Celebrate with a Keto Twist: Keto Appetizers for Your Next Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day has got to be one of the busiest days in the kitchen for those tasked with the meal. The endeavor takes a lot of planning, choosing, buying, and considering what your family wants for the day. It’s that one day when all of the family members will gather around the table, say grace, and get to catch up on a lot of family matters.
Your show stopping mashed potatoes and jaw dropping stuffed turkey must always be there. Despite this, the recent trend in eating healthy and the rise of several diet programs makes the Thanksgiving meal a bit trickier. Keto Diet and Thanksgiving are two words that would be hard to combine considering the amount of carbohydrates on the dishes we just mentioned.
The website healthline.com identifies ketogenic diet as consuming meals with only 20 – 50g of carbohydrates while having 75% fat and 10-30% proteins. Knowing this, you might be feeling a bit restricted with your choices. We are bringing you 10 recipe ideas from well-known websites to ease off the load on your shoulders – starting with appetizers!
Thanksgiving is all about being grateful and bringing the family closer together and what is a better way to do this than through sharing a good meal on the table. Appetizers help start up a good meal. It has to be vibrant, lively, and, of course, appetizing to everyone. Spinning this year’s Thanksgiving appetizers with a keto twist can be a good experience for everyone. Going keto is never boring and monotonous if you have the right recipes with you. Get your kitchen groove and keto spirit ready for a great dinner ahead!
1. Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Net carbs: 6.8g Protein: 24.7g Fat: 43.6g
INGREDIENTS
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks
2 small cloves garlic, minced
3/4 tsp. smoked paprika
3/4 tsp. ground mustard
3/4 tsp. onion powder
Pinch cayenne pepper
Freshly ground black pepper
4 c. low-sodium chicken stock
6 c. small broccoli florets
6 oz. cream cheese
4 c. freshly grated sharp cheddar
Get your much needed greens (and oranges) for the holiday without skipping out on the cheese. This coming Thanksgiving, warm everyone’s stomachs with a creamy yet highly nutritious soup. This ticks off the high fat in every keto checklist there is plus just the right amount of proteins from your vegetables. A ketogenic diet promotes high-fat foods to allow your body to use this as an energy source creating a slimming effect.
The good thing about this meal is most cheeses go well with the keto diet. For example, most brands of cheddar contain not more than 0.5% carbohydrates in them, that’s virtually no carbohydrates at all.
You may notice that despite being very low, this recipe still has some carbs and if you want to go full throttle on the keto diet, substitute your cream cheese with mascarpone for that creamy texture. Still not convinced? Parmesan would work well too!
In addition to gaining a reason to gorge on cheeses, high-protein and low-carbohydrate meals have been found to alleviate satiety for longer periods than their counterparts. Get the most out of your ketogenic diet by enjoying greens swimming in cheese soup. Get this recipe and more meals from delish.com.
2. Keto Stuffed Mushrooms with Spinach
Net Carbs: 2g Proteins: 3g Fat: 5g
INGREDIENTS
12 small mushrooms
1 cup frozen spinach thawed and drained
1 cup shredded mozzarella divided
4 oz cream cheese softened
8 sundried tomatoes chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
Try your hands on a sure-winner dish that is this Keto Stuffed Mushrooms with Spinach. Make these bite-sized delights ahead so you can free your schedule up for the main event of the Thanksgiving party. With only 2g of carbohydrates up its sleeves, this recipe can be a great way to start the meal off.
Mushrooms are not only just great sources of proteins, they also impart the well-known fifth sense of taste which is Umami. This flavor has been greatly tied-up with monosodium glutamate (MSG). If you are skeptical about using this compound with your cooking, no need to fret because mushrooms give you the same flavor-boosting effect MSG does.
Aside from this great feature of mushrooms, some varieties such as shiitake mushrooms, which you fill-up just nicely for this recipe, are rich in bioactive components such as beta-glucans that help protect your body from cellular damage and help in boosting your immune system. In addition, most mushrooms are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Get more out of your keto diet by choosing this recipe from joyfilledeats.com. A few extra tips for this recipe, 1) you can substitute cream cheese with mozzarella for a more complex dish and to maximize the ketogenic effects of the dish, 2) make more than you think is needed, and 3) shiitake and portobello mushrooms work best for stuffed mushroom recipes.
3. Keto Tuna Salad Cups
Net Carbs: 4g Proteins: 14g Fat: 20g
INGREDIENTS
12 small mushrooms
1 cup frozen spinach thawed and drained
8 Servings
4 large eggs
4 strips bacon
1/3 cup olive or avocado oil mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
¼ teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
Two 5-ounce cans tuna packed in olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the oil reserved and the rest
drained
2 scallions, sliced
Kosher salt
and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium tomato, halved and cut into 8 slices
16 leaves
Bibb lettuce
Appetizers are supposed to be light and bright to stimulate our appetites for a bigger meal ahead. Nothing says these things better than colorful tuna salad cups. Did we mention it’s keto-friendly? Of course, it is!
This recipe is one of those easy breezy ones that you can whip up with anything (as long as it is keto friendly) and is very versatile. It’s as how Food Network describes it to be, Tuna salad meets BLT in a keto-friendly mashup. Enjoy the omega-3 fatty acid from your tuna which is also the main source of protein in this dish.
Now, when you see a tuna salad, you may be thinking of croutons, but hold up because remember we’re on a keto diet! Substitute your croutons with nuts such as macadamia or almonds for that pop of texture on your salad. The only downside to this recipe is you can’t make it a day ahead. Despite potentially having a 4-5-day shelf life, tuna salad works best when fresh and bright.
4. Bacon Jalapeno Poppers (It’s low carb)
Net Carbs: 0.8g Proteins: 3.5g Fat: 4.6g
INGREDIENTS
Serving: 16
Jalapeno poppers
8 medium jalapenos
6 oz ground beef
8 slices bacon
2 oz Cream Cheese
Salt + Pepper
If you are not a fan of the classic appetizers for your Thanksgiving dinner, then this contemporary recipe might be for you. This bacon jalapeno poppers recipe is a perfect opening meal for a heavier course and will surely get the ball rolling. This recipe boasts a very keto-friendly orientation as the only source of carbohydrates is the cream cheese added into it. Nothing but pure protein and the fat we search for in a keto diet.
Never be guilty again with gorging on bacon you tried to avoid before embracing the keto lifestyle. This recipe may not be for everyone, especially those who do not enjoy the kick of heat. To help everyone enjoy this appetizer, you can try reducing the portion size of the jalapenos or diluting the whole recipe by adding more beef – we bet no one will complain about that.
The most effective way to tone down the heat level is to add more cream cheese. The protein in cream cheese, casein, is responsible for alleviating the heat we experience from eating chilli. This may be a good idea, until you remember that you are in a keto diet. Cream cheese contains more carbohydrates when compared with other cheeses. Spin this recipe around my combining mozzarella and cream cheese to reduce the heat! Bring a stringy twist to this show-stopping appetizer.
Before altering the recipe, be reminded that the nutritional content indicated in this recipe will vary depending on what you add or remove. Find more about this recipe on ketoconnect.net.
5. Keto Paleo Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
Net Carbs: 3g Proteins: 2g Fat: 9g
INGREDIENTS
4 cups cauliflower florets
¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
½ cup Tahini
2 cloves Garlic
2 tbsp Lemon juice
1 tsp Sea salt
1.5 tsp Cumin
¼ tsp Paprika
3-5 tbsp Water
Here’s your best bet at serving a Keto version of hummus for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, if you are in a strict Keto diet, your regular hummus might need to be crossed off of the list. Hummus is a Mediterranean dish traditionally made out of chickpeas or garbanzos, tahini, a dash of lemon, and tons of spices. The main culprit behind its restriction under a Keto diet is the carbohydrates from chickpeas. A cup of chickpeas approximately has at least 35g of carbohydrates. But don’t let that stop you from making the dish.
Here, you have an entirely keto-friendly recipe for a hummus. No chickpeas, just cauliflowers. Add in a bit more flavor to your hummus by letting the edges of your cauliflowers to get charred. This also adds color to the final product. Although, we have to note that cauliflowers have significantly less fiber when compared to chickpeas or even garbanzos. This recipe makes up for that lost component through the loads of minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants present in cauliflowers.
If you are not satisfied with this information, head to wholsomeyum.com and browse through the comments section to know other individuals who have converted to cauliflower hummus for good.
6. Easy Classic Keto Deviled Eggs
Net Carbs: 1g Proteins: 8g Fat: 17g
INGREDIENTS
4 servings
6 eggs – large, room temperature
¼ cup mayo
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp garlic powder
Smoked paprika – garnish
Chopped parsley – garnish
Salt and pepper
At this point, we’re missing one of the classic appetizers served on a typical Thanksgiving table – Deviled eggs. If you’ve never heard of deviled eggs, we’re here to tell you that there is nothing ominous about these eggs. Deviling, in culinary terms, is the addition of lots of spices and seasonings in a dish to add heaping amounts of kick and zest. This term was often used in the 1700s for foods added with mustard and cayenne.
Deviled egg recipe is actually a staple when it comes to a ketogenic diet. Turn your fancy post-workout meal into a great appetizer for Thanksgiving by following this recipe. What’s good about a classic meal is how versatile it can be. If you are not a fan of mayo on your eggs, there are a lot of other ways to get the creamy consistency you need. Use Greek yogurt or sour cream for a more rounded taste with the same consistency you will get from using mayo. Not a fan of tangy foods? Oil works too! Work in your vegetable oil into the egg yolks and adjust the consistency until you achieve the texture you want.
Add a bit of contrasting texture to this classic recipe by mixing in or topping the dish with bacon bits or chives.
7. Low Carb Keto Soft Pretzel Bites
Net Carbs: 8g Proteins: 18g Fat: 24g
INGREDIENTS
Serving size: 8 (recipe can yield 74 pcs)
3 cups part skim low moisture shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz cream cheese
3 large eggs one egg is reserved for egg wash
2 cups superfine almond flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp coarse salt
A baker and a keto diet do not go well together at first glance. You will need to find your way around your ingredients to find the perfect balance between the lack of carbohydrates and the perfect bake you need. In this recipe, we will find a great substitute to the carb-loaded flour we are all used to using for breads. Learn how to use almond flour other than for French macarons.
This recipe features the fathead dough. A recipe popularized by Tom Naughton while filming the documentary film Fathead. This dough is absolutely gluten-free and is made out of combining mozzarella, cream cheese, egg, and your selection of low-carb flour. Heads-up, this recipe won’t be able to produce the springy texture you’re used to when you dig into a soft bite pretzel. Despite this, the crispy crust of these pretzels, topped with grains of salt, is reminiscent of the classic pretzels as Kirbie’s Cravings would describe.
Make these delights even more enticing by partnering it with a cheese dip of your liking. Just make sure it’s keto friendly.
8. Keto Shrimp Guacamole and Bacon Appetizers
Net Carbs: 2g Proteins: 3g Fat: 5g
INGREDIENTS
Serving: 20
For the Guacamole:
2 Small avocados
1/2 Cup Minced red onion
1/2 Lime, juiced
1/3 Cup Fresh cilantro lightly packed
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
For the Shrimp:
10 ounces Large raw shrimp peeled and deveined, yields 20 shrimp
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Cumin
2 Tablespoons Butter
Other Ingredients:
7 Slices bacon, cooked until crisp and cut into thirds
1 10 inch Cucumber, cut 1/2 inch slices
We are throwing in a seafood dish for your keto-themed Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy shrimp, bacon, and guacamole in one good dish. Generally, fishes and shellfishes are all keto-friendly. Aside from being a rich source of protein, shrimps also contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, all while staying carb-free. This recipe will surely brighten up the table with its vibrant guacamole underneath a butter-seared shrimp and on top of a crispy bacon.
In addition to the shrimp and bacon components, avocados are also a great source of proteins for a fruit and fats – the good kind! They are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that are known to help maintain cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases. The avocados impart the creamy texture in contrast with the crispy bacon and cucumber.
Plan your schedule ahead before deciding to make this recipe. Despite indicating that this recipe would only take you 20 minutes to prepare and another 20 minutes to assemble, reviews mentioned that it took them at least an hour or two. If you’re in-charge of cooking, we’re sure you are an expert and can whip this recipe up in no time.
