25+ Best Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes

These paleo Thanksgiving recipes bring all the holiday favorites to the table, from savory stuffing and creamy green bean casserole to grain-free cornbread, pumpkin pie and pecan pie bars. You’ll find over 25 recipes for appetizers, sides, breads and desserts, plus a sample Thanksgiving menu and tips for getting a head start!

*Updated for Thanksgiving 2026 with new recipes, refreshed fall favorites, and additional menu-planning tips.

Thanksgiving is all about the sides and desserts for me. Give me a plate with stuffing, sweet potatoes, something covered in gravy, and a little room left for pumpkin pie, and I’m happy!

Over the years, I’ve created paleo versions of the dishes I look forward to most. This collection brings them together so you can plan a holiday meal without searching through every recipe on the site.

This year’s list includes my new pumpkin pie bars, along with updated favorites like grain-free cornbread, classic pumpkin pie, stuffed butternut squash and no-bake vegan pumpkin cheesecake. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or bringing one dish to share, there’s plenty to choose from.

A quick ingredient note: These recipes are gluten-free and grain-free when made with the ingredients specified. Many are dairy-free, while others include ghee or offer dairy-free substitutions. Follow the options in each recipe for your needs, and check packaged ingredients such as sausage, broth and chocolate. Optional dairy versions are for readers who include dairy.

How to Plan Your Paleo Thanksgiving Menu

Start with your turkey or another main dish, then choose a few sides with different flavors and textures. You don’t need to make everything!

For a balanced holiday spread, I suggest:

• One stuffing: Butternut squash stuffing or cauliflower stuffing.
• One creamy side: Sweet potato casserole, mashed cauliflower or scalloped potatoes.
• One vegetable dish: Green bean casserole or stuffed squash.
• Gravy and cranberry sauce: A little savory richness and something bright and tart.
• One bread: Cornbread, dinner rolls or biscuits.
• One or two desserts: A pumpkin dessert plus an apple or pecan option.

For a smaller Thanksgiving, choose fewer dishes and keep the portions manageable. A main dish, two favorite sides, cranberry sauce and a make-ahead dessert can still feel like a holiday feast.

Paleo Thanksgiving Appetizers

A couple of small bites are plenty while everyone waits for dinner. These are easy to set out without turning appetizers into another full course.

1. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Savory sausage stuffed mushrooms are a great choice when you want an appetizer that doesn’t involve crackers or bread. Their small size makes them easy to pass around before dinner.

Choose a sausage that fits your dietary needs, and serve the mushrooms warm.

2. Maple Cinnamon Candied Pecans

These sweet, crunchy pecans bring maple and cinnamon flavor to the snack table. Set out a small bowl for guests to enjoy while you finish cooking, or package some to send home afterward.

They’re also a convenient choice when you want to get an appetizer ready ahead of the holiday.

Paleo Thanksgiving Side Dishes, Stuffing and Gravy

These are the dishes that make the meal feel like Thanksgiving! Choose a mix of creamy, savory and sweet sides to serve alongside your main course.

3. Paleo Green Bean Casserole

Creamy green beans, savory sauce and crispy onions bring the familiar holiday casserole to a gluten-free, dairy-free table. Bacon adds another layer of flavor to this version.

This is a good place to start if green bean casserole is one of the dishes you look forward to every Thanksgiving.

4. Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole

A creamy sweet potato layer and a sweet, crunchy topping make this a classic holiday side. It gives you that contrast between soft filling and crisp topping without grains or dairy.

Pair it with savory stuffing and green vegetables for a little sweetness on your dinner plate.

5. Butternut Squash Stuffing with Sausage, Apples and Cranberries

This bread-free stuffing combines butternut squash with sausage, apples and cranberries for a mix of savory, sweet and tart flavors.

Choose this one if you love a hearty stuffing with plenty of fall ingredients. It also works well alongside simpler sides, such as mashed cauliflower.

6. Cauliflower Stuffing with Sausage

For a lower-carb stuffing option, this recipe uses cauliflower in place of bread. Sausage and savory seasonings make it a satisfying addition to the holiday table.

It’s a useful alternative when your menu already includes sweet potatoes or another squash dish.

7. Homemade Paleo Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce adds a bright, tart contrast to all the rich dishes on the table. A spoonful alongside turkey, stuffing or roasted squash helps bring the whole plate together.

It’s also an easy recipe to move off your Thanksgiving Day cooking list and prepare ahead.

8. Gluten Free Buttery Herb Stuffing 

This gluten free buttery herb stuffing can be made with your favorite gluten free bread OR my paleo sandwich bread for a grain free version! It’s packed with loads of fresh herbs and has a dairy free option as well.

9. Paleo Gravy

This grain-free gravy uses onion, garlic and arrowroot for flavor and thickening. An immersion blender helps create a smooth sauce for spooning over turkey, stuffing or mashed cauliflower.

If you’ve struggled to get the texture right with grain-free gravy, follow the recipe’s method and measurements rather than adding extra starch by eye.

10. Garlic and Herb Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower gives you a creamy, savory side that pairs well with gravy. Garlic and herbs add flavor without making the dish compete with everything else on the plate.

Choose this if you want a lower-carb alternative to potatoes or a simple side to balance a richer casserole.

11. Paleo Scalloped Potatoes

Layers of potatoes bake in a creamy sauce with garlic and herbs for a comforting holiday side. The recipe includes different ingredient options, so follow the version that suits your table.

White potatoes fit some approaches to paleo but not others. If you avoid them, choose the sweet potato casserole or mashed cauliflower instead. For a paleo version of these scalloped potatoes, skip the optional vegan cheese unless its ingredients fit your needs.

12. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Apples and Cranberries

Roasted acorn squash halves hold a filling of sausage, apples, cranberries, pecans and herbs. They bring plenty of color and texture to the table and can work as a hearty side or an individual main dish.

Keep their generous size in mind when planning portions, especially if you’re serving several other sides.

13. Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

This stuffed squash combines roasted butternut squash with sausage, apples, cranberries, kale and pecans. It makes a beautiful centerpiece for a smaller holiday meal or a substantial addition to a larger spread.

Much of the filling preparation happens while the squash roasts, which helps keep the cooking process manageable.

14. Harvest Casserole

Chicken sausage, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, apples and cauliflower rice make this a hearty casserole filled with fall flavors. Pecans, cranberries and herbs add even more texture.

Serve smaller portions as a Thanksgiving side, or make it the main dish for a casual Friendsgiving dinner.

15. Paleo “Candied” Sweet Potatoes

A healthier version of a classic holiday favorite!  These Paleo Candied Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and dates are decadently delicious as a side dish or even dessert, but contain no grains, gluten, refined sugar, dairy, or soy.  Just real, whole ingredients for this tasty homemade comfort food!

Paleo Thanksgiving Breads

Pick one of these grain-free breads to round out your meal. The cornbread brings a little sweetness, while the rolls and biscuits lean savory.

16. Paleo Cornbread

My updated paleo cornbread has golden edges, a tender center and a little sweetness from honey and maple sugar. It’s made with almond flour instead of cornmeal and bakes in a square pan for easy serving.

The recipe includes a dairy-free option if you don’t use ghee. This is a good choice when you want a simple bread to slice into squares and pass around the table.

17. Garlic Herb Paleo Dinner Rolls

These grain-free rolls have a crisp exterior and a soft, doughy center. The dough comes together in one bowl, making them a manageable addition to a holiday menu.

Follow the dairy-free option in the recipe if needed, and serve them warm alongside your favorite sides.

18. Low-Carb Garlic Herb Biscuits

These almond flour biscuits have a soft center, crisp edges and a savory garlic-herb topping. They’re another option for readers looking for a lower-carb bread.

This recipe uses ghee or butter. If you need a completely dairy-free bread, choose the dairy-free version of the cornbread or dinner rolls above.

Paleo Thanksgiving Desserts

Pumpkin, apple, pecan or chocolate, there’s something here for every kind of dessert plate! Several of these recipes also benefit from cooling or chilling ahead of time, which makes them especially useful for Thanksgiving.

19. Classic Paleo Pumpkin Pie

This classic pumpkin pie pairs a spiced pumpkin filling with an almond flour crust. It’s the choice for anyone who wants a traditional-looking Thanksgiving pie that’s gluten-free and dairy-free.

Make time for the pie to cool and chill before serving so the filling can set for clean slices.

20. Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars

My new pumpkin pie bars have a creamy maple-sweetened pumpkin filling over an almond flour shortbread crust. The crust presses straight into the pan, so there’s no rolling pin needed.

Bake them the day before, chill overnight, and cut into 16 small squares or 9 larger bars. They’re especially convenient for a dessert spread where everyone wants a little taste of more than one thing.

21. Classic Paleo Apple Pie

A classic apple pie is a lovely partner for pumpkin pie when you’re serving two desserts. This version gives you the familiar combination of spiced apples and grain-free pastry, with a dairy-free option.

Choose it when you want the look and feel of a traditional holiday pie!

22. Paleo Apple Crumble Pie

Apple crumble pie combines an apple filling with a crumb topping instead of a second layer of pastry. It’s a good choice if the topping is your favorite part of an apple dessert.

You still get a pie to slice and serve, with a different finish from the classic apple pie above.

23. Maple Pecan Apple Crisp

For an apple dessert without a pie crust, try this maple pecan apple crisp. The fruit filling and crumble topping make it easy to scoop into bowls.

This recipe is also vegan, making it a useful option when you’re planning dessert for guests who avoid both dairy and eggs.

24. Paleo Apple Pie Bars

These updated apple pie bars have a cinnamon apple filling between an almond flour crust and a golden crumble topping. The crust and crumble use the same mixture, which keeps preparation simpler.

The current main recipe includes an egg yolk, with a vegan option explained in the post. Let the bars cool fully before cutting so the layers hold together.

25. Paleo Pecan Pie Bars

A sugar cookie-style crust and a gooey pecan topping turn a holiday pie into easy-to-portion squares. They’re a good addition to a dessert tray alongside pumpkin or apple pie bars.

The recipe includes different fat options. Choose the version and ingredients that fit your paleo or dairy-free needs.

26. No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

This pumpkin cheesecake has a pecan-date crust and a creamy cashew-based filling with pumpkin and warm spices. It’s paleo, vegan and made without turning on the oven.

Plan ahead for soaking the cashews, setting the cheesecake in the freezer and softening it before serving. It’s a helpful choice when your oven will already be full of Thanksgiving sides.

27. Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate pecan pie combines a rich chocolate filling with pecans and a grain-free crust. Choose it when you want something different from pumpkin and apple while keeping the familiar flavors of a holiday pie.

Check your chocolate ingredients to keep the finished pie aligned with your dietary needs.

A Simple Paleo Thanksgiving Menu

If you’re having trouble narrowing down the choices, here’s one way to put a meal together:

• Main: Your favorite roast turkey.
• Stuffing: Butternut squash stuffing with sausage, apples and cranberries.
• Vegetable side: Green bean casserole.
• Creamy side: Garlic and herb mashed cauliflower.
• Sauces: Paleo gravy and homemade cranberry sauce.
• Bread: Paleo cornbread, using the dairy-free option if needed.
• Dessert: Pumpkin pie bars and maple pecan apple crisp.

This combination gives you savory stuffing, vegetables, something creamy, a little tartness and two different dessert flavors!

For fewer guests, choose just one dessert and skip the bread if you already have plenty of food. For a larger group, add sweet potato casserole or ask a guest to bring another dish from the list.

Make-Ahead Tips for Thanksgiving

The easiest way to reduce Thanksgiving Day cooking is to decide what can be made ahead before you start shopping.

Several Days Before

Finalize your menu and read each recipe all the way through, including its storage instructions. Check which dishes need the oven, which need refrigerator or freezer space, and which should be served right after cooking.

Shop for pantry ingredients, check your baking dishes, and make sure you have enough serving utensils. If you’re making the no-bake cheesecake, include cashew soaking and freezer setting time in your plan.

The Day Before

Prioritize desserts that need time to set. Pumpkin pie bars are particularly convenient because they benefit from an overnight chill.

Prepare cranberry sauce and any other components that the individual recipes recommend making ahead. Wash and chop suitable vegetables, measure baking ingredients, and set out serving dishes.

Follow each recipe’s storage instructions rather than assuming every casserole can be fully assembled overnight.

On Thanksgiving Day

Work backward from your planned serving time. Schedule oven dishes around your main course, leaving room for reheating and any final browning.

Finish crisp toppings close to serving when possible, warm the bread, and give chilled or frozen desserts the serving preparation described in their recipes.

A written oven schedule helps much more than trying to remember everything while you’re cooking!

Questions About Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes

What can I serve for a paleo Thanksgiving dinner?

Start with a main dish prepared with ingredients that fit your needs, then add grain-free stuffing, vegetable sides, cranberry sauce and gravy. Finish with a dessert made using paleo-friendly ingredients.

The recipes in this collection give you options for the familiar Thanksgiving dishes, including green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie.

Can I make Thanksgiving stuffing without bread?

Yes! Butternut squash and cauliflower both work as the base for bread-free stuffing. The two stuffing recipes above combine vegetables with sausage and seasonings for a savory holiday side.

Choose butternut squash for a sweeter fall flavor or cauliflower for a lower-carb option.

Are all of these recipes dairy-free?

Many are, but some use ghee or offer a choice of fats. Ghee is dairy-derived, so it should not be treated as a completely dairy-free ingredient.

Read the individual recipe and use its specified dairy-free option when needed. The garlic herb biscuits listed here use ghee or butter; the cornbread and dinner rolls offer dairy-free choices.

Is paleo cornbread made with corn?

This version is not. It uses almond flour instead of cornmeal to create a grain-free bread with a golden color and lightly sweet flavor inspired by traditional cornbread.

Which Thanksgiving desserts are easiest to make ahead?

Pumpkin pie bars and no-bake pumpkin cheesecake are especially useful because their preparation already includes chilling or setting time.

Classic pumpkin pie is another option to prepare ahead. Follow the cooling, storage and serving instructions in each recipe, and leave enough refrigerator or freezer space before you begin.

Are these recipes nut-free?

Many are not. Almond flour, pecans and cashews appear in several of the breads, sides and desserts.

Check the full ingredient list for each dish, and use only substitutions provided in that recipe. Coconut flour and almond flour are not interchangeable in equal amounts.

I hope this collection helps you put together a Thanksgiving menu you’re excited to cook and share! Tell me in the comments which recipes you’re making, and which Thanksgiving dish always gets a spot on your table!