Here are some healthy sweet potato recipes for Thanksgiving! Check out this post for some of my favorite holiday recipes.
Now that Halloween is over, the excitement for Thanksgiving begins. I love Thanksgiving. Especially since Thanksgiving is packed with all the “fun” of Christmas, except for the presents. We spend time with family, eat delicious food (my nana loves dessert), and finish with some shopping and pie. I’m as happy as a shellfish.
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple that we enjoy all year long. They tend to be popular in Thanksgiving recipes because of their natural sweetness, versatility, and seasonal abundance. It’s easy to find, inexpensive, and can be dressed up or down. They are always a crowd favorite.
Today I wanted to share a collection of healthy Thanksgiving recipes featuring sweet potatoes to balance out the traditional feast. If you have any sweet potato recipes, please share them in the comments below!
5 healthy recipes using sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving
Sweet potatoes are a nutritious staple and the perfect ingredient for Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts. I’ve always been a fan of classic sweet potato casserole, but I recently discovered sweet potato pie, which is absolutely amazing. It’s also popular for flavorful casseroles, roasts, and unique sweet treats like sweet potato brownies.
Are sweet potatoes good for health?
Sweet potatoes are a natural treat, but they’re also packed with nutrients and antioxidants.
Vitamin A: Boosts immunity and supports eye health
Vitamin C: Supports immunity and skin health
Dietary fiber: good for digestion and satiety
Antioxidants: Helps reduce inflammation
These nutrients make sweet potatoes a healthy choice, especially for balancing festive holiday meals.
What to make with sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving
healthy sweet potato casserole
A lighter, healthier take on the classic casserole with toppings like mashed sweet potatoes, cinnamon, and nuts.
What it does: A healthy Thanksgiving side dish that’s packed with flavor but low in sugar and calories.
material
12-15 sweet potatoes (depending on size)
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
a pinch of sea salt
1/2-1 cup almond milk or your favorite milk
For crumble:
1 cup oats (gluten-free options are also available)
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 cup dark brown sugar (packaged)
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
a pinch of sea salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash the sweet potatoes, prick them a few times with a fork, and bake on a cookie sheet for 1 hour until tender.
2. Let the potatoes cool slightly, peel them, and add them to a blender with the butter, vanilla, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla.
3. Mix well until smooth. Spread the potatoes evenly in a deep baking dish or casserole dish.
4. Prepare the crumble mixture by mixing all the ingredients in a separate bowl.
5. Top the sweet potatoes with the crumble mixture and bake for 35 minutes.
Roasted sweet potatoes with maple syrup and cinnamon
Easy roasted sweet potatoes with maple syrup and warm cinnamon.
Features: Easy to make side dishes in 30 minutes with simple ingredients that are full of flavor. You can eat this on its own or as a salad with arugula, goat cheese, candied pecans, dried cranberries and drizzled with Basursamic dressing.
material
Sweet potatoes, olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
Instructions
Step 1: Peel and dice sweet potatoes and place in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Toss with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
Step 3: Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.
mashed sweet potato
It has a warm and slightly sweet flavor with creamy mashed potatoes flavored with vanilla and brown sugar. For even more flavor, you can season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a little cayenne pepper.
What it does: A delicious, smooth side that pairs beautifully with flavorful Thanksgiving dishes.
material
Sweet potato, vanilla extract, brown sugar, butter, and salt.
Instructions
Step 1: Boil or steam the sweet potatoes until tender. I love cooking it manually in the Instant Pot for 30 minutes. It’s very soft and will fall apart.
Step 2: Add vanilla extract, brown sugar, and butter and mash until smooth.
Step 3: Season with salt and serve warm.
sweet potato brownie
A unique and healthy dessert option made with sweet potatoes, perfect for Thanksgiving. It will be even more delicious the next day!
Features: Sweet potatoes add a moist texture and natural sweetness for a guilt-free brownie.
Here are links to try them out.
Fragrant sweet potato fried egg
Description: A great make-ahead dish that incorporates balanced protein and sweet potatoes.
What’s special: Perfect for Thanksgiving brunch or as a protein-rich side.
Here is the link to the recipe!
How to Plan a Thanksgiving Menu
Tip 1: Balance hearty dishes with light accompaniments.
Thanksgiving food tends to be high in carbohydrates and heavy (which means it’s very tasty). I like to pair it with hearty salads (like the salad above or the shaved Brussels sprouts salad), roasted vegetables, or deviled eggs to balance out a richer main course.
Tip 2: Incorporate seasonal ingredients
Try incorporating seasonal ingredients like sweet potatoes, squash, and Brussels sprouts for fresh flavor and nutritional value. I love the pumpkins and gourds that are available this time of year. It’s fun to add local ingredients if you have them where you live. (The green chili cornbread reminded me of Arizona.)
Tip 3: Easy-to-make recipes
I love to reduce holiday stress, so I prepare as much as possible in advance. Also, if it’s not that important, I order from Whole Foods Catering (lol). Sweet potato casserole, fried eggs, salad ingredients, mashed potatoes, and stuffing can all be made ahead of time.
If you try any of the recipes above, please shout out your favorite sweet potato recipe in the comments.
Soxo
