How to Cook for Someone Who Is Gluten-Free During the Holidays

There is no shortage of gluten-free recipes out there, but these are a few holiday favorites:

1. Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad

As Pytell says, whole foods are always a safe bet, and this salad is chock full of ‘em. A bed of kale and Brussels are complemented by oranges, pomegranates, red cabbage, hazelnuts, and almonds — all topped with an oil-based dressing. It will taste good and look gorgeous on the table.

Nutrition per serving (serves 6): 232 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 5g protein, 26g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 12g sugar, 31mg sodium

Get the recipe at Sunkissed Kitchen

2. Cranberry Chicken

This recipe has minimal ingredients — cranberries, chicken, herbs, and spices — but boasts tons of flavor. Serve it up with some roasted vegetables and call it a meal. If you’re watching your sodium intake, cut back on the salt called for in the recipe.

Nutrition per serving (serves 3): 399 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 37g protein, 23g carbohydrates, 6g fiber, 11g sugar, 952mg sodium

Get the recipe at Well Plated by Erin

3. Gluten-Free Stuffing

A recipe approved and recommended by the Celiac Disease Foundation, this stuffing uses special gluten-free bread to achieve a familiar stuffing texture. Keep in mind that even gluten-free stuffing can high in calories, fat, and carbohydrates, so portion wisely.

Nutrition per serving (serves 8): 376 calories, 18g fat, 11g protein, 41g carbohydrates, 2g sugar, 540mg sodium

Get the recipe at the Celiac Disease Foundation

4. Balsamic Olive Oil–Braised Green Beans

A veggie side is a must-have for your spread, and this one is as beautiful as it is nutritious and tasty.

Nutrition per serving (serves 5): 143 calories, 11g fat (1.8g saturated fat), 1.6g protein, 9g carbohydrates, 2.5g fiber, 4g sugar

Get the recipe at Cotter Crunch

5. No-Bake Pumpkin Cream Pie

Forget worrying about a pie filling setting in the oven. This no-bake recipe guarantees good form, and it’s super easy. The crust is made of gluten-free Honey Nut Cheerios, so it’s sure to be a hit.

Nutrition per serving (serves 8): 281 calories, 17g fat, 2g protein, 30g carbohydrates, 23g sugar, 174mg sodium

Get the recipe at the Celiac Disease Foundation

Common Cross-Contamination Cases (and How to Avoid Them)

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), cross-contamination is the transfer of a harmful substance or bacteria (in this case, gluten) to food from other foods, cutting boards, or utensils when they aren’t handled properly. That means you’ll want to make sure the knife and cutting board you used to slice bread last week are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before they join the gluten-free prep party. And if you happen to be making food that isn’t gluten-free for other attendees, use completely separate cookware for everything.

Additionally, make sure to clean all appliances before using them to cook or warm gluten-free foods (think: microwave splatters, oven crust, toaster crumbs, dirty electric mixers) and assign separate serving utensils to all dishes. Lastly, wooden spoons, unless exclusively used for gluten-free food, are a no-go — wood is porous and traps gluten in, no matter how well you wash them.