorably delicious raspberry financiers are mini almond flour cakes crowned with a tangy berry. They’re simple, elegant, and a crowd-pleasing paleo and gluten-free dessert!

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Coco-Nutty Dark Bark

Need a hostess gift or a sweet treat to send home with your guests? My paleo chocolate bark is drop-dead simple to make, and the salty macadamia nuts on top make it crazy addictive.

Coco-Nutty Dark Chocolate Bark

5 from 7 votes

Paleo Coco-Nutty Dark Chocolate Bark is perfect for DIY homemade edible holiday gifts because the recipe is drop-dead simple and infinitely customizable.

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Nom Nom Chocolate Truffles

Here’s another decadent chocolate treat to gift your hosts or guests. These dairy-free truffles keep in the freezer for about three months, so you can make them well ahead of time.

Nom Nom Chocolate Truffles

5 from 12 votes

These paleo, vegan, and dairy-free chocolate truffles are perfect for homemade holiday gifts! Everyone will love them and request them year after year!

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