40+ Paleo & AIP Recipes to Make for Thanksgiving
Introduction
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean straying from your Paleo or AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) lifestyle. With the right collection of recipes, you can indulge in comforting, classic holiday dishes—like stuffing, pies, and savory mains—without compromising your health goals. Even if you or your guests are navigating food sensitivities, these delicious, ingredient-conscious recipes ensure everyone can enjoy a flavorful, satisfying feast together.
Why Choose Paleo & AIP Recipes for Thanksgiving?
Paleo and AIP recipes focus on wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients while avoiding grains, dairy, refined sugars, legumes, and processed additives that can trigger inflammation or sensitivities. By preparing your Thanksgiving menu with these recipes, you’re providing everyone at the table with delicious options they can enjoy worry-free—and you don’t have to sacrifice any of the traditional taste or festivity.
Ultimate List of 40+ Paleo & AIP Thanksgiving Recipes
From festive starters to indulgent desserts, here are over 40 crowd-pleasing Paleo and AIP recipes to cover every part of your Thanksgiving celebration:
Appetizers & Snacks
– Roasted Root Vegetable Soup (AIP, Paleo)
– Herbed Stuffed Mushrooms (Paleo)
– Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus (AIP, Paleo)
– Pumpkin Hummus with Veggie Sticks (AIP, Paleo)
Main Dishes
– Classic Herb-Roasted Turkey with Bone Broth Gravy (AIP, Paleo)
– Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken (AIP, Paleo)
– Maple Roasted Pork Tenderloin (Paleo)
– AIP Instant Pot Pot Roast
Stuffings & Sides
– Cauliflower Herb “Stuffing” (AIP, Paleo)
– Sweet Potato Casserole with Crispy Topping (AIP, Paleo)
– Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Bacon (AIP, Paleo)
– Green Bean Casserole (AIP adaptation)
– Garlicky Mashed Parsnips (AIP, Paleo)
– Cranberry Sauce with Honey (AIP, Paleo)
– Caramelized Onion & Apple Slaw (AIP, Paleo)
– Pumpkin & Sage Risotto (AIP, Paleo, cauliflower rice base)
Breads & Biscuits
– Rosemary Cassava Rolls (AIP, Paleo)
– AIP Flatbreads
– Paleo Almond Flour Biscuits
Desserts
– Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream (AIP, Paleo)
– Apple Crisp with Tigernut Topping (AIP, Paleo)
– Pecan Pie Bars (Paleo, sub tigernuts for AIP)
– Blueberry Crumble (AIP, Paleo)
– Sweet Potato Cookies (AIP, Paleo)
– No-Bake Cranberry Cheesecake (AIP, Paleo, coconut base)
– Carob “Chocolate” Pie (AIP adaptation)
– Pear & Cinnamon Baked Apples (AIP, Paleo)
Drinks & Sauces
– Spiced Cranberry Punch (AIP, Paleo)
– Golden Turmeric Latte (AIP, Paleo)
– Homemade AIP Mayonnaise
– Apple Cider Reduction Sauce (AIP, Paleo)
More Must-Tries:
– Garlic Dill Pickles (AIP, Paleo)
– Roasted Beets with Orange Vinaigrette (AIP, Paleo)
– Broccoli “Cheese” Casserole (AIP, Paleo, with nutritional yeast)
– Butternut Squash Soup (AIP, Paleo)
– Carrot Cake Bites (AIP, Paleo)
– Zucchini Fritters (AIP adaptation)
– Celeriac Mash (AIP, Paleo)
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save these recipes to automatically generate a detailed shopping list, sorted by store section—making your Thanksgiving meal planning and grocery shopping seamless!
How to Prep Paleo & AIP Recipes in Advance
Many holiday dishes can be made ahead for a stress-free Thanksgiving:
– Prep broths, gravies, and sauces 2-3 days prior.
– Bake casseroles, rolls, and most desserts 1 day ahead—simply reheat before serving.
– Chop veggies, measure spices, and batch-cook side dishes before the big day.
Serving & Entertaining Tips
Arrange your feast buffet-style so guests can help themselves according to their dietary needs. Label each dish or keep a master list of ingredients handy. Garnish plates with fresh herbs or citrus for a festive, inviting touch. Offer a variety of protein, starchy, and green sides so everyone has filling, satisfying options.
Nutritional Considerations
Most Paleo and AIP recipes emphasize whole foods and natural ingredients, making them suitable for many allergies and sensitivities. However, be mindful of tree nuts if following strict AIP (as some, like almonds, are avoided), and always double-check for individual sensitivities.
Paleo & AIP Thanksgiving Recipe Recap
Bringing together over 40 recipes covering every part of the Thanksgiving table means you can host a feast that’s both vibrant in flavor and restorative to the body. Whether you’re strictly AIP, enjoying Paleo, or simply trying to eat cleaner around the holidays, you’ll discover a menu worth celebrating.
Instructions Example: How to Make AIP/Paleo Cauliflower Herb “Stuffing”
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread bite-sized cauliflower florets on a lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes until golden and slightly crisp.
- While roasting, sauté diced onion, celery, and carrots in a skillet with olive oil until softened. Stir in fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary.
- Mix the roasted cauliflower with the sautéed aromatics. Drizzle with bone broth for moisture, toss to combine, and serve warm as a hearty, herbaceous stuffing alternative.
Weekly Meal Planning
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to embrace smart meal planning. Save and schedule all your Paleo & AIP recipes for the holiday week to have ingredient quantities tallied, shopping lists organized, and prep timelines mapped out.
Planning Benefits:
– Consolidate common ingredients across recipes to minimize wasted food
– Automatic shopping lists grouped by section for efficient grocery runs
– Avoid running short on essentials with dynamic ingredient calculations
– Map out prep tasks—see which recipes to make ahead or day-of for a stress-free holiday
Pro tip: Schedule your Thanksgiving menu to see ingredient overlap, saving both time and money.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Times for individual recipes: 10–30 minutes
Cook Times: 15–60 minutes per recipe
Total Time: Allow 2–3 hours to make the full spread, or prep over multiple days for a smooth and joyful Thanksgiving celebration.
