Think it can't be done? Can you really please so many dietary needs? Believe it or not, you can! This is your Ultimate Guide to a Gluten-free, Allergy-Free, Vegan Thanksgiving dinner! From delicious recipes to food allergy safety tips! The best part is that no one will be left out or feel disappointed with this feast!
Don't worry, friends! Strength and Sunshine has you covered! You can still enjoy a delicious, cozy, HUGE American Thanksgiving feast even when you have celiac disease, food allergies, or are a vegan! Keeping things safe and plant-based isn't as complicated as you'd think! Whether you're the one hosting or not, I have all the recipes you'll need to complete the dinner table and all the tips and advice so no cross-contamination or food allergy mishaps occur! Ready? Let's dive in!
How To Be An Awesome Allergy-Free Host:
- Before you do anything else, be aware of any dietary needs your guests may have. From celiac disease (gluten-free) to food allergies (this guide focuses on the Top 9 allergens: dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish), to veganism (no meat). Asking and being aware is the first step in putting your guests (and self!) at ease! The links above are to my "What To Avoid" food allergy guides which will tell you ALL the offending foods!
- Refresh yourself on all the basics of cross-contamination. Since this Thanksgiving dinner I've put together for you is free of gluten and all the major food allergens, you won't have to worry about cooking contamination, but your kitchen, ingredients, and cooking equipment needs to be safe, clean, and contaminant-free!
- Maintain clean surfaces at all times and never take out an open allergen food when preparing the free-from meal or during the gathering. You may need to borrow safe cooking utensils (do not use the same contaminated cutting board!) from your free-from guests.
- LABEL! Label every dish you plan on serving and list the ingredients! Since you'll be using Strength and Sunshine recipes, you can simply print out the name and ingredient list of each recipe. Place it with the dish so your guests can read for themselves. Also, have the specific ingredient packages you used on hand. Don't throw anything out, as the brands you use matter, and even knowing the ingredients, food allergy and celiac guests like to know brand names!
- Each dish should be kept in separate serving dishes, covered, and have its own serving utensil. For the guests with actual food allergies or celiac disease, please allow them to be served first (even if the entire dinner is free-from! It's peace of mind!).
- Overall, maintain open lines of communication with your guests! Before, during, and after. Don't take it personally if a guest doesn't feel comfortable eating something you offer, either. Encourage them to bring a dish (which they were probably planning on doing anyway!).
Below you'll find your recipe options for planning your allergen-free menu! You'll find ALL the classics as well as some unique twists you may be so inclined to try out too! I always think choosing a good mix of traditional with some unique recipes thrown in always leads to the best feast possible!
Gluten-Free, Top 9 Allergen-Free, Vegan Thanksgiving Menu Recipes
Appetizers & Starters: (Choose 2-3)
- Smokey Butternut Squash & Carrot Soup
- Curried Pumpkin Soup
- Red Winter Kale Salad
- Breaded Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
- Baked Mini Gluten-Free Vegan Mac & Cheese Bites
- Savory Pumpkin Hummus
- Savory Italian Tigernut Crackers
- Pumpkin Spice Roasted Chickpeas
Breads: (Choose 1-2)
- Rustic Gluten-Free Cornbread
- Old-Fashioned Gluten-Free Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits
- Mini Cornbread Muffins
- Grain-Free Butternut Squash Bread
- Buckwheat Pumpkin Cornbread
- Gluten-Free Sourdough Garlic Bread
Side Dishes & Vegetables: (Choose 3-4)
- The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing
- Southern Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing
- Brown Rice Stuffing Casserole
- Healthy Gluten-Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole
- Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes
- Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Tahini Celeriac Potato Salad (Allergen: Contains Sesame)
- Tahini Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes (Allergen: Contains Sesame)
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow
- One-Pot Vegan Mac & Cheese
- Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese
- Warm Sorghum Salad with Roasted Kohlrabi, Apple, & Fennel
- 5-Minute Sugar-Free Cream Style Corn
- Baby Purple Brussels Sprouts
- "Thanksgiving" Roasted Butternut Squash
Condiments & Sauces: (Choose 2)
- Roasted Apple & Cranberry Sauce
- Easy Creamy Gluten-Free Vegan Mushroom Gravy
- Slow Cooker Applesauce
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter
Main Dishes: (Choose 1)
- Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Black Sesame Yogurt Sauce
- Creamy Autumn Pumpkin Pasta
- Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
- Purple Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Tahini Garlic Sauce
- Cheesy Vegan Gluten-Free Orzo Stuffed Peppers
- Rotini Pasta Alfredo with Shaved Brussels Sprouts
Desserts: (Choose...ALL OF THEM!)
- Classic Pumpkin Pie
- Crustless Pumpkin Pie
- Crustless Apple Pie
- Crustless Sweet Potato Pie
- Crustless Pecan Pie (Allergen: Contains Pecans)
- Apple Butter Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Glaze
- Classic Apple Crisp
- Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake
- Grainless Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies
- Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies
- Healing Tahini Hot Chocolate (Allergen: Contains Sesame)
I have a feeling you are going to have a FANTASTIC Thanksgiving this year! Whether you have food allergies, celiac disease, or happen to be vegan, whether you're the one hosting the gathering or attending, you have ALL the recipes you could ever need to have one delicious free-from Thanksgiving feast!
So tell me:
+ What is your #1 favorite Thanksgiving dish?
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Tru
Thank you for the wonderful ideas! Having a niece with turners syndrome who is also gluten free it is difficult to find tasty dishes for all! Happy Holidays !!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You're bound to have a fantastic holiday season with these recipes!
Kelsie Corbett
That stuffing sounds so amazing! Showing my brother these! Him and his fiance are vegan and are always looking for new recipes.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Stuffing is out number 1!
Nkem
I love all the variety you have here. Who says vegan can't be delicious?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Free-from everything but flavor!
Claire
What a great round up, so many great ideas to make sure that your thanksgiving meal caters to everyones food needs 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No one should ever miss out!
Terri
Thank you for reminding us that Thanksgiving can be vegan and yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
More that it can be safe and not lead to food allergy hospital visits or deaths during the holidays. But sure.
Alice v
Nice, you have all the courses covered and with options! I love how you broke this up too.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's how a menu is typically structured.
Briana
I so wish my family was into trying this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
?
Jazz
This is a great guide, Rebecca! Pinned for my Turkey Day plans!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, girl!
Trish
I've been researching this very subject. I want to try out a few this year for my son who has digestive issues!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've got a recipe for (almost) everything you'd ever need!
Lucy
I have been getting into the vegan lifestyle and also thinking about the holidays! Such a great post! That apple pie though......
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can still have your pie 😉
Samara
Love this! It's so hard to cater to lots of people when there are allergies or intolerances involved. Awesome advice!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everything can be done with a little prep!
Indya | The Small Adventurer
This post could not have come at a better time! Whilst we don't have Thanksgiving here, it IS still the holiday season, and I have just joined most of my family in having a gluten intolerance 😩 I'm super annoyed about it, but very grateful that helpful food guides like this exist to help make my transition easier!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These are great recipes for any holiday for sure! Cozy meals are needed for everyone at every winter celebration!
Marina
Wow this list is just amazing, thanks for sharing x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Years of development!
Leigh Suznovich
This is so great since I have a growing number of vegan and/or gluten sensitive family and friends to entertain!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Gluten sensitive isn't a thing, but enjoy!
Kaylene
This is a great list! So many delicious options. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks for thinking so!
Cassie Creley
Great tips, and the recipes sound delicious! Something my friends and I with allergies do: we take photos of the ingredients in products we’re going to use, then text the photos to each other to make sure everything going into a dish is safe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great to do! It can be so tricky when some brands of products are okay, others not, etc.!
Meli
Love this!! I have a few vegan friends who are always looking for new ideas when it comes to holiday meals! Thanks for sharig!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We don't have to miss out on anything!
Becca
I love the idea of labeling the dishes! That's so important. Thanks for all of this info!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's a must with food allergies.
Kyle
Going to have to try some of these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Delicious additions for any family's feast!
Emily
Thanks for sharing all of these awesome ideas!!
I have been trying to create a vegetarian Thanksgiving menu that is also EASY so that I'm not running around like a crazy the day-of!
Which of these recipes would you say are the easiest to make?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
If you only need vegetarian...what's so hard?
Marta Rivera Diaz
Any friends that come over will feel so blessed to know so much effort was put into making a meal they can enjoy. Great read!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Marta!
Supermompicks
These are great ideas for a healthy Thanksgiving. A few years ago I attempted a gluten free thanksgiving to accommodate for a family member. This is a nice plan.
Supermompicks
I especially like the crust less apple pie!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Safe, delicious options for a completely free-from menu!
cait
well i know what im pinning tonight ha these all look like such great ideas for the upcoming holidays! I cant wait to try a few
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
All about some good safe food during the holidays!
chloe - callmecoco.co
Amazing selection of recipes! The lentil&cauliflower loaf and the pumpkin pie seem delicious
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
All family favorites here!