“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all the others. ”
~ Cicero
An AIP Thanksgiving Feast
When you’re following the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, traditional family recipes go through a transformation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious feast! I have 50 delicious and healing recipes for you. Food has never tasted so good!
Appetizers
- Savory Pumpkin Dip from Meatified
- Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips from Melanie Snyder Wellness
- Bacon Wrapped Butternut Squash Bites from A Squirrel in the Kitchen
- Apricocities from That Paleo Couple
- Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms from Wendi’s AIP Kitchen
Salads
- Roasted Delicata Squash & Kale Salad from Heal Me Delicious
- Shaved Brussels Salad from Meatified
- Colorful Kale Salad from A Squirrel in the Kitchen
- Broccoli Apple Salad from Lichen Paleo Loving AIP
- Roasted Cauliflower “Couscous” from Fresh Tart (base recipe is AIP – for the optional additions, choose AIP ingredients)
Turkey
- Roast Spatchcock Turkey from It’s All About 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 peppercorns for AIP)
- Herb Roasted Turkey Legs from Paleo Cupboard (omit pepper for AIP)
- Easy Oven Baked Turkey Tenderloin from Unbound Wellness (omit pepper for AIP)
- Turkey Breast in Maple Garlic Sauce from Allianna’s Kitchen
- Crockpot Turkey Breast from Steph Gaudreau (omit pepper for AIP)
- Instant Pot Turkey and Gravy from Gutsy by Nature
Gravy
- Cauliflower Gravy from The Paleo Mom
- Herbed Mushroom Gravy from Food By Mars
- Easy Paleo Herb Gravy from Nom Nom Paleo (choose pan drippings, and omit pepper for AIP)
Stuffing
- AIP Stuffing from Eat Beautiful
- “Cornbread” Stuffing from The Honest Spoonful
- Holiday Dressing from Wendi’s AIP Kitchen
- Cauliflower Stuffing from Unbound Wellness
Side Dishes
- Cranberry Sauce with Apples and Ginger from Phoenix Helix
- Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Cauliflower from Phoenix Helix
- Stovetop or Microwave Mashed Cauliflower from Food By Mars
- Instant Pot Garlicky Mashed Rutabaga from Phoenix Helix
- Kale with Cranberries from Phoenix Helix
- Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts from The Paleo Mom
- Roasted Vegetables from Joanna Frankham
- Acorn Squash with Cranberry Apple Stuffing from Elana’s Pantry (choose coconut oil for AIP)
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows from Unbound Wellness (choose coconut oil for AIP)
Beverages
- Apple Cider Soda from Elana’s Pantry
- Pumpkin Spice Kombucha from The Wild Gut
- Mulled Wine Mocktail from Heal Me Delicious
Desserts
- Apple Pie Pudding from Meatified
- French Apple Pie from Go Healthy with Bea
- Apple Crisp from 50 Shades of Avocado
- Pumpkin Caramel Flan from Cook 2 Nourish
- Pumpkin Pie from The Paleo Mom
- Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake from Wendi’s AIP Kitchen
- Coconut Whipped Cream in 30 Seconds from Up & Alive
Leftovers
- Turkey Bone Broth from Mind Body Green (omit pepper for AIP)
- Turkey, Apple, and Onion Hash from Eat Beautiful
- Thanksgiving Leftover Salad from The Honest Spoonful
- Curried Turkey Salad from Cook 2 Nourish
- Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie from Leftovers from Flawed Yet Functional
- Creamy Turkey and Vegetable Soup from Unbound Wellness
- Chunky Turkey and Vegetable Soup with Warm Cranberry Gremolata from Healing Family Eats
- Turkey Cranberry Wrap from Autoimmune Wellness (feel free to modify based on whatever foods you have leftover)
When a Holiday is Also a Day of Mourning
At its best, Thanksgiving is a time to gather with those we love, share delicious food, and celebrate all the blessings in our lives. It’s a beautiful holiday for that reason. At the same time, Thanksgiving has a complex history that isn’t always acknowledged. Many Indigenous people call this a Day of Mourning. How do we make space for both the grief and the joy that this holiday can inspire? I will admit that it’s not easy, but here are three great books to read this Thanksgiving season.
Other AIP Holiday Resources
This recipe roundup was first published in 2013 but is updated annually. Last update 10/31/23.
