6 Healthy, Simple and Savory Dishes to Serve this Thanksgiving Holiday

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Oh, the weather outside is 86 degrees and counting!  It must be a Miami Thanksgiving.  But we’re ready to crank up the A/C, count our blessings, fasten our fall boots, and enjoy this holiday meal!

I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year.  So, for all of my last-minute mamas, I’m sharing my favorite *simple* fall dishes.  Several of these light(er) dishes can be baked together and enjoyed after Turkey Day.  As an added bonus, some are Paleo or Whole 30 compliant!

Thanksgiving Baked Brie 6 Healthy, Simple and Savory Dishes to Serve this Thanksgiving Holiday Miami Moms Blog

Baked Brie with Honey & Organic Cranberries (Easy, Prep 15 minutes)

You’ll need:

  • 1 small French Brie wheel
  • 2-4 tablespoons honey for drizzling
  • Dried organic cranberries
  • Sliced baguette, crackers, or apple slices for dipping

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Line pan with parchment paper and bake uncovered for 5-7 minutes until soft, but not melted
  3. With a thin knife, remove upper cheese casing
  4. Drizzle with honey and top with dried cranberries
  5. Serve with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or apple slices

Thanksgiving Green Beans 6 Healthy, Simple and Savory Dishes to Serve this Thanksgiving Holiday Miami Moms Blog

Browned Butter Green Bean Almondine (Medium, Prep 20 minutes)

You’ll need:

  • 1 pound fresh green beans
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • 3 tablespoons butter or ghee, divided
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 whole lemon, juiced

Directions:

  1. Trim the green beans just like Grandma taught you!
  2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat
  3. Add the almonds and stir until they begin to brown, 2-3 minutes
  4. Remove almonds and set aside
  5. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water with the green beans to the pan
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste
  7. Simmer and cover until the beans are al dente, 5-7 minutes
  8. Add the lemon juice, the remaining tablespoon of butter, and the almonds
  9. Stir and serve!

Thanksgiving Balsamic Dressing 6 Healthy, Simple and Savory Dishes to Serve this Thanksgiving Holiday Miami Moms Blog 
Organic Green Salad with Roasted Pecans and Homemade Balsamic Dressing (Easy, Prep 15 minutes)

You’ll need:

  • 1-2 packages organic spinach or mixed greens
  • 1 small package pecans
  • 1/2 cup Goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup dried organic cranberries
  • 1/4 cup balsamic dressing 
  • 2 tablespoons organic olive oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey 

Note: This salad serves 4-6 people.  I often double or triple this salad dressing recipe and store it in an airtight jar just in case!

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees; line baking pan with parchment paper
  2. Season pecans with sea salt (and 1 tablespoon butter for additional flavor)
  3. Roast pecans for 15 minutes, checking regularly
  4. Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey in a small bowl
  5. Toss spinach or greens in a large bowl with homemade dressing
  6. Sprinkle with roasted pecans, goat cheese crumbles, and cranberries

Thanksgiving Roasted Carrots 6 Healthy, Simple and Savory Dishes to Serve this Thanksgiving Holiday Miami Moms Blog

Roasted Rainbow Carrots (Easy, Prep 10 minutes)

 You’ll need:

  • 1 package of organic rainbow carrots
  • Organic olive oil or coconut oil
  • Fresh or dry poultry spices—rosemary, sage, & thyme
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Generously coat carrots with olive oil or coconut oil; remove skin (optional)
  3. Season with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning to taste
  4. Roast 20-35 minutes; check and stir every 10 minutes

Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes 6 Healthy, Simple and Savory Dishes to Serve this Thanksgiving Holiday Miami Moms Blog

Savory Sweet Potato Hash (Easy, Prep 10 minutes)

You’ll need:

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • Organic olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder, & paprika to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Toss sweet potatoes and onions in olive oil
  3. Lightly season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, & paprika
  4. Bake in a glass dish for 40-50 minutes, stir every 15 minutes

Thanksgiving Turkey 6 Healthy, Simple and Savory Dishes to Serve this Thanksgiving Holiday Miami Moms Blog

Turkey Time: Thanksgiving Brine! (Medium, Prep 30 minutes; Brine for 24 hours)

If you’ve never brined a turkey before, you’re truly missing out on added tenderness and flavor!  Here is a medium difficultly recipe for a 16-18 lb turkey that can be fully prepared in advance:

You’ll need:

  • 2 gallons of water
  • 4 cups apple juice or apple cider (no sugar added for Paleo)
  • 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • 5 whole Bay leaves
  • 3 tbsp orange peels
  • 1 1/2 cups sea salt
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup honey (eliminate for Whole 30)
  • 3 tablespoons peppercorns
  • 1 oven or turkey brine bag

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot
  2. Stir well and bring to a boil
  3. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and allow the stock to cool completely
  4. Carefully place the turkey into a brining bag (in a large pot or the roasting pan)
  5. Pour in brining stock with all ingredients
  6. Refrigerate overnight (12-24 hours before roasting)
  7. Remove the turkey from brine and rinse with cold water to remove excess salt
  8. Proceed to butter and/or season your turkey as usual before roasting.

Happy Thanksgiving!