9 Keto Thanksgiving Side Dish Your Family Will Actually Love

Picture this: It’s Thanksgiving morning, and I’m staring at my usual lineup of heavy, carb-loaded side dishes thinking, “There has to be a better way.” That was three years ago, right after I started my keto journey. I was determined not to feel sluggish and bloated after Thanksgiving dinner, but I also refused to miss out on my favorite holiday flavors.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve perfected a collection of keto Thanksgiving side dishes that honestly taste better than their traditional counterparts. My aunt (who’s definitely not keto) actually requested my cauliflower mash recipe last year instead of bringing her famous potatoes. That’s when I knew I’d cracked the code.

Here’s the thing: going keto doesn’t mean sacrificing the warmth and comfort of Thanksgiving. It just means getting a little creative with how we achieve those classic flavors. And trust me, after making these recipes for my family the past three Thanksgivings, I can promise you won’t miss the carbs one bit.

Why These Keto Thanksgiving Side Dishes Are Total Game-Changers

Look, I’ve tried a LOT of keto Thanksgiving recipes over the years. Some were amazing. Others? Let’s just say they went straight to the garbage disposal. The recipes I’m sharing today are the ones that passed the ultimate test: my non-keto family asking for seconds (and thirds).

They Actually Taste Like Thanksgiving

I’m not going to lie to you and say cauliflower tastes exactly like mashed potatoes. But I will say that when you season it right and add butter, cream cheese, and garlic, it tastes like something you’d actually want to eat. Multiple servings of. My father-in-law, who initially gave me major side-eye when I mentioned “low-carb Thanksgiving,” now specifically asks me to bring my green bean casserole every year.

You Won’t Feel Like You’re Missing Out

The first keto Thanksgiving I attempted, I made the mistake of just… not eating side dishes. I had turkey and some sad steamed broccoli. It was depressing. These keto Thanksgiving side dish recipes are so satisfying and flavorful that you won’t spend dinner enviously eyeing the stuffing across the table.

Your Non-Keto Guests Will Love Them Too

After testing these recipes about a dozen times (yeah, I’m that person who does Thanksgiving trial runs in October), I’ve learned that the secret to great keto thanksgiving side dishes isn’t making “keto versions” of classics—it’s making genuinely delicious dishes that happen to be low-carb. Most of my guests don’t even realize they’re eating keto-friendly food until I mention it.

They’re Actually Easier Than Traditional Recipes

Real talk: most of these keto thanksgiving side dish options are less work than their carb-heavy originals. No peeling and boiling potatoes. No making complicated bread-based stuffing. Some of my favorites take literally 20 minutes from start to finish.

Recipe Details for Keto Thanksgiving Success

Recipe Details
Prep Time	15-30 minutes (varies by dish)
Cook Time	20-45 minutes (varies by dish)
Total Time	35-75 minutes
Servings	6-8 servings per dish
Difficulty	Easy to Medium
Avg Calories	150-250 per serving
Avg Protein	5-12g
Avg Net Carbs	3-7g
Avg Fat	12-20g

The Essential Keto Thanksgiving Side Dish Lineup

1. Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Mash

This is the dish that started it all for me. The first time I made this, I honestly overcooked the cauliflower and it turned out even better—super smooth and creamy. Now I intentionally cook it a bit longer than most recipes suggest.

What you’ll need:

• 2 large heads of cauliflower (about 3 pounds)
• 4 tablespoons butter (I use Kerrygold because it makes everything better)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 4 cloves garlic, roasted
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh chives for garnish

How to make it:

Cut the cauliflower into florets and steam for about 15 minutes until they’re super soft—like, fall-apart tender. Trust me on this. I once underdid it and the texture was grainy. Not cute.

While that’s steaming, roast your garlic. Just wrap whole cloves in foil with a drizzle of olive oil and pop them in a 400°F oven for 20 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing.

Drain the cauliflower really well (I learned this the hard way when my first batch was watery), then add it to a food processor with the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, and roasted garlic. Blend until it’s completely smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper—cauliflower needs more seasoning than you think.

The result? A creamy, garlicky side dish that’s become my most-requested recipe. It reheats beautifully too, which is huge for Thanksgiving meal prep.

2. Keto Green Bean Casserole

I’ve made this green bean casserole probably 15 times now, and I’ve perfected the crispy onion topping situation. Most keto versions fall flat there, but mine has a secret: pork rind crumbs mixed with parmesan.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced thin
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 2 cups crushed pork rinds
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 3 tablespoons butter

Blanch the green beans for exactly 4 minutes, then shock them in ice water. This keeps them bright green and slightly crisp—nobody wants mushy green beans.

Sauté the mushrooms in butter until they’re golden (this takes longer than you think, about 8-10 minutes). Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth, whisking until smooth. Toss in the green beans and half the cheddar.

Here’s where the magic happens: mix the pork rind crumbs with parmesan and the remaining butter. This topping gets SO crispy in the oven. Sprinkle it over the green bean mixture and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

3. Cheesy Cauliflower Rice “Stuffing”

This is my answer to traditional stuffing, and it’s so good that I make it year-round now. The key is getting the cauliflower rice really dry before you start cooking—otherwise it gets mushy.

Ingredients:

• 1 large head cauliflower, riced (about 4 cups)
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Fresh sage and thyme

I pulse the cauliflower in my food processor, then spread it on paper towels and let it sit for 10 minutes. This step makes all the difference.

Sauté the vegetables until soft, add the cauliflower rice and cook until most of the moisture evaporates. Stir in the broth, herbs, and cheese. The smell? Exactly like Thanksgiving stuffing. The texture? Close enough that you won’t feel deprived.

4. Roasted Radishes (The Potato Substitute That Actually Works)

Okay, hear me out. I know radishes sound weird, but when you roast them, they lose that sharp, peppery bite and taste eerily similar to roasted red potatoes. I discovered this by accident when I was meal-prepping and it changed my keto thanksgiving side dish game forever.

What you need:

• 3 lbs radishes, quartered
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• Salt and pepper

Roast at 425°F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway. They get golden and slightly sweet. I promise, even radish-haters will eat these.

5. Creamed Spinach

This recipe is stupid easy and takes about 12 minutes total. I’ve timed it. Perfect for when you’re juggling seventeen other dishes on Thanksgiving Day.

Ingredients:

• 20 oz frozen spinach, thawed and SQUEEZED DRY (seriously, squeeze it)
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Nutmeg (just a pinch—it makes it taste fancy)

Heat everything in a saucepan, stirring until it’s smooth and bubbly. That’s it. That’s the whole recipe. And it’s delicious.

6. Zucchini Gratin

This is my mother-in-law’s favorite. She’s asked me to make it for Easter, Memorial Day, and her birthday dinner. It’s that good.

You’ll need:

• 4 medium zucchini, sliced thin
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups gruyere cheese (don’t substitute, it matters)
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic
• Fresh thyme

Layer the zucchini in a baking dish, pour the cream mixture over it, and bake at 375°F for 40 minutes. The top gets golden and bubbly, and the zucchini basically melts into the cream. Heaven.

7. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Butter

Sometimes simple is best. This keto thanksgiving side dish takes 15 minutes and requires almost zero effort, but it looks impressive on the table.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs asparagus, trimmed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt and pepper

Roast the asparagus at 425°F for 12 minutes. Toss with lemon butter. Done. I’ve made this probably 30 times and it never fails.

8. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

My nieces (ages 6 and 8) request this specifically. They have no idea it’s cauliflower. I’m not telling them.

What you need:

• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets
• 2 cups sharp cheddar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard (secret ingredient!)
• Paprika for topping

Steam the cauliflower until tender, make a cheese sauce with everything else, combine, and bake. The dijon adds a tangy depth that makes it taste just like the boxed stuff we all secretly love.

9. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

The first time I made this, I literally burned my tongue because I couldn’t wait to try it. Worth it.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs broccoli florets
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup parmesan
• Red pepper flakes
• Lemon juice

Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes, toss with garlic and parmesan in the last 5 minutes. The edges get crispy, the parmesan gets nutty, and the garlic becomes sweet and mellow.

My Favorite Ways to Serve These Keto Thanksgiving Side Dishes

After three years of hosting keto-friendly Thanksgivings, I’ve learned a few things about presentation and pairing. You want variety in colors, textures, and temperatures. I usually aim for at least one green vegetable, one creamy dish, one crispy dish, and one “hearty” dish.

Here’s my go-to combination: cauliflower mash, green bean casserole, Brussels sprouts with bacon, and the cauliflower rice stuffing. This gives you creamy, crunchy, tangy, and savory—all the textures you need.

For the table setup, I serve everything in white ceramic dishes. It makes the food look more vibrant and keeps the focus on how beautiful these keto thanksgiving side dishes actually are.

Pro Tips from My Keto Thanksgiving Experience

Prep What You Can the Day Before

I’ve learned (through trial and error) that almost all of these dishes can be prepped 24 hours ahead. The cauliflower mash, green bean casserole, and zucchini gratin can all be assembled and refrigerated, then popped in the oven day-of. This has saved my sanity multiple times.

Don’t Be Afraid of Salt

The biggest mistake I made my first keto Thanksgiving? Under-seasoning everything. Vegetables need more salt than you think, especially cauliflower. Taste as you go and season generously.

Invest in a Good Food Processor

After trying to make cauliflower rice with a box grater (don’t do this), I finally bought a decent food processor. It’s made these keto thanksgiving side dish recipes about 10 times easier.

The Secret to Extra Flavor? Fat

This might be obvious, but don’t skimp on butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream. These ingredients are what make keto side dishes actually satisfying. My portions are reasonable, but the flavors are rich and decadent.

Room Temperature Ingredients Matter

I once tried to make the cauliflower mash with cold cream cheese straight from the fridge. It turned into lumpy chaos. Now I always let my cream cheese sit out for at least 30 minutes before using it.

My Foolproof Timing Trick

I make a detailed timeline working backward from when we’re eating. The cauliflower mash takes 30 minutes total, the green bean casserole needs 40 minutes in the oven, etc. I write it all out on a sticky note on my fridge and follow it religiously.

Storing Your Keto Thanksgiving Leftovers

Honestly, leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving. I purposely make extra of these keto thanksgiving side dishes because they reheat beautifully.

Refrigerator Storage

Most of these dishes last 4-5 days in airtight containers. The cauliflower mash stays fresh for up to a week. The Brussels sprouts with bacon are best within 3 days—after that, the bacon loses its crispness.

Freezer Instructions

The cauliflower mash, green bean casserole, and creamed spinach all freeze well for up to 3 months. I portion them into individual servings in freezer bags, squeeze out the air, and label them with the date. Future me is always grateful.

Best Way to Reheat

For casseroles, I reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes. For the mashed cauliflower, I add a splash of heavy cream and reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring constantly. The key is low and slow—high heat makes cream-based dishes separate and get grainy.

Common Questions About Keto Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Can I make all of these ahead of time?

Yes! Most of them, anyway. The casseroles and gratins can be assembled the day before and baked day-of. The cauliflower mash can be made 2 days ahead and reheated. The only things I recommend making fresh are the roasted vegetables—they’re better with crispy edges.

Will my non-keto family actually like these?

In my experience, absolutely. I’ve served these to committed carb-lovers and they’ve never complained. My uncle told me last year he actually preferred my cauliflower mash to traditional mashed potatoes. (I may have cried a little.)

How do I keep everything warm while the turkey finishes?

I keep a few dishes in a warm oven (around 200°F) while others are finishing. The mash and creamed spinach hold heat really well. I also invested in a couple of warming trays, which has been a game-changer for hosting.

What if I mess up and something doesn’t turn out?

Honestly? It happens. My first attempt at keto green bean casserole was weirdly watery. When in doubt, add more cheese and butter. It fixes most problems. And if something’s truly beyond saving, that’s what grocery store rotisserie chicken and pre-made side salads are for.

Can I cut the recipes in half for a smaller gathering?

Definitely. All of these recipes scale well. I’ve made half-batches when it’s just my immediate family. Just keep the cooking times roughly the same—maybe check a few minutes early.

Final Thoughts on Your Keto Thanksgiving

Three years ago, I was genuinely worried about how my first keto Thanksgiving side dish experiment would go. Would my family judge me? Would the food be bland? Would I spend all day cooking and end up with nothing but complaints?

None of that happened. Instead, I discovered that some of my favorite Thanksgiving memories have come from these past few years of keto celebrations. There’s something special about creating traditions that work for your current lifestyle instead of feeling like you’re sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else enjoy themselves.

These days, my Thanksgiving table looks different than it used to, but it’s still filled with comfort, flavor, and plenty of reasons to be grateful. My kitchen still smells like herbs and butter. My family still asks for seconds. And I still feel that warm, satisfied feeling after dinner—just without the carb coma that used to follow.

So whether you’re keto, low-carb curious, or just looking to lighten up your Thanksgiving spread a bit, I hope these recipes bring you as much joy as they’ve brought me. And hey, if you try any of them, come back and let me know how it went. I love hearing about other people’s Thanksgiving adventures.