There are certain Thanksgiving sides that are as much a part of a Thanksgiving meal as the turkey itself. Stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy are just a few traditional side dishes of a Thanksgiving meal. While these sides are as delicious as all get out, those looking for a healthier side should set their sights on sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving are a great addition to any meal and thanks to low-carb diets, there are tons of recipes for this root vegetable that take your grandma’s sugar-laden recipe and turn it into a healthy one.
Here are 12 sweet potato recipes for 6 different cooking styles that will help to elevate your Thanksgiving meal and keep you from reaching for those elastic-waisted turkey pants this year.
12 Sweet Potatoes Recipes for Thanksgiving
Why sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving?
Isn’t the real question why not? There’s a reason that sweet potatoes are a go-to vegetable for competitive athletes and bodybuilders. Sweet potatoes are a healthy vegetable that is high in fiber and low in carbs.
Sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving meals are a great way to sneak in those all-important vitamins and nutrients. They are loaded with Vitamins A, B-6, C, and E, not to mention potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. In short, they’re a nutritional powerhouse.
There are countless ways to cook sweet potatoes for thanksgiving and as part of a nightly meal. If you like to cook with 5 ingredients or less; a Keto, vegan, or gluten-free diet; an international flair; or you’re into small-bites; the recipes that follow offer variety for your menus and tastebuds.
5 Ingredients or Less Cook
When it comes to Thanksgiving prep, for some people the fewer ingredients that are required, the better. If you fall into this category of cook, here are two recipes for two different styles of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. They’re listed first, just in case you’ve got 5 minutes or less, too.
Keto Cook
Ever since ketogenic dieting became a thing, the internet has become flooded with Keto recipes enlightening the world on how to maximize macros. The key to ketogenic diets is increasing healthy fats, reducing carbs and choosing foods with good protein counts. The benefits of ketogenic diets are good for epilepsy and certain neurological disorders, but a number of health concerns remain. Before you go full-blown Keto, consult a doctor. In the meantime, here are two delicious Keto-style recipes to give an interesting twist to your sweet potatoes for thanksgiving.
Read More: Emerging Keto Diet Plans and Marathon Training
Vegan Cook
There are a wide range of vegan diets, but at their core practitioners of this type of diet abstain from the use of animal products in their diet. If you’re not ready to go full vegan, try making these sweet potatoes for thanksgiving to see if Veganism is for you.
Read More: My 7-Day Vegan Challenge Meal Plan
Gluten-Free Cook
If you suffer from gastrointestinal disorders due to a gluten allergy, then avoiding foods that contain wheat, rye and barley is essential to maintain good gut health. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to cook and bake sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, both savory and sweet, that will satisfy any gluten-free craving this holiday season.
International Cook
If your meals tend to have a more international flair, then so too should your sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. Between the international section of grocery stores offering more and more seasonings, sauces, and pastes from around the world and easy access to them via the internet, from coast to coast there has been a rise in cosmopolitan-style cooking. These recipes will take your Thanksgiving flavor up a notch, thanks to Sriracha and chili garlic sauce.
Small Plates Cook
Some people eat their meals on small plates. They might tell you it’s a Weight Watchers trick, but it sure is a fun way to sample lots of small bites without feeling full. Whether you take your sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving on small or big plates, these recipes are great as appetizers or sides, or simply with a nice glass of wine.
Whether you choose one of these recipes for your Thanksgiving meal or for a weeknight meal, your family will thank you. Sweet potatoes really are a nutritious rock star and have always needed a little recipe makeover to get the menu recognition they rightfully deserve.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out this article on 10 Unique Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes.
