High Protein, Low Carb Thanksgiving Recipes
Introduction
Thanksgiving meals can often be a challenge for those following a high-protein, low-carb lifestyle. Yet, it’s entirely possible to serve a feast that keeps carbs in check while delivering bold flavors and satisfying textures. These High Protein, Low Carb Thanksgiving Recipes are designed with healthful ingredients that don’t sacrifice the spirit of the holiday. They’re festive, crowd pleasing, and perfect for anyone looking to keep their nutrition goals on track during the holiday season.
Why Choose High Protein, Low Carb Thanksgiving Recipes?
Choosing these recipes means you’ll feel more satisfied, avoid post-meal sluggishness, and provide guests with dishes that fuel energy—without the carb crash. The combination of rich proteins and autumn vegetables ensures that your table will be abundant, flavorful, and memorable without leaning on breads, potatoes, or sugary sides.
Main Event: Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
A classic centerpiece, herb-roasted turkey breast is succulent, naturally low in carbs, and high in lean protein. By skipping sugary marinades and heavy bread-based stuffings, this version highlights fresh herbs, citrus, and garlic—all while keeping your meal light and satisfying.
All-Star Sides: Garlic Green Beans & Cauliflower Mash
Sides often make or break Thanksgiving. Green beans sautéed with garlic and lemon zest provide crunch and brightness. Cauliflower mash, whipped with Greek yogurt and roasted garlic, is so creamy it stands in perfectly for traditional mashed potatoes—at a fraction of the carbs.
Irresistible Stuffing: Sausage & Mushroom Skillet
Ditch the bread but keep all the classic stuffing flavor. Browned turkey sausage, cremini mushrooms, celery, onions, and herbs deliver a texture-packed, umami-rich side that’s both high in protein and big on comfort.
Dessert: Pumpkin Protein Cheesecake Bars
Wrap up your meal with pumpkin protein cheesecake bars—made with almond flour crust and sweetened with stevia, offering you all the creamy, spiced flavor of classic pumpkin pie but with more protein and fewer carbs.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
These recipes are designed for 6 servings each:
- Herb Roasted Turkey Breast: ~180 calories, 34g protein, 0g net carbs per serving
- Garlic Green Beans: ~70 calories, 2g protein, 4g net carbs per serving
- Cauliflower Mash: ~90 calories, 6g protein, 5g net carbs per serving
- Sausage & Mushroom Skillet: ~150 calories, 12g protein, 3g net carbs per serving
- Pumpkin Protein Cheesecake Bars: ~120 calories, 10g protein, 4g net carbs per bar
Now, let’s make your shopping and planning simple!
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this entire menu to CookifyAI to instantly generate a comprehensive shopping list—ingredients are automatically grouped by grocery aisle, taking the guesswork out of your Thanksgiving meal prep!
Instructions
- Herb Roasted Turkey Breast: Preheat oven to 375°F. Pat turkey breast dry, then rub with olive oil, chopped herbs, garlic, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Place on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 50-60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest before slicing.
- Garlic Green Beans: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add green beans, tossing to coat. Cook, stirring often, until just tender, about 8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
- Cauliflower Mash: Steam cauliflower florets until tender (about 7 minutes). Blend with Greek yogurt, butter, roasted garlic, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth.
- Sausage & Mushroom Skillet: Brown turkey sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, celery, and onion, and sauté until tender and caramelized. Stir in parsley and poultry seasoning. Cook another 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
- Pumpkin Protein Cheesecake Bars: Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix almond flour, melted butter, and sweetener. Press into a parchment-lined loaf pan. Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, protein powder, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, and sweetener until smooth. Pour over crust. Bake 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool, then refrigerate before slicing into bars.
Weekly Meal Planning
This high protein, low carb Thanksgiving menu is a smart choice not only for the big day but for weekly meal prep too! Save and schedule these recipes with CookifyAI to plan your week, batch all your ingredients into one organized list, and reduce food waste by reusing leftovers for quick, healthy lunches.
Planning Benefits:
- Calculates exact ingredient amounts for all your recipes
- Organizes shopping lists by store section
- Prevents buying duplicates—only what you need
- Makes prepping for large family meals, and weekday dinners, a breeze
Pro tip: Use CookifyAI to rearrange your recipes throughout the week and watch as the total protein, carb, and calorie counts adjust instantly—helpful for nutrition tracking during the holidays!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (for the full menu)
