With the holidays coming up, many of us are planning menus and prepping to host family. Cooking for a crowd can be tricky, especially if food allergies are involved. One of the questions I received recently in the eczema course was to share some allergy-friendly Thanksgiving recipes. I put together a list of some of the dishes I have made before, along with some others that I found that look delicious! These recipes cover a variety of diets: gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free.

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

Some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes:

These will not all work according to allergies, but I wanted to share them, because we make them on repeat, and it might be worth trying to find a substitution here and there. 

Thanksgiving Cheese Tray

One of my favorite things to do is to add seasonal fruit to a charcuterie board.

Green Beans with Bacon, Candied Pecans, and a Dijon Maple Sauce

Gluten free, dairy free optional dressing/stuffing

This recipe uses egg, but I have read that substituting aquafaba will work. Aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas, that, when whipped, is similar to whipped egg whites. It is a common vegan substitution for eggs. 

Pomegranate, Kale, and Wild Rice Salad with Walnuts and Feta 

You could leave the feta off, or use the Violife feta to make it dairy free.

This picture is from the Pinch of Yum website. 

Herb Rub and How to Roast a Turkey Breast, by Ina Garten

This recipe was a hit, and uses olive oil, rather than butter. I make turkey breasts rather than a whole turkey. If you buy them frozen, make sure you allow plenty of time (days) to thaw. I learned that lesson the hard way a few years ago. 😉

*For gravy, try using GF Measure for Measure flour. 

Cranberry Sauce

This is the cranberry sauce I have made the past several years. It has a lot of sugar, so I use less than it calls for, and the serving size is typically very small.

Spiced Cranberry Rosé Spritzers

This really doesn’t have anything to do with the allergy-friendly menu, but I figured the adults might want a cocktail, so I’m including it! I made this for a supper club years ago. Half Baked Harvest has some truly delicious recipes.

What to do with leftover turkey bones, how to make bone broth; Turkey & Wild Rice Soup; Broccoli, Turkey, Rice Skillet Dinner

Typically after thanksgiving, there are leftovers, and that includes turkey and turkey bones. I wrote a blog post with tips about what to do with those things, and how to make bone broth out of the bones. No need for wasted food!

More Side Dish Options

Roasted Vegetable Salad

We usually do a pan or two of roasted veggies as a side. If you can be a bit more flexible with your eating, here’s a great salad: arugula topped with roasted veggies (your choice), some toasted nuts, Violife feta, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze, salt and pepper

Brussel Sprout Salad with Apple, Raisins, and Carrots

Dairy Free Cauliflower Mash

My kids love this, and you wouldn’t really know that it is cauliflower! You can use olive oil or DF butter instead of ghee.

Ambitious Kitchen Cornbread Stuffing

I haven’t tried this recipe, but it looks really good, and can be made allergy-friendly.

Vegetable Tray with Dairy Free Ranch Dressing:

Sometimes it helps to have veggies as an appetizer while everyone is waiting for the turkey to finish cooking!

How to Build a Beautiful Fruit Tray

Serving fruit with dessert can be a great alternative for those who have allergies or just want to take it easy with their sugar intake.

Pumpkin Cassava Cupcakes:

I haven’t personally tried these, but I was looking for recipes that used cassava flour, and they looked like a great option!

Pumpkin Pie Truffles

I definitely want to try these pumpkin pie truffles! You can use DF chocolate. They’d be a treat that you could make ahead of time as well.

 

I hope these allergy-friendly Thanksgiving recipes will be helpful as you’re planning your family meals!