Gluten Free Thanksgiving
What are your plans for your Thanksgiving table?
Planning a gluten-free Thanksgiving is no small feat. Hosting thanksgiving is never easy. Especially if you're getting together with family members who may not be on a gluten-free diet (Little do they know how delicious it can be!), or preparing a few dishes to bring over.
I want to run down the list of all our traditional Thanksgiving items, and help you think through how to modify each of them to be gluten-free. Separately, look out for my next post on spicing up some of these traditional recipes to be more unique and delicious in a different spin on things, and of course still keeping it gluten-free and delicious.
First, let’s talk turkey. In general, turkey is gluten-free, but the challenge comes down to what you stuff the turkey with. You can simply replace stuffing recipes with gluten free baguettes (Schar) or bread (Canyon bakehouse, Three bakers), or take this opportunity to experiment with new stuffing ideas, like Taiwanese sticky rice, a recipe full of savory aroma from sausage, mushroom, and full of flavor from the shallots and tamari.
Next, let’s talk sides. This one’s a little easier, as many sides are gluten free, and others can be made gluten free with minor modifications. Plan ahead as some of the gluten free ingredients may not be as readily available everywhere.
- Swapping out the fried onions for gluten free versions.
- Plan to make your own gravy. If you’re short on time and using store bought gravy, making sure it’s gluten free, or substitute with some GF cream of chicken and add a touch of black pepper / fresh herbs for taste.
- Marshmallows are typically not gluten free (and I’d argue that sweet potatoes and yams are sweet and tasty as is!). But if you’re looking to make candied yams, dandies make some great gluten free marshmallows.
For a rich but not heavy side, check out my homemade vegan green bean casserole recipe. And if you’re short on time, check out the simplified 4-step recipe using store bought GF cream of mushroom.
And it wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving dinner without the pie. I started to see more and more restaurants and markets finally begin to offer gluten free Thanksgiving takeout options - only to have the pie missing. There are (thankfully) a gluten free pie options available here and there, but with all the gluten-free crusts available out there, it’s incredibly easy to make your own, which I highly, highly recommend. Trader Joes offers a gluten free pie crust during the holiday season and it’s probably one of my favorites. Thought many other options have popped up over the years, and I use several interchangeably.
If you’re looking for a easy to make and tasty pie to impress, check out my walnut crumble apple pie recipe. And you’d be surprised just how easy a pumpkin pie can be made with a little help from a blender - recipe coming soon!
I hope this blog helps take some of the stress out of your gluten-free Thanksgiving prep. We’ll be preparing a pared down Thanksgiving chicken (for two) this year, with homemade pie and I look forward to recreating that green bean casserole recipe. Follow me on Instagram to see what we prepare next week!
*Note that the products links I include are to make my reader’s life easier in finding what’s available online if they’re looking for gluten-free options. It is not an endorsement, as I encourage buying more affordable options not available online/making your own.