“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
- Easy Lemon Turmeric Sweet Potato Noodle Salad from Hurried Health Nut
- 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)
- Maple Garlic Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast 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
- Pumpkin Gravy from AIP Sisterhood
- Easy Paleo Herb Gravy from Nom Nom Paleo (choose pan drippings, and omit pepper for AIP)
Stuffing
- Bread-Free Roasted Vegetable Stuffing from Strictly Delicious
- “Cornbread” Stuffing from Unbound Wellness
- 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
- 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)
- Scalloped Sweet Potatoes from The Open Cookbook
- 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
- Holiday Mulled Cider from Eat Heal Thrive
Desserts
- Apple Pie Pudding from Meatified
- French Apple Pie from Go Healthy with Bea
- Cran-Apple Gingerbread Crumble from Eat Heal Thrive
- 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 Rubies & Radishes
Leftovers
- Turkey Bone Broth from Mind Body Green (omit pepper for AIP)
- Turkey, Apple, and Onion Hash from Eat Beautiful
- Thanksgiving Leftover Salad from Bon Aippetit
- Curried Turkey Salad from Cook 2 Nourish
- Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie from Leftovers from Flawed Yet Functional
- Creamy Turkey Pot Pie Soup from Hurried Health Nut
- Shredded Leftover Turkey and “Rice” Soup from The Open Cookbook
- 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 ignoring our shared history isn’t the solution. Here are three great books to read this Thanksgiving season.
- A History of the First Thanksgiving
- One of the Most Beautiful Books I've Ever Read
- A Powerful Children's Book
Other AIP Holiday Resources
- 50 Paleo AIP Christmas Cookies & Holiday Treats
- 31 Days of Holiday Self-Care
- Religious Traditions and the AIP
This recipe roundup was first published in 2013 but is updated annually. Last update 11/5/21.