Your Guide to A Gluten-Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday full of family, gratitude and of course delicious food for days!  It may seem overwhelming to navigate our food-focused cultural celebrations when you are dealing with a food allergy, sensitivity, intolerance or any type of preferences, like vegetarian, plant-based, light and healthy, etc.  In our home, 50% of us have been gluten-free for the past few years with wonderful effects.  The other half tend to eat gluten-free but not all the time.  My youngest son, Dillon, and I both found different benefits, of going gluten-free like focus and less IBS symptoms, and it’s gotten much easier to execute over time.  But holidays and parties can add another layer of thought, planning and execution.

So, here’s your guide to a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving, from our New England home to yours!   From apps to dessert, it’s a fun way to celebrate without wheat.

1. Homemade Especially for You

   

   Any course can accidentally include gluten so be sure to look closely to avoid hidden sources of gluten and make your own from scratch!

   Gravy & sauces are where flour can lurk. Try this Vegan, Gluten-Free Gravy that’s quick, easy and tasty.

   • Vegetable Stock and Broth may contain gluten. Read labels carefully or use your juicer pulp to create your own.
   • Salad dressings can be another haven for gluten or additives. Creating your own is so easy and much tastier.  Try this Gorgeous Salad full of fall ingredients and use the Walnut Oil dressing.

2. You Don’t Need Bread Before Dinner

   

   No need for gluten here.  All of your guests will enjoy these healthy, gluten-free pre-meal bites so you can pass on the bread.  Many appetizers typically include bread crumbs or flour for texture.  It’s simple to make a switch without sacrificing flavor. Try these winners:

   • Cashew Cream Stuffed Mushrooms 
   • Gluten Free Pumpkin Gnocchi
   • Chopped Cranberry ‘N Collards Salad
   • Pumpkin Turmeric Cauliflower Soup
   • Harvest Roasted Veggie Soup

3. Delicious Sides Don’t Have to Contain Gluten

   

   There are so many gluten-free flours on the market these days.  Many are created to be a 1:1 substitution for wheat based flours, making them an easy swap in most recipes. If you’re worried about impressing your guests without gluten, try making these:

   • Gluten Free Cornbread Recipe
   • Coconut Chia Shortbread Squares
   • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Squash and Dijon Vinaigrette
   • Roasted Vegetables
   • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears & Butternut Squash
   • Truffle Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes

4. Main Dishes Made Plant-Based

   

   Offer some non-turkey, seasonal main dish options which could double as a side.

   • Lentil & Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
   • Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Mushrooms & Sage
   • Vegan Spinach & Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash

5. No Need to Skip the Last Course

   

   Limiting your portion to help prevent pounds from packing on makes sense, but no need to go cold turkey on treats when you can enjoy these gluten-free, smart sweets using healthier ingredients.

   • Gluten Free, Vegan Apple Pie
   • Vegan Chocolate Freezer Fudge
   • Coconut Carrot Cake Protein Balls
   • Pumpkin Fig Mini Pies