Low Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Revamping the Menu to Include Low Carb Side Dishes

If you are living a low carb lifestyle a traditional Thanksgiving Meal may not work with your menu options. Research ahead of time and decide which side dishes served for your traditional Thanksgiving meal can be converted to a low carb version. Low carb Thanksgiving Side dishes are possible for many of the holiday recipes. In some cases creating a low carb version of a Thanksgiving side dish may require substituting ingredients. For instance, some potato side dishes can utilize steamed cauliflower instead of the potatoes for a lower carb count. Here are some possible changes you can make to lower the carb count of your Thanksgiving Side dishes.

Scalloped Cauliflower instead of Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped cauliflower can be made from either frozen or fresh. If using frozen, use 2 bags thawed before use and for fresh use the flowers of a large head which ahs been steamed. Lay half the cauliflower in a casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If your low carb plan allows you to have onions you can sprinkle chopped onions over the cauliflower also. Using a half stick of butter slice into pats and drop onto the cauliflower. Top with a cup of shredded cheddar cheese and repeat the layers.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Makes 10 serving

Low carb side dish count:4 net carbs per serving

Sausage and Vegetable Stuffing

Make your stuffing from sausage and vegetables instead of a typical bread or corn bread dressing. Finely chop two large onions. In a large skillet, begin to sauté the onion in 3 tablespoons of butter. When the onion has started to become translucent, add a pound of sausage and brown. Scrape the skillet to keep the crusty parts with the sausage and onions. You may choose a sausage that is seasoned with sage or a hotter sausage depending on your taste. If your sausage is not seasoned, add some of your favorite stuffing spices to the meats. While your meat is cooking, chop one head of cabbage. Add to the sausage mix. Add chicken broth gradually as the cabbage and sausage cook down and become drier. Pour sausage mix into a 4 quart casserole and pour three beaten eggs over the casserole. Bake for 20 min at 350 degrees. The entire recipe has 36g carbohydrates and 8g of dietary fiber

Whipped Cauliflower instead of Mashed Potatoes

Whipped Cauliflower

4 ounces Heavy cream

3 tablespoons butter

3 strips bacon

4 cups steamed cauliflower

2 tablespoons sour cream

6 ounces shredded cheese

Mash the cauliflower, mix with remaining ingredients except for bacon. You may need a mixer for this to get a creamy and smooth texture. Crumble the cooked bacon and gently mix in.Place in a casserole dish, top with cheese, and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees

These are just three simple side dishes you may try for the Thanksgiving meal. Most traditional meal items have an alternative low carb dish which may serve as a substitute for the higher card ones.