This holiday meal plan is full of gluten free and dairy free holiday recipes. Eating well for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays just got a whole lot easier, and this holiday meal plan will help you plan a menu of delicious and healthy holiday meals!
Oh my gosh ya’ll, 2 weeks till Thanksgiving? That’s MADNESS! 2 Month (actually less) to 2018, that’s even more madness! What the what?
Well, if you are like me, you kinda need some structure to calm the crazies. Don’t worry, I gotcha covered. A gluten free and dairy free friendly Holiday meal plan. Yep! These are all my favorite meals to make for the holidays, whether it be for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and everything in between. I’m giving you allergy friendly options so you can please (almost) everyone at your table. Sound good?
Oh and you will notice I don’t have a turkey recipe. GASP! I know, but to be honest… I’m not a fan of turkey unless it’s in a leftover dish like this turkey stir fry zoodles recipe. I do, however, have a “How to Roast a Turkey ” recipe link at the bottom, so keep reading!
Here’s the new printable PDF version of this holiday meal plan, so you don’t have to keep clicking. If you can’t download the PDF, email me at lindsay @ cotttercrunch.com. THANK YOU!
Now let’s get started!
Holiday Meal Plan
Gluten Free and Dairy Free Friendly Appetizers, Starters and Drinks
Have you tried savory pumpkin bread? This is an easy quick bread recipe! Rosemary paleo pumpkin bread is the perfect healthy snack, breakfast, or accompaniment to any meal.
Vegan Persimmon Butternut Squash Soup
A creamy, sweet yet smokey, butternut squash soup recipe with the addition of Persimmon and it’s anti-inflammatory nutrients! Paleo, Gluten free, dairy free, and super easy to make.
I tweaked my grandma’s deviled egg recipe to make it a little more protein packed and Vitamin D and calcium rich. Keep it dairy free with paleo mayo, or feel free to use non dairy yogurt or greek yogurt! It’s tangy, delicious, low carb, and packed with healthy fats.
Spiced Pineapple Rum Hot Toddy
Spiced Pineapple Rum Hot Toddy is the perfect festive drink to soothe the body or to enjoy with good company. It’s made with natural sugars, cinnamon and coconut milk for healthier holiday sipping!
For the non-alcohol drinking crowd, mix up a pitcher of cranberry blood orange sugar-free spritzer with skewers of gorgeous sugar-free sugared cranberries! Or try my coconut eggnog steamers without the rum!
Turkey Free Main Dish Options
Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken
A simple yet elegant meal that cooks in one pan means a stress free healthy holiday meal plan!! The sweet tangy marinade makes this roasted chicken recipe extra juicy and extra crispy.
Cinnamon Chipotle Baked Pork (One Pan Meal)
Boneless baked pork chops rubbed in a sweet smokey seasoning, with roasted carrots and parsnips, and fresh herbs to garnish. Ready in 20 minutes! Paleo and whole 30 option.
Another one pan meal to make room in the oven for the rest of your holiday meal plan dishes! A deliciously nourishing citrus-packed fish dinner that’s simple to make. Paleo and whole 30 friendly.
Vegan Cranberry Maple Lentil Loaf
A vegan holiday dish to add to your table. Lentils, fresh cranberries, nuts, and sautéed veggies, baked up into one healthy and delicious loaf. The maple glaze topping makes it even more flavorful.
Eat Your Veggies! {and other side dishes}
Creamy Mustard Brussels Sprouts Salad
A pan fried superfood dish tossed in a vegan creamy mustard sauce. Quick to make, packed with fiber, healthy fats, and nourishment! A healthy paleo whole 30 side dish to add to your table.
Quinoa and wild rice, slow cooked with autumn vegetables such as golden beets and cranberries. This flavorful dish is perfect for the holidays or when you need to use up the vegetables in your fridge! For dairy free option, omit the goat cheese
This quick and healthy side dish has fresh green beans, seasoned with thyme, then braised with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, onion, black olives, and topped with toasted pine nuts. Paleo and Whole 30.
Vegan Carrot Chickpea Salad with Cider Tahini Dressing
Carrot salad with turmeric roasted chickpeas and tangy apple cider tahini dressing. A vegan salad with a golden glow! A plant based, healthy, gluten free side dish to pass around the table.
Slow Cooker White Bean Mashed Potatoes
A simple slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe with healthy white bean puree cooked in to give extra flavor and texture. These vegan mashed potatoes are delicious, even without butter!
Our gluten free dairy free holiday meal plan isn’t complete without… DESSERTS!
Vegan Coffee Pecan Pie Bars (Paleo)
Pecan Pie Bars infused with coffee! Normal pecan pie bars aren’t as good as these, and this is a vegan and paleo friendly dessert. Your favorite holiday pie in smaller bar form, and lighter.
Impossibly Easy Sweet Potato Pie (Paleo)
Impossibly EASY Paleo Sweet Potato Pie with coconut is a paleo sweet potato pie recipe that’s IMPOSSIBLE to mess up! Made with simple, healthy ingredients! This pie forms its own crust while baking.
Pumpkin Macadamia Nut Sweet Potato Casserole (Paleo)
Paleo Pumpkin Sweet Potato Casserole with Macadamia Nut Crumble! A healthier version of the southern classic side dish. Grain free and paleo friendly! Simple to make in 30 minutes.
Impossibly Easy Pear Apple Pie (Paleo)
A spiced pear and apple paleo pie recipe that’s IMPOSSIBLE to mess up! Made with simple, healthy ingredients, this pie forms it’s own crust while baking, saving you time in the kitchen.
BONUS – Baking tip!!
Learn how to make a 3-ingredient gluten free pie crust!
BONUS – Turkey Tip!!!
Learn how to roast a whole turkey or chicken with the help of It’s Yummi!
With so many delicious gluten free and dairy free friendly recipes in this holiday meal plan, I really think there’s one here for everyone! Which do you want to try?
Please let me know if you have any questions. We all celebrate the Holidays with different foods and dietary needs, but all in all, you can’t go wrong with REAL FOOD!
GROCERY LIST:
- Frozen or fresh cranberries
- Dried Cranberries
- Pitted Dates
- Apples
- Canned pears in juice
- Garlic cloves
- Green Beans and Brussel Sprouts
- Onion/Shallots/celery
- Parsnips/Carrots
- Red or Gold Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Butternut squash
- Beets
- Persimmon (or tomatoes if it’s not in season)
- Lentils/Chickpeas
- Canned White Beans (organic)
- Wild Rice (or Brown Rice) and Quinoa
- Pineapple Juice and Orange Juice (just a little from fresh orange works)
- Lemon and Limes and Oranges
- Pumpkin Seeds/Sunflower seeds
- Macadamia Nuts/ Raw Cashews/Slivered almonds/ Optional pine nuts
- Olives (green and black)
- Fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, and sage
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Ground Turmeric/curry powder/Chili powder or chipotle powder
- Potato starch or tapioca flour
- Paleo Pumpkin Cake mix or Nut flour mix
- Canned sweet potato and pumpkin puree
- Large eggs
- Chicken thighs (skinless)
- Organic Pork Chops (boneless)
- Wild Caught Salmon
- Paleo Mayo
- Almond butter (natural)
- Tahini or cashew butter (for the Apple Cider Dressing)
- Honey Mustard
- Gluten Free Tamari or Coconut aminos
- Coffee beans and instant espresso/coffee
- Vegetables Broth/Chicken Broth (Gluten Free)
STAPLES PANTRY ITEMS WILL NEED FOR THIS MEAL PLAN AND MORE!
- Chia seed
- Honey or maple syrup (you can use xylitol syrup if you are wanting no sugar)
- coconut milk/cream
- Almond Milk
- Olive Oil/Coconut Oil (cold pressed)
- Clarified Butter
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Rice Vinegar
- Dried herbs
- Red pepper flakes
- Kosher Sea salt/Ground black Pepper
- Coconut Flour/Almond Meal
- Gluten Free Baking Soda and Baking Powder (Aluminum free)
Please see my SHOP page for MANY of my favorite pantry staples and other kitchen tools to use.
Have you started Holiday planning? DO share!
Cheers Friends!
LC
The food in your menu is very attractive, and delicious, the chef is great.
Thanks for sharing. I see the novelty of your writing, I will share it for everyone to read together. I look forward to reading many articles from you.
Hello, Lindsay.
Look how fast time flies. We’re almost at the end of the year. Oh you’re such an angel. I downloaded the PDF version of the meal plan already. I will definitely print it and put it in the kitchen.
Ooh, vegan meatloaf and TONSSSSSS of amazing vegetable salad recipes?! If I follow a veganized meal plan using these dishes, I could basically be eating like I’m celebrating Christmas all year-round! And I would not be complaining about that at all!
yes!! great plan! Let’s do it.
Great collection, we may need to incorporate a few of these with our traditional menu at Thanksgiving.
Let me know which ones you try tommy!
I’ve lost my cooking mojo. Will you come help me get it back?
I’d do anything for you!
this is so helpful!
This sounds like my kind of meal! And honestly, I could totally skip the turkey and not even notice. It’s all about the sides and desserts!
This is so up my alley! Perfect meal plan!
I want to make ALL of this
do it! Haha
Great post Lindsay! And what a great round up of recipes. Loving those white bean mashed potatoes!
This meal plan looks incredible even for those of us who aren’t gluten free!
I’m not dairy or gluten free, but I’m all over this meal plan for sure!
oh yay! So glad! Let me know if you try any Debbie
I’m loving the look of this meal plan!! That Brussels sprouts salad looks good especially!!
Want them ALL, but especially that Vegan Persimmon Butternut Squash Soup!
How about I just come over for Thanksgiving? I’ll bring lots of wine!!!
Vegas always gets excited when I tell her I’m making one of your recipes. That’s like the highest compliment. 😉 . We love, love, loved that rosemary bread. And the beans.
That makes my day! Seriously. Best critic ever! 😉
I’ll have one of everything please!
come for Thanksgiving!