70+ Paleo AIP & GAPS-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

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“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all the others. ”
~ Cicero

Introduction

When you’re on a healing diet, the traditional holiday foods go through a transformation. Some people see it as a cause for grief. I see it as a cause to celebrate! Look at these amazingly delicious and healing recipes! Food has never tasted so good.

Appetizers

Caramelized Coconut Chips from Mel Joulwan
Kale Chips from Paleo Mom
Crispy Mushroom Chips from Health, Home and Happiness
Baked Apple Chips from The Endless Meal
Bacon Wrapped Butternut Squash Bites from A Squirrel in the Kitchen
Apricocities from That Paleo Couple
Marinated Party Olives from Real Food and Love
Holiday Stuffed Mushrooms from Autoimmune Wellness

Soups

Easy Butternut Squash Soup from Unbound Wellness
Pumpkin and Pear Soup from Vibrant Life Army Wife
Pesto and Bacon Acorn Squash Soup from Naturally Laura
Celeriac Leek Soup from Autoimmune Wellness
Carrot Ginger Soup from Real Plans
Fennel Apple Soup from Elana’s Pantry

Salads

Roasted Delicata Squash & Kale Salad from Heal Me Delicious
Roasted Butternut, Pomegranate & Arugula Salad from Grazed and Enthused
Shaved Brussels Salad from Meatified
Confetti Carrot Salad from Real Food & Love
Cauliflower Couscous from Autoimmune Wellness
Colorful Kale Salad from A Squirrel in the Kitchen
Pink Grapefruit and Avocado Salad from Phoenix Helix
Apple and Cabbage Slaw with Zesty Citrus Dressing from AIP Sisterhood (omit pepper for AIP)

Turkey

Roast a Turkey in 45 Minutes (Spatchcock Method) from Mark Bittman (choose olive oil and omit pepper for AIP)
Perfect Smoked Turkey from Domestic Man (substitute coconut oil for the ghee, and omit pepper for AIP)
Dry Brined Turkey from Food52 (substitute coconut oil for the butter, and omit paprika for AIP)
Honey and Sage Brined Roast Turkey from Food52 (omit black pepercorns for AIP)
Balsamic Roasted Turkey with Apple Stuffing from Elana’s Pantry (choose olive oil)
Herb Roasted Turkey Legs from Paleo Cupboard (omit pepper for AIP)
Crockpot Turkey Breast from Steph Gaudreau (omit pepper for AIP)
Pressure Cooker Turkey and Gravy from Gutsy by Nature (omit tapioca for GAPS)

Gravy

Herb Gravy from Elana’s Pantry
Easy Paleo Herb Gravy from Nom Nom Paleo (choose pan drippings, and omit pepper for AIP)
Cauliflower Gravy from The Paleo Mom
Starch-Free Gravy from Real Food Forager

Stuffing

Thanksgiving Stuffing Delicata Squash from Grazed and Enthused
Paleo Stuffing from Real Food Forager (omit pepper for AIP)
Apple Cranberry Stuffing from Autoimmune Wellness (for GAPS, substitute butternut squash for the sweet potato)
Root Vegetable Stuffing from Wellness Mama (for GAPS, substitute butternut squash for the sweet potatoes; omit pepper for AIP)

Side Dishes

Cranberry Sauce with Apples and Ginger from Phoenix Helix
Citrus Cranberry Relish from Autoimmune Wellness
Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic & Chives from Allergy Free Alaska (choose olive oil and omit pepper for AIP)
Cilantro Carrot Mash from Healing Family Eats
Steamed Broccoli Mash from A Squirrel in the Kitchen
Kale with Cranberries from Phoenix Helix
Brazilian Collards from The Domestic Man
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus from Autoimmune Wellness
Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts from The Paleo Mom
Rosemary and Shallot Roasted Butternut Squash from Alternative Autoimmune
Acorn Squash with Cranberry Apple Stuffing from Elana’s Pantry (choose coconut oil)
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows from Unbound Wellness (for AIP, choose coconut oil; for GAPS, substitute 1 medium butternut squash & make the homemade marshmallows with honey)

Beverages

Apple Cider Soda from Elana’s Pantry
Pumpkin Spice Kombucha from The Wild Gut
Spiced Pomegranate Wassail from Wendi’s AIP Kitchen
Holiday Mulled Cider from Eat Heal Thrive (for GAPS, substitute honey for the maple syrup)

Desserts

Baked Apples with Coconut Crème Anglaise from Flash Fiction Kitchen
Cran-Apple Gingerbread Crumble from Eat Heal Thrive (for GAPS, choose honey & omit arrowroot)
Apple Pie Pudding from Meatified (choose honey for GAPS)
Sticky Ginger Pudding from Healing Family Eats
Pumpkin Pie Pudding from A Clean Plate
Coconut Whipped Cream in 30 Seconds from Rubies & Radishes
When it comes to pumpkin pie & pumpkin “cheesecake”, it’s nearly impossible to find recipes that are simultaneously AIP & GAPS. For that reason, I offer you two of each:
- AIP Pumpkin Spice Cake with Gingersnap Crust by Autoimmune Wellness (AIP-only – contains starches)
- AIP Pumpkin Pie from The Paleo Mom (AIP-Only – contains starches)
- GAPS Pumpkin Pie from Wellness Mama (GAPS-Only – contains nuts & eggs; choose honey for sweetener)
- GAPS Pumpkin “Cheesecake” Cups by Primally Inspired (GAPS-Only – contains nuts & eggs)

Leftovers

Turkey Bone Broth from Mind Body Green (omit pepper for AIP)
Turkey Cranberry Wrap from Autoimmune Wellness (feel free to modify based on whatever foods you have leftover)
Create Your-Own Breakfast Skillet from Autoimmune Wellness (choose turkey as your protein)
Leftover Turkey Salad from Adventures in Partaking (substitute honey for GAPS)
Curried Chicken & “Rice” Stew from Phoenix Helix (substitute turkey for the chicken)
Turkey Chili from Eat Heal Thrive (substitute leftover turkey for the ground turkey)
Turkey Tacos from Forest and Fauna (substitute turkey for the beef)
Leftover Roast Chicken Soup from Against All Grain (substitute turkey for the chicken; omit pepper for AIP; for GAPS omit sweet potato and double the squash)
For more leftover ideas, checkout this roundup from Real Food and Love