Thanksgiving looks very different this year. Instead of our usual large gathering—last year I hosted 20 people—this year it will be just the four of us. While I miss the extended family and the bustle of a big celebration, I’m choosing to embrace a smaller, cozier holiday and focus on gratitude. Below I share our simplified, fully gluten-free menu, planning notes, and practical tips for anyone preparing a gluten-free Thanksgiving for the first time.
Background
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. In past years our home filled with relatives—parents, siblings and their families, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a revolving cast of friends who joined the table. The day used to start early, with everyone cooking, snacking, and catching up while multiple cooks collaborated in the kitchen.
My mom had a tradition of inviting newcomers to the table to name a favorite dish, and she’d add it to the spread. Over time those dishes became family favorites, like pecan pie. The atmosphere was relaxed and the table was overflowing with food—some dishes made ahead, others prepared the day of. Guests would arrive in the morning, nibble on appetizers, and settle in as the meal came together.
Last year we hosted for the first time and loved it. Hosting 20 people was hectic but joyful. This year will be quieter for reasons both personal and practical, and I’m grateful for the time with my immediate family.
Thanksgiving 2020
This year’s celebration is scaled down to just the four of us. We had planned a different, smaller gathering even before a recent family loss made the holiday feel more somber and reflective. That loss has made me especially grateful for health and for the extra moments with my kids, who are teenagers and might otherwise be spending more time with friends.
We’re planning a cozy Thanksgiving that still feels special. The menu will include family favorites, prepared in smaller quantities. Leftovers will be enjoyed over the weekend and won’t go to waste.
Because it’s just us, it will be 100% gluten-free!
Many traditional Thanksgiving dishes are naturally gluten-free, and over the years our family adapted recipes and took care to avoid cross-contamination so the table became nearly all gluten-free. In the past my mom made stuffing inside the turkey—so the turkey itself wasn’t gluten-free—and we’d also make a separate roast chicken. Last year we fried a turkey and kept it gluten-free, while stuffing was still prepared separately by my mom. This year, with a much smaller gathering, our stuffing and everything on the table will be entirely gluten-free.
Menu
Appetizers (treating lunch as a selection of appetizers)
Cheeseboard (smaller than usual)
Gluten-Free Crab Quiche (a favorite tradition for my son)
Clams Oreganta Dip (will make a day ahead and bake on Thursday)
Spinach Artichoke Dip (will make a day ahead and bake on Thursday)
We’re skipping pumpkin bisque this year since we’ve enjoyed it recently and wanted to keep things simple.
Dinner
Roast chicken (we’re skipping a whole turkey this year; last year’s fried turkey was delicious but more than we need now)
Mashed potatoes (made the day of)
Sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble (prepared a day ahead and reheated or finished the day of)
The best gluten-free stuffing (partially made ahead and finished on the day)
Cranberry sauce (already made and frozen; thaws well)
Peas (my husband’s favorite) and/or roasted Brussels sprouts
Radicchio & Arugula salad with dried figs and walnuts (or a similar mixed salad)
Gluten-free dinner rolls
Quick breads served at dinner and enjoyed through the weekend: cranberry bread and possibly pumpkin bread
Desserts
We’re skipping traditional pies this year because we recently enjoyed pumpkin pie. Instead we’ll serve a pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese frosting, gluten-free pecan bars in place of a whole pecan pie, and my grandmother’s apple crisp. These desserts keep the celebration sweet without extra complexity.
For anyone planning a gluten-free Thanksgiving menu: aim for a balance of classics and dishes your family actually loves. You don’t need every traditional item to have a memorable holiday.
Tips for a smaller, gluten-free Thanksgiving
- Choose the dishes your family truly loves, not what you feel obligated to serve. If people don’t care for turkey, pick something else.
- Make full recipes and plan to enjoy leftovers, or halve recipes when you want smaller quantities.
- Keep the menu focused. For a smaller gathering, fewer dishes can still feel special if they’re favorites prepared well.
- Plan ahead and prepare what you can in advance so the day itself is relaxed and enjoyable.
Leave a comment below and tell me about your Thanksgiving. Do you have any traditions? What are you doing this year? How do you keep your holiday gluten-free?