5 Kidney-Friendly Thanksgiving Dishes Everyone Will Love

This Thanksgiving, why not add a fresh twist to your holiday menu with delicious and kidney-disease-friendly dishes? Whether you're looking for plant-based options, low-sodium choices, or lighter alternatives, these dishes make it easier than ever to enjoy a festive meal without sacrificing taste.

Set the holiday mood with one or both of these kidney-friendly appetizers.

1. Mushroom Croquettes

These croquettes are a healthier version of a classic snack. They are made with mushrooms, whole wheat flour, and oat milk and cooked in an air fryer to make them crispy. They make a great appetizer, and you can easily swap ingredients to fit your diet, like using gluten-free flour or different types of milk.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
• 2 cups raw mushrooms, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp black pepper
• ⅓ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup unsweetened oat milk without phosphorus additives, warm
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ cup Japanese breadcrumbs, Panko
• 1 tsp dried parsley

Directions

1. Preheat a medium skillet on the stove over medium heat.
2. Add one tablespoon of oil, mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Reduce the temperature to low heat.
4. Add the remaining oil and flour. Cook the flour for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add the warm milk and nutmeg. Keep stirring the mixture. Cook for 2-4 minutes until thickened.
6. Transfer the mixture to a container with a lid. Let it cool for 20-30 minutes. Then, cover the container and place it in the freezer for 1 hour.
7. Remove from the freezer. With a knife, divide the mixture into six equal parts.
8. In a small container, add breadcrumbs with dried parsley. Mix.
9. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
10. Take each equal part of the mixture and form a cylinder shape with your hands. You can also use two spoons to shape the croquette.
11. Roll the croquette in the breadcrumb mixture with parsley. Place it on the air fryer tray. Continue making the croquettes. You can store them in the freezer if you are not eating immediately.
12. Cook the croquettes for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
13. Let the croquettes cool for 4-5 minutes. Serve and enjoy hot.

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2. Curry Ginger Pea Dip

This tasty, creamy dip is easy to make and low in calories. Blend the ingredients until smooth and serve with salt-free crackers or corn tortillas.

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen peas, boiled or steamed
• ½ cup frozen corn, thawed
• ½ – inch piece of raw ginger, peeled and chopped
• ¼ tsp salt-free curry powder
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch cayenne, optional

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients together in a blender with two tablespoons of water.
2. Puree until it is smooth, and add more water as necessary to get the desired "dip" consistency.
3. Taste and adjust spices as necessary.
4. Serve with salt-free rice crackers or toasted low-sodium corn tortillas.

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3. Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas

This flavorful main dish is perfect for Thanksgiving. The chicken is seasoned with a citrus blend and cooked until golden, then drizzled with lime juice. The rice is cooked with green peas and butter for a rich, delicious side. It's a great option for those looking for a healthy yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

For the Jerk Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp Mrs. Dash Caribbean citrus seasoning blend
• 1 lime, juiced

For the Rice and Peas:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1/4 cup green peas (avoid kidney beans to limit potassium)
• 2 tbsp butter or margarine
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Directions

Jerk Chicken:

1. Rub the chicken breasts with the citrus seasoning blend.
2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on each side and fully cooked through.
3. Drizzle with lime juice.

Rice and Peas:

1. In a pot, melt the butter or margarine. Add the rice and peas, stirring for a minute.
2. Add the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice is cooked and all the liquid is absorbed.
4. Plate the jerk chicken alongside a generous serving of rice and peas.

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Finish out your evening with a light, but satisfying dessert.

4. Apple Bread Loaf

Our apple bread loaf is a tasty and healthy Thanksgiving dessert with grated apples, applesauce, whole wheat flour, and oats.

Ingredients

• One medium apple with peel, grated (1¼ cups unpacked)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup ground oats

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.
3. Spray an 8.5” x 4.5” rectangular pan with non-stick spray.
4. Add the mixture to the pan. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
5. Remove the apple bread from the oven and let it cool. Cut into 12 slices of 0.6”.
6. Store in the refrigerator.

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5. Banana Pudding

This easy-to-make pudding offers a lighter, refreshing option to balance out the heavier holiday dishes.

Ingredients

• Two ripe bananas
• 16 ounces silken tofu
• Two pitted Medjool dates
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Eight phosphate-free vanilla wafer cookies, divided (may substitute phosphate-free graham cracker)
• 8 tbsp dairy-free whipped topping
• One banana, sliced (optional)

Directions

1. Add bananas, tofu, Medjool dates, and vanilla extract using a food processor or blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into serving ramekins or glasses.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the pudding to firm. Note: some spotting and browning on the top may naturally occur from the dates and banana.
5. Garnish each serving with two vanilla wafer cookies and two tablespoons of whipped topping.
6. Optional garnish: add sliced bananas
7. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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View our kidney superfoods or get more kidney-friendly recipes.