Mediterranean Diet Friendly Recipes for Thanksgiving

Introduction

Putting a Mediterranean twist on your Thanksgiving table is a delicious way to enjoy a fresher, lighter, and heart-healthier feast—without sacrificing flavor or festivity. Mediterranean Diet Friendly Recipes for Thanksgiving focus on fresh produce, olive oil, lean proteins, and herbs that bring color and vibrancy to classic holiday dishes. These recipes are sure to be crowd-pleasers, offering a wholesome alternative to traditional, heavier fare and making it easy for everyone to indulge in the celebration guilt-free.

Why Mediterranean Thanksgiving Recipes Shine

The Mediterranean diet is renowned for bold flavors and health benefits. For Thanksgiving, these dishes offer a refreshing balance of vibrant vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins like fish or chicken, and generous use of fragrant herbs and spices. They bring lightness and zest to the table while still delivering comforting, festive tastes that everyone will love.

Below is a Mediterranean-inspired Thanksgiving menu: a Whole Roasted Herb Chicken, Herbed Farro & Cranberry Salad, and Roasted Root Vegetables with Lemon and Olive Oil.

Star Dishes for Your Mediterranean Thanksgiving Menu

1. Whole Roasted Herb Chicken

Ditch the traditional turkey and opt for succulent roasted chicken. Seasoned with fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, garlic, and lemon, it’s juicy, aromatic, and full of Mediterranean flair.

2. Herbed Farro & Cranberry Salad

Nutty farro forms the foundation for this bright salad, paired with fresh parsley, mint, tangy dried cranberries, chopped cucumber, and a simple lemon-olive oil vinaigrette. It’s an ideal whole-grain side that feels both hearty and refreshing.

3. Roasted Root Vegetables with Lemon and Olive Oil

Earthy carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes are roasted to caramelized perfection, then tossed with fresh parsley, lemon zest, and extra-virgin olive oil for a side dish that pairs with everything.

Ingredients for a Mediterranean Thanksgiving Feast

Whole Roasted Herb Chicken:
– 5-6 lb whole chicken
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
– 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
– 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
– Zest and juice of 1 lemon
– 1 tsp sea salt
– ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Herbed Farro & Cranberry Salad:
– 1 cup farro, rinsed
– 3 cups water or vegetable broth
– ½ cup dried cranberries
– ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
– ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
– 1 small cucumber, diced
– ⅓ cup red onion, finely chopped
– ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
– Juice of 1 lemon
– Salt and pepper, to taste

Roasted Root Vegetables with Lemon:
– 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
– 2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
– 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Zest and juice of 1 lemon
– ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
– Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this Mediterranean Thanksgiving menu on CookifyAI to generate a neat, organized shopping list. Ingredients are automatically sorted by store section to make your grocery trip efficient and stress-free—no missing items or last-minute rushes.

Instructions

1. Whole Roasted Herb Chicken:
   1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
   2. Mix olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken, under the skin, and inside the cavity.
   3. Place chicken in a roasting pan and roast uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes or until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Let rest before carving.
2. Herbed Farro & Cranberry Salad:
   1. In a pot, combine farro and water (or broth). Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover, and cook until tender (about 25-30 minutes). Drain.
   2. Combine farro, cranberries, parsley, mint, cucumber, and red onion in a large bowl. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature.
3. Roasted Root Vegetables with Lemon:
   1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
   2. Toss carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 30-35 minutes until caramelized and tender.
   3. Toss with lemon zest, juice, and parsley. Serve warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

These Mediterranean Diet Friendly Recipes for Thanksgiving aren’t just for the holiday—they’re perfect for healthy meal prep and planning all season long! Save these recipes to your CookifyAI meal planner and schedule when to make them. Generate smart shopping lists that combine all your planned meals, minimizing duplicate purchases and ensuring you stay organized every week.

Planning Benefits:

• Dynamically calculates total ingredient quantities for multiple meals
• Sorts shopping lists by grocery section for easy trips
• Reduces food waste by showing how ingredients overlap (like olive oil, herbs, or lemons)
• Makes meal prep streamlined and stress-free for busy weeks

Pro tip: Plan to make extra roasted root veggies or herbed farro salad—they double as easy sides or lunch options throughout the week!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Enjoy a vibrant, delicious, and heart-healthy Thanksgiving menu that brings Mediterranean sunshine to your holiday spread!