FacebookFrom creamy casseroles topped with breadcrumbs to tender stuffing and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving is a holiday traditionally laden with wheat. If you follow a gluten-free diet or cook for someone who does, the idea of preparing a fully gluten-free feast may be overwhelming.
The good news is, that sticking to the gluten-free diet gets easier every day. As awareness about celiac disease and gluten intolerance spreads, more manufacturers than ever are starting to make gluten-free versions of everything. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it may be time to start planning your holiday menu.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the hidden sources of gluten to be aware of and provide you with some simple tips to prepare a delicious gluten-free dinner.
Common Sources of Gluten to Watch Out For
When you go gluten-free, your whole world changes. Though you may no longer be able to simply grab food items off the shelf at the grocery store without checking the label, you don’t necessarily have to give up on your favourite dishes. You’ll need to be a little more careful than the average consumer, however, and you’ll need to know how to identify sources of gluten in food.
Here are some of the most common sources of gluten at Thanksgiving:
- Casseroles thickened with wheat flour
- Turkey brines, including self-basting turkeys
- Gravy thickened with wheat flour
- Stuffing made with gluten-containing bread
- Dinner rolls, biscuits, and other bread products
- Side dishes topped with breadcrumbs
- Desserts made with gluten-containing ingredients
It’s important to take your time when reading product labels to make sure you’re not missing anything. Just because a product doesn’t list wheat in the allergen statement doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden sources of gluten. Check for all sources of wheat, barley, and rye in the ingredients list.
All Schär products are certified gluten-free. You also never have to worry about cross-contamination when it comes to our products since all Schär manufacturing facilities are solely dedicated to the production of gluten-free foods.
Remember as well that different manufacturers follow different standards for gluten-free. If you’re highly sensitive, look for products certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GFCO), the Celiac Support Association (CSA), or the Allergen Control Group. Better safe than sorry!
Tips for Planning Your Menu
As a follower of the gluten-free diet, you’re used to making substitutions. At Thanksgiving, a holiday built around food, you may feel like you’re missing out when you can’t enjoy classic family recipes. Though you may not be able to indulge in your grandma’s traditional stuffing or cut corners with a frozen pie crust, there are still plenty of options out there. It’s the perfect excuse to test your creativity.
Just because you can’t indulge in the usual wheat-based dishes doesn’t mean you have to settle for sub-par substitutions. Throw on your apron and whip up a flavorful and gluten-free version that may very well end up being tastier than the original.
Here are some tasty ideas in classic categories to consider this Thanksgiving:
1. Bread
Though you may have to skip the trip to the local bakery for a fresh loaf, you don’t have to do without bread on Thanksgiving. After all, you need something to soak up all that gravy! With a good gluten-free flour blend it’s easy to make a simple loaf of quick bread or you can whip up a batch of tender biscuits, airy popovers, or even a batch of cornbread to get your bread fix.
Quick Tip: If you’re not much one for baking and want a simple way to put gluten-free bread on your Thanksgiving table, try some of Schär’s gluten-free rolls or sliced bread.
2. Turkey
Unfortunately, you can’t simply eat from the parts of the turkey furthest from the stuffing if it’s made with regular wheat bread. Rather than putting yourself at risk of getting glutened, stuff your bird with plenty of herbs, veggies, and lemon to add flavour. If the rest of your family can’t do without a traditional stuffed turkey, you can always buy a turkey breast to cook separately for yourself.
3. Stuffing
Gluten-free bread is easy to find these days, so it’s not a problem to make your favourite stuffing recipe gluten-free. The trick to remember is that gluten-free bread doesn’t have the same texture as wheat-based bread, so you’ll want to toast it so it first, so it doesn’t get too soggy. If you’re looking for something a little different, try cornbread stuffing or bake your stuffing in the cups of a muffin tin.
Quick Tip: Nothing makes a better Thanksgiving stuffing than homemade bread, but if you don’t have time to do it yourself you can trust Schär Artisan Baker sliced bread.
4. Sides
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to try out some new recipes for side dishes (on top of the traditional favourites, of course). In addition to a big bowl of mashed potatoes, go for a roasted vegetable medley or a gluten-free green bean casserole. Candied carrots are always a hit, and don’t forget the sweet potato casserole with plenty of mini marshmallows layered on top.
Quick Tip: When making casseroles and other oven-baked sides, add a bit of crunch to the top with Gluten Free Breadcrumbs. Drizzle with oil or melted butter to get them nice and browned.
5. Dessert
By the time you clean your plate, you may not have room for dessert, but that doesn’t mean you won’t eat it anyway. The good news is you can make most of your favourite pies gluten-free simply by swapping out the crust. If you want to try something new this year, get creative with gluten-free puff pastry dough or skip the crust entirely with a hot and bubbling apple crisp.
Quick Tip: By the time you prepare all those sides you may not have the energy left for dessert. Try Schär gluten-free cookies as a sweet treat to finish up the perfect holiday meal.
The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the future. Food is the perfect excuse to get loved ones together during the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving. With these tips and tasty recipe suggestions, you won’t feel like you’re going without this year. Maybe you’ll even find a new recipe the whole family enjoys!
