November 21, 2012 | 2 minute read

Updated on November 15, 2021

Whether you’re hosting the Thanksgiving meal or contributing a dish or two to the feast, enjoy your traditional favorites, but this year, be adventurous. Try something new using colorful and tasty vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains or nuts.

You’ll make your friends and family who are trying to cut back on meat happy, plus serve up delicious dishes that are good for everyone’s health. And these plant-based foods provide cancer-fighting fiber, vitamins A and C and other phytochemicals.

Don’t know where to start? These are some favorite AICR recipes that can help you plan out your holiday menu.

Appetizers

Roasted Spiced Chickpeas

Who doesn’t love a good crunch? These roasted chickpeas are a great make-ahead option that packs fiber, protein and other beneficial phytonutrients.

Roasted Ratatouille Dip

A fun dip to include in your appetizer spread—filled with flavor and packed with vegetables you can pair this recipe with whole grain dippers like whole grain flatbread or whole wheat tortilla chips.

Sides

Warm Kale Salad

Made with sautéed curly kale, sweet roasted beets and crunchy red quinoa this warm salad is sure to be a crowd pleaser along with being super nutritious offering bright color along with a satisfying crunch.

Main Course

Walnut Tomato Sauce with Zucchini Noodles

Who says that enjoying lasagna can’t be a main part of a thanksgiving meal? This recipe features a walnut tomato sauce with zucchini lasagna noodles, offering a modern reinvention of lasagna.

Dessert

Apple Cinnamon Fruit Leather

For a unique but delicious dessert option, featuring apples, warm cinnamon spice and the natural sweetness of Medjool dates, this fruit leather is rich in fiber and contains quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties.

Beverage

Ginger and Turmeric Hot Cider

A wonderful holiday drink to spice up the menu and a great alternative to sugary drinks or alcohol. This no added sugar cider has unique flavors of ginger and turmeric paired with naturally sweet apple providing a wide range of cancer-fighting compounds.

You can browse AICR’s library of delicious and healthy recipes and search by type of dish or specific ingredient.