Thanksgiving With IBD: 5 Gut-Friendly Recipes to Bring to the Table

Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table, but holiday meals can sometimes feel complicated when you’re living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. There’s no one-size-fits-all Thanksgiving menu for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Food tolerance varies from person to person and may change during a flare or remission. 

One way to make the day easier is to bring a dish you know works for you—and share it with everyone at the table. These five recipes from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Gut Friendly Recipes collection offer ideas for your holiday menu. 

Five Gut-Friendly Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Table 

1. Chicken and Sweet Potato Soup: Start With Something Warm

This creamy soup features seasonal sweet potatoes and coconut milk, making it a dairy-free option. You can prepare it ahead and reheat it before serving. If you’re sensitive to spicy foods, consider omitting the red chili peppers and adjusting the fresh herbs to your tolerance. 

View the Chicken and Sweet Potato Soup recipe 

2. Tagliatelle With Pumpkin and Sage: Add a Seasonal Side

Pumpkin and sage bring fall flavors to this pasta dish, offering an alternative to traditional Thanksgiving sides. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and can help reduce holiday cooking stress. If you have an intestinal stricture, consider omitting the arugula. 

View the Tagliatelle With Pumpkin and Sage recipe 

3. Roast Turkey: Bring the Main Dish

Turkey is a familiar Thanksgiving centerpiece and a source of protein. If you’re bringing a whole turkey, coordinate with your host about oven space, transportation, carving, and serving time. Planning ahead can make sharing the main dish easier for everyone. 

View the Roast Turkey recipe 

4. Swordfish With Onion and Pine Nuts: Try Something Different

Looking for an alternative main dish? Swordfish with onion and pine nuts offers a seafood option for your holiday table. Onion and nuts may not work for everyone, so adjust ingredients based on your individual tolerance. 

View the Swordfish With Onion and Pine Nuts recipe 

5. Almond & Lemon Meringues: Finish With Something Sweet

These light meringues offer a bright, lemony finish after a larger meal. You can prepare dessert ahead of time, leaving more room to enjoy the holiday. Because the recipe includes almonds, consider your individual tolerance and any food allergies. 

View the Almond & Lemon Meringues recipe 

A Few Tips for Thanksgiving With IBD 

• Bring something you know you tolerate. A familiar dish can help you feel more comfortable participating in the meal.
• Talk with your host ahead of time. Share your dietary needs and let them know you plan to bring a dish that works for you.
• Modify recipes when needed. Ingredients, portions, texture, seasoning, and preparation methods can sometimes be adjusted to fit your needs.
• Remember that everyone with IBD is different. A recipe that works for one person may not work for another, and your tolerance may change during a flare or remission.
• Ask for individualized support. An IBD-focused dietitian can help you identify foods and modifications that meet your nutritional needs. 

Most importantly, holiday meals can still be about connection, tradition, and enjoying time together—not just what’s on your plate. 

Find More Gut Friendly Recipes 

Explore the Foundation’s Gut Friendly Recipes collection for more ideas to fit your preferences and individual needs. The recipes are reviewed by dietitians specializing in IBD, but they aren’t specific recommendations for every person. Talk with your healthcare team for personalized guidance.