Ideas for gluten free Thanksgiving dinner sides, desserts and alternative main dishes

Thanksgiving can get tricky for guests avoiding gluten, but with a bit of planning you can serve a feast that everyone enjoys without sacrificing flavour.

Here are some smart ideas to create a top-tier gluten-free holiday spread that people won’t forget for the right reasons.

If you’re steering clear of gluten, consider swapping out traditional turkey stuffing (often wheat-based) for something naturally gluten-free. A roasting chicken or turkey seasoned simply with herbs, lemon and garlic works well.

For an alternative main dish, try a stuffed pumpkin, hollowed out and filled with wild rice, mushrooms, chestnuts and herbs. Remember to keep the gravy or sauce gluten-free by skipping wheat flour thickeners and using cornstarch instead.

Sides are so fun you’ll be dancing around the kitchen like a turkey with a presidential pardon. Roasted sweet potatoes or autumn squash dressed with olive oil, rosemary and sea salt are naturally gluten-free and have always been crowd-pleasers in my experience, and they’re my choice for this year.

Alternatively, a cauliflower gratin with cream, garlic and a gluten-free breadcrumb or nut crust does the job of stunning any guest around the table. For something simpler, garlic mashed potatoes is always a certified bet.

Dessert doesn’t have to mean sand, sand, and more sand. A flourless chocolate cake is inherently gluten-free and makes an elegant finale. Or consider a pumpkin pie with a crust made from almond flour; spiced pumpkin filling, a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon give the right seasonal feel.

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Helpful tips for a smooth day include: double-checking ingredients, since many sauces; labelling dishes clearly helps guests easily identify what is safe for them; and preparing food ahead of time.

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