How To Plan A Budget Keto Thanksgiving Meal (With Recipes) (2024)

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Many of the best Keto Thanksgiving Recipes are not too different from your classic Thanksgiving fare.

Most people wouldn’t even know the difference between a keto dish and a regular dish they are used to eating. No kidding.

Turkey is turkey, chicken is chicken, and all keto side dishes and desserts are unique without extra carbs and sugar.

Today, I want to share our Keto Thanksgiving Meal Plan and lots of delicious Keto Thanksgiving recipes.

Keto Thanksgiving Dinner With All The Fixings

I honestly think people get their feathers ruffled when they hear the word “Keto” or “Low-Carb” when it’s a simple eating plan.

Consider all the foods you love to eat for Thanksgiving dinner, and we can make it all keto-friendly by reducing carbs and sugar.

Too much sugar spikes insulin levels, and the cycle of being hungry all day happens repeatedly.

Get rid of the sugar, control your insulin, lower carbs, and get fit.

That’s it: nothing less, nothing more apart from talking to your doctor first.

Budget Your Thanksgiving Meal

It mustn’t matter what type of Thanksgiving fare you will be serving; stock up on holiday favorites beforehand.

The great thing about vegetables, such as spaghetti squash, yams, turnips, cauliflower, broccoli, etc., is that you can buy them days in advance.

If you plan to make roasted or mashed cauliflower, you can quickly freeze it until you need it.

Earlier this year, we bought two giant chickens for a great price, specifically to make keto bone broth and for Thanksgiving.

How To Make Roasted Pumpkin Puree

Last year, I bought three baking pumpkins at the end of the season, baked them, and froze the puree to make keto pumpkin desserts.

The cost was $3 for all three of my baking pumpkins, which is excellent, considering you’ll pay for a tiny can.

How To Make Pumpkin Puree Recipe:

• 3 Small Baking Pumpkins
• Half them and clean out the seeds (dry for roasted pumpkin seeds)
• Slather butter on the inside with a bit of salt
• Turn upside down on a baking sheet
• Preheat oven to 300 and let them bake until tender.
• Once cooled, using a spoon, scoop out the pure pumpkin, put it into freezer bags, and store it for over a year.

Asparagus and broccoli are other vegetables that you can freeze if you find them on sale in advance.

Create A Thanksgiving Dinner Meal Plan In Advance

If you plan on baking for Thanksgiving, perhaps starting early when you find the ingredients on sale is a more innovative option.

For example, I will make a loaf of keto bread and freeze it this week so it’s ready when I want to make my keto stuffing.

I’ll also make our keto desserts but smaller versions than I typically would make, as it’s only the two of us eating them.

While at Zehrs two days ago, the cream cheese was reduced to $1, so I bought ten and froze 6 for later use.

Usually, we would all meet up at one of the inlaw’s houses and bring prepared dishes and drinks.

That’s not happening this year, so our little family of three is enjoying quiet family time together.

This significantly drops the costs of making our dinner, plus our son doesn’t eat much either.

Saving Money Buying Groceries For Thanksgiving

It’s a Keto Thanksgiving For Two and a boy who would rather eat pizza and cucumber than anything else.

I’ve found great benefits and price savings if you can bulk shop at Costco Canada for your keto and non-keto needs.

I’ve done the math and know the prices, and I can tell you that you WILL save money if you shop at Costco.

Almost all items you buy have long shelf lives, or you can put them in the freezer for later use.

Canadian coupons don’t often cover ingredients you need to make healthy, delicious meals from scratch.

Another great way to save is to use rewards points programs at your favorite grocery stores and online savings apps.

Thanksgiving Dinner With Out Feeling Stuffed

If you hate that full feeling after eating your Thanksgiving dinner, it’s likely because of the carbs, starches, and sugars you’re ingesting.

Wouldn’t it be nice to eat a Thanksgiving dinner that didn’t require a crane to remove you from the dining room table?

I know, I’ve been there, and just about everyone overeats during the holidays, and Thanksgiving is no exception.

The key to eating a healthy diet is balance and finding what works for you.

Keto For Weightloss

Now, you don’t need to be on a keto diet to enjoy the benefits of the amazing keto recipes that have been created.

I’m not on a keto diet, but Mrs. CBB has been for four years, has lost over 100, and has kept it off with extended fasting and eating keto.

No weighing foods, counting macros, or excessive exercise was involved because food is the enemy.

Working out is how you bring your body into a top-notch shape, increasing your endurance and cardiovascular metabolism.

For the most part, Mrs. CBB has walked for the past four years and used our treadmill to keep active since she has physical restrictions.

If you do not, joining sports teams, a gym, or even creating a budget-friendly gym space at home will work equally.

The point is finding a balance of foods that work for you and some exercise.

Related: Foods To Stock In Your Keto Pantry

Keto Thanksgiving Dinner

• Can you have gravy on a keto diet? YES
• Is Turkey allowed on a keto diet? YES
• Can we make Thanksgiving stuffing keto? YES
• Is there an alternative to mashed potatoes? YES
• Can we have pumpkin desserts on a keto diet? YES

It’s not impossible to have a keto Thanksgiving stuffing whether you cook a bird or not.

Below, I chose the best Keto Thanksgiving recipe ideas from Pinterest, and in the end, I share our Keto Thanksgiving menu with recipes.

Keto Main Menu

Since our menu includes a roast chicken, I thought I would look for a delicious roasted turkey recipe.

This Easy Roast Turkey Breast is perfect for a smaller gathering from the diet hood blog.

Other options for a main at Thanksgiving include ham, meatloaf, goose, chicken, duck, and so on.

Tim from Four Score Living has this 5-minute Keto Gravy perfect for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

Keto Thanksgiving Desserts

There must always be desserts for family gatherings and special occasions like Thanksgiving.

My favorite picks were this Keto Pecan pie and my Keto Butter Tarts.

There are a few more Keto desserts below that I think you will enjoy.

Keto Pecan Pie

Kathy at Healthy Ambitions has a Keto Pecan Pie that I can’t wait to try as it looks just like the real deal, and I’m sure it tastes like it, too.

Pecan pie, Pumpkin recipes, and anything to do with apples are all Fall dessert recipes perfect for Thanksgiving.

You can even make my keto Canadian Butter Tarts a Thanksgiving keto dessert.

I promise they won’t last, so you might want to double the batch.

Keto Thanksgiving Sides

Keto Stuffing from It’s Simple is simple and similar to the one I make, so I thought it would be amazing.

She offers two versions to her readers, which I think is excellent.

Short version– Crumble the keto bread, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.

Saute chopped veggies in olive oil for a minute or two to bring out flavors. Mix with melted butter and bake again.

Quickest Version- Mix crumbled keto bread with chopped veggies and melted butter. Add to dish and bake.

Austin, Texas Blogger Jennifer has a savory keto bread you can make that would work perfectly for this keto stuffing recipe.

Carolyn from All Day I Dream About Food has this delicious-looking Keto Green Bean Casserole.

Keto Thanksgiving Appetizers

Garlic Roasted Mushrooms served with little toothpicks are the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving or as a side dish.

Our Keto Thanksgiving Menu

Since I follow a Mediterranean diet, I don’t have any issues creating a keto meal plan for Mrs. CBB during celebrations.

When I make the roast chicken, I will add carrots to my dish and two potatoes.

One potato is for me, and the other is for our little guy, but I’ll cut them into fries as that’s the only way he will eat them.

Main Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving Roasted Chicken in a roasting pan, 350 degrees, rubbed with butter.

I’ll add fennel, mustard, coriander, sea salt, and pepper in my pestle and mortar.

Crush and rub it all over the buttered chicken—Bake based on weight.

Alternate: Keto Turkey Meatloaf Stuffed With Mozzarella Cheese

Roasted Italian Sausages were purchased at Food Basics for $7.99, and I’ll BBQ them for 20 mins for our son.

How To Make Keto Stuffing For Thanksgiving

Keto Thanksgiving Stuffing is made with keto bread slices that I cut into cubes and then dry in a low oven drizzled with olive oil.

In a skillet, add two tablespoons of butter, two chopped stalks of celery, two cloves of minced garlic, 1 tsp sage, one tablespoon Italian seasoning or oregano, and basil, one leek or spring onion cleaned and chopped.

Once sauteed for 5 minutes, add 1/2 cup keto bone broth and your dried bread cubes.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, pour into a casserole dish, cover with tin foil, and bake in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes until the bone broth is soaked up and uncovered for 5 minutes.

Some people like to add crumbled sausage or bacon to their keto stuffing, and that’s perfectly fine. I stick with more of a traditional filling.

Keto Thanksgiving Appetizers

Rolled Proscuitto stuffed with goat cheese and slivered almonds is a lovely appetizer.

Spread goat cheese on a thin slice of prosciutto, top with slivered almonds, and roll.

You can make these ahead of time as well.

Below is a bowl of hot, piping Keto Cream of Celery soup.

You only need a little bowl for your guests to start the party.

Cream of Celery Soup with shredded cheddar cheese is super delicious and budget-friendly.

Sugar-free cranberry sauce is easy to make with 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar-free substitute, cinnamon (if you like), and 1/4 tsp xanthan gum to thicken it up.

Joy-Filled Eats has an easy keto cranberry sauce you can make in minutes.

Keto Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Mira, a food blogger who cooks mainly low-carb and keto, has this Brussel sprouts recipe that is creamy and cheesy.

This is a perfect alternative to the crispy roasted Brussel Sprout recipe that I make if you don’t fancy crispy.

How To Make Crispy Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Crispy Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and onions are very easy to make.

Clean, cut in half, boil until tender, dry off, add bacon and onions to a pan to start cooking, then add your Brussel sprouts. Cook until crispy or browned.

You can also put this into the oven. A drizzle of sugar-free maple syrup at the end is divine.

How to Make Spaghetti Squash In The Oven

• Cut the squash in half using a sharp knife, then scoop out the seeds and stringy bit.
• Rub with a tablespoon of butter in each half.
• Add salt and pepper at your discretion.
• Bake face down at 300 degrees for about 40 minutes or until golden.

Keto Green Bean Casserole will be on our menu, but just a small one for the two of us topped with crunchy parmesan crisps and garlic.

Steamed Asparagus with butter and salt is relatively straightforward.

Add asparagus with salt to steam in a pan with a bit of water; remove when still a bit crispy, then add butter and pepper.

Garlic Butter Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Sliced cucumbers for our little guy as a vegetable

Tomato salad with green pepper, feta, and pumpkin seeds – extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh lemon juice

Thanksgiving Keto Desserts

Keto Pumpkin Pie Bars

Salted Caramel Keto Cheesecake

Before and After Dinner Drinks

• Dalgona Pumpkin Spice Coffee
• Ice-cold Water
• Almond Milk
• Macadamia Milk Iced Coffee
• Milk (for our little guy or apple juice water)
• Diet Pop

Entertainment For the Night

When I went shopping, I picked up one medium-sized pumpkin and three pumpkins to roast for pumpkin puree.

We plan to carve one of our pumpkins and roast the pumpkin seeds in the oven.

How To Make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Again an easy process from start to finish with a bit of patience.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Soak all of the pumpkin seeds in medium-warm water to loosen any strings from the pumpkin seeds.

They will eventually float to the top, and you can manually pull them off.

Dry all the pumpkin seeds on a dish or paper towel so no moisture is left on them.

Add your pumpkin seeds, avocado oil or EVOO, salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you like in a bowl.

Mix until combined and pour on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake until golden brown.

This is a delicious, crunchy keto snack.

What Does Thanksgiving Mean To You?

Giving thanks for everything we have and the opportunities and the ability to give back make us whole.

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for your family and your community and how you give back.

Last week, we did a one-hour garbage pickup around our son’s school and put it in a shopping bag to put in the trash.

It’s the little things that matter but make a big difference.

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.

Mr. and Mrs. CBB.

Discussion: What types of dishes will you have on your Thanksgiving menu? (They don’t have to be keto.)

Drop me your comments below and I look forward to your reply and suggestions.

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