Keto Thanksgiving: Plan Your Feast

Cook Up a Low-Carb Feast

Written by
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Laurel Randolph
Updated 07/22/21
Perfect roast turkey with bacon recipe

​​The Spruce / Zorica Lakonic

The keto diet is designed to encourage the body to enter ketosis, a fat-burning phase brought on by a lack of starch and carbs. This means grains, bread, potatoes, and sugar are off-limits, while high-protein foods like meat and dairy are encouraged. The holidays are often a time for abandoning diets, but there's no need to throw away the rule book with these keto recipes.

If you're on a keto diet or just trying to eat low carb over the holidays, there are plenty of flavorful dishes that feel indulgent and nothing like diet food. From turkey to keto stuffing to keto desserts, you won't miss a thing this Thanksgiving.

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  • 01 of 31

    Pecan Cheese Ball

    Celebration cheeseball with pecans

    The Spruce

    It's just not a celebration without a cheese ball. This classic recipe is coated in crunchy pecans for a nice crunch and a pretty presentation. Serve with fresh veggies like celery sticks and carrot sticks.

    Per serving: 276 calories, 26 g fat, 4 g net carbs, and 8 g protein

  • 02 of 31

    Simple Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

    Simple bacon wrapped shrimp recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Instead of a shrimp cocktail, whip up some elegant bacon-wrapped shrimp as an appetizer. You only need a few ingredients to make a starter that looks like a pro made it. Use tail-on shrimp for superior presentation.

    Per serving: 57 calories, 1 g fat, 1 g net carbs, and 11 g protein

  • 03 of 31

    Classic Deviled Eggs

    Classic Deviled Eggs

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    The key to memorable deviled eggs is perfectly boiled, easy-to-peel eggs and the right balance of seasoning. To make them look extra special, use a bag to pipe the filling and sprinkle with paprika.

    Per serving: 134 calories, 12 g fat, 0 g net carbs, and 6 g protein

  • 04 of 31

    Easy Shrimp Dip With Cream Cheese

    Quick and easy shrimp dip

    The Spruce 

    This creamy shrimp dip couldn't be easier to assemble and can be made up to an hour or two ahead and stashed in the fridge. Serve with celery sticks for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer.

    Per serving: 84 calories, 7 g fat, 3 g net carbs, and 2 g protein

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  • 05 of 31

    Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

    Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Bacon-wrapped asparagus are not only an attractive appetizer or side dish, they also free up your oven and stovetop. They're quick and easy to make in the air fryer and make fun finger food.

    Per serving: 61 calories, 4 g fat, 1 g net carbs, and 5 g protein

  • 06 of 31

    Spinach and Artichoke Dip

    spinach and artichoke dip with chips

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney 

    Creamy and tangy, everyone loves spinach and artichoke dip. You can sauté the onions and assemble the dip ahead of time, simply stashing it in the fridge until you're ready to bake. Serve warm with crudités or keto crackers.

    Per serving: 258 calories, 22 g fat, 10 g net carbs, and 7 g protein

  • 07 of 31

    Fontina, Spinach, and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

    Spinach, Bacon, and Fontina Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    As tasty as they are cute, these stuffed mushrooms can be served as an appetizer or side dish. The combination of cheese, spinach, and bacon is simple but flavor-packed.

    Per serving: 39 calories, 3 g fat, 1 g net carbs, and 2 g protein

  • 08 of 31

    Keto Pigs in a Blanket

    keto pigs in a blanket

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Start the meal off on a fun note with these adorable pigs in a blanket. Make them an hour or two before the meal and set them out for snacking while you finish making dinner. They'll be a hit with adults and kids alike. 

    Per serving: 616 calories, 54 g fat, 13 g net carbs, and 25 g protein

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  • 09 of 31

    Classic Wedge Salad

    Wedge Salad

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Give your Thanksgiving meal some steakhouse vibes by starting with a classic wedge salad. The combination of cool, crisp iceberg lettuce, juicy tomatoes, meaty bacon, and creamy blue cheese dressing can't be beat.

    Per serving: 584 calories, 47 g fat, 8 g net carbs, and 30 g protein

  • 10 of 31

    Cream of Pumpkin Soup

    Cream of Pumpkin Soup

     Renee Comet / Getty Images

    Homemade cream of pumpkin soup is an ideal first course for your keto-friendly Thanksgiving meal. This recipe calls for canned pumpkin, making this dish fast and easy. If you'd like, you can use homemade pumpkin purée or replace it with butternut squash.

    Per serving: 211 calories, 18 g fat, 10 g net carbs, and 4 g protein

  • 11 of 31

    Keto Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

    Keto Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

    Add lightness and crunch to your meal with keto coleslaw. The combination of fresh veggies and a light, tart dressing is the perfect palate cleanser.

    Per serving: 86 calories, 5 g fat, 10 g net carbs, and 2 g protein

  • 12 of 31

    Fennel Avocado Salad

    Fennel avocado salad

    The Spruce

    With all of the heavy food typical of a Thanksgiving spread, it's nice to break up the menu with a fresh and bright salad. Fennel adds tons of crunch while avocado adds natural creaminess. You can assemble everything but the avocado ahead of time.

    Per serving: 199 calories, 18 g fat, 11 g net carbs, and 2 g protein

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  • 13 of 31

    Roasted Cauliflower Soup

    roasted cauliflower soup

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Roasting the cauliflower first gives this creamy soup another layer of flavor. Serve as a delicious starter as-is or top with crispy fried onions or chopped bacon and fresh parsley.

    Per serving: 314 calories, 29 g fat, 11 g net carbs, and 6 g protein

  • 14 of 31

    Perfect Roast Turkey With Bacon

    Perfect roast turkey with bacon recipe

    ​​The Spruce / Zorica Lakonic

    Meaty bacon adds tons of flavor and a crispy outer layer to this delectable roast turkey. Start this bird at least a day or two ahead of time so it has time to dry brine in a roasting pan in the fridge, resulting in flavorful meat and crispy skin.

    Per serving: 1051 calories, 52 g fat, 1 g net carbs, and 136 g protein

  • 15 of 31

    Deep-Fried Turkey Breast

    Deep-Fried Turkey Breast

    The Spruce

    For a turkey with crispy skin and moist meat, deep fry it. This recipe includes a spice rub which gives the meat lots of flavor with minimal effort. A deep-fried turkey breast is great for a smaller meal and frees up your oven for other dishes.

    Per serving: 665 calories, 35 g fat, 4 g net carbs, and 81 g protein

  • 16 of 31

    Keto Gravy

    Keto Gravy

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Use pan drippings, chicken stock, or a combination to make a low-carb keto gravy. Egg yolks and a little powdered gelatin thicken up this quick and easy savory sauce. Make it ahead of time, store in the refrigerator, and reheat just before the meal.

    Per serving: 78 calories, 5 g fat, 5 g net carbs, and 4 g protein

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  • 17 of 31

    Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    For all of the cheesy goodness of mac and cheese without the mac, swap the pasta for cauliflower. The low-carb version uses roasted cauliflower and is just as satisfying. The sauce is grain and starch-free, too, using cream cheese for flavor and to thicken it up.

    Per serving: 419 calories, 33 g fat, 12 g net carbs, and 20 g protein

  • 18 of 31

    Keto Cornbread

    Keto Cornbread

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney 

    Good grain-free cornbread seems impossible, but this version is downright delicious. Made with coconut and almond flour, keto cornbread can be easily customized to your tastes. Add a little cheese or jalapeño for extra flavor, or cube it and use for keto stuffing.

    Per serving: 194 calories, 17 g fat, 5 g net carbs, and 5 g protein

  • 19 of 31

    Keto Stuffing

    Keto Stuffing

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney 

    With all of the classic stuffing flavors including fresh herbs, stock, and sautéed onion and celery, keto stuffing will even fool carb-lovers. Made with keto cornbread, it cooks up just like regular stuffing. You can add cooked, crumbled sausage if you like.

    Per serving: 258 calories, 22 g fat, 12 g net carbs, and 6 g protein

  • 20 of 31

    Easy Skillet Green Beans and Bacon

    Easy Skillet Green Beans and Bacon

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Swap the classic casserole for this easy green bean sauté with crispy bacon. Free of processed food, it adds a nice dose of green to your Thanksgiving spread. Add crispy shallots or onions on top if desired.

    Per serving: 170 calories, 11 g fat, 11 g net carbs, and 8 g protein

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  • 21 of 31

    Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Leeks

    Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Leeks

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray 

    Mashed potatoes are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but they are not exactly keto-friendly. Swap the potatoes for cauliflower for a tasty alternative. Tender, sweet leeks, butter, and garlic add flavor to this cauliflower mash.

    Per serving: 134 calories, 10 g fat, 11 g net carbs, and 4 g protein

  • 22 of 31

    Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

    Bacon roasted brussel sprouts

    The Spruce

    Brussels sprouts are always a nice addition to the Thanksgiving table, especially when bacon is involved. A hot oven makes these sprouts nice and crisp and not at all mushy. You can trim and slice them ahead of time and then slide the baking sheet in the oven when ready.

    Per serving: 43 calories, 2 g fat, 4 g net carbs, and 4 g protein

  • 23 of 31

    Cauliflower Stuffing

    Cauliflower Stuffing

    The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

    Add sausage to this cauliflower stuffing and you have the perfect dish for the keto diet. The recipe includes all the favorite seasonings, including parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, and it cooks up just like a classic bread stuffing.

    Per serving: 109 calories, 8 g fat, 8 g net carbs, and 3 g protein

  • 24 of 31

    Green Bean Amandine

    Green bean amandine recipe

    The Spruce / Teena Agnel

    Green beans are an easy side for your Thanksgiving meal and they add a green element to the plate. Almonds add a bit of nutty crunch and sophistication to the simple recipe.

    Per serving: 108 calories, 9 g fat, 7 g net carbs, and 2 g protein

    Continue to 25 of 31 below.
  • 25 of 31

    Easy Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Vinegar

    Brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar

    The Spruce

    Balsamic vinegar adds a punch of flavor to these oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with minimal effort. The veggies are tossed with the dressing before being roasted on a baking sheet, giving them a caramelized flavor.

    Per serving: 90 calories, 7 g fat, 6 g net carbs, and 2 g protein

  • 26 of 31

    Cloud Bread

    Cloud Bread

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Made with just a few simple ingredients, cloud bread is gluten-free, grain-free, and keto-friendly. Rather than going totally bread-free for your Thanksgiving feast, serve these light-as-air rounds.

    Per serving: 69 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g net carbs, and 4 g protein

  • 27 of 31

    Creamy Boursin Spinach

    Creamy Boursin Spinach

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Boursin cheese is a creamy French cheese that’s flavored with garlic and herbs. It makes a luxurious and sophisticated sauce for wilted spinach and pairs nicely with turkey.

    Per serving: 120 calories, 9 g fat, 7 g net carbs, and 5 g protein

  • 28 of 31

    Keto Pumpkin Pie

    keto pumpkin pie

     The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Nothing says Thanksgiving quite like a pumpkin pie. This gluten-free, grain-free, and sugar-free pie is just as satisfying as the standard version. Serve with whipped cream either unsweetened or whipped with a pinch of keto-friendly sweetener.

    Per serving: 272 calories, 22 g fat, 14 g net carbs, and 7 g protein

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  • 29 of 31

    No-Bake Keto Cheesecake

    No-Bake Keto Cheesecake

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

    A homemade cheesecake is sure to impress at your Thanksgiving meal. While it looks impressive, it's actually very easy to make and doesn't even require baking. Make it several hours ahead so it can chill and set in the fridge before serving.

    Per serving: 469 calories, 44 g fat, 13 g net carbs, and 9 g protein

  • 30 of 31

    Keto Crème Brûlée

    Keto Creme Brulee

    The Spruce / Alison Conklin

    If you're tired of the same old pumpkin pie or want to offer another dessert option, try crème brûlée. This keto version is sugar-free and is great for making ahead. The ramekins need to chill anyway—just torch them right before serving.

    Per serving: 500 calories, 49 g fat, 9 g net carbs, and 10 g protein

  • 31 of 31

    Keto Ice Cream

    vanilla ice cream


    Anna Pustynnikova / Getty Images

    Homemade ice cream is always a treat, especially when served alongside pie. It's also a nice option for picky kids and can be made up to a day or two ahead of time. Feel free to add your favorite flavorings like cinnamon or chocolate.

    Per serving: 408 calories, 43 g fat, 17 g net carbs, and 3 g protein