Tips to Enjoy a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Many of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes are made with gluten: stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie, and the list goes on.

Thankfully, it is possible to still enjoy most of these dishes by making some gluten-free substitutes during the cooking and baking process.

Make sure to inform hosts of your dietary restrictions, offer to bring a gluten-free dish, and don’t be shy when it comes to saying “no.”

Many families across America will be sitting down to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with their family and friends. For some, this is their favorite holiday full of delicious, savoury dishes like gravy, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and of course, turkey! While there’s no denying these foods are tasty, they can also be full of gluten which poses a problem for those with a gluten allergy or intolerance.

Gluten can be a hard thing to avoid, but it’s not impossible. Many meals can now be made gluten-free with just a few simple swaps or substitutions. This means dietary restrictions don’t have to ruin another special holiday meal! Especially one that is traditionally packed with gluten-filled foods. Here are some tips on how to enjoy a gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner…

Avoid: Pre-Stuffed Turkey

The turkey is the heart of any Thanksgiving meal. While there are a select few who don’t like turkey, for the most part, you can expect every Thanksgiving table to have one of these juicy birds sitting at the center. People who cannot eat gluten might have to avoid this dish, but there is a way around it!

Instead of purchasing a pre-stuffed turkey, go for a fresh one whenever possible. According to the Canadian Celiac Association, pre-stuffed turkeys are usually contaminated with gluten which makes them unsafe to eat. This is particularly true for someone who is celiac or has another gluten disorder. It’s also important to note that some frozen turkeys are injected with broth to make them juicy, so the source also suggests avoiding these unless it can be determined that the broth is gluten-free.

Avoid: Crusted Desserts

The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Thanksgiving desserts is pumpkin pie. There’s nothing better than finishing off a meal with a piece of warm pumpkin pie that has a nice flaky, crumbly crust that is topped with a big dollop of whipped cream. Yum! Sadly, this is another seasonal staple that should be avoided.

Most pumpkin pies are made with lots of flour and butter which is a no-go for people with a gluten allergy or intolerance. If you just can’t live without a slice, there are some gluten-free options on the market. Bob’s Red Mill makes a gluten-free pie crust, so does Pillsbury. Otherwise, swap it out for a dish of fruit and ice cream or another gluten-free treat.

Avoid: Green Bean Casserole

Unlike some of the other dishes on this list, this one might be surprising. But don’t be fooled by the vegetables. At first glance, it might seem harmless…green beans, milk, crispy onions, and a can of mushroom soup. What’s there to be scared of? Hiding behind all those green beans is lots of gluten.

When it comes to casseroles, you don’t have to avoid them entirely. It just depends what ingredients are used. If you’re going to serve up a helping of a green bean casserole, make sure you know all the ingredients first. For example, some cream of mushroom soups can contain wheat flour. Same with crispy onions. While it might not be obvious upfront, once the dish is broken down by ingredients it might reveal some hidden gluten.