Thanksgiving is right around the corner and if you are like me you are scanning Pinterest to try and find ways to make your Thanksgiving healthier. It is known that we all consume more fat and calories than normal on Thanksgiving day, but you don’t have to hit the national average of 4,500 calories and 225 grams of fat. I am going to give you five recipes that will cut back that caloric and fat intake by substituting one simple ingredient: greek yogurt.
Full Disclosure: This post is a part of a 4 part series sponsored by Indiana Dairy. Indiana Dairy has paid me for my time for these posts. They have provided a registered dietitian for me to ask questions and gain knowledge. All opinions are my own. I have not been asked to push a specific product. You can find my other two posts here: Creamy Oatmeal and What You Should Be Putting in Your Grocery Cart.
Before I share these substitutes, let me get real with you. It is Thanksgiving. I will enjoy it and some of my favorite foods that day because I do not do it every single day of the year. However, I know what is worth it to me and what is not. When I can make substitutes to make food better for me, less calories, and have more nutritional value, I will.
That is what I love about greek yogurt: it is a great dairy substitute that does not lack in flavor. In our house we use greek yogurt as a substitute and an addition often. I use it instead of sour cream, it is my favorite replacement for mayo and it adds great flavor to our Saturday morning pancakes. The options for greek yogurt our endless.
Greek Yogurt Recipe Swaps
This Thanksgiving sub out your butter, milk, mayo, sour cream, condensed soup and cool whip for the wonderful greek yogurt. I promise, you won’t even notice the different. None of these recipes are my own, I have found them around the web and tried them out on my own. They have been kid & husband tested and approved in my own kitchen.
1. Mashed Potatoes
This is the easiest greek yogurt substitute. Just like regular mashed potatoes, you keep adding until you get the right consistency and flavor for your tastebuds. I allow the greek yogurt to completely replace the butter in our mashed potatoes but still add a splash of milk and some minced garlic and pepper.
2. Broccoli Salad
Growing up we always had broccoli salad at Thanksgiving dinner and it was the only way I would eat raw broccoli. Who doesn’t like something that is loaded with mayo, bacon and sugar. Belle of the Kitchen replaces the mayo and sugar dressing with greek yogurt- your guests won’t notice a difference. I actually enjoy the replacement more because it allows you to taste the bacon more. And who doesn’t like bacon?
3. Vegetable Dip
Replace that huge container of sour cream for a huge container of greek yogurt. You can still add your favorite ranch or french onion spice mixture and dip away your veggies. Make sure you serve it in a pretty bowl and don’t tell your guests- they will never know.
4. Green Bean Casserole
Who doesn’t love a yummy green bean casserole? This used to be my husband’s responsibility every Thanksgiving before he was married. I loved this recipe and the creaminess of this dish thanks to the greek yogurt. I did substitute the cheddar cheese for 1/2 cup of parmesan instead and it was delicious. I also added 1 cup of chopped mushrooms.
5. Pumpkin Pie Dip
I used to serve a similar pumpkin pie dip during the fall and recently decided I would cut my cool whip in half, add Greek Yogurt and get rid of all the sugar that is in a box of instant pudding mix. I am so glad I made this change because my new Pumpkin Pie Dip is so yummy! It is the perfect guilt-free Thanksgiving dessert.
To make this dip, combine equal parts cool whip, greek yogurt and pumpkin. Add 1/4-1 teaspoon of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla, mix in your pecans and serve with your choice of fruit.
Before you try out any of these greek yogurt recipes, make sure you are buying the PLAIN greek yogurt. I’d hate to have you end up with strawberry greek yogurt mashed potatoes or blueberry broccoli salad. Make sure you add “Greek Yogurt” to your grocery list this holiday season and try out one of the yummy recipe swaps above. I promise you your guests won’t know the difference and they will probably appreciate you looking out for their waist line.
Your turn- tell me!
What is your favorite way to use Greek Yogurt?
How do you make recipes better for your family?
I love these ideas! Greek yogurt is so versatile and makes a great recipe swap. In baking too!
What is your favorite baking recipe to use it in? I love it in pancakes, but haven’t tried much more baking with it.
Great ideas! It’s amazing what a perfect substitute Greek yogurt is, I try to use it as much as I can!
Thanks for reading, Janelle. What do you like to use it for?
Oh wow, these are great ideas! I love veggie dip but very rarely use it because of how bad it is, but the yogurt exchange is genius!! thanks for the ideas!
Me too! And I could barely taste the difference. So good!
We substituted with yogurt in our mash this year (canadian thanksgiving has come and gone!) and I loved it! 10/10 would recommend!
That is one of my favorites! Yum!
Hollie these are great swaps! I have a poundcake recipe that calls for sour cream that I swap in yogurt and nobody knows the difference!
mmmm That sounds amazing! I love dessert.
I use Greek yogurt in anything that calls for sour cream. I’ve also found that I love combining it with salsa and using it as a salad dressing. I always have a huge container in the fridge.
The greek yogurt substitute in mashed potatoes sounds like a great idea. I’ll have to give it a try!