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?