Sweet potatoes are a classic component of many Thanksgiving meals, and this year should be no exception! These delicious recipes are diabetes-friendly since they are lower in carbs, calories, sodium and saturated fat, making them a great option for those looking to support healthy blood sugar levels. From classic options like Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole to refreshing new takes, like our Sweet Potato Home Fries with Cranberry-Hazelnut Crumble, there are plenty of delicious choices to make this Thanksgiving.
Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a homemade sweet potato casserole. We like to sprinkle chopped pecans on top along with the marshmallows for a bit of texture.
Sweet Potato Home Fries with Cranberry-Hazelnut Crumble
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Chelesa Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
These home fries are made with sweet potatoes, which are rich in fiber as well as vitamin A, a nutrient which can help support a healthy immune system. Actor Anthony Anderson likes sprinkling a cranberry-hazelnut crumble on top for an easy but delicious upgrade.
Crispy Air-Fried Sweet Potato Wedges
Side dish or snack? We say both! The smoky spice blend is easy to whip up ahead of time, but the potatoes are best eaten while hot. Though it’s tempting to crowd the air-fryer basket and cook everything in one batch, resist the urge—air flow is crucial for maximum crispiness. Not a fan of cilantro? Try basil, parsley or fresh thyme leaves.
Roasted Garlic-Butter Sweet Potatoes
Ali Redmond
Roasting a whole head of garlic brings out its sweetness and mellows its pungency, creating a smooth, caramelized paste that blends beautifully with melted butter. When tossed with perfectly roasted sweet potatoes, the result is a delicious side dish that’s easy to prepare and pairs with almost everything. You can even add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to elevate the flavor profile.
Roasted Sweet Potato & Arugula Salad with Pomegranate & Walnuts
From peppery arugula to sweet pomegranate arils, this salad has the perfect balance of flavors. If using a fresh pomegranate, slice it into wedges and submerge in a large bowl of water. Then, gently pry the arils off with your fingers.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Garlic-Yogurt Sauce
A creamy garlic-yogurt sauce pairs well with the sweetness of these crispy roasted sweet potatoes. To achieve the signature hasselback appearance, position two wooden spoons alongside the potatoes as you cut. The spoons will prevent you from cutting through the sweet potatoes entirely and won’t cause damage to the knife blade.
Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
This version of the holiday staple uses a little bourbon to boost the flavor of the sweet potatoes, but you can also use orange juice. Baking the potatoes in their skins allows their natural sugars to caramelize for enhanced sweetness.
Spinach Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, White Beans & Basil
Roasted sweet potatoes are paired with spinach, cabbage and white beans and tossed together with a bright basil dressing in this healthy main dish salad.
Air-Fryer Sweet Potatoes
These air-fryer sweet potatoes are nicely crisped around the edges and tender on the inside. Ground sumac adds a nice tang to the spice mix, but paprika can be used in its place.
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
The genius hack in this recipe: topping sweet potatoes with marshmallows while they’re still piping hot from the slow cooker yields a baked marshmallow topping that’s typical with baked sweet potato casseroles.
Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
In this healthy side dish recipe, sweet potatoes are tossed with maple syrup, butter and lemon juice and roasted until tender and golden brown. The delicious glaze that forms on these maple-roasted sweet potatoes transforms this ultra-simple dish into something sublime.
Sweet Potato & Turnip Mash with Sage Butter
This sweet potato and turnip mash is fragrant with fresh sage, making it a delicious side for any meal.
Meringue-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole
This lightened-up take on the classic Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole is spiked with crushed pineapple and toasted pecans. We top it with an airy, slightly sweet meringue. You can pipe the meringue to make it look fancy or simply spread it neatly with a rubber spatula.
Sweet Potato, Kale & Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
Ali Redmond
These hearty kale salads hold up well for 4 days. To keep the ingredients from getting soggy, dress this salad and top it with peanuts just before serving. For a delicious vegan option, swap in roasted tofu for the chicken breast.
Sheet-Pan Roasted Root Vegetables
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Sue Mitchell
One pan is all you need for a heaping pile of nutritious, tender and colorful roasted root vegetables. Whip up this recipe at the beginning of the week to use in easy, healthy dinners all week long.
Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air-fried sweet potato fries are crispy, tender and delicately sweet. They’re also made with less fat than traditional fries, so they’re a healthier option when you’re craving crunchy spuds. If the cinnamon-pepper spice is too intense, try thyme, oregano, paprika or garlic instead.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
This incredibly simple and quick roasted sweet potatoes recipe relies on the most basic of seasonings: olive oil, salt and pepper. Serve it as a holiday meal side or with your favorite main dish for a quick weeknight meal.
Winter Kale & Quinoa Salad with Avocado
Precooked quinoa helps keep this healthy salad recipe quick and simple. Loaded with black beans, kale and avocado, this recipe is as filling as it is nutritious. You can also make the sweet potatoes and dressing ahead.
Smashed Spiced Sweet Potatoes
Chili powder, cumin and ginger combine to create these spicy mashed sweet potatoes. A touch of maple syrup balances the spice for a twist on a traditional Thanksgiving side dish.
Kale & Roasted Sweet Potato Hash
This one-pan hash makes an easy fall dinner or a simple dish for a healthy brunch. You can even poach the eggs ahead of time–slip them into steaming-hot water to rewarm them just before serving.