Still not sure what to make for Thanksgiving dinner in 2020? You’re probably not alone.
Planning a Thanksgiving menu is tricky in any year, but the unique conditions of 2020 just add to the complexity. In a year of uncertainty, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner would be a comforting way to celebrate the holiday. But with large family gatherings discouraged due to COVID, you may not want to prepare the typical Thanksgiving spread for a smaller group.
Strangely enough that makes it an ideal time to try this simple low-carb five course Thanksgiving dinner. It’s close to a traditional meal but ideal for smaller groups since it’s easier to make and takes less time. You get the classics like stuffing, two side dishes, one main course, and dessert in less than 20 net carbs. Every recipe is 25 minutes or less in preparation time (with some being only 5 minutes) and requires only 8 ingredients or less.
Low Carb Simplified's 5 Course Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Roasted Delicata Squash, Feta and Arugula Salad (Keto Friendly!)
We start the feast with a roasted delicata squash salad (5.5g net carbs). This salad is a delicious low-carb alternative to the higher-in-carb sweet potato casserole. When you roast the delicata squash, it turns perfectly tender and it's sweet yummy flavor shines through. While squash does have some carbs, it's fairly minimal when it's combined in an arugula salad with crumbled feta, pepitas, and sliced red onion. Get the recipe and nutrition info here.
Easy Keto Spatchcock Chicken with Thyme Rosemary and Garlic
The main entree is a keto spatchcock chicken (0.8g net carbs) seasoned with thyme, rosemary, and garlic. If you’ve never cooked a whole bird spatchcock-style before, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make. While turkey would be a more traditional pick, this chicken is a more practical choice since it takes less time to make and it's easier to find in a smaller size. Plus it's a recipe you’ll be more likely to re-use throughout the year. Get the recipe and nutrition info here.
No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without stuffing, so we've paired the chicken with our Perfect Keto Stuffing (5.3g net carbs). It combines classic stuffing spices with store bought keto bread, sausage, and mushrooms to create a hearty stuffing that will fill you up. And this keto stuffing is perfect since it tastes just as good as the real thing! Get the recipe and nutrition info here.
Since the oven is a busy appliance on Thanksgiving day, this vegetable side dish relies on the microwave to make preparations simple. This 5-minute parmesan asparagus recipe (1.9 net carbs) is easy to make and is full of flavor. Get the recipe and nutrition info here.
Still have room for dessert? We've saved the best for last with this luscious maple-pecan cheesecake (3.7g net carbs). We love this cheesecake since it’s smooth and creamy with sweet maple undertones and a crunchy pecan crust. Even though it's the last dish of the meal, you'll probably want to make it first since it requires a few hours to cool in the oven and then chill in the fridge. Get the recipe and nutrition info here. If you want a faster or easier dessert, checkout our other keto and low carb dessert recipes for alternatives.
There you have it. A complete alternative Thanksgiving day dinner menu that's close to the real thing except easier and less carbs. If you want to change up the menu, you can swap with one of the other recipes in our collection of 10 low carb & keto Thanksgiving recipes for 2020.
Last but not least, let's remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving is being thankful. We are thankful more than ever for the health and well-being of friends and family. We'd also like to thank the readers and followers who've joined us in exploring simpler and healthy low-carb recipes this year. Wishing you the best this holiday season!
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