Let’s face it: Everyone looks forward to the food on Thanksgiving. But it’s hard to really enjoy the classic indulgences if you can’t even eat the stuffing!
Speaking from experience, being allergic to gluten can really put a damper on enjoying the holiday treats. Gluten is found in any foods containing wheat, barley, or rye. It can even be found in foods that don’t contain any of these ingredients but have come into contact with foods that do. Fear no more, though, gluten-free friends! I have compiled a list of tasty (and reasonably priced) ways to replace traditional ingredients in your favorite Thanksgiving dishes and desserts with gluten-free alternatives.
If you have a gluten allergy, if you’re gluten-free by choice, or if you’re not gluten-free and just want to try something new, this list is a great way to put together a delicious and edible (finally!) Thanksgiving dinner.
1. The Turkey!
- Turkey? Isn’t gluten only found in bread? If you are not used to the gluten-free lifestyle, you probably never would have guessed that turkey contains gluten. The good news is, most turkeys don’t. Buying pre-smoked or pre-flavored turkeys, though, might mean risking gluten contamination, so it’s best to stay away from these at all costs.
2. STUFFING
- Yes, stuffing is made out of bread, enemy number one of the gluten-free community. There is a way, though, to make a delicious stuffing that is completely gluten-free!
- Instead of using cubes of white bread or whole wheat bread, try chopping up a loaf of gluten-free bread as an alternative ingredient in your favorite stuffing recipe. If chopping bread doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you could even buy a box of pre-made gluten free stuffing mix ($4-$5) and get the meal started even faster!
Try this Gluten-Free Stuffing recipe
Where: Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Jewel Osco, Target
Price: $6-$7 per loaf
3. Green Bean Casserole
- What would Thanksgiving be without the green bean casserole (that you either love or hate)? Unfortunately, this tasty side dish also has some ingredients with heavy gluten content. The cream of mushroom soup that holds this dish together usually comes from a can, so you don’t even have to make it from scratch. Instead of using Campbell’s soup, though, try using a can of Progresso’s Creamy Mushroom Soup, which is completely gluten-free. As for the topping, French’s Fried Onions don’t make the cut for a gluten-free meal. With a few extra minutes and some gluten-free flour or pancake mix, though, you can have fresh and crispy gluten-free fried onions!
Try this Green Bean Casserole recipe
Where: Soup—Target; Flour—Target, Jewel Osco
Price: Soup—$2 per can; Flour—$5-$8 per bag
4. Mac n’ Cheese
- You probably already know that noodles aren’t gluten-free friendly. But did you know that neither are some cheeses? Finding gluten-free cheese can be a little tricky, so it may be best to stick with boxed mac n’ cheese for this meal. Just because it comes in a box, though, doesn’t mean it won’t be delicious. Annie’s gluten free mac n’ cheese and creamy white rice shells are a tasty solution to creating a quick and easy macaroni side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.
Tip: Sprinkle some gluten-free breadcrumbs on top and bake in the oven for an extra crisp on top!
Where: Target, Whole Foods
Price: $2-$2.50 per box
5. Gravy
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Gravy has gluten in it? Yes! Many gravy recipes call for flour to thicken the sauce. Instead of using white flour, though, try using rice flour or even cornstarch for a simple replacement without losing the gravy’s creamy consistency.
Try this quick and easy gravy recipe
Where: Flour—Target, Jewel Osco
Price: $5-$8 per bag
6. Cornbread
- Even though cornbread is primarily made of cornmeal, most cornbread recipes also call for some type of flour. As with most other recipes, you can replace this flour with rice flour, and as long as you make sure you’ve purchased gluten-free cornmeal, you’re good to go. Some of the best cornbread I’ve ever had has been gluten-free, which just goes to show that changing up a few ingredients here and there might even make your Thanksgiving dinner taste better than you thought it ever could!
Try this great cornbread recipe
Where: Cornmeal—Whole Foods, Target
Price: $3-$4 per bag
7. Mashed Potatoes
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Just kidding! Luckily, most mashed potato recipes only call for potatoes, butter, milk and seasonings, making them gluten-free!
8. Pumpkin Pie
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I’ve gone too many Thanksgivings having to scoop the filling out of a perfectly good pumpkin pie, leaving behind a nice, flaky crust. If you have a severe gluten allergy, scooping the filling out isn’t even an option! For that very reason, it’s important to have a gluten-free alternative. Make sure everyone gets some dessert by buying a pre-made gluten-free crust or try using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free crust mix to create a pie everyone can enjoy!
Where: Whole Foods, Target
Price: Pre-made crust—$7-$8, Mix—$2-$4
9. Apple Pie
- Unlike pumpkin pie, apple pie typically has a crust on top, making it even more difficult to pick out any edible filling if you’re gluten-free. If you’re planning on making an apple pie this Thanksgiving, consider using gluten-free flour and cornstarch to construct your piecrust. The trick with making your own gluten-free piecrust is including xanthan gum. What in the world is that? When breads and pastries don’t have gluten, they are often crispier and crunchier than white bread or whole grain bread, because they are missing the gluten protein that makes dough elastic. Xanthan gum is a powder that thickens dough to make it flakier and increases the quality of its consistency. So if you’re prepared to make a quick trip to the supermarket, you’re one step closer to baking an incredible apple pie!
Where: Xanthan Gum—Whole Foods, Target
Price: $4-$10 per bottle
10. Spiced Pumpkin Muffins
- Finally, to spice up your Thanksgiving meal, try making these pumpkin muffins using a simple gluten-free flour blend. They will make for a delicious Thanksgiving side dish or dessert.
It may sound like a lot of work to replace all of your traditional Thanksgiving ingredients with gluten-free ones. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your gluten-free family members, or your gluten-free friends, though, it’s worth it to spend an extra few minutes wandering the aisles of the grocery store to create a filling and delicious holiday meal that everyone can enjoy. Also, let’s not forget to be thankful that at least mashed potatoes are gluten-free!
*All images found on Tumblr.