Gluten & Dairy Free Thanksgiving Recipes: The Whole Menu

Turkey, stuffing, gravy, sides and pie — a complete gluten and dairy free Thanksgiving menu so the whole table eats the same food. Every recipe below is organized by course, tested on our own family of six, and no guest has ever guessed the meal was allergy-friendly.

Jump to a course: Turkey & Mains · Stuffing & Gravy · Sides · Pies & Desserts · Make-Ahead Timeline

Turkey & Mains

Smoked Turkey and Brine

You won't believe how mouthwatering and moist this smoked turkey and brine recipe is. If you have a smoker at home, it's the best way to prepare your turkey on Thanksgiving-- and it definitely frees up your oven for all those delicious side dishes and desserts.

If you're looking for a smaller turkey main dish, go for a Turkey Sheet Pan Dinner.

Turkey Breast Sheet Pan Dinner

Not everyone needs a whole turkey. This turkey breast sheet pan dinner is perfect for smaller gatherings -- everything roasts together on one pan, so you get a full Thanksgiving-style meal without the all-day commitment. Get the recipe here.

Stuffing & Gravy

Crock-Pot Stuffing

This Crock-Pot Stuffing dish is the ultimate Thanksgiving comfort food for me, reminding me of so many past classic Thanksgiving celebrations. This reader-loved recipe is such a time-saver too. Since it can be prepped ahead of time and made in the Crock-Pot, not the oven, this is a user-friendly recipe for the big day.

Quick Gluten Free Gravy

We don't have a separate gravy recipe up yet, but this is the method we use every year: whisk a tablespoon or two of cornstarch (or a gluten free 1-to-1 flour blend) into a splash of cold dairy free milk or broth until smooth, then stir that slurry into your simmering turkey drippings and broth. Keep whisking over low heat until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes. No dairy, no wheat, no lumps.

Sides

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Notice how creamy these mashed potatoes look? This has been our go-to recipe for over 15 years. These are served to all our company, and no one has any idea they're dairy free.

Sweet Potato Bake

This delicious side dish is a Thanksgiving must! You will love every bite of the sweet potato bake that tastes almost like dessert. The tender sweet potatoes combined with a marshmallow, oat, and brown sugar topping taste just like the traditional version. You don't want to leave this dreamy side dish off the menu.

Green Bean Casserole

Wow-- this homemade creamy mushroom soup with tender green beans topped with crunchy French fried onions is deliciously amazing. Seriously-- this side dish will get so many compliments. The base of this dish can be assembled the night before and popped into the oven just minutes before it's time to eat. Keep this green bean casserole recipe in mind for other holidays and family get-togethers.

Don't forget the GF French Fried Onion Crispies.

Air Fryer Squash

Need a side dish that doesn't tie up your oven? This air fryer squash is ready in minutes and frees up precious oven space for the turkey and stuffing. It's naturally gluten and dairy free with no substitutions needed.

Pies & Desserts

Butter Tarts

Check out this stack of butter tarts you didn't know your dessert table needed-- but trust me, you do! The shortbread-like crust cradles a rich ooey gooey inside of brown sugar and melted butter mixture. These grab and go mini desserts will have family asking for them every year.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

You'll want to bake and ice several batches of these soft, melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting. In fact I prefer these over pumpkin pie-- they're that rich and cozy. Plan to bake these throughout the fall and definitely for the Thanksgiving dessert table. You will find a recipe video of these on the link.

Warm Apple Crisp

Warm tender apple slices with ooey gooey yet crispy brown sugar and oat topping topped by a scoop of dairy free ice cream are a wonderful way to round out Thanksgiving Day. Not to mention your home will smell so incredible with this classic apple crisp smell wafting through. And something else that makes this recipe a hit-- breakfast leftovers. They are the best!

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie bars are the answer to your dessert baking needs. These bars are faster, easier, and less stressful than baking a gluten and dairy free pie. And did I mention everyone raves over these? We like them so much I even bake a batch for Father's Day. They're so good! You can even top them with homemade whipped topping or So Delicous CoCo Whip topping.

Chocolate Cream Pie

Thanksgiving dessert isn't complete without this Chocolate Cream Pie. The layers come together to form a decadent and rich pie every time. Plus this recipe come with three different crust options.

Apple Crumble Bars

Easy, crumbly and apple flavored dessert. It's one of our newer gluten free and dairy free versions of a classic dessert. Who doesn't love a buttery Apple Crumble Bar on their dessert plate?

Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

Check out those soft, moist, pumpkin-spiced slices of bread with rich cream cheese frosting. This pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting is amazing and decadent. Know what else is amazing about this recipe? It's best when baked and iced the day before, then refrigerated, which leaves you with extra time on your hands during the big day. Check out this recipe.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

This pumpkin bread is loaded with chocolate chips in every bite -- moist, perfectly spiced, and an easy make-ahead dessert or breakfast for the whole Thanksgiving weekend. Get the recipe here.

Lemon Streusel Bars

These addictive and mouthwatering lemon streusel bars are a Thanksgiving dessert table must. Here's why-- not only are these such a delicious lemony treat, but they are also the perfect balance for all of the sweets on the table adding a bit of tang to make your taste buds happy. Try this recipe once, and you'll be baking it year-round.

Make-Ahead Timeline

Spreading prep across the week is what keeps Thanksgiving Day from turning into a hot mess of every dish fighting for oven space at once. Here's the order we actually work in:

• 3 days before: Make the Crock-Pot Chex Mix -- it keeps all week and gives you a snack while you cook everything else.
• 2 days before: Bake and ice the Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting -- it's actually best made ahead and refrigerated.
• 1 day before: Start the turkey brine, assemble the Green Bean Casserole base and refrigerate it, and prep the Crock-Pot Stuffing ingredients so it's ready to turn on in the morning.
• Morning of: Smoke or roast the turkey, start the Crock-Pot Stuffing, make the mashed potatoes and sweet potato bake, and pop the green bean casserole in the oven in the last 30 minutes before serving.

Crock-Pot Crunchy Chex-Mix

This make-ahead Crock-pot chex mix is a Thanksgiving tradition in our home. I make it days ahead of time so there's a fun and crunchy snack to enjoy while we're baking and preparing Thanksgiving recipes. It also goes nicely with any game or movie nights during the holiday weekend.

More Ideas to Celebrate the Weekend

• homemade cinnamon rolls-- this yeast free recipe comes together quickly with no rise time and these are topped with a wonderful cream cheese frosting. These are a hit among readers, friends, and family.
• cinnamon swirl waffles-- enjoy warm breakfast waffles with a cinnamon swirl middle and topped with a delicious icing
• pumpkin cinnamon sugar donuts-- an easy treat dessert or breakfast for the next morning.
• homemade double chocolate donuts-- nothing screams vacation and family time like homemade donuts with a luscious topping and sprinkles
• potato corn chowder-- the holiday weekend calls for this homey chowder, perfect for a small family or crowd

So who's ready to enjoy their best Thanksgiving yet?

These Thanksgiving recipes will feed your family or a crowd, and no one, and I mean no one, will guess they're gluten and dairy free. What are you waiting for?

Starting pinning recipes and making your grocery lists.

lastly

That's 17 gluten and dairy free Thanksgiving recipes covering the whole table -- turkey, sides, and dessert -- so nobody has to eat a separate meal this year. Pin your favorites now and start your grocery list early.

Here are our favorite Christmas desserts to enjoy the entire month of December. We've got a recipe for every party and celebration. Including our soft sugar cookie recipe, gingerbread house, stocking stuffer ideas, and more.

Get all of our holiday recipes good for all year long in our Holiday Recipes ebook cookbook!

🍽️ Looking beyond the holidays? Browse all our everyday Gluten Free Dinner Recipes too.

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