Diabetes Friendly Holiday Recipe Ideas

Our best collection of low carb flavorful holiday recipes perfect for people with diabetes.  If you don't have diabetes yourself, you probably have friends or family members who are watching their carbs.  Here's a roundup of some of the best diabetes-friendly holiday meals from appetizers to desserts!

This post originally published October 2019, now updated with new pictures and tips on holiday eating with diabetes. Be sure to check with your diabetes care team for guidance with your carb goals and proper meal planning during the holiday season.

Diabetes Friendly Holiday Appetizers

Appetizers don't have to be a carb disaster! Try cut up veggies in place of chips. Use lower fat sour cream in your dip recipe- no one will notice the difference. Check out our group of lower carb appetizers you will love!

Easy Cheese Ball Recipe

This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese, bacon, and green onions takes just 10 minutes prep! See how to make a bacon cream cheese cheese ball ahead for an effortless, impressive appetizer. 159cal/1gm carb. via wholesomeyum.com

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photo courtesy wholesomeyum.com

Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Marinated mozzarella balls seasoned with herbs and olive oil make a great appetizer or low carb snack. Make it ahead for best flavor!

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Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms

Pick big, plump mushrooms for this tasty and crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s also low carb and well-balanced. 196cal/8gm carb via ketocookingwins.com

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photo courtesy ketocookingwins.com

Antipasto Skewers

Use fresh rosemary to make antipasto skewers! Gorgeous appetizers featuring cheese, artichokes olives and sausage. Low carb, diabetes friendly and ready in just a few minutes.

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Low Carb Turkey Roll-Up

Low carb turkey roll ups ready in minutes! Use honey mustard or cream cheese for a satisfying on the go lunch. Makes a great party appetizer too!

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Diabetes Friendly Holiday Salads

Salads can be the perfect meal during the holidays. Bring a lower carb salad to your next event and how easy it is to get a satisfying meal full of flavor!

Keto Broccoli Salad

This crunchy and colorful keto broccoli salad makes the perfect picnic side dish or light lunch. Veggies, bacon, sunflower seeds and cheese coated in a creamy dressing-it's ready in about 15 minutes!

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Cornbread Salad

A crowd-pleasing recipe full of delicious veggies! Layers of peppers, onions, peas, cornbread and ranch dressing makes a great dip or side dish.

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Picnic Tomato Caprese Cups

The perfect make ahead picnic salad recipe.  The delicious flavors of caprese salad come together in a snap.

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Diabetes Friendly Entrees

Entrees are usually protein-based, so you shouldn't have to worry of carb overload. Try simple cooking techniques such as baking and roasting instead of frying for a lower calorie meal.

Simple Herb Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Herb roasted spatchcock chicken is packed with rosemary, thyme, and garlic, and paired with lemon herb gravy. It is juicy, savory, and gorgeous looking for your holiday table! 679cal/10gm carb via iheartumami.com

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photo courtesy iheartumami.com

Healthy Baked Salmon

An easy and elegant healthy baked salmon recipe featuring butter and seasonings.  Salmon is a good source of nutrients-and tastes great! Step by step photos and easy instructions.

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Rotisserie Chicken Recipe

Why pay for a salty, fat laden rotisserie chicken when you can have fun making your own?  Step by step rotisserie chicken recipe instructions included!

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Asparagus Stuffed Chicken

This Asparagus Stuffed Chicken is the perfect main dish for your next holiday dinner! Elegant and classy, it is also healthy and delicious! 287cal/5gm carb via dancingthroughtherain.com

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photo courtesy dancingthroughtherain.com

Diabetes Friendly Side Dishes

Be careful with side dishes as this is where calories and carbs can really add up! Look for veggie options and/or breads made with lower carb flour or simply go bread-free.

Jiffy Cornbread Dressing

Cornbread dressing is a side dish you can enjoy year round- not just for holidays! This recipe features some great time savers -Jiffy cornbread mix and pre-chopped veggies. Southern cornbread dressing in half the time.

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Herb Sausage Stuffing

A Low Carb and Keto friendly version of stuffing with cubes of herbed bread and ground sausage makes a perfect edition to your Thanksgiving feast! 435cal/7gm carb via ketocookingchristian.com

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photo courtesy ketocookingchristian.com

Cheesy Roasted Asparagus

Delicious roasted asparagus covered in melted cheese!  Quick and easy asparagus recipe perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

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Sweet Potato Casserole Cups - Reduced Sugar

Sweet potato casserole with all the flavor and less sugar makes a great make ahead diabetes friendly side dish.  Bake in muffin cups for easy portion control.

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Roasted Balsamic Green Beans

Fresh green beans tossed with cooking oil, seasonings, and balsamic vinegar then quickly baked in the oven at a higher temperature until tender, slightly caramelized and crispy around the edges. {vegan, paleo, gluten-free, whole30} via therisingspoon.com

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photo courtesy therisingspoon.com

Easy Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These mashed sweet potatoes are sure to be a crowd favorite. They have just the right amount of sweetness and lots of flavor. 130cal/20gm carb via wickedspatula.com

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photo courtesy wickedspatula.com

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe in the Oven

If you are looking for a flavorful side dish that everyone will rave over, this is the one. This bacon-wrapped. asparagus is simple to make and leaves a lasting impression. 202cal 3gm carb via wholesomeyum.com

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photo courtesy wholesomeyum.com

Diabetes Friendly Desserts

You won't miss the carb laden desserts when you try our selection of recipes! Be sure to follow directions carefully if you are new to cooking with sugar substitutes. The results will be worth it!

Diabetes Friendly Coconut Pie

Enjoy a sugar free crustless coconut pie at your holiday meal or anytime! Featuring low carb baking mix for a diabetes friendly treat!

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Foolproof Rich Chocolate Mousse

Foolproof Rich Chocolate Mousse is intensely rich and delicious. Using dark chocolate and vanilla bean paste in place of sugar your guests will over the moon with this delicious, make ahead dessert! via fabfood4all.co.uk

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Sweet Potato Cheesecake

A healthy ricotta cheese dessert recipe the whole family will love.  Each diabetes friendly cheesecake contains 19gm carb. It's the perfect way to enjoy sweet potatoes year round.

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Crustless Cheesecake

Enjoy a delicious tasting diabetes friendly cheesecake minus the crust! The smooth and creamy texture makes a satisfying lower carb dessert. Recipe features reduced sugar and no crust to lower carb count.

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More Resources with Holiday Recipe Ideas, Tips:

• Healthy Diabetic Thanksgiving Recipes - A nice array of holiday recipes for you from the Eating Well website.  These recipes offer nutrition info so you can properly assess your carb intake.  Nice work.
• A Diabetes Friendly Thanksgiving Feast - Another set of traditional recipes with nutrition info.  The recipes here sound great-check them out!
• 7 Easy Ways to Cut Carbs at Mealtimes
• Top 10 Comfort Foods Made Diabetes Friendly