The leaves have fallen and the wind is starting to blow. And as nice it is to stay inside and sip some tea or hot cocoa, you’ll also want to put some thought into preparing your home for family and friends. Of course there’s all the necessary cleaning and decorating, but we all know that the most important part is planning your tasty and healthy Thanksgiving menu.
This can be a difficult task, but you don’t have to worry. Why is that? Because your friends at HOPE Foods have decided to make it easy for you! That’s right… whether you’re planning an NFL game-day extravaganza or a family feast—or both—we’ve got you covered with a bevy of healthy Thanksgiving sides and finger foods that will keep everyone fueled and happy throughout the day.
How Do You Make Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes?
If you’re anything like us, you probably have a ton of cooking to do. And while that can be fun, it’s also fun to enjoy the day! To make sure things don’t get overwhelming, try using flavorful recipe additions like organic hummus and small-batch cashew & almond dips. Full of vegan-friendly plant-based protein and healthy fats from olive oils and nuts, these dips can serve as pre-made flavor boosters. The best part is, they’re not just for dipping. You can use these scrumptious dips them in a ton of healthy Thanksgiving recipes:
- Sandwiches
- Wraps
- Pastas
- Appetizers
- Baked goods
With all the creative flavors available, you’ve got plenty of ways to create a healthy Thanksgiving menu that’s simple and traditional, yet still innovative—and the best part is, you don’t have to spend the whole day watching the game from the kitchen! Plus, with our new Chocolate Cashew & Almond Dip, you can create creamy, rich, and healthy Thanksgiving desserts!
Healthy Thanksgiving Sides and Appetizers
To bring you the following selection of nutritious and healthy Thanksgiving menu ideas, we combed through the hundreds of recipes available from our HOPE Kitchen, YouTube channel, and Instagram foodie community. If you want to find something you don’t see here, visit us and see what you find! (Also, check out last week’s blog post, Chow with Chums: 7 Great Foodie Friendsgiving Ideas!)
Buffalo Artichoke Dip Stuffed Mushrooms
These gameday apps taste zesty and decadent, but still qualify as a healthy Thanksgiving side. Mushroom caps, Buffalo Bleu hummus, bleu cheese, and chives are simple to throw together and bake for a total touchdown!
Roasted Garlic Chili Cups
These bite-sized morsels are a perfect healthy Thanksgiving side for your coffee table during the day’s NFL festivities. Flour tortilla “cups” filled with chili, Roasted Garlic Cashew & Almond Dip, sour cream, chives, and a jalapeño slice will disappear long before the clock runs out!
Mango Jalapeño Cauliflower Wings
These zesty sweet bites are another great addition to your couchside treats. They’re a totally healthy Thanksgiving recipe as well, made of cauliflower with a Jalapeño Cilantro hummus and mango coating, then baked to perfection.
Spicy Vegan Hummus Cornbread
What good are all the savory juices on your plate if there’s nothing to soak ‘em up with? This “cornbread with a kick” uses cayenne pepper and Red Pepper hummus to add some heat and flavor to your healthy Thanksgiving menu.
Vegan Mushroom Gravy
Gravy is an indispensable part of your spread… but this recipe makes it part of a healthy Thanksgiving menu! Original Recipe hummus, veggie broth, mushrooms, onions, white wine, and thyme make this vegan gravy a rich and comforting treat.
Butternut Squash Bisque
Especially if you’re celebrating the holiday somewhere cold, this hot and creamy bisque is just the ticket. Thai Coconut Curry hummus adds sweetness, spice, and a modern twist to this comforting traditional recipe.
Baked Pumpkin Hummus Dip with Rosemary Whipped Goat Cheese by @hummusapien
This tasty and holiday-inspired dip celebrates the season with Original Recipe hummus, pumpkin puree, goat cheese, chopped rosemary, and pomegranate seeds. It’ll be gorgeous as part of your holiday app spread.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
These delectable squash are as nutritious as they are delicious. Stuff halved squash with a mixture of Red Pepper hummus, quinoa, onion, apple, sage, walnuts, and aquafaba—then bake for a festive, vegan, and healthy Thanksgiving side.
Chocolatey Dippin’ Dessert
No matter who you’re trying to please, the creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor of HOPE Chocolate Cashew & Almond Dip makes for a crowd-pleasing yet healthy Thanksgiving dessert. The dark chocolate flavor goes perfectly with pretzels, strawberries, bananas, and even cookies! Try for yourself and prepare to be amazed.
No matter what you plan for your healthy Thanksgiving menu to look like, HOPE Foods has got the recipes you need. With nutritious hummus and healthy nut dips, you can be thankful that your guests are fueled with premium ingredients, without sacrificing flavor. And we are thankful for you as well—because you’re the reason we keep making the best dips and spreads around.
