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40+ Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes

Navigating Thanksgiving with a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite holiday dishes. With a few smart swaps and the right recipes, you can create a stunning and delicious gluten-free Thanksgiving menu that everyone at the table will enjoy. This comprehensive guide features over 40 recipes, from the star of the show—the turkey—to stuffings, side dishes, and decadent desserts. Whether you’re hosting a fully gluten-free feast or simply accommodating guests with dietary restrictions, these recipes will help you plan your most delicious and worry-free Thanksgiving yet.

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Why Choose Gluten-Free for Thanksgiving?

For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can lead to serious health consequences. However, creating a gluten-free Thanksgiving doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or tradition. Many classic Thanksgiving dishes are naturally gluten-free, including roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and cranberry sauce. The dishes that typically contain gluten—such as stuffing, gravy, and baked goods—can be easily adapted using gluten-free alternatives that taste just as delicious as their traditional counterparts.

Main Dishes

The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving meal is the turkey. Luckily, turkey is naturally gluten-free! The key is in the preparation and avoiding any hidden gluten in brines, rubs, or stuffings. Here are some fantastic recipes to ensure your main course is both safe and spectacular.

1. Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

For smaller gatherings, a turkey breast is a perfect choice. This recipe delivers a juicy and flavorful result with a fragrant herb rub.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 1.5-2 hours | Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole (6 to 7-pound) bone-in turkey breast, with skin
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup dry white wine

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the turkey breast on a rack in a roasting pan.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the turkey breast.
  3. Drizzle the melted butter over the turkey.
  4. Pour the white wine into the bottom of the roasting pan.
  5. Roast for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165°F.
  6. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

2. Perfect Roast Turkey

This classic roast turkey recipe is naturally gluten-free and produces a beautifully golden, moist bird that will be the star of your Thanksgiving table.

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 3-4 hours | Servings: 12-14

Ingredients:

  • 1 (14 to 16-pound) whole turkey
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • Fresh herb sprigs (thyme, rosemary, sage)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavity. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, thyme, rosemary, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Carefully loosen the skin over the turkey breast and spread half of the herb butter under the skin. Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey.
  4. Stuff the cavity with the onion, lemon, and herb sprigs. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips under.
  5. Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 3 to 4 hours (about 13-15 minutes per pound), or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F.
  6. Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

3. Garlic Clove Chicken

For those who prefer chicken to turkey, this garlic-infused chicken is a fantastic option. It’s full of flavor and naturally gluten-free.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 1-1.5 hours | Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 1 (4-5 pound) whole chicken
  • 2 heads of garlic, cloves separated and peeled
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the chicken all over with the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the lemon halves and thyme sprigs inside the chicken cavity.
  4. Scatter the garlic cloves in the bottom of a roasting pan and place the chicken on top.
  5. Roast for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should register 165°F.
  6. Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

4. Maple-Roasted Chicken & Acorn Squash

This one-pan meal combines tender chicken with sweet roasted squash for a complete and comforting main dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 6

Ingredients:

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 acorn squash, seeded and cut into wedges
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. On a large baking sheet, arrange the chicken thighs and squash wedges.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme.
  4. Brush the mixture over the chicken and squash.
  5. Roast for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the squash is tender.

Stuffing & Breads

Stuffing and bread are often the most challenging dishes to make gluten-free, but with the right ingredients, you won’t have to miss out. These recipes use gluten-free bread and flours to create the classic flavors and textures you love.

5. Classic Gluten-Free Stuffing

This recipe uses store-bought gluten-free bread to create a traditional Thanksgiving stuffing that’s full of flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 10-12

Ingredients:

  • 1 (18-ounce) loaf of gluten-free white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes and left out overnight to dry
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cups chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

 

Instructions:

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
  3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in the sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes and the onion mixture. Pour in the broth and eggs and stir until well combined.
  6. Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through.

6. Gluten-Free Cornbread

This gluten-free cornbread is perfect for serving alongside your Thanksgiving meal or for using as a base for cornbread stuffing.

 

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 9

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

 

Instructions:

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  4. Stir in the melted butter.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Let cool slightly before serving.

7. Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits

Flaky, tender biscuits that are perfect for sopping up gravy or serving with butter and honey.

 

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 10 biscuits

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 2 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk

 

Instructions:

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Stir in the buttermilk until just combined.
  5. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

8. Gluten-Free Cornmeal Muffins

These savory muffins are perfect for breakfast or as a side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.

 

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 12 muffins

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil

 

Instructions:

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and oil.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
  6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Side Dishes

Thanksgiving sides are where the variety and flavors shine. Many classic side dishes are naturally gluten-free or can be easily adapted. Here is a wide selection of vegetable-based sides to fill your table.

9. Sweet Potato Casserole

A classic Thanksgiving side, this sweet potato casserole is