Planning a holiday dinner for guests with allergies or other dietary restrictions? Whether you’re expecting a gluten-free guest, half of your family is vegetarian, or someone needs to avoid dairy, menu planning can quickly feel overwhelming. Think through your menu ahead of time and learn more about the restrictions to relieve some stress and make everyone feel included. Our Nutrition & Health Sciences team shares common dietary restrictions and some recipe inspiration to make planning a little easier.
One common type of vegetarian is a lacto-ovo vegetarian. People following this dietary pattern will avoid meat but do consume dairy products and eggs. Consider options that feature plant-based proteins or those that are easy to adjust to be lacto-ovo friendly. For example, swapping out chicken broth and using vegetable broth or replacing cooked sausage in stuffing with plant-based sausage crumbles are simple vegetarian ingredient swaps you can make. You might be surprised that many holiday staples like Swanson Vegetable broth or stock and Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup are vegetarian options. Here are some additional vegetarian recipes to help you plan:
Cream of Pumpkin Soup with Cranberry Drizzle
Holiday Vegetable Stuffing
Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables
Better For You Eggplant Parmesan
Garden Vegetable Lasagna
Gluten is a protein found in certain types of grains. People who follow a gluten-free diet will eliminate gluten-containing foods, like those made with wheat, rye, or barley. They can enjoy foods made with grains like rice, quinoa, corn, and others. Holiday staples like stuffing, gravy, and others can be sources of gluten. Read labels and check for gluten-free options and substitutions. Try convenient products like Campbell’s Condensed Gluten Free Cream of Chicken and Gluten Free Cream of Mushroom Soups to make cooking easier. Enjoy some of these gluten-free recipes packed with flavor at your meal:
Broccoli with White Wine & Parmesan
Whole Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Indian-Spiced Lentil and Quinoa Stuffing
Low FODMAP Italian Quinoa Bake
People on a dairy-free diet generally avoid any product made from animal milks like milk, cream, butter, sour cream, cheese, and more. Thanks to more dairy-free options in stores, this restriction is easier to follow. Pacific Foods has many plant-based beverages and recipe inspiration to help you make flavorful holiday dishes that work for those who are dairy free. Experiment with substitutions and try these recipes to offer dairy-free dishes for your guests:
Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Kale Soup
Garlic Sautéed Green Beans
Roasted Red Pepper Couscous with Garlicky Tomatoes, Onions, & Kale
We hope these recipes help you get started on planning dishes all your guests can enjoy! For more tips for cooking over the holidays, check out our chef tips to make veggies taste great.
