Navigating TSA: What Holiday Foods Can Tag Along for the Ride?

After soaking up all the family moments during the holidays, there's nothing quite like the excitement of bringing home some homemade leftovers from the holiday feast. But if you're catching a flight, you might wonder if airport security will give the green light to Grandma's soup or the extra gravy that you're planning to drench your leftover turkey in. Maybe you're even wondering if there's a limit to how much food you can haul through TSA (Transportation Security Administration).

Nearly as noteworthy as the holiday meal itself, the idea of enjoying festive leftovers sparks anticipation for many. Yet, for those choosing air travel to reach their destination, you have to figure out which side of the line your favorite dishes fall on. This way, you can pack smart and avoid the disappointment of tossing them at the airport.

Before committing to bringing a beloved family dish to contribute to the holiday spread, or bringing one back with you, it’s important to figure out how you’ll get it there. This is especially true if you’re flying. While most foods smoothly navigate a TSA checkpoint, many items will have to go in checked baggage.

The TSA website offers some guidance. "If it's a solid item, then it can go through a checkpoint. However, if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, and it's larger than 3.4 ounces, then it should go in a checked bag."

Navigating the fine line between liquid and solid can sometimes be a gray area. For example, what if you want to enjoy canned cranberry sauce mid-flight? It's solid, yet one could argue that it has spreadable qualities. Is it considered carry-on compliant, or should it find its place in the checked bag?

To help you navigate this culinary maze, the TSA has dished out guidelines on what Thanksgiving meal goodies can and can't make it through security. And if you're still scratching your head about an item, the myTSAapp has a “What can I bring?” feature to help. They also offer advice on how you should pack the holiday food items.

Holiday foods that are allowed through a TSA checkpoint cover a range of items, including turkey and other meats like chicken, steak, and ham, regardless of whether they are cooked, raw, or frozen. Additionally, TSA regulations permit the transportation of stuffing, casseroles, macaroni and cheese, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, spices, desserts, and candy.

On the other hand, some holiday foods should be carefully packed with your checked baggage. Both homemade and canned cranberry sauce fall into this category due to their spreadable nature. Regardless of the thickness or consistency, gravy, whether homemade or in a jar, is designated for checked bags. The same rule applies to canned vegetables and fruits, jam, jelly, preserves, and even maple syrup.

Take a look at the full list from TSA here.

If you're on the hunt for some tasty meatless alternatives to the usual Thanksgiving turkey or just want to mix things up with veggie-packed sides, there are several vegetarian recipes that are perfect for holiday get-togethers.

Thanksgiving often revolves around the star of the show, which is obviously the turkey. But some of the best holiday casseroles and sides are either vegetarian or can be easily tweaked to be. Whether you're a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to try something new, there's no reason you can't have a wonderful holiday feast.

The holiday season brings plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables to choose from. These include squash, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and more. These fall vegetables offer heartiness without the need for meat. Meanwhile, fruits like apples and pears provide versatile options beyond the usual pie offerings.

Your typical Thanksgiving spread has many options that work for vegans and vegetarians alike. Green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams are just some of the veg-friendly choices available.

If your kitchen is more used to handling meat, you might not have separate cutting boards and knives just for veggies. Just make sure to thoroughly wash utensils before transitioning to vegetable prep. This is done to avoid any cross-contamination, such as dicing bacon on the same board used for chopping green beans.

Even for guests who typically consume meat and dairy, those who don’t eat meat often share the same appreciation for sweet treats. Offering a vegan dessert can be as straightforward as using coconut oil instead of butter in your pie pastry. Maybe opt for a pint of non-dairy ice cream.

Planning a holiday menu with vegetarian options might feel like a bit of a puzzle. This is especially true if you're not used to it. To assist in your menu planning, we've compiled a list of vegetarian dishes that can grace your holiday table and keep your guests happy.

Forget the turkey stuffing routine this Thanksgiving and go for something sweet, like acorn squash. Mix up your stuffing with veggies, herbs, and diced apple, bake it until it's crispy on top, and serve with veggie gravy. This is a tasty twist for your holiday spread.

Dive into the savory goodness of meatless meatballs packed with quinoa, black beans, roasted veggies, and nutritional yeast. Easily turn them vegan by skipping the egg. Enjoy a flavorful alternative that's both satisfying and plant-powered.

Shake up your holiday menu with butternut squash baked ziti. This baked pasta dish has a creamy butternut squash sauce, generous layers of cheese, and a crispy panko topping. Whether served as a main dish or a smaller side portion, this butternut squash pasta bake will surely be a favorite.

Keep it simple and delicious with Parmesan cheese-stuffed mushrooms. Just grab whole mushrooms, green onions, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. Sauté, stuff, bake, and you have a crowd-pleasing snack in no time. You can even swap out the whole mushrooms with peppers.

No holiday meal is complete without dessert. Try your hand at a gluten-free carrot cake with vegan cream cheese frosting. Crafted with vegan-friendly, gluten-free ingredients like almond flour and coconut oil, this sweet treat is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, vanilla, and, of course, carrots.