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When you live gluten-free, the holidays can feel like a minefield of mystery stuffing and “I think it’s safe” cookies. So you end up bringing your own dish, or quietly filling up on the veggie tray. We’ve all been there.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love the GIG Holiday Cookbook
- 4 Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes to Make This Season
- 1. Holiday Lemonade Ring Spritz
- 2. Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
- 3. Brie & Sage Turkey Breast Roulade with Maple Tamari Pan Sauce
- 4. Cranberry Vanilla Cream Parfaits
- What You’ll Need
- Key Ingredients
- Helpful Equipment
- Your Make-Ahead Holiday Game Plan
- Tips for Holiday Success
- Serving Suggestions
- Gluten-Free Food Dignity with GIG Cares
- Bonus Fall Recipe: Pear & Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
- Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes FAQ
- Your Most Delicious Gluten-Free Holiday Yet
This year, however, you get to be the host everyone talks about. The brand-new, free GIG Holiday Cookbook is packed with gluten-free holiday recipes that look stunning and taste even better. Best of all, nobody at your table will guess they’re gluten-free.
Below, we’re sharing four festive favorites from the cookbook: a sparkling drink, a party-ready appetizer, a showstopping main, and a make-ahead dessert. Together, they make a complete gluten-free holiday menu. So grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!
Download the free GIG Holiday Cookbook
Why You’ll Love the GIG Holiday Cookbook
First things first: this isn’t just another gluten-free holiday cookbook. It comes from the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a nonprofit that has supported the gluten-free community for more than 50 years.
In other words, you’re in good hands. GIG also runs the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), which sets the global standard for gluten-free safety. So when these recipes call for a brand-name product, you can shop and cook with confidence.
Here’s what else makes it a keeper:
- Every course is covered. You’ll find drinks, appetizers, sides, mains, and desserts.
- Store-bought shortcuts. Gluten-free puff pastry, cookies, and pasta do the heavy lifting.
- Options for everyone. Many recipes are also dairy-free, nut-free, or vegan.
- Thanksgiving to New Year’s. These recipes work for every gathering this season.
Meanwhile, you’ll also find crowd-pleasers like Skillet Cornbread Sausage Stuffing, Maple Ginger Green Beans, and a Holiday Sherry Bundt Cake. So from the first toast to the last bite of dessert, you’ll have a recipe for every spot on your holiday table.
4 Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes to Make This Season
Ready for the fun part? Here are four standout recipes from the cookbook, in the order you’d serve them.
1. Holiday Lemonade Ring Spritz
Every great party starts with a festive drink. This one is bright, bubbly, and seriously pretty.
First, you simmer Candifi Lemonade Rings with water into a sweet-tart lemon syrup. Then you mix it with white cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water. Finally, a rosemary sprig, a few cranberries, and a candy ring hooked on the rim make it look like a holiday postcard.
- Makes: 8 drinks
- Dietary notes: Gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegetarian, and vegan
- Adults-only twist: Add 1½ ounces of vodka or gin to each glass before pouring.
Pro tip: Make the syrup a day ahead. That way, you only need to stir and pour when guests arrive.
2. Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
If there’s one appetizer that disappears first, it’s this one. Flaky pastry, melty Brie, and tangy cranberry sauce are a classic combo for good reason.
To start, you press squares of Dufour Gluten-Free Puff Pastry into a mini muffin pan. Next, you fill each one with a cube of Brie, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, toasted pecans, and fresh thyme. After about 20 minutes in the oven, they come out puffed and golden.
- Makes: 24 appetizer bites
- Dietary notes: Gluten-free, soy-free, and vegetarian
- Sweet heat: A drizzle of hot honey takes them over the top.
Pro tip: These gluten-free holiday appetizers are best served warm. So bake them just before guests arrive, and let them cool for 5 minutes in the pan.
3. Brie & Sage Turkey Breast Roulade with Maple Tamari Pan Sauce
Hosting a smaller crowd this year? Instead of roasting a whole bird, try this elegant turkey roulade. It’s a star among gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes, and it shines at Christmas dinner too.
First, you pound a turkey breast thin and brush it with a glaze of San-J Gluten Free Tamari, maple syrup, and Dijon. Then you spread it with sautéed apple, shallot, sage, and spinach, and layer on creamy Brie. Finally, you roll it up, tie it, and roast it until juicy.
Meanwhile, the pan drippings become a glossy maple tamari sauce in about 5 minutes. As a result, every slice gets a spiral of filling and a drizzle of savory-sweet sauce.
- Serves: 6
- Dietary notes: Gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, and refined sugar-free
- Why tamari? San-J Gluten Free Tamari adds rich, savory flavor without the wheat found in many soy sauces.
Pro tip: Pull the roulade at 160°F and let it rest 10 to 15 minutes. It will climb to a safe 165°F while staying juicy.
4. Cranberry Vanilla Cream Parfaits
Last but not least, dessert! These layered parfaits look fancy, yet they’re surprisingly simple to make.
First, you crush Homefree Gluten-Free Mini Sugar Cookies and toss them with melted butter. Next, you layer the crumbs with fluffy vanilla whipped cream and a quick homemade cranberry orange sauce. Finally, a whole mini cookie, sugared cranberries, and a rosemary sprig crown each glass.
- Serves: 8
- Dietary notes: Gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, soy-free, and vegetarian; easily dairy-free and vegan
- Make-ahead friendly: Chill for at least 1 hour so the flavors blend.
Pro tip: Serve them in clear glasses. That way, everyone can see those gorgeous red and white layers. It’s one of our favorite gluten-free Christmas desserts for a reason.
What You’ll Need
The good news? You won’t need a cart full of specialty flours. Instead, a few trusted gluten-free products do most of the work.
Key Ingredients
- Candifi Lemonade Rings for the spritz syrup and garnish
- Dufour Gluten-Free Puff Pastry (14-ounce package) for the Brie bites
- San-J Gluten Free Tamari for the turkey glaze and pan sauce
- Homefree Gluten-Free Mini Sugar Cookies for the parfait crumble
- Seasonal staples: fresh cranberries, Brie, a Honeycrisp apple, fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme
Helpful Equipment
- A 24-cup mini muffin pan
- Kitchen twine and an instant-read thermometer
- Coupe glasses and clear dessert glasses for serving
Your Make-Ahead Holiday Game Plan
The secret to a calm holiday? Doing a little each day. Here’s how to spread out this gluten-free holiday menu:
- Two days ahead: Make the lemonade ring syrup and the cranberry orange sauce. Store both in the fridge.
- One day ahead: Crush the cookies and store them airtight. Next, prep the apple and spinach filling for the turkey.
- Day of, morning: Roll and tie the turkey roulade. Then assemble the parfaits and chill everything until it’s time to roast.
- One hour before guests arrive: Roast the turkey. Meanwhile, assemble the Brie bites.
- As guests walk in: Bake the bites, mix the spritz, and pour. Cheers!
Tips for Holiday Success
- Keep your puff pastry cold. Thaw it per the package, but work quickly so it stays flaky.
- Avoid cross-contact. Use clean boards, utensils, and toasters, especially with mixed-diet guests.
- Add bubbles last. Pour in the sparkling water just before serving to keep the spritz fizzy.
- Trust the thermometer. It’s the easiest way to keep the turkey juicy, not dry.
Serving Suggestions
First, set out the spritz and Brie bites as guests arrive. Then serve the turkey roulade with a few cookbook sides, like Skillet Cornbread Sausage Stuffing or Maple Ginger Green Beans.
Finally, bring out the parfaits for a show-stopping finish. Want a second dessert? The cookbook’s Holiday Hot Cocoa Pudding chills in the fridge for at least 3 hours, so you can make it ahead. Then top it with whipped cream and crushed peppermint.
Gluten-Free Food Dignity with GIG Cares
The cookbook also highlights something close to our hearts. GIG Cares, the outreach arm of GIG, works to make safe gluten-free living more affordable and accessible.
For example, its Cutting Costs program helps families who struggle to afford gluten-free food. In addition, GIG’s new gluten-free subscription box helps provide a Cutting Costs box to a household in need. So your holiday shopping can give back, too. Learn more at gluten.org.
Bonus Fall Recipe: Pear & Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
Still craving more cozy fall flavor? Then you’ll love our Pear & Cranberry Upside-Down Cake with Brown Butter.
Juicy pears and tart cranberries bake on the bottom of a brown butter batter with cinnamon, orange zest, and maple. Then you flip it, and the fruit becomes a glossy, jewel-toned topping. Best of all, it needs no frosting and no fancy pastry skills.
It’s ready in about 1 hour 20 minutes and serves 6.
Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes FAQ
Yes! You can prepare the cranberry Brie puff pastry bites a few hours ahead by assembling them and keeping them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. For the best texture, bake them shortly before guests arrive so the pastry comes out golden and flaky. If you’re planning a busy holiday menu, prepping the ingredients in advance can save you time on party day.
A turkey roulade is made by rolling a seasoned turkey breast around a flavorful filling, then roasting it until tender. It’s a great alternative to a whole turkey when you’re hosting a smaller gathering or want something a little different for Thanksgiving. The Brie & Sage Turkey Breast Roulade featured in this recipe roundup combines apples, spinach, sage, and Brie with a savory-sweet maple tamari sauce.
Make-ahead desserts are especially helpful during the holidays when oven space and preparation time are limited. Gluten-free parfaits, puddings, cheesecakes, and cookie-based desserts can often be prepared in advance and chilled until serving. Cranberry Vanilla Cream Parfaits are a festive option because you can assemble them ahead of time, giving the flavors a chance to blend while freeing up time for the rest of your holiday meal.
The free GIG Holiday Cookbook from the Gluten Intolerance Group features gluten-free recipes for drinks, appetizers, side dishes, main courses, and desserts. It includes festive options such as Skillet Cornbread Sausage Stuffing, Maple Ginger Green Beans, and Holiday Sherry Bundt Cake, along with recipes that use convenient store-bought gluten-free ingredients. You can download the free GIG Holiday Cookbook here.
You don’t have to prepare an entirely separate meal for gluten-free guests. Start with a menu built around naturally gluten-free ingredients, such as turkey, vegetables, fruit, and potatoes, then choose gluten-free versions of favorites like stuffing, pastry, and cookies. Offering familiar flavors and a variety of dishes helps everyone feel included. Just be sure to account for cross-contact and any other dietary needs when preparing and serving the meal.
To help prevent gluten cross-contact, clean countertops, cutting boards, cookware, and utensils before preparing gluten-free food. Keep ingredients and prepared dishes away from wheat-containing foods, and use separate serving utensils to prevent crumbs from being transferred between dishes. If you’re hosting someone with celiac disease, ask about their needs ahead of time and take extra care with shared cooking surfaces, condiments, and serving areas.
Your Most Delicious Gluten-Free Holiday Yet
The holidays should feel joyful, not stressful. With these gluten-free holiday recipes, you can host with confidence and actually enjoy the party.
So pour a spritz, pass the Brie bites, and save room for parfaits. And don’t forget to download the free GIG Holiday Cookbook for even more festive inspiration. Happy gluten-free holidays from all of us at Gluten Free & More!
