Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes

Turkey, Sides, and So Much More

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/26/21
Spatchcock Turkey

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Just because you or a holiday guest keeps a gluten-free diet doesn't mean you can't serve a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. Many traditional recipes are naturally gluten-free, like mashed potatoes and other vegetables, and others can easily be altered to accommodate a gluten-free diet. Build a gluten-free menu so that everyone can enjoy Thanksgiving this year.

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  • 01 of 25

    Quick Pumpkin Soup

    pumpkin soup in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    A quick and simple pumpkin soup is a nice way to start a Thanksgiving meal. It can even be prepared ahead of time and reheated at mealtime. Creamy and savory, top each cup of soup with a sprinkling of pepitas and thyme.

  • 02 of 25

    Simple Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

    Simple bacon wrapped shrimp recipe

    The Spruce Eats/Julia Hartbeck

    Bacon-wrapped shrimp is a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer. Prep the shrimp and wrap them an hour or two before you need them and stick them in the fridge. A quick trip under the broiler, then they're ready to serve.

  • 03 of 25

    Pumpkin Hummus

    pumpkin hummus

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Whip up this pumpkin hummus ahead of time and stash it in the fridge until guests arrive. Serve with gluten-free crackers, tortilla chips, or fresh veggies for dipping.

  • 04 of 25

    Old-Fashioned Hot Water Cornbread

    Old-Fashioned Hot Water Cornbread

    The Spruce

    It's not Thanksgiving without cornbread. This old-fashioned Southern cornbread uses just cornmeal, water, shortening, and salt, so it's the perfect choice for a gluten-free feast. The crispy and airy cakes are a great vehicle for sopping up all that precious gravy and cranberry sauce from your plate.

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  • 05 of 25

    Colorful Autumn Salad

    Colorful Autumn Salad

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Festive and colorful, with a pleasing medley of textures and tastes, this seasonal autumn salad deserves a place on your holiday table. Tender greens combine with tangy goat cheese, crispy bacon crumbles, chewy chopped dried apricots, and dried cherries for a yummy salad starter or side plate at dinner. Save stress by assembling it ahead of time without the dressing, and toss with the included, simple balsamic dressing just before serving.

  • 06 of 25

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

    Diana Rattray

    Make fruity cranberry sauce in minutes using your pressure cooker. Orange juice, zest, and cinnamon add autumnal flavor. The sauce keeps well and tastes great spread on turkey sandwiches or stirred into yogurt.

  • 07 of 25

    Easy Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy

    Quick gluten free turkey gravy

    The Spruce 

    Gravy is frequently made using flour as a thickener, but sweet rice flour works just as well. Use turkey drippings to make this simple, but flavorful gluten-free gravy.

  • 08 of 25

    Gluten-Free Vegetarian Rice Stuffing

    Gluten free vegetarian rice stuffing

    The Spruce

    This gluten-free take on stuffing uses rice and almonds instead of bread and has all of the flavors you want from the classic Thanksgiving dish. Feel free to add other ingredients commonly found in stuffing, like chopped fresh sage and parsley, dried fruit, or cooked sausage.

    Continue to 9 of 25 below.
  • 09 of 25

    Wild Rice Stuffing

    Wild Rice Stuffing

    The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

    Wild rice stuffing has the flavors and texture you want from stuffing without the gluten. Savory mushrooms, fresh sage, dried cranberries, and crisp pecans make this flavorful side dish a nice pairing for turkey.

  • 10 of 25

    Air Fryer Turkey

    air fryer turkey

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    If you're seeking oven space, but still want a crisp-skinned juicy turkey, turn to your air fryer. It's an especially good option if you're cooking for a small group and leaves the oven free for roasting veggies and baking pies.

  • 11 of 25

    Roast Turkey Breast

    Roast Turkey Breast

    The Spruce 

    Roast turkey is naturally gluten free, so you can keep the classic centerpiece a part of your Thanksgiving meal. If you're not hosting a big crowd, a turkey breast will feed four with leftovers or six to eight without, and cooking the breast separate from the dark meat helps keep it moist.

  • 12 of 25

    Spatchcock Turkey

    Spatchcock Turkey

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Cook a whole turkey for your holiday dinner in about half the time with our must-know spatchcock turkey recipe. Spatchcocking is a poultry cooking technique that removes the backbone, and flattens the bird, allowing for quicker cooking at higher temperatures. The result is juicy meat inside, with plenty of crispy, evenly-browned skin. Serve it with the gluten-free turkey gravy above for a stunning Thanksgiving main. (Don't forget to save the backbone and giblets — these can be frozen, and used in future to make turkey stock.)

    Continue to 13 of 25 below.
  • 13 of 25

    Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

    Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    A Thanksgiving meal wouldn't be complete without sweet potato casserole. This traditional recipe is topped with miniature marshmallows for a perfectly sweet side. Most marshmallow brands are gluten free, but double-check the packaging just in case.

  • 14 of 25

    Honey Glazed Moroccan Carrots

    Honey Glazed Moroccan Carrots

    Anita Schecter

    Honey, cinnamon, and fragrant dried spices add something special to a simple dish of naturally sweet roasted carrots. Sprinkled with crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh mint, they are a delicious vegetable side for your holiday turkey. This recipe makes enough servings for a smaller gathering, and can be scaled up easily to serve a larger crowd.

  • 15 of 25

    Hasselback Butternut Squash

    Hasselback Butternut Squash

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Hasselback is a technique that makes thin cuts along an uncooked vegetable that allows butter or oil and seasoning to infuse into all parts of the dish. Here, it turns a butternut squash into a show-stopping side dish.

  • 16 of 25

    Make Ahead Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

    Slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Make your holiday cooking a little less stressful by making the mashed potatoes in a slow cooker. You'll free up your stovetop during the busiest phase of meal prep while still serving up fluffy and hot potatoes.

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  • 17 of 25

    Cabbage With Leeks and Bacon

    Cabbage With Leeks and Bacon

    Diana Rattray

     

    Cabbage, leeks, and bacon are a wonderfully savory combination of flavors. This quick and easy stove-top dish needs just a few ingredients, and goes well alongside roast turkey. Use a store-bought, gluten-free chicken broth, or simply substitute water. You can make it up to a day ahead, storing well-covered in the fridge. Reheat it in a skillet set over medium heat, stirring often, until just heated through.

  • 18 of 25

    Easy Skillet Green Beans and Bacon

    Green beans and bacon

     The Spruce

    For a touch of green on the table that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes and turkey, make quick and easy skillet green beans. Crispy bacon turns the humble vegetable into something worthy of a holiday meal.

  • 19 of 25

    Creamy Gluten-Free Scalloped Potatoes

    Creamy gluten free scalloped potatoes

    The Spruce

    Swap the standard mashed potatoes for decadent scalloped potatoes. Studded with salty ham and bathed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, it'll be a big hit at your Thanksgiving meal.

  • 20 of 25

    Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

    Gluten free pumpkin pie recipe

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    Enjoy a classic pumpkin pie with a tender, crisp, gluten-free pie crust. For a quick shortcut, use a store-bought gluten-free crust instead. Top with freshly whipped cream.

    Continue to 21 of 25 below.
  • 21 of 25

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Flan

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Flan

    The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

    Cool and chocolatey, this silky, 4-ingredient gluten-free chocolate flan is a heavenly ending to any special meal. Don't be fooled by its shallow depth — what this custardy treat lacks in size, it makes up for with sheer richness and decadent chocolate flavor. Prepare it up to 3 days ahead, and serve straight from the fridge, for a fuss-free dessert.

  • 22 of 25

    Old-Fashioned Gluten-Free Apple Pie

    Old fashioned gluten free apple pie recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

    Everyone loves a good apple pie. This fall favorite is made gluten-free using rice and amaranth flours in the crust and sweet rice flour in the filling. Serve with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a fall treat.

  • 23 of 25

    Hot Spiced Cranberry Punch

    Hot spiced cranberry punch recipe

    ​The Spruce / Nita West

    A hot spiced cranberry punch is a flavorful and warm way to end a filling Thanksgiving meal. Adults and kids will enjoy this easy non-alcoholic drink and the mixture will make your house smell like the holidays.

  • 24 of 25

    Butternut Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Butternut Old Fashioned Cocktail

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Greet your holiday guests with this warming, autumnal cocktail. Homemade butternut squash-infused bourbon puts a fun fall twist on the classic old-fashioned. You will want to prepare the infusion about a week ahead of holiday time. When guests arrive, it will take just a minute to whip up their signature cocktails.

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  • 25 of 25

    Cranberry Elderflower Champagne Punch

    Cranberry Elderflower Champagne Punch

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios 

    A champagne punch is a great way to kick off a holiday meal. Hand each guest a glass of cranberry elderflower punch as they arrive and no one will bug you about when dinner's ready.