The Ultimate Allergy-Friendly Thanksgiving Menu: Delicious & Safe Recipes for Everyone

Holidays, especially food-centered ones like Thanksgiving, can be challenging if you or your loved ones manage Celiac disease, food allergies, or intolerances. But fear not! You don’t have to miss out on the traditional feast. This comprehensive guide provides easy, delicious, and safe Thanksgiving recipes for turkey, mashed potatoes, all the essential trimmings, and even multiple pie options.

Our recipes are thoughtfully designed to be free of common allergens: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. Many also offer fantastic vegan options. Get ready to explore The Complete Thanksgiving Menu for Food Allergies, featuring the very same dishes my family enjoys without compromising on taste or tradition!

Why This Curated Allergy-Friendly Thanksgiving Menu?

You’ve probably seen countless Thanksgiving recipe roundups this season, and while they can be a great starting point, they often come with limitations. Many bloggers compile recipes from various sources, meaning they haven’t personally tried and tested every dish. Here, I’ve chosen a different approach: I only feature my own recipes, ensuring each one is tried, tested, and truly family-approved. These are the dishes I frequently prepare for my family, and they consistently grace our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables. My aim is to provide you with reliable, delicious options that you can trust.

Thanksgiving Appetizers: Start Your Feast Safely

3-Ingredient Dairy-Free & Vegan Ranch Dip

While you’re putting the finishing touches on your allergy-friendly Thanksgiving meal, your guests will appreciate something delicious to munch on. A veggie platter is always a good idea, but it can feel incomplete without a flavorful ranch dip. For years, our dairy allergy made this seem impossible. Little did I know, I could create a dairy-free ranch dip with just three store-bought ingredients! It’s incredibly easy and utterly life-changing, ensuring everyone can enjoy a classic appetizer.

The Main Event: Allergy-Friendly Turkey

Crock Pot Herb Turkey Breast with Blender Onion Mushroom Gravy

The turkey is, without a doubt, the real star of the Thanksgiving spread. To ensure a stress-free cooking experience, be sure to select a turkey breast that fits comfortably in your slow cooker. Thaw it thoroughly 1-2 days before Thanksgiving in your refrigerator. You’ll want to get this in your slow cooker at least 7 hours before mealtime, allowing it to cook to perfection while you focus on other dishes. This method not only yields a tender, juicy turkey but also frees up valuable oven space. Plus, my recipe includes a fantastic grain-free gravy made with onion and mushroom, perfectly complementing your gluten-free and dairy-free turkey and carrots. Click here for my Crock Pot Herb Turkey Breast with Blender Onion Mushroom Gravy (Allergy-friendly!).

Essential Thanksgiving Sides: No Allergens, All Flavor

Dairy-Free Garlic Parsley Mashed Potatoes (Top 8 Free, Vegan Too!)

After mastering the turkey and its delicious gravy, it’s time for some comforting sides. Thick and creamy mashed potatoes are an absolute must. You can prepare these towards the end of your turkey’s cooking time, allowing enough time for the potatoes to boil until tender. The key is to achieve a flavorful, smooth consistency, and these dairy-free mashed potatoes deliver exactly that. They are also completely vegan, making them suitable for even more dietary needs. My Dairy-free Garlic Parsley Mashed Potatoes (Top 8 free, vegan too!) recipe is sure to be a hit this Thanksgiving.

Delightful Asparagus: Two Allergy-Friendly Options

Next up, I truly adore asparagus. Its tender, elongated stems add a touch of elegance to any meal. Thankfully, I have two equally delicious recipes for you, depending on your preferred level of involvement. If you’re a fellow bacon enthusiast and don’t mind a little extra cooking, I highly recommend my Asparagus with Bacon and Red Onion Vinaigrette (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut/Tree nut free, Top 8 Free). This dish offers a wonderful savory depth. For a simpler yet equally satisfying option, try my Roasted Garlic Balsamic Asparagus (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut, Tree nut Free, Top 8 Free, Vegan). Either choice guarantees a winning side dish!

Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts with Craisins (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut/Tree Nut Free, Top 8 Free, Vegan)

Now, for a potentially polarizing, but incredibly rewarding, part of the menu: Brussels Sprouts. I know some guests might typically avoid them, but I promise you, this recipe will convert even the most skeptical eaters! By adding sweet bursts of craisins and caramelizing the sprouts with brown sugar, you’ll discover a whole new appreciation for this green vegetable. Take a leap of faith and try my Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts with Craisins (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut/Tree nut Free, Top 8 Free, Vegan). These are conveniently cooked on your stovetop, helping to free up your oven for other important dishes!

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole (GF, DF, Top 8 Free, Vegan Option)

While we’ve covered plenty of green veggies for your allergy-friendly Thanksgiving, don’t forget the delightful orange ones! Beyond just carrots, I’m thinking of something sweeter and richer, like sweet potatoes. My husband would truly be disappointed if these weren’t on the menu. I believe their appeal lies in their dessert-like quality, topped with brown sugar and fluffy marshmallows. For me, the best part is the simplicity: just combine everything in the slow cooker, mash at the end, and add marshmallows. With two slow cookers, I use the large one for the turkey and the smaller one for this incredible side. It almost feels like this dish cooks itself until serving time, making it the perfect stress-free addition to your feast. Click here to get my Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole (GF, DF, Top 8 Free, Vegan option).

Oven Roasted Garlic, Bacon & Brown Sugar Green Beans

Don’t forget the green beans! If you’re not a fan of the typical soft, sometimes mushy, canned green beans, you must try oven roasting them. This method preserves a delightful texture that’s far superior. For an elevated twist, a glaze made with bacon, garlic, and brown sugar takes them to a whole new level! Forget the traditional creamy green bean casserole; this “adult” version offers a sophisticated alternative. Explore my recipe for Oven Roasted Garlic, Bacon & Brown Sugar Green Beans, complete with a helpful video!

Gluten-Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole

For those who crave the classic creamy green bean casserole, I have you covered with an incredibly flavorful and satisfying gluten-free and vegan version. It offers options for a delicious gluten-free topping or can be served without. You and your guests will absolutely love this traditional favorite, reimagined for allergy needs! Make sure my Gluten Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole is part of your festive spread.

Apple Bacon Spinach Salad with Sweet Red Onion Vinaigrette (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free, Top-8-Free)

Looking for a refreshing salad? If I’m having a salad, it needs to be packed with exciting textures. Imagine crisp apples, crunchy bacon, savory pumpkin seeds, all brought together with a vibrant, sweet pink dressing. This salad is a cherished tradition at our Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, and I anticipate it with excitement every single time. Many salads rely on cheese toppings for flavor, but I assure you, you won’t miss the dairy in this incredible salad! You can even prepare it the day before; just remember to add the apples right before serving to prevent browning and the dressing immediately before serving to keep the spinach fresh and crisp. Get the recipe for my Apple Bacon Spinach Salad with Sweet Red Onion Vinaigrette (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree nut Free, Top-8-Free).

Allergy-Friendly Breads: Hearty & Delicious Options

Finally, you’ll need some bread to complement your meal and fill any remaining happy cracks in your tummy. While I’ve yet to perfect a gluten-free, vegan roll recipe that meets my standards, I do appreciate the quality of BFREE rolls (their sweet potato variety is particularly good, though I can’t find an Amazon link for it currently). Another excellent option is my friend’s recipe for Gluten Free Bread Rolls from “There is Life After Wheat.”

The Best Top 8 Free Cornbread (GF, Vegan)

Alternatively, we often opt for a delightful southern-style approach with my favorite cornbread. It’s a particular favorite of my second son, and when slathered with vegan butter and honey, cranberry sauce, or your favorite jam, you won’t miss traditional rolls at all! This cornbread recipe is wonderfully simple, requiring no specialty flours—just corn and cornmeal. Forget about needing specific blends or rice flour; it’s made easily right in your blender. Plus, there’s a video on the recipe page to guide you. Go ahead and discover THE Best Top 8 Free Cornbread (GF, Vegan). If you prefer a slightly sweeter cornbread, try my pumpkin cornbread (pictured second). It doesn’t taste overtly like pumpkin, but it lends an incredible moisture and a beautiful golden hue. For those who can enjoy eggs, my friend Chandice also offers delicious Gluten-Free Crescent Rolls.

Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cornbread Cake

For a truly indulgent experience, if you’re looking for cornbread that’s thick, rich, and sweet – more akin to a Cornbread Cake – then you must try this gluten-free and dairy-free version!

Festive Drinks: Warm & Inviting

Slow Cooker Apple Pear Cider (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top 8 Free; Vegan)

What about a delightful drink to accompany all this allergy-friendly goodness? I highly recommend preparing this Slow Cooker Apple Pear Cider (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top 8 free; vegan) the day before Thanksgiving. You can then store it in pitchers and serve it either warm or chilled. This fruity, non-alcoholic, and wonderfully seasonal beverage is perfect for both kids and adults. I particularly love it for its rich spices, offering a warm and inviting welcome to guests as they arrive.

Thanksgiving Desserts: Indulgent & Allergy-Friendly Pies & Cakes

Now, for the grand finale: Thanksgiving desserts! Don’t let multiple food allergies convince you that you have to skip out on delicious pies. I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of traditional fruit pies, so you won’t find typical pumpkin, cherry, or apple pies here. But if you share my love for creamy pies, no-bake creations, and all-around awesome desserts, then you’ve come to the right place! Prepare to dive into a world of sweet, safe, and sensational treats.

Gluten & Dairy-Free Triple Chocolate Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Vegan)

Do you long for the creamy indulgence of pudding pies? Imagine a dairy-free chocolate pudding pie that truly satisfies. Well, guess what? It’s entirely possible! This pie fulfills all my chocolate dreams without any of the common allergens. It’s a decadent, rich treat that’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free, and vegan. Pin this incredible recipe now: Gluten& Dairy-free Triple Chocolate Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free; vegan).

Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Crumble Pie

Imagine a gingersnap cookie crust, a soft and custardy pumpkin filling, and a crisp crumble topping – three layers of pure autumn heaven! This dessert is perfect for any fall day, but truly shines as the star of your Thanksgiving dessert table. This triple-threat pie is completely allergy-friendly, made without wheat, gluten, dairy, egg, peanuts, or tree nuts. It’s also vegan, with a soy-free option included, ensuring everyone can enjoy its delightful flavors. You’ll absolutely adore my Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Crumble Pie.

Gluten-Free Vegan French Apple Tart

If you need a fantastic last-minute pie with minimal ingredients for Thanksgiving, this is it! Essentially combining gluten-free flour, sugar, apples, and vegan butter, this tart cleverly avoids fiddly fillings or the need to crimp edges like a traditional apple pie. It’s flat, wonderfully holdable, and perfect for cutting into generous wedges. Topped with a glaze that truly makes the apples sing, this tart focuses purely on the apple flavor – no cinnamon needed. Inspired by Ina Garten’s famous apple tart, it’s been skillfully tweaked to be gluten-free, vegan, and top-8-free, ensuring everyone can indulge, regardless of their food allergies or dietary restrictions. Get the gluten-free vegan apple tart here.

Frozen Raspberry Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Vegan)

Is your holiday celebration in a warmer climate? Or are you simply tired of baking pies? Then this make-ahead Frozen Raspberry Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free; vegan) is exactly what you need. It’s like having delightful raspberry ice cream with a rich chocolate cookie crust, which is absolutely heavenly if you ask me!

Strawberry Chocolate Galette (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top-8-Free; Vegan)

Confession time: I’m generally not a big fan of pie crusts, which explains why you won’t find many traditional pies in my collection. But if I’m going to have a crust, I crave a thick, rustic, folded-over crust like the one in a galette. This particular hearty crust incorporates cornmeal, giving it an almost scone-like texture that is both sweet and utterly amazing. And the luscious chocolate strawberry filling? It’s simply divine! This rustic dessert is sure to elicit “oohs” and “aahs” from your guests. Find the recipe here: Strawberry Chocolate Galette (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free; vegan).

Allergy-Friendly No Bake Strawberry Jello Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top-8-Free)

Does a cinnamon sugar cookie crust sound appealing? What about a light, cloud-like, and fluffy strawberry filling? If this angel-like dessert is your kind of pie, then we should definitely be friends! This no-bake wonder is a fantastic option for a refreshing and easy dessert. Check out my recipe for Allergy-friendly No Bake Strawberry Jello Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free).

Allergy-Friendly Peach Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Top-8-Free)

Peaches are one of my all-time favorite fruits. However, I often find that peach pies can be lackluster if the peaches aren’t perfectly sweet. Thanks to a clever hack using peach jello, you’ll never again have to worry about a tart or unripe peach ruining your pie! The perfectly flavored gel in which the peaches are suspended elevates this pie to epic status. The delightful shortbread crust and sweet fruit create pure pie heaven. This recipe is wonderfully allergy-friendly, free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, and is also top-8-free. Find my perfect peach pie recipe here: Allergy-friendly Peach Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free).

Gluten-Free Vegan Lemon Pie Bars (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free)

As I’ve mentioned, I lean towards non-traditional pies. So, if you’re ready to be a culinary rebel, why not try pie bars? Ditch the circular shape for a convenient square! This recipe features a brilliant lemon pie filling that remarkably uses no eggs, making it a fantastic option for egg allergies. The creamy, dairy-free cream cheese topping perfectly balances the tartness of the lemons, creating the ultimate allergy-friendly dessert experience. These bars are also gluten-free, peanut-free, and tree nut-free. Go get the recipe here: Gluten-free Vegan Lemon Pie Bars (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free).

Allergy-Friendly Pumpkin Mousse Pie (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Peanut & Tree Nut Free; Vegan)

Any Thanksgiving roundup, whether allergy-friendly or not, simply wouldn’t be complete without a nod to pumpkin pie. But as you know my Thanksgiving menu philosophy, I love practical slow-cooker recipes, delightful bacon dishes, and especially no-bake pies. So, naturally, my take on pumpkin pie is a luxurious mousse. Find my creamy, dreamy Allergy-friendly Pumpkin Mousse Pie (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free; vegan) here. It’s an elegant and surprisingly simple alternative to the traditional baked version.

Black Bottom Oatmeal Pie (No-Nut Pecan Pie)

Ever since my son was diagnosed with nut allergies, I’ve longed for pecan pie. Thankfully, I discovered a brilliant way to make a delicious “pecan” pie without any nuts! By simply using oatmeal, you can still achieve that wonderfully sticky, caramel-like filling and a perfectly flaky pie crust. To truly elevate it, spread a layer of chocolate on the crust before adding the filling. This ingenious pie is also known by several names: Poor Man’s Pecan Pie, Faux Pecan Pie, Mock Pecan Pie, Black Bottom Oatmeal Pie, or No Nut Pecan Pie. Whatever you call it, it’s a must-try for a nut-free holiday!

No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake

If you’re more of a cheesecake aficionado than a pie enthusiast, this no-bake vegan chocolate cheesecake is a rich, decadent dessert you’ll absolutely fall in love with. It’s incredibly thick and creamy, all without a trace of dairy or eggs – truly a modern culinary miracle! Extra chocolatey thanks to both cocoa powder and melted dairy-free chocolate chips, it will satisfy every one of your chocolate cravings. This recipe is also easily made gluten-free for those who require it. In fact, I entered it into a regular pie contest, and it won second place, with no one realizing it was entirely vegan!

Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

And if you’re not in the mood for pie, but rather cake (it’s a tough choice, I know!), then I wholeheartedly recommend my gluten-free vegan pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. It’s perfectly spiced, incredibly moist, and the vegan cream cheese frosting is wonderfully sweet and absolutely delicious!

Cool & Creamy Allergy-Friendly Peppermint Pie

Cool, creamy, and wonderfully minty, this peppermint pie recipe is destined to become your favorite dessert for all your holiday gatherings. The refreshing mint, perfectly paired with a rich chocolate cookie crust, is an absolutely delicious combination! I’ve included options for both regular ingredients and for those with gluten and dairy allergies, like us, ensuring you can prepare it for any guests you might be hosting.

Additional Holiday Must-Haves

Low Carb Cranberry Sauce (External Recipe)

While I haven’t developed my own cranberry sauce recipe, as it’s not a staple in our home, a fellow blogger, That’s Low Carb, offers an excellent Keto recipe you might want to check out for Low Carb Cranberry Sauce.

Embrace a Delicious & Safe Thanksgiving

By all means, there’s no pressure to prepare every single one of these recipes. I certainly have to pick and choose for my own family’s smaller Thanksgiving gathering. My deepest hope is that this comprehensive guide empowers you to realize the abundance of divine dishes you can enjoy, even when navigating food restrictions or allergies. Whether you’re hosting your own Thanksgiving celebration or attending as a guest, I wish for you to feel safe, loved, and above all, immensely grateful for the blessings we are all so freely given.

From my family – for whom I am most grateful, and who inspire me to cook and painstakingly develop all these recipes – to your family, Happy Thanksgiving! With love, the Lavins.

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