Thanksgiving ?

[jcgirl]

This is my first gluten-free Thanksgiving and we are traveling to my sister-in-laws. My question is: If the turkey is stuffed with traditional family recipe (loaded with gluten) will the bird cause cross contamination? My husband thinks that if I eat a piece of breast meat that I should be fine. He thinks that the breast won't touch the stuffing or something. I am considering taking my own turkey breast, better safe than sorry.

Expert opinions needed asap.

[Jenn2005]

The turkey would be contaminated if it is cooked with regular dressing. There is a similar topic in the Food and Recipies section you might want to read it is all about Thanksgiving Turkey's and prep. It is on the 2nd page at the bottom titled Thanksgiving Turkey.

Jennifer

[lovegrov]

Do not eat a stuffed turkey. Even if the stuffing itself never touches the breast (there's no way for you to know this for sure), gluten will get into the juices. Do they baste with the juices? Take your own or see if they'll cook the stuffing separately.

richard

[bluelotus]

No wonder I got sick last Thanksgiving. I was a new-bie to celiac disease then. Never really thought of this problem. Yikes!

[jenvan]

Def not. If you want to be bold with your family you could recommend a gluten-free stuffing instead of regular! There are quite a few stuffing recipes under the Thanksgiving recipes post. Also...if the turkey has not stuffing and seems okay, make sure you are able to verify the brand, additives etc. before partaking. I actually bring my own little miny ham to the family dinners now to be safe

[jcgirl]

I am so glad I asked and got confirmation to what I already knew. And, No the inlaws will not stuff the bird with my stuffing. Heck, my husband won't even go along with that one. As a matter of fact, two years ago it was my turn to cook and sister-in-law insisted on putting the family recipe inside my bird. I had to put my stuffing in a casserole dish in the oven, this was before gluten-free of course.

I will make it a point to bring my very own turkey breast along with my gluten-free stuffing that I already planned to make.

Thank you all for saving my holiday.

As for the hubby and in-laws, Love ya all to death, hope you all get a big fat Gluten Bloat and fight over the potty all night on the 24th.

[floridanative]

I posted elsewhere about this but I think it bears repeating. Butterball explicitly told me that only their FRESH turkey and FRESH turkey breast was gluten-free. They said due to secret recipe for their frozen turkeys, they can't deny the pressence of gluten in it. I realize that not everyone eats Butterball turkeys but my guess is that fresh (not frozen) turkeys will be the safer choice, no mattter the manufacturer.

[Carriefaith]

Yeah, you can't eat the turkey or you will get sick. Maybe ask them to make the stuffing separate so you can have some? If not, then maybe take your own food and eat it with them. That is what I usually do at big events.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

I fully advocate making your own personal gluten free thanksgiving the day before (or the day of) and bring over a big old plate of gluten-free goodies.

Family members can be "less than supportive" at times and I like this day too much to allow their lack of consideration to affect it!!!

Stuffing, turkey and taters taste great as leftovers -- don't let the Gluten-Friendly folks get you down!!!!

Bronco