34 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes for Thanksgiving
34 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes for Thanksgiving
Read Time: 16 mins
34 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes for Thanksgiving
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat
Facts: 3/4 cup: 140 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 608mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 3/34 Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The first time my friends tasted my new side dish, they said it was phenomenal. The longer you let it chill in the fridge, the more tender the sprouts will be. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 156 calories, 9g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch
fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 4/34 Spoon Bread 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Kentucky Spoon Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a traditional Kentucky recipe. It’s a popular side dish served all year long. If you’ve never tried spoon bread before, I think you’ll find it’s tasty and comforting. —Caroline Brown, Lexington, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 192 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat),
Diabetic exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 fat
87mg cholesterol, 433mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 5/34 Rosemary Beets 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a simple side dish, I use a slow cooker and let the beets mellow with rosemary and thyme. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 200 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 511mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 fat. 6/34 Orange Pomegranate Salad
But orange juice adds a nice zip, too!
with Honey 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I discovered this fragrant salad in a cooking class. If you can, try to find orange flower water (also called orange blossom water), which perks up the orange segments. But orange juice adds a nice zip, too! —Carol Richardson Marty, Lynwood, Washington Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 62 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit. 7/34 Creamy Butternut Squash & Sage Soup
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 starch
7 Reviews Creamy Butternut Squash & Sage Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I recently started experimenting with new soup recipes, and finally created a rich squash version that omits heavy cream altogether, making it a healthier way to curb my creamy-tooth. —Nithya Kumar, Davis, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 255 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 659mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 6g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 starch. 8/34 Spinach, Apple & Pecan Salad 5 Reviews
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable
Test Kitchen Approved Spinach, Apple & Pecan Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One day, company was on the way, and I forgot to buy salad fixings. Scavenging the fridge for ingredients, I pulled these together and invented a salad superstar. —Kelly Walsh, Aviston, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 109 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 9/34 Honey-Garlic Brussels Sprouts 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Honey-Garlic Brussels
At a holiday dinner recently, I had the best Brussels sprouts ever!
Sprouts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: At a holiday dinner recently, I had the best Brussels sprouts ever! They were seasoned to perfection and lightly sweetened. I’ve tried to re-create the dish, and this comes very close. It has just the right amount of garlic and sweetness. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 100 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 10/34 Italian
This showpiece dish really dazzles my family
Pork Loin 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Pork Loin Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to change things up during the holidays with pork loin recipes that incorporate my favorite herbs and veggies. This showpiece dish really dazzles my family. —Kim Palmer, Kingston, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked pork with 2 carrot halves and 1 onion quarter: 295 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 388mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic
Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat
Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 11/34 Lemon-Pepper Broccoli 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon-Pepper Broccoli Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Fresh green broccoli turns tangy and tasty when roasted with lemon juice and pepper. A sprinkle of almonds adds crunch. —Liz Bellville, Jacksonville, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 84 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 103mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 12/34 Gouda Mixed Potato Mash 3 Reviews Test
Everything’s better with cheese, right?
Kitchen Approved Gouda Mixed Potato Mash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everything’s better with cheese, right? This cheesy two-potato mash is no exception. If you cube the cheese, you’ll discover delicious pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish. —Shelby Goddard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 178 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 189mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat. 13/34 Brussels Sprouts & Kale Saute 14 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved
The crispy salami is the “hook.”
Brussels Sprouts & Kale Saute Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In an effort to add more greens to our meals, I created this dish—and my kids eat it up. The crispy salami is the “hook.” —Jennifer Mcnabb, Brentwood, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 126 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 14/34 Pomegranate Splash Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings
8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The sparkling pomegranate gems make this salad irresistibly beautiful. My family loves it at holiday gatherings when pomegranates are in season. Even the children can’t get enough of this antioxidant-rich delight. —Emily Jamison, Champaign, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cup with about 4-1/2 teaspoons vinaigrette: 164 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 starch. 15/34 Sweet Corn and Potato Gratin 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8
servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tasty potato gratin side dish combines great garlic and onion flavor, and kids love the nice crispy topping, too! —Jennifer Olson, Pleasanton, California Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 213 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. 16/34 Tender Whole Wheat Rolls 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tender Whole Wheat Rolls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Even though these are whole wheat rolls they have a light
texture and are soft and tender
texture and are soft and tender. This recipe reminds me of lots of happy meals with my family.—Wilma Orlano, Carroll, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 roll: 120 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 149mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 17/34 Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Honey-Thyme Butternut Squash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This golden, honey-sweetened squash is just as hearty and comforting as your favorite potato dish. With its bright
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Gouda Mixed Potato Mash 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Gouda Mixed Potato Mash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everything’s better with cheese, right?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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