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Home » Meals

November 17, 2022

Easy Allergy Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

We have been looking at the best easy Allergy Friendly Thanksgiving recipes. These are perfect for hosting the big holiday dinner with dishes that are top 8 allergens free. Gatherings can be really tough when you start out on a strict elimination diet. It can also be hard celebrating with family there are allergies in your immediate family. You worry that the holidays just won’t be the same.

Don’t worry, we have got you covered!

Easy Allergy Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes Cover showing 8 recipes and the article title.
Jump to:
  • Other Allergen Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe list resources
  • Choosing a Main Course 
  • Main Course Recipes
  • Potato Dishes 
  • Step by Step Mashed Potatoes
  • Potato Dish Recipes
  • Vegetable Dish Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Bread Roll Recipes
  • Salad and Stuffing Recipes 
  • Cranberry Sauces
  • Desserts
  • Leave a comment below! We love hearing from you and which recipes you have made.
  • Disclaimer

We hope you can find a few new favourite holiday dishes. Our hope is some of our favourites will become yours and be made year in and year out. The recipes are not just on our site but also on other sites. The recipes are top 8 free but their sites may not be so do keep that in mind.

We went to a few other food bloggers and asked them for their favourite Thanksgiving recipes. Then we checked to see if they fit the requirements we have. All the recipes listed here are dairy, wheat, egg, soy, nut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish free. Here is what we found!!! The results were overwhelmingly abundant.

Roast chicken Dinner

Other Allergen Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe list resources

If you are a host for Thanksgiving and don't have allergies but are cooking for those that do we highly recommend checking out the comprehensive list from The Strength and Sunshine Blog as well as this one. They have excellent tips on what to keep in mind when guests have special dietary restrictions.

Choosing a Main Course 

From scouring the posts in allergy groups we noticed that there were a lot of people concerned this year. They are worrying about what they can make that was top 8 free for their family’s newly diagnosed allergies. Two things in particular are being asked a lot. Can we eat Turkey if we are top 8 free? And how to make mashed potatoes without dairy?

One question that came up a fair amount is:

“Is it safe to eat a turkey with top 8 allergies and will what they are fed matter?”

The best person to ask is your medical team to see if this is an issue for you. This is a question for your allergist, doctors, and a registered dietitian knowledgeable in allergies. They would have the best answers for you as it is medical advice and everyone is different.

Farm Fresh

seasoned lamb roast

If they say it is okay or say you can with stipulations, here are some tips. I would look for a local farmer. One who raises animals like turkeys. That way you can buy from them and talk to them about what they are fed, how they are raised, processed, etc. We have “Lamb Lady Linda” that we get all our lamb and chickens from. She is perfect for us as we know how the animals are raised and what they are fed. It is not necessary for us to be particular for allergy reasons. We simply just love what she farms. Knowing where our food came from was important to us.

Supermarkets

For those like us that can buy from a supermarket, always check the ingredients on the packaging and with the manufacturer. This is done to check for cross contact issues in processing and packaging. We cannot have some hams as they contain or may contain mustard for example. Don’t buy stuffed turkeys as they may contain stuffing that has allergens such as wheat, dairy, and egg.

It is not recommended for those with allergies to shop at the meat counter case, if it has stuffed, seasoned meats or is shared with fish and shellfish. We have an amazing butcher shop in town where we get our premium meat cuts. They are happy to work with us and cut our meat first thing to reduce any cross contact with other products. 

Allergy Friendly Rosemary Lemon Roast Chicken in a pan.

Main Course Recipes

These Thanksgiving main dishes are tops on our list. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Gluten Free Roast Chicken - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Gluten Free Roast Chicken is an allergen friendly version of the roast chickens from the grocer. This dish is easy to make and tastes just like the roast chickens from the deli. Perfect for a family dinner and excellent for making leftover meals from.
Gluten Free Roast Chicken Recipe
Roast chicken Dinner
Allergy Friendly Rosemary Lemon Roast Chicken - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Allergy Friendly Rosemary and Lemon Roast Chicken is an easy to make family dinner meal. The whole roast chicken is top 8 free, gluten free, and dairy free.
Allergy Friendly Rosemary Lemon Roast Chicken Recipe
Allergy Friendly Rosemary Lemon Roast Chicken cooked.

Potato Dishes 

Potatoes are a really common side dish that is served at Thanksgiving. They can be served so many different ways, mashed, scalloped, roasted, boiled. It is really easy to convert this holiday staple to an easy allergy friendly Thanksgiving recipe.You also have the choice of a white potato, yams or sweet potatoes. Some people have all of them at theirs others don’t. We are going to look at how to make a simple mashed potato and then give you our favourite alternative potato dish options.

Mashed Potatoes

Not too long ago I was talking with someone who was concerned about how to make mashed potatoes from scratch as they had only ever made them from a packet. This reminded me that what may seem simple to many may in fact be something that other have never tried to make. Not all cultures make mashed potatoes and not everyone grew up with a family that had a fairly British food background like I did. We had mashed potatoes and yorkshire puddings with every beef roast.

Which Type of Potatoes Are Used?

To start, the kind of potatoes chosen will affect the feel of the mash. I personally prefer a starchier potato as I find it is a lot more creamy and less lumpy when made. I usually use a Russet or Idahoan potato that has been peeled and diced. Others do theirs with a waxier potato and leave the skins on, a red potato is perfect for this. The waxier potatoes will give a less smooth and more granulated mashed potato in our experience.

How many potatoes to use?

This is a tricky bit. In our house the kids eat adult sized portions of mashed potatoes, while I only eat the smallest smidge. Usually the ratio of potatoes to guests is a quarter of a pound per person or ⅔ a regular sized Russet potato person. This guide from the Sobey’s grocery store has great info on how many potatoes to use for different dishes.

Equipment Needed

You will need a large pot to boil the potatoes iin lightly salted water that covers them by at least 2 inches until they can be pierced by a fork. A vegetable or potato masher is one of the most common utensils to use in making this side dish. After the potatoes have boiled until they are soft and cooked through, the water needs to be drained off. 

Usually milk and butter are used to add creaminess to the potatoes, you will need plant based ones. Then use the masher to press down on the potatoes until they fall apart in a paste. This is easiest when done with the pot on a trivet on a flat surface you can get a bit of leverage on and not on the stove. Keep mashing and stirring the mashed potatoes into the milk and butter with the masher as you get all the lumps out.

Some people will push their potatoes through a ricer or potato press to get ultra smooth potatoes with zero lumps. Others will use a handheld mixer with beaters on the end to whip the milk and butter into the potatoes.

Milk and Butter Replacements

It goes without saying that You won’t be using regular milk and butter as they are both dairy products. They are easily replaced with plant alternatives. We find that gluten free oat milk with lots of fat in it works best as it adds creaminess to the potatoes. We use either plant based buttery spread, like Earth Balance (soy free) or butter-like sticks of butter, such as Melt Organics. Either will work well. 

Alternative liquid options are adding back in a bit of the potato water that was drained off and mixed until soft. Chicken or vegetable stock are also great choices for adding in at this point. Some will boil the potatoes in chicken stock to add extra flavour to the potatoes. 

Instead of a buttery spread, dairy free sour cream or plant based cream cheese (soy free) are sometimes used in place of butter. If we are making garlic mashed potatoes we love to use Plant Based Boursin Spread.

Always make sure the ingredients are safe for you and all your guests. We strongly encourage contacting the manufacturer regarding shared lines and cross contact risks.

Don’t Throw out the Water

The potato water is full of starch and many use it to thicken gravy, to help cream mashed potatoes or in other dishes. Save at least a cup of the starchiest water when draining in case you need it in other parts of the meal.

Step by Step Mashed Potatoes

  1. Peel about 1.5 potatoes per 2 people.
  2. Large dice the potatoes.
  3. Place the potatoes in a large stock pot and cover with water. Make sure there is about 2 inches more water than potatoes. The water line should be at least 2-3 inches from the top of the pot.
  4. Lightly salt the water. About ½ -1 teaspoon of salt 
  5. Heat the filled pot over high heat until at a rolling boil.
  6. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil for about 20-25 minutes.
  7. Check to see if the potatoes can be pierced easily by a fork.
  8. Turn off the heat and drain the potatoes from the water using a colander. Save the starchy potato water for gravy thickening.
  9. Return the drained potatoes to the empty pot.
  10. Place it on a large flat trivet on a flat area suitable for mashing.
  11. Add in ⅔-1 C Full Fat Gluten Free Oat Milk and ¼-½ C Soy Free Plant Butter for 6 - 8 servings. Add a little bit slowly and mash using a vegetable masher. Add a bit more plant milk and butter until all the potatoes are mashed and the mashed potatoes are as smooth and creamy as you would like. 
  12. Sprinkle in Salt and Pepper to taste and mix well. Keep covered until serving.
  13. If you have leftover mashed potatoes check out our Dairy Free Shepherd's Pie recipe to use them up.

Check out these amazing recipes on how to make guest wowing Thanksgiving mashed Potatoes:

Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes - CookAtHomeMom.com
Dairy free mashed potatoes are an easy 30 minute Thanksgiving side dish. Perfectly creamy and buttery they will have you reaching for more.
Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes - StrengthAndSunshine.com
Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes are a smooth and creamy potato dish perfect for Thanksgiving. This dish hits just about all the marks for being inclusive to most guests as it is gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and top 8 allergen free.
Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Potato Dish Recipes

No allergen friendly Thanksgiving recipe compilation would be complete without a potato section. If you would like to make a different potato dish we highly recommend trying one of these top 8 allergen free potato dishes:

Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Crispy roasted sweet potatoes are made in an air fryer. They are a top 8 free,  gluten free, dairy free, and vegan side dish. Air fryer sweet potatoes are the perfect Thanksgiving or holiday gathering offering.
Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Crispy roasted Sweet potatoes in a white bowl.
Herbes de Provence Roasted Potatoes - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Herbes de Provence Roasted Potatoes is a versatile and easy side dish recipe. They are gluten free, dairy free, and Top 8 allergens free and great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner as an accompaniment.
Herbes de Provence Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Herbes de Provence Roasted potato hero shot
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes are a quick and easy dish to add to any Thanksgiving menu. They add a crispy texture to soft and fluffy potatoes.
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes Recipe
Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow - StrengthAndSunshine.com
This Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow is a must for every holiday gathering. A quintessential Thanksgiving recipe that is inclusive and free from top 8 allergens.
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Recipe
Easy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices - VeganPunks.com
Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes are a phenomenal Thanksgiving potato side dish. They are top 8 allergen free and only use 4 ingredients.
Easy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Sliced sweet potatoes on a cream coloured plate.

Vegetable Dish Recipes

These vegetable side dishes are so fantastic even the kids will be eating them! They are perfect for large gatherings and are all allergy free Thanksgiving recipes.

Peach Balsamic Asparagus - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Peach Balsamic Asparagus is an easy and sweet side dish for family dinners, barbecues or for camping. It is dairy free, gluten free, vegan and top 8 allergen free. There is a sweetness to the dish from the vinegar that balances the flavour of the asparagus beautifully.
Peach Balsamic Asparagus Recipe
peach balsamic asparagus tips
Air Frying Carrots With Thyme - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Air frying carrots with thyme are the perfect side dish. They are top allergen free, vegan, full of taste so they are excellent for meeting the needs of many diets at family dinners.
Air Frying Carrots With Thyme Recipe
Air Frying Carrots with thyme in a white bowl
Roasted Green Beans And Potatoes - WatchWhatUEat.com
Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes are a quick and healthy side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. They are top 8 allergen free and quick to make.
Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes - LoveFromTheTable.com
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes is an amazing side dish that can be either rustic or posh. It is the best addition to this year's Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Roasted Kabocha Squash | Japanese Pumpkin - from DriveMeHungry.com
Roasted kabocha squash or Japanese pumpkin the perfect winter squash recipe for this Thanksgiving. This allergen friendly Thanksgiving recipe is top 8 allergens free.
Roasted Kabocha Squash Recipe
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage & Apples - TheFoodBlog.net
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage Apple Braise is an amazing and flavourful recipe for the holidays. It will bring a ton of flavour to any Thanksgiving menu.
Slow Cooker Red Cabbage & Apples Recipe
Air Fryer Green Beans - PlantedInTheKitchen.com
Air Fryer Green Beans are the perfect quick Thanksgiving side dish. They free up oven and stove room by using the air fryer.
Air Fryer Green Beans Recipe
Ginger Brussels Sprouts - ThroughTheFibroFog.com
Ginger Brussels sprouts are the perfect dish that can pull duel duty at on your Thanksgiving menu. They are an allergen friendly vegetable side dish or appetiser.
Ginger Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Instant Pot Vegan Collard Greens - HealthyMidwesternGirl.com
Instant Pot Vegan Collard Greens are a perfect set it and forget it recipe for Thanksgiving. They add a tender and smoky flavour profile to your Thanksgiving meal.
Instant Pot Vegan Collard Greens Recipe
Vegan Red Cabbage Recipe - ThroughTheFibroFog.com
Made on the stove top this red cabbage with apple saves oven space. It is a perfectly sweet and tangy side dish for allergen friendly Thanksgiving dinners.
Vegan Red Cabbage Recipe

Side Dish Recipes

Side dishes for Thanksgiving can vary from family to family, or region to region. We hope that these dishes will cover just about all the traditional side dishes you may have been hoping to find.

Grilled Delicata Squash - LoveFromTheTable.com
Delicata squash is fall’s prettiest vegetable perfect for Thanksgiving. This simple grilled squash recipe is full of roasted smoky flavour, and is top 8 allergen free.
Grilled Delicata Squash Recipe
Mashed Butternut Squash - ThreeOlivesBranch.com
This Mashed Butternut Squash is a simple and easy Thanksgiving side dish recipe. Perfect for fall as a vegan and top 8 allergen friendly dish when using plant based butter and other non-dairy alternatives.
Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe
BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese without Cashews - From SunglowKitchen.com
This 20 minute vegan mac and cheese is a perfect side dish for the family Thanksgiving dinner. The recipe is gluten free, dairy free and cashew free, perfect for those looking for top 8 allergen free sides.
Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe
Air Fryer Butternut Squash - SimplyScrumptiousEats.com
Air fryer Butternut Squash takes half the time of baking it and frees up oven space. This succulent Thanksgiving side dish is perfect for top 8 allergen free menus.
Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe
Stuffed Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Quinoa - VeganPunks.com
Air fryer acorn squash stuffed with quinoa, kale and sage is a fantastic meal for Thanksgiving. It can pull double duty as a top 8 allergen free side dish or a main course.
Stuffed Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Quinoa Recipe
A stuffed acorn squash on a white plate with a knife and fork sharing the plate.
White Bean Butternut Squash Mash - VeggieInspired.com
Butternut Squash Mash is a creamy and smooth side ideal for Thanksgivng. This savoury oil free dish is free from the top 8 allergens.
White Bean Butternut Squash Mash Recipe

Bread Roll Recipes

If you are looking to make your own top 8 free bread rolls for an easy allergy free Thanksgiving dinner then the crew over at the Living Abundantly Blog have got you covered. They have a fluffy and moist gluten free and top 8 free recipe that is sure to be a winner for your gathering.

Bread Rolls - LivingAbundantly.blog
Every Thanksgiving dinner should have amazing rolls and this is the recipe for your meal. The most fluffy and moist gluten free bread rolls to add to your menu. These are also perfect for making turkey sandwiches the day after.
Bread Rolls Recipe

Salad and Stuffing Recipes 

Salads are often an unsung hero of Thanksgiving dinner. They are full of flavour and colour as well as making sure the kids get all the veggies we would like them to. Stuffing is a must for holiday dinners. It is a dish that is synonymous with Thanksgiving.

The allergy friendly Thanksgiving recipes for salads and stuffing recipes we love are:

Festive Spinach Salad - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
This colourful festive spinach salad is perfect for those days when you want to still feel the holiday festivities but need a break from all the treats and rich food the holiday months bring. Another great time for this salad is as a side dish for your holiday meals. The recipe is for an entree salad but it will do 4 side salads.
Festive Spinach Salad Recipe
Spinach Salad
Gluten Free Dairy Free Stuffing - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
Homemade gluten free dairy free stuffing is the perfect addition to holiday meals. It is top 8 allergens free, gluten, dairy, egg free and our recipe has a vegan option. This is the perfect allergy friendly stuffing recipe for family Thanksgiving, Christmas, pot luck or other gathering side dish.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Stuffing Recipe
gluten free dairy free stuffing recipe in a green casserole dish.
The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing - StrengthAndSunshine.com
The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing is a dish that makes Thanksgiving! It is a vegan and top 9 allergen free recipe that is suitable for many.
The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing Recipe

Cranberry Sauces

Cranberry sauce is the trimming are what imbue our meals with flavour. It is these easy to make sauces that make our list of allergy friendly Thanksgiving recipes complete.

Apple Cranberry Compote - from BalanceWithJess.com
This super easy and quick Apple Cranberry Compote is a must have on your Thanksgiving Dinner menu. It is a meld of sweetness and tart perfect to compliment any main course.
Apple Cranberry Compote Recipe
Apple Cranberry Compote in a white bowl with a spoon in the sauce.
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce - from TheFoodBlog.net
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce takes Thanksgiving dinner to the next level. It will add a touch of sophistication to your traditional turkey meal.
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce in a white bowl on a grey marble counter.
Easy Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce - VeggieInspired.com
Spiced Orange Cranberry is a blend of maple, cinnamon, ginger and juicy orange flavours. It is a delicious addition to any allergen friendly Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Easy Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Desserts

When we think of Thanksgiving we often picture the beautiful array of desserts. Top 8 allergen free desserts are just as amazing as we can imagine with the Allergen Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes in this list.

Egg Free Pumpkin Chiffon Pie - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
The egg free perfect pumpkin chiffon pie is an amazing vegan pie to wow guests at all your next holiday gathering. It is gluten free, egg free, dairy free, and top 8 allergen free yet light as air.
Egg Free Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Recipe
egg free Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Chocolate Mint Pudding Pie - TheAllergenFreeKitchen.com
This chocolate mint pudding pie is a mouthwatering dessert that looks posh and sophisticated while being easy and quick to make. Gluten, Dairy free, Vegan and Top allergens free but so good it is great for gatherings to suit many dietary restrictions.
Chocolate Mint Pudding Pie Recipe
Chocolate Mint Pudding Pie
Blackberry Lemon Bread - SavorTheSpoonful.com
Blackberry Lemon Bread is a fabulous gluten free and top 8 allergen free dessert. It is easy to make and will wow your guests with flavour as a Thanksgiving dessert.
Blackberry Lemon Bread Recipe
Vegan Pumpkin Pudding - DelightfulAdventures.com
Make this Thanksgiving dessert feel effortless with Vegan Pumpkin Pudding. Treat your guests to this flavourful pudding and they will never guest it only takes 10 minutes to make.
Vegan Pumpkin Pudding Recipe
Vegan Cream Brûlée - LivingAbundantly.blog
No need to order in this fancy restaurant style dessert for Thanksgiving when you can make it home. This coconut based creme brulee is top 8 free and allergen friendly.
Vegan Cream Brulee Recipe
The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Pie - StrengthAndSunshine.com
This is the best gluten free vegan recipe that is just like the traditional pumpkin pies of your childhood. It is top 8 allergen free and the perfect Thanksgiving dessert.
The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Easy Vegan Apple Crisp - DelightfulAdventures.com
Easy Vegan Apple Crisp is a dessert for Thanksgiving or anytime of year. It is the perfect dessert for hosting the whole family this holiday season.
Easy Vegan Apple Crisp Recipe

We hope that these recipes can help you plan and host the most amazing Thanksgiving gathering. These top 8 allergen free recipes will help to keep Thanksgiving as close to what used to be the traditional Thanksgiving menu.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Leave a comment below! We love hearing from you and which recipes you have made.

  • Vegan Lemon Meringue Pie - GF/DF/EF, Top 8 & 9 Free
  • Gluten Free Tabouli (Tabbouleh) - GF/DF, Vegan, Top 9 Free
  • Tomato Free Pasta Sauce - GF/DF, Top 9 Free
  • Mashed Oven Roasted Acorn Squash - GF/DF, Top 9 Free, Vegan
  • Gluten Free Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb - GF/DF, Top 8

Disclaimer

We have to remind everyone that we are not medical professionals or dietitians, so these recipes are for information purposes only. Please discuss any dietary concerns, changes, or proper nutrition and your allergies with your medical team.

Always check the labels for any products to make sure they are right for you. We also encourage you to contact the manufacturers in addition to checking that the process of manufacturing is also safe for you, and that there aren’t shared lines. One product or ingredients may be safe for one person but not another. Always check the products and ingredients before purchasing.

« Dairy Free Potato Soup - GF/DF, Top 8 Free, Vegan Option
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