5 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

As herbalists, we enjoy every opportunity to infuse herbs into our meals. Using herbs as nourishment is easy, delicious, and can even help with our digestion. Here are 5 healthy Thanksgiving recipes to share the gift of health with our loved ones…

1. Rosemary Tapenade 

Looking for an easy appetizer? Make this Healthy Heart Tapenade, a savory and salty spread that can be served before the meal or alongside it. It’s delicious on bread, crackers, meats, and vegetables. Bonus: eating tapenade can help support a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.

2. Homemade Cranberry Sauce 

Forget the stuff in the can and make your own Homemade Cranberry Sauce. We’ve put an herbal spin on the recipe by combining vitamin C-rich cranberries with horseradish, orange peel, cinnamon, and honey. Can’t get enough cranberries? Also check out our recipe for Rose Hip and Cranberry Compote.

3. Decadent Yet Healthy Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkins are an incredibly nutrient-dense food, but pumpkin pies are usually filled with gobs of sugar. Instead, our Decadent Yet Healthy Pumpkin Pie satisfies a sweet tooth with just a small amount of honey. This gluten-free and dairy-free dessert is also hassle-free; you can whip it up in just 15 minutes.

4. After Meal Digestive Treat 

Indulging in a big meal may be initially rewarding to our taste buds, but all those rich foods can lead to fatigue, bloating, and other gastric discomforts. What you need is an After Meal Digestive Treat with herbs that promote digestion, like fennel, ginger, and orange. It’s easy to make, delicious, and effective.

5. Herbal Bone Broth 

Turn a leftover turkey carcass into a nourishing bone broth. Just substitute turkey in our herbal Chicken Stock recipe, which includes herbs that support the immune system and help ward off fall colds. You can sip turkey bone broth on its own or use it in any of your fall soups.

Written by Emily Han

Emily Han is a naturalist, teacher, and communicator focusing on intersections of nature, culture, and food. Emily is the author of Wild Drinks and Cocktails and co-author of Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods & Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. See more at EmilyHan.com.