“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
You May Also Be Interested In
- Comparison of 3 Healing Diets
- 50 Paleo AIP Christmas Cookies & Holiday Treats
- 50 Paleo AIP Holiday Gift Ideas
- Paleo Holiday Survival Guide
- 31 Days of Holiday Self-Care
- 5 Mantras for a Healthy Holiday Season