25 Thyroid-healthy Holiday Recipes Your Guests Will Devour
Make your thyroid-healthy holidays easier and more delicious with these 25 crowd-pleasing recipes. From fun party foods to festive mains, sensational sides, and seasonal sweet treats, you'll find ideas for all your holiday celebrations.
These recipes happen to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. Most of them are also Paleo, low-carb, and/or AIP. With so many people with dietary restrictions these days (not just Thyroid Thrivers), it's always a good idea to have these options available to your guests when entertaining. For your convenience, dietary compliance is listed with each recipe.
Scroll down to explore this collection of thyroid-healthy holiday recipes everyone will love!
Thyroid-healthy eating focuses on colorful, nutrient-dense whole foods. It also focuses on anti-inflammatory eating in order to reduce symptoms, support thyroid function, and lower thyroid antibodies. Half of anti-inflammatory eating is incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, like healthy fats, antioxidant-rich produce, and healing spices like turmeric and ginger. The other half is avoiding foods that are inflammatory, like gluten, sugar, refined oils, or trans fats. There may also be foods that are inflammatory to some individuals but not others (like nightshade vegetables).
What this means for most Thyroid Thrivers is that we have to avoid certain ingredients in order to feel our best. Gluten is the #1 dietary trigger for thyroid patients, followed by dairy, sugar, and soy. Some of us also find we need to avoid things like grains, alcohol, eggs, nightshades, nuts, or legumes.
While the ideal 'thyroid-healthy diet' is personalized to the needs of your body, all of my recipes exclude those common dietary triggers listed above (gluten, dairy, sugar, soy). I also cater to the most common dietary templates used by Thyroid Thrivers, including low-carb, Paleo, and Autoimmune Paleo (AIP). I adore and celebrate colorful, nutrient-dense whole foods, and as a chef and a busy, working mom, I try to keep my recipes as simple and doable as possible.
I hope this collection makes your holidays easier, healthier, and more delicious!
Happy cooking, happy thriving, and enjoy the recipes!
P.S. Need more thyroid-friendly recipe inspiration? I’ve got you covered. My Thyroid-friendly Everyday eCookbook features over 50 quick and easy, thyroid-friendly recipes your whole family will love. To take a peek at what’s inside, CLICK HERE.
STARTS & SNACKS
1. Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP, Low-carb
These Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs are a cleaner remake of those classic sweet-and-sour cocktail meatballs, using whole cranberries, fresh rosemary, and orange zest.
RECIPE: Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs
2. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP
This 2-ingredient recipe couldn't be easier or more crowd-pleasing. Sticky-sweet Medjool dates are wrapped in a strip of bacon and then oven-baked until chewy-crisp and salty-sweet.
RECIPE: Bacon-wrapped Dates
3. Italian Sausage-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Low-carb
These appetizers have all the savory, caramelized sweetness of Italian Sausage & Peppers packed into a bite-sized package.
RECIPE: Italian Sausage-stuffed Mini Peppers
4. Spiced Chicken Liver Pâté with Green Peppercorns
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Low-carb
This Paleo pâté uses aromatic spices, a splash of apple brandy, and briny pickled peppercorns to create a nourishing and sumptuous way to eat your liver.
RECIPE: Spiced Chicken Liver Pâté with Green Peppercorns
5. Artichoke Dip with Garlic and Green Olives
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP, Low-carb, Vegan
Flecked with fresh herbs, garlic scapes (or regular garlic), lemon zest, and briny green olives, you'll love this Artichoke Dip on your favorite crunchy crackers or veggie sticks.
RECIPE: Artichoke Dip with Garlic and Green Olives
6. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP, Low-carb
Bright green shoots of asparagus are wrapped in paper-thin slices of Prosciutto di Parma and then oven-roasted to tender-crisp deliciousness.
RECIPE: Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
7. Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seed Brittle
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Vegan
Hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are tossed with a sultry chili-maple blend and then baked into a breakable, munchable, and dangerously good snack or a swanky addition to a charcuterie tray.
RECIPE: Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seed Brittle
8. BLT Deviled Eggs
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Low-carb
Deviled eggs are quick to disappear from any buffet. No matter the occasion, nobody’s going to mind if you make these.
RECIPE: BLT Deviled Eggs
9. Arugula Lemon Pesto with Beet Chips
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Low-carb, Vegan
With the spicy kick of arugula and fresh garlic, the citrusy perfume of lemon zest, toasted pine nuts, and sumptuous extra virgin olive oil, this pesto is explosively delicious when paired with crispy beet chips.
RECIPE: Arugula Lemon Pesto with Beet Chips
FESTIVE MAINS
10. Stuffed Delicata Squash with Sausage, Greens, and Garlic
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo
This recipe plays off the natural sweetness of Delicata squash with savory elements like sage, garlic, and Italian sausage.
RECIPE: Stuffed Delicata Squash with Sausage, Greens, and Garlic
11. Chicken Saltimbocca
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP, Low-carb
Chicken cutlets are wrapped in fresh sage and prosciutto, then browned in a skillet and topped with a rich and lemony pan sauce.
RECIPE: Chicken Saltimbocca
12. Loaded Mediterranean Salmon
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Low-carb
This Loaded Mediterranean Salmon is a meal that dazzles the eye, tickles the tastebuds, and would wow any guest, regardless of the fact that it’s full of thyroid-loving nutrition.
RECIPE: Loaded Mediterranean Salmon
13. Pumpkin Sage Macaroni and 'Cheese' with Crispy Shallot Topping
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo
This sweet and savory macaroni and 'cheese' is made with roasted winter squash, fresh sage, and a sprinkling of crispy fried shallots.
RECIPE: Pumpkin Sage Macaroni and 'Cheese' with Crispy Shallot Topping
14. Hoppin' John Soup
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
This soup is a riff on the traditional black-eyed peas, greens, and rice dish known as Hoppin’ John. This traditional Southern dish is eaten on New Year’s Day to ensure good luck in the coming year.
RECIPE: Hoppin' John Soup
SENSATIONAL SIDES
15. Green Beans with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Garlic & Almonds
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Low-carb
Fresh and tender green beans are jazzed up with golden toasted garlic coins, sun-dried tomatoes, crisp sliced almonds, and a bright kick of lemon.
RECIPE: Green Beans with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Garlic & Almonds
16. Chex Mix-Inspired Delicata Rings
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo
While this is obviously more of a starchy side than a crunchy snack mix, these really do taste reminiscent of Chex Mix. Bold seasonings play off the natural sweetness of the squash.
RECIPE: Chex Mix-inspired Delicata Rings
17. Olive Oil Mashed Cauliflower & Sweet Potatoes
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Vegan
This mashed potato alternative is decidedly savory and made rich and aromatic with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and rosemary. Mild and starchy white sweet potatoes give this mash its fluff, while cauliflower adds moisture and nuttiness.
RECIPE: Olive Oil Mashed Cauliflower & Sweet Potatoes
18. Mashed Winter Squash - Three Ways
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP, Vegan
Looking for a filling, nutrient-dense side dish that is versatile, easy, and delicious? Meet your new favorite cold-weather staple: Mashed Winter Squash.
RECIPE: Mashed Winter Squash, Three Ways
19. Sheet Pan Green Beans with Mushrooms & Bacon
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP
Armed with only a sheet pan, a hot oven, and a few accompaniments, you can transform a pound of green beans into a savory delight. Roasting does delicious things to those green beans.
RECIPE: Sheet Pan Green Beans with Mushrooms & Bacon
20. Bacon & Chive Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, AIP
Thinly sliced sweet potato, bathed in coconut milk and adorned with bacon and chives? Yes, please! This colorful and delicious side would make a welcome addition to any holiday feast.
RECIPE: Bacon & Chive Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
21. The Ultimate GF/DF Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo
These dairy-free mashed potatoes use a combination of stock and ‘clean’ mayo to create creamy mashers that look and taste just like the real deal. To top it off, I've included a recipe for gluten-free gravy that no one would ever know was gluten-free.
RECIPE: The Ultimate GF/DF Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
SEASONAL SWEET TREATS
22. Hot Curried Pears with Pomegranate
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo
These Hot Curried Pears are lavished with savory ghee, curry powder, and coconut sugar before a tenderizing spin in the oven and finally a sprinkling of the nutritional gemstones known as pomegranate seeds.
RECIPE: Hot Curried Pears with Pomegranate
23. Chocolate Cherry Almond Granola
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan
You could call this granola a lot of things: An indulgent breakfast. A healthy treat. A deconstructed cookie. I call it yum-in-a-bowl-with-benefits. It also makes a wonderful edible gift.
RECIPE: Chocolate Cherry Almond Granola
24. 'Caramel' Nut Chocolate Bark
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
If you’re avoiding things like gluten, dairy, grains, soy, and perhaps even eggs, chocolate bark can be a welcome treat solution. This one is loaded with nutrition, and makes a wonderful edible gift.
RECIPE: 'Caramel' Nut Chocolate Bark
25. Pecan Date Dreams
Dietary Compliance: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo
These dreamy stuffed dates have a coconut butter filling and are topped with crunchy pecans and dark chocolate. The best part? They take less than 20 minutes to throw together.
RECIPE: Pecan Date Dreams
Ready to learn more about thyroid-healthy eating?
