Looking for the best gluten-free thanksgiving sides? In this guide, you'll find a gluten-free versions of thanksgiving classics and ingredient swaps for your favorite side dish recipes!
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Gluten-Free Cooking Tips
Are you new to gluten-free cooking or cooking for a gluten-free friend or family member? If so, be sure to read through these tips before making your gluten-free thanksgiving side dishes!
It is important to take precautions when cooking gluten-free, especially if that person has celiac disease or a severe gluten-intolerance, in which even cross-contact with gluten can make them sick. Here are some tips to help you make a gluten-free thanksgiving dinner that's safe to consume and that your gluten-free guest will feel confident eating!
- Gluten-Free means no Wheat, Barley, Rye or Oats.
- Check Labels: Check labels on every product you'll be using to make the dish.
- Yes, on every single product! You'd be surprised where gluten can hide, especially if you're not immersed in the gluten-free diet.
- Look for a gluten-free claim. This can be as simple as the words, "gluten-free" printed somewhere on the label or a small symbol indicating the product is certified gluten-free. If you see either of these, the product is safe to use!
- Look for an allergen statement. This is usually found under the ingredient list. If the label states: Contains Wheat or May Contain Wheat, avoid this product.
- There can be a difference of ingredients between the name brand and store-brand items, so never assume a product is safe to swap without checking the label.
- Use fresh ingredients: If you've ever dunked a measuring cup into the flour bin and then into the sugar bin without cleaning it first, guess what? Your sugar is no longer safe to use for someone who is gluten-free.
- You must buy a fresh bag of any baking ingredient that could have been contaminated with flour.
- Avoid Cross-Contact in the Kitchen: Be sure to keep flour away from your gluten-free dish!
- Cook in a clean environment and at a separate time from your regular cooking.
- Use freshly washed counters, utensils, pans, mixing bowls, etc.
- Keep airborne flour away from your gluten-free dish with a lid or cover.
- Save the labels or ask if you're not sure. Your gluten-free guest will be very appreciative if you save the labels on your ingredients so they can see what you've used to make the dish.
- Use the recommended gluten-free flour: Gluten-free cooking can be more tricky than regular cooking. Gluten-free recipes are typically developed using certain flours. Making a substitution can lead to poor results, so always follow the recipe as written and use the recommended products.
Common Gluten-Free Swaps
Traditional thanksgiving recipes can often lean heavily on wheat flour. Here are some common gluten-free ingredient swaps for many of the traditional Thanksgiving side dish recipes:
- Flour for Thickening (Gravy, Sauces, and Casseroles):
- Use cornstarch or sweet rice flour as a thickening agent instead of wheat flour. See below for a gluten-free gravy recipe.
- Turkey:
- Substitute cornstarch, rice flour, or potato flour for regular flour when seasoning turkey or cooking in an oven bag.
- Stuffing:
- Use gluten-free bread cubes or gluten-free cornbread for making stuffing.
- Be sure to use gluten-free chicken broth, and ensure any added seasonings are gluten-free. Check labels on bouillon cubes, not all are gluten-free.
- For a store-bought option, find the best gluten-free stuffing mix brands.
- Mashed Potatoes:
- Mashed potatoes made with cream and butter are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels on any additional ingredients, like sour cream or cream cheese to ensure they are gluten-free.
- Green Bean Casserole:
- Use gluten-free fried onions and gluten-free cream of mushroom soup. Some grocery stores, like Aldi, carry these items around the holidays.
- Sweet Potato Casserole:
- Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free oats in the streusel topping. (Regular oats are not gluten-free.)
- Dinner Rolls:
- Traditional bread is not gluten-free. Check your local grocery store for gluten-free bread mixes or you can make your own using a gluten-free recipe, there are several recipes down below!
- Macaroni and Cheese:
- Use gluten-free pasta.
- Make the cheese sauce with sweet rice flour instead of wheat flour. Refer to this gluten-free béchamel recipe for how to make the cheese sauce.
- Pumpkin Pie (or other desserts):
- Use a gluten-free pie crust or make a crustless pie.
- Check labels to ensure canned pumpkin puree and any spices are gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Stuffing
You can't have a thanksgiving feast without stuffing! These classic recipes with delicious flavors will be a hit with the whole family.
Gluten-free Sage and Onion Stuffing
Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Classic Gluten-Free Side Dishes
From creamy mashed potatoes to family favorites like sweet potato casserole and corn casserole, all your favorite thanksgiving side dishes are right here!
Gluten-free Sweet Potato Soufflé
Gluten-Free Corn Casserole (Jiffy Recipe)
Gluten-free Hashbrown Casserole
Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes
Cranberry Almond Slaw with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes: The Instant Pot is absolutely the easiest, no-mess, no-fuss way to make mashed potatoes. Adding a few cloves of garlic takes the flavor to the next level!
- Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole: This gluten free green bean casserole with crispy fried onions tastes like the traditional green beans you remember every Thanksgiving, crispy topping and all!
- Gluten-Free Roasted Brussels Sprouts: These gluten-free roasted brussels sprouts have the perfect mix of salty and sweet. They are topped with balsamic glaze and bacon!
- Gluten-Free Honey Roasted Butternut Squash: This roasted butternut squash with honey and smoked paprika is easy to make and delicious!
- Gluten-Free Cranberry Sauce: This simple, 3-ingredient cranberry sauce recipe is very easy to make and better than canned!
- Gluten-Free Creamed Spinach: This creamed spinach recipe is easy to make in about 15 minutes.
Gluten-Free Cream Soup and Gravy
Cream soups and gravy tend to lean on wheat as a thickening agent, but there are easy alternatives. Instead of using traditional wheat flour as a thickening agent, opt for gluten-free alternatives like cornstarch or sweet rice flour.
Gluten-free Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
Gluten-free Gravy
Gluten-Free Rolls and Bread
Softy and fluffy gluten-free dinner rolls are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. Gluten-free rolls are best eaten fresh, the day they are prepared.
Gluten-free Yeast Dinner Rolls
Gluten-Free Jiffy Cornbread Muffins
Gluten-Free Brioche Bread
Gluten-free Hawaiian Rolls
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls with Caputo Fioreglut
Gluten-Free Thanksgiving FAQs
Stuffing a turkey with traditional wheat-based stuffing does indeed make it not gluten-free. When you stuff a turkey with regular bread-based stuffing, the gluten from the bread will have cross-contact with the turkey, which is enough to make someone with severe gluten intolerance or celiac disease sick.
Turkey is inherently gluten-free. However, gluten can be introduced from various sources; such as seasonings, marinades, during the cooking process, by stuffing a turkey with wheat-based stuffing, or using gluten-containing gravy. To ensure a gluten-free turkey, carefully read labels, choose gluten-free ingredients and seasonings, and avoid cross-contact with other gluten-containing foods during cooking and serving.
The flour in an oven bag serves as a barrier to prevent bursting during cooking. For a gluten-free alternative substitute cornstarch, rice flour, potato flour, or a gluten-free 1:1 flour. Feel free to use whichever you have available, as they will all work effectively to serve the same purpose.
Gluten can be found unexpectedly in various foods. Surprising sources include soy sauce, corn flakes, Rice Krispies, condensed soups, marinades, store-bought gravy and mixes, bouillon, broths, malt vinegar, imitation crab, and condiments. Always read labels carefully to determine if the item contains wheat, barley, or rye. Also, open a new container of any condiment that may have had gluten introduced previously through crumbs.
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More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes
Need some desserts to add to your gluten-free Thanksgiving menu? Check out these gluten-free pumpkin dessert recipes!
Recipe
Gluten-free Thanksgiving Stuffing
Ingredients
- 16 ounces gluten-free bread, 1 loaf
- ½ cup butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, 2 teaspoons dried *See notes for poultry seasoning substitute.
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon dried
- ½ Tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves, ½ teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 ¼ cups turkey or chicken stock
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
Dry the Bread
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Slice bread into 1-inch cubes.
- Spread the cubes in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing occasionally, or until bread is dry and lightly browned, like a crouton.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
Make the Stuffing
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the onions, celery, and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Once the vegetables are tender, turn off the heat and add the fresh (or dried) herbs, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir to combine.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the turkey broth and eggs.
- Add the sautéed vegetables and stir to combine.
- Add the bread cubes and gently fold the mixture together.
- Pour the stuffing into a greased 9x13 pan or 2-quart casserole dish.
- Cover the pan with foil. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15-20 minutes or until the stuffing is sizzling and golden brown. The stuffing should also be at least 165°F when checked int the center.
Jane A Rechkemmer
Thanks for sharing, this look wonderful.
Katie Olesen
Happy to hear that! I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!