Most of Thanksgiving dinner already has the potential to be plant-based and dairy-free, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, green beans and other vegetable sides. One of the easiest ways to navigate Thanksgiving with relatives is to eat the sides and the stuffing, but of course the turkey can be vegan too (and the turkeys will thank everyone). Unfortunately, without turkey, the main dish is the stuffing, usually made with wheat or corn bread, but there are a lot of easy ways to adapt and still have all the traditional dishes on the table. Even gravy is often made with flour. Luckily we have vegan, gluten-free recipes to keep everyone well-fed and coming back for seconds. You can also substitute the flour for our glutinous stuffings. Cheers to a happy, healthy and allergen-free Thanksgiving for you and your loved ones.
Gluten-Free Vegan Turkey
While the grocery stores are full of Tofurkey and other delish substitutes this time of year, why not make your own? Especially if you need to cut out or cut back on the glutenous options, this well-seasoned recipe will make sure you’re not missing the turkey.
Soy-Free Glamorgan ‘Sausages’ in Eggplant ‘Bacon’ Wraps
If you’re not a turkey person, but still like the idea of a meaty dish to serve, vegan sausage is a good special-occasions treat, and these festive Welsh sausages will certainly catch attention.
Gluten Free Vegan Stuffing
Wild rice takes the place of bread, with mushroom broth, sage and garlic flavors.
Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberry, Apricot, and Scallion
For fans of fruit in savory dishes, this stuffing has the potential to be as lovely as it is good.
Wild Rice Cranberry and Pine Nut Stuffing
Again with the wild rice? Well, this recipe also uses gluten-free bread to be extra filling, pun intended.
Thanksgiving Vegan Cornbread Stuffing with Gravy
Cornbread stuffing is a cool alternative to wheat bread stuffing, and a classic at many Southern dinner tables. Substitute gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour in the cornbread, or use another gluten-free cornbread recipe.
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cornbread
Use as a side, or substitute this recipe in cornbread stuffing. It only takes about 30 minutes to make.
Pumpkin Cornbread Squares
A caky, seasonal take on cornbread like this could absolutely steal the spotlight as favorite new side.
Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy
Biscuits and bread can be as important to the holiday spirit as the centerpiece, but they don’t have to go anywhere. Dried basil adds visual and flavorful pop to these biscuits, while the gravy is full of onion, garlic, thyme and marjoram.
Easy Mushroom Gravy
Just make sure to use a gluten-free tamari or liquid aminos for the soy sauce, and you’ll have an easy-peasy yummy gravy that doesn’t upset anybody’s stomach.
Mashed Potatoes and Celery Root
Dinner usually isn’t complete without the potatoes! This creamy dish is made less starchy with celery root.
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Apples and Bourbon
Another more healthy alternative to potatoes, the author suggests subbing rum for bourbon to make this seasonal treat gluten-free.
Spicy Sweet Potato Salad
Combine the potatoes with the salad for a colorful, non-traditional dish that should still seem right at home on your plate.
Traditional Cranberry Sauce
One of the many things to love about cranberry sauce is that it’s always both vegan and gluten-free, so you may already have your own, or your grandma’s recipe. Cranberry sauce provides color and sweetness, and is one of the most exciting things to have leftovers of. With just a little maple syrup, this traditional-tasting cranberry sauce doesn’t contain any of the usual white sugar.
Orange Infused Cranberry Sauce
You can’t go wrong with more fruit. The citrus flavoring adds zest to the tart and sweet combination.
Spiced Cranberry, Ginger and Pear Sauce
Partly inspired by chutney, the pear gives the sugar a hand for healthy sweetness, and the cardamom and ginger add a special, unique twist to the classic.
Simple and Healthy Pecan Pumpkin Pie
Is it dessert time already? Heck yeah. Pies are one of the highlights of the holiday season, especially pecan and pumpkin, and with recipes like this one they can be gluten-free, vegan, healthy, and still fantastically creamy and sweet. So basically, you get to have your pie and eat it too.
Pumpkin Pie Custards with Brûlée Topping
While any crust can be made gluten-free, sometimes it’s more fun to have your own personal pumpkin custard pudding-pie.
Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
For the chocolate-lovers in the house, this pie is crust-optional, or can be paired with a favorite crust recipe.
Pecan Pie Delights
These raw morsels of chewy goodness pack all of the punch of a pecan pie, without actually being a pie. These are great for last-minute potluck endeavors.
Chia Caramel Pecan Vegan Pie
Another raw dessert, loosely inspired by butter tarts, this rich, nutritious and absolutely stunning pie is sure to make a perfect finishing touch.
For off-the-beaten path desserts to wow your dinner mates, also try 10 Rockin’ Gluten-Free Vegan Desserts, and even more gluten-free desserts. There’s definitely no reason for vegan and gluten-free to be mutually exclusive, and it doesn’t have to be hard, either.
