High Protein, Low Carb Thanksgiving Recipes

Introduction

Thanksgiving is a time for flavorful feasts, but you don’t have to sacrifice your health goals to enjoy the holiday. High protein, low carb Thanksgiving recipes deliver robust flavors and satisfying textures—without the heavy carb load. These dishes keep you energized and on track, all while allowing you to relish Thanksgiving classics with a nutritious twist. Perfect for gatherings where guests have varied dietary preferences or anyone looking to boost protein and limit carbs at the holiday table.

Flavorful High Protein, Low Carb Thanksgiving Recipes that Wow

What makes these recipes shine is their creative use of lean meats, fresh vegetables, and nutrient-dense ingredients. Instead of focusing on traditional carb-heavy sides, they highlight delicious proteins and fiber-rich accompaniments that leave everyone satisfied. Imagine a juicy turkey roulade bursting with herbs, a creamy cauliflower mash, and an irresistible green bean almondine—each dish layered with comforting holiday flavors, but light on carbs.

Crafting a High Protein, Low Carb Thanksgiving Main Course

The star of the meal: a Turkey Breast Roulade stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, and ricotta. This impressive centerpiece delivers substantial protein with a creamy and herby filling—without breadcrumbs or unnecessary fillers. For extra flavor, the roulade is rubbed with olive oil and a fragrant garlic-thyme blend before roasting.

Protein-Packed, Low Carb Sides for a Complete Feast

Complement your turkey with a Cauliflower Mash that’s as creamy as traditional potatoes, and Green Bean Almondine tossed with toasted almonds and lemon zest. Both sides use minimal carbs but maximal flavor, creating a festive and balanced plate. Sprinkle fresh herbs on top for a vibrant finish.

Serving Suggestions: Make Thanksgiving Special (and Healthy!)

Serve this meal family-style, garnished with lots of fresh herbs—think rosemary, parsley, and thyme—for a beautiful holiday spread. Add a simple garden salad or roasted Brussels sprouts for more variety. For a keto-friendly gravy, reduce turkey pan juices with a bit of butter and Xanthan gum. Everyone will feel festive—and fueled.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This Thanksgiving meal plan serves about 6 guests:

• Turkey Breast Roulade (per serving): 240 calories, 35g protein, 4g net carbs
• Cauliflower Mash (per serving): 100 calories, 4g protein, 6g net carbs
• Green Bean Almondine (per serving): 80 calories, 3g protein, 5g net carbs

All together, your high protein, low carb Thanksgiving plate lands under 15g net carbs—making it both delicious and diet-friendly.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Prep the Turkey Roulade: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butterfly the turkey breast and pound it out until it’s about 1/2-inch thick. Season with salt and pepper.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Sauté garlic and mushrooms until softened. Stir in spinach and thyme; cook until just wilted. Remove from heat and mix with ricotta and Parmesan.
3. Spread the spinach-mushroom-ricotta mixture evenly over the turkey breast. Roll up tightly and secure with kitchen twine. Rub the outside with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of additional thyme.
4. Roast the roulade on a baking sheet for 40-45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
5. Prepare the Cauliflower Mash: Steam cauliflower florets until fork-tender (about 8-10 minutes), then drain well. Blend with butter, cream cheese, and Parmesan until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
6. Make the Green Bean Almondine: Blanch green beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to ice water to stop cooking. Pat dry. In a skillet, heat butter or olive oil. Toast almonds until golden, add green beans, and toss until heated through. Finish with salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
7. Slice the turkey roulade and plate with a scoop of cauliflower mash and a serving of green bean almondine. Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This high protein, low carb Thanksgiving menu is excellent for meal prepping ahead—ideal if you plan to enjoy leftovers or batch-cook for busy weeks. Save and schedule this recipe to generate smart, organized shopping lists that combine ingredients across all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient amounts across multiple recipes
• Organizes your grocery list by store section—saving time in the aisles
• Prevents duplicate purchases and minimizes forgotten items
• Keeps meal prep focused on your nutrition goals, all week long

Pro tip: When creating your Thanksgiving menu, schedule all your recipes ahead. Overlapping items, like eggs or cheese, are combined for you—so you shop more efficiently and reduce food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast that’s both nourishing and delicious—with high protein, low carb recipes everyone can celebrate!