Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dinner Substitutions

Photo Credit: SXC

If this is your first holiday dinner on a gluten-free diet, eating can be intimidating. I used to always worry and wonder if wheat byproducts lurked in the sauces or barley malt hid in the processed foods.

The simplest way to approach a gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner is by choosing healthy, whole foods and simple dishes. 

I've been brainstorming a list of simple substitutions and alternatives to popular Thanksgiving fare. Take a peek!

Turkey: Choose a whole turkey and cook it yourself. Processed turkey products, like patties or nuggets, have too many fillers and may not be safe to eat if you or your dinner guests have a gluten allergy.

Gravy: Make your own gravy in lieu of the jarred varieties. Use corn starch or potato flour to thicken meat drippings without the risk of being glutened.

Green bean casserole: Oh, I just love this Thanksgiving dinner staple, but it doesn't love me. Those crispy fried onions are battered with wheat (darn it!) and the cream of whatever soup you use is usually thickened with wheat flour. You can either get really diligent and create your own cream sauce with rice flour, add diced mushrooms and pan fry your own onions, or go simple. I like to swap out this casserole with a bowl of steamed green beans drizzled with fresh lemon juice and toasted almonds for a healthier side dish.

Mashed potatoes: Boxed mashed potato mixes usually contain a dozen or more ingredients. Don't take the risk of getting sick this year. Instead, make homemade mashed potatoes. I like to boil, mash and season the potatoes myself so I know exactly what's on my plate. Try adding fresh chopped garlic, ground black pepper, butter, milk, heavy whipping cream or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to the potatoes.

Gelatin salads: Skip the refined sugar-filled fruit and gelatin salad this holiday. Instead prepare a fresh cranberry sauce using pineapple juice as a natural sweetener. I also add chunks of pineapple to give the classic side dish a new flavor.

Sweet Potatoes topped with marshmallows: I really do love this classic side dish, and most of the time it's probably gluten-free, but the marshmallows or marshmallow cream used on the top is questionable. To be safe, make this recipe from scratch using a gluten-free topping, or opt for roasted cubes of sweet potatoes drizzled with honey for a sweet alternative.

Dinner rolls: There are several companies out there that boast gluten-free bread options. My two favorites are Udi's (pre-made) and Pamela's (dry mixes). I think this Thanksgiving I'll fire up the bread machine and bake a loaf of Pamela's bread since the hubby thinks it's just as good as wheat bread. Or, make cornbread (use the recipe on the corn meal package), not corn muffin mixes tainted with wheat flour.

Pumpkin or apple pie: Thankfully you don't have to skimp on dessert while following a gluten-free diet. To stay away from traditional flour-filled crusts, I like to make pumpkin muffins or craft my own pie crust out of crushed corn flakes cereal, ground oatmeal or pulverized nuts. Or whip up a simple apple crisp using sweet sorghum flour in the crumbly topping. Yum!

Several Thanksgiving dinner favorites are naturally gluten free when they aren't loaded with creamy sauces or packets of seasoning blended with fillers.

• Buttered corn
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Steamed broccoli florets
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Fresh, whole turkey, ham, chicken, duck (all unprocessed, whole meats)
• Simple, pure seasonings like pepper, salt, cinnamon, garlic and paprika
• Chopped fruit salad topped with shredded coconut and a drizzle of agave syrup
• Vegetable trays with homemade hummus dip

Can you think of other great alternative gluten-free dishes to serve this Thanksgiving? Please leave a comment below and share this post with your gluten-free friends.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dinner Tips

Photo Source: SXC

This Thanksgiving marks my one year anniversary of going gluten-free. Last Turkey Day I filled my plate with whole wheat honey rolls, glutinous salad dressing, homemade cookies and of course pumpkin pie complete with a crisp flour crust.

If I was going to say goodbye to gluten; I had to do it in style.

This Thanksgiving I'd politely refuse that same plate of food knowing that misery would be mere minutes away since my sensitivity to gluten has increased over the last 12 months.

If you're new to going gluten-free, or are preparing Thanksgiving Dinner for a gluten-free guest, check out my 5 tips for making your holiday meal delicious and safe for people with Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivities.

5 Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dinner Tips

1. Prepare gravies and cream sauces with potato flour. Since most creamed vegetables or thickened graves are poured over mashed potatoes anyway, the distinct potato flavor of the flour mixes well with the meal.

2. Try pie alternatives. Everyone wants a pumpkin dessert for Thanksgiving, but you don't have to have pie. Instead, make a pumpkin cheesecake with a crust made of crumbled gluten-free cookies. Use the same directions as you would for a graham cracker pie crust (minus the graham crackers--which are not gluten-free). Or, try my recipe for Gluten-free pumpkin muffins. They are so moist and fluffy, you won't believe they are gluten-free.

3. Serve lots of simple, whole foods side dishes. Skip the dressings, sauces and blends of spices. These contain hidden thickeners that may contain wheat, barley or rye. Instead of green bean casserole, opt for a healthy bowl of steamed green beans topped with toasted almond slivers. Or, try grilled corn on the cob served with a pat of butter and fresh ground black pepper.

4. Make a rice dressing. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, it's usually made with bread cubes. Why not try a new recipe this year and opt for a rice dressing seasoned with dried cranberries, nuts and cinnamon.

5. Ask questions. Your gluten-free dinner guest is truly the expert. Instead of guessing, make a quick phone call while planning the dinner menu. For every glutinous food, there's a replacement or close equivalent.  Let your dinner guest offer meal suggestions and tips.

Do you have some tips and tricks for preparing a gluten-free holiday dinner? Have a question I can help with? Please share in the comments below.


Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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